Dumb Handgun Questions

[Band]

Dumb question #1: "A guy I know" is right handed but shoots a rifle left handed due to left eye dominance.  That "guy" believes shooting a handgun right handed but using his left eye to line up the sight might be the way to go.  What do you think?

Dumb question #2: Same "guy" wants to know if handguns come right/left handed like rifles do?

[singleshot12]

Sounds like a dumb guy

[Knocker of rocks]

There are semi auto left handed pistols, I think the 1911 is the most common

[JLS]

If he can shoot a rifle left handed, he can shoot a pistol left handed.  He would likely be fine for focal point shooting to use right hand/left eye.  However, when he starts precision shooting with his sights I think he will have issues.  When I shoot left handed drills, I use my left eye. 

Most pistols are made right handed, but many of the newer ones can be converted so that the magazine release is on the opposite side for lefties. 

[Band]

Sounds like a dumb guy

I...uh, I mean he takes offense to that!

[300rum]

There are multiple ways to approach eye dominance with no one way that is better then the other.  Eye dominance varies, for instance I have taught myself to shoot right handed/right eyed, both eyes open, even though I am Left eye dominate.  It think it is the best way to go.  I do know multiple decent pistol shooters who shoot Left hand, right eyed or Right hand/Left eye.  You can tape your eye but it affects your vision and vision is what shooting is all about once the fundamentals are learned.

There are pistols, such as the Glock Gen 4, where the magazine release can be switched to the other side for Left handers.  I know a few Left handers that just use their Left pointer finger to drop the mag on 1911's, etc.  Takes a little practice but there isn't that much of a difference after a lot of practice. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Dumb question #1: "A guy I know" is right handed but shoots a rifle left handed due to left eye dominance.  That "guy" believes shooting a handgun right handed but using his left eye to line up the sight might be the way to go.  What do you think?

Dumb question #2: Same "guy" wants to know if handguns come right/left handed like rifles do?

On 1. Hickok45 shoots both hands (primarily right handed) with left eye dominance, even after having shot with the right eye for many years.

FAQ - 33 (Left Eye Dominant 2)

[BsB]

Am I the only one that shoots pistols with both eyes open? Anyone else?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

[JLS]

Am I the only one that shoots pistols with both eyes open? Anyone else?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

No, I do most all of mine with both eyes open.   Same with an M4 carbine at closer ranges.

[Special T]

For whatever reason i could not view this video.

I AM THAT GUY.. I just read an article on this. the best way to shoot RH  is to tilt the pistol at a 45deg angle tword the L eye. Not full on sideways gangster style but just rotated. This is supposed to help align the sights better witht the dominat eye. I can shoot either way, ok. I won't be winning any medals but at close distance its acceptable.  Hope that helps.

[carpsniperg2]

My father was in a bad car accident when he was 8 If I remember right. He lost some of his vision in his right eye. So he has always hunted with a right handed bolt rifle and used his left eye. Just have to mount the scope a little funny for him to shoot them well. He shoot a handgun with both eyes open and I put a laser on his carry gun and that really helped him.

My brothers wife is going to deer hunt for the first time this year. She is so left eye dominant that I have to blind fold her so that she will keep her right eye open when trying to look threw a scope. It has been a struggle but she is finally coming around and doing well.

[Alchase]

What are you he trying to accomplish?
Are you shooting for self defense?
Or are you looking to compete, or target shoot.
Multiple approaches depending on what you  he chooses.

I shoot both eyes open, this gives you better situational awareness, peripheral vision, and no target lock (tunnel vision on your target) which is the last thing you want in a combat/self defence situation..
I shoot right handed (trigger finger on my right hand, left hand wrapping the right) but left eye dominant.
You focus is the front sight, unless you are point shooting.
If you shoot both eyes open, it should not be a problem as long as you practice often. You can practice your sight picture anywhere (with an empty hand gun of course).
I shoot my TV, the dog, pictures in the house, etc...

It feels weird now, because it is new.
Practice, practice, practice, your sight picture until muscle memory kicks in, and it becomes an extension of your hand.

[coachcw]

Doe's his screen name start with a R and end With a G ? lol

[Alchase]

Springfield Armory XD's are ambidextrous.

[300rum]

Canting the pistol isn't a good idea if you want to shoot well.  Your front sight will "jump" to the left in recoil and won't return well at all.  It is best to be in a position where the front sight lifts and then returns to the notch, up and down. 

Try it sometime.  Cant your pistol shooting strong hand only (it will be more pronounced then using two hands) and watch what the front sight does.  It will shoot off to the left (right hand) and it will make a downward arch before returning to the rear notch.  After that, shoot it with the sights vertical (still one handed), make sure your elbow is tucked under the pistol.  Watch the front sight to see what it does, it lifts and will return right back into the rear notch.  That's what you want.

Your splits (time between shots) will be much quicker and much more accurate.  You will also find that you won't have to "muscle" the gun as much in recoil in order to get it to return.   

For whatever reason i could not view this video.

I AM THAT GUY.. I just read an article on this. the best way to shoot RH  is to tilt the pistol at a 45deg angle toward the L eye. Not full on sideways gangster style but just rotated. This is supposed to help align the sights better witht the dominat eye. I can shoot either way, ok. I won't be winning any medals but at close distance its acceptable.  Hope that helps.

[300rum]

Should mention too...

Because of the tendency to cant when I tried to shoot right handed/left eye, I intensely trained to learn to shoot right handed/right eye, even though I am left eye dominate.  It can be done....in about a month.

There is research that eye dominance varies between people though.  I may have less dominance then most?  I don't know.  But, I have a feeling that I have a pretty dominate left eye.  I am right handed but bat left, for example.   

[Special T]

I agree its best to shoot left handed if that is your dominate eye. If however carrying your pistol RH because of driving, or thats what you got for a holster its an option. Is it the "best" course to take? NO, would it work? Yes. and it does.  Not how i'd carry if i had other options...

[Special T]

you can teach yourself to shoot with either eye. I can shoot a RH bow but it has to be a lighter poundage and i don't shoot as well.... with out practice. I prefer to do what lakes the least ammount of practice to be acceptable. 

[300rum]

I am saying use your strong hand and train your eye the way you want it to go. 

I agree its best to shoot left handed if that is your dominate eye. If however carrying your pistol RH because of driving, or thats what you got for a holster its an option. Is it the "best" course to take? NO, would it work? Yes. and it does.  Not how i'd carry if i had other options...

[300rum]

That's cool, the easy way is good too for some people who won't/can't put in the work.  I am just throwing out there what I feel is the best. 

you can teach yourself to shoot with either eye. I can shoot a RH bow but it has to be a lighter poundage and i don't shoot as well.... with out practice. I prefer to do what lakes the least ammount of practice to be acceptable. 

[headshot5]

Get yourself an airsoft gun.  Practice using either hand.  It'll get you comfortable handling the pistol with the off hand, and you can work on your hand/eye coordination on targets.  Then you can spend your free time picking up BB's. 

[Mongo Hunter]

I have always been taught to shoot handguns both eyes open. the only time I close an eye is if Im using a scope or in some cases a peep sight, some out there make it hard to shoot without closing one.

[300rum]

After the fundamentals are learned, shooting a pistol is about vision.  Both eyes open is far superior. 

[JLS]

After the fundamentals are learned, shooting a pistol is about vision.  Both eyes open is far superior.

Very true.  The only time one should be closing an eye to shoot handgun is if you are trying to shoot long range, i.e. 50 yards and out and really need that extra front sight focus.

[Yondering]

I AM THAT GUY.. I just read an article on this. the best way to shoot RH  is to tilt the pistol at a 45deg angle tword the L eye. Not full on sideways gangster style but just rotated.

I call that "half homie". It does work pretty well.

Ideally though, you teach yourself to shoot with either hand and either eye, truly ambidextrous. I am not there yet, my left hand needs a lot more training, and I still have to close my right eye if sighting quickly with my left eye.

[Band]

What are you he trying to accomplish?
Are you shooting for self defense?
Or are you looking to compete, or target shoot.
Multiple approaches depending on what you  he chooses.

Self defense and a little target shooting.

I have no practical handgun experience so I'm trying to figure a few things out before making my purchase.  I have already determined that I will shoot a handgun with both eyes open just as I do with rifle and bow.

[JLS]

What are you he trying to accomplish?
Are you shooting for self defense?
Or are you looking to compete, or target shoot.
Multiple approaches depending on what you  he chooses.

Self defense and a little target shooting.

I have no practical handgun experience so I'm trying to figure a few things out before making my purchase.  I have already determined that I will shoot a handgun with both eyes open just as I do with rifle and bow.

Nearly all self defense situations will occur at very close range.  Think in the realm of 10-20 feet, possibly less.  For this application, don't worry about right hand vs. left hand.  Get a handgun, and learn how to focal point shoot.  In a self defense situtation at 10 feet, you don't need or want to look at your sights.  Do you look at the bead when you shoot ducks?  Look at the ball when you throw to 1st base?  Look at the football when throwing it?

Develop a solid and repeatable grip on the handgun and you will be able to effectively shoot targets out to 30-40 feet without ever looking at the sights.

[300rum]

Sighting the pistol at close range isn't any slower then hosing a target, with practice.

Sights are a good thing, learn to use them.   

[300rum]

If you want to learn how to shoot and manipulate your pistol to your full capability, I would suggest trying USPSA. 

[Bofire]

 :)Just buy a glock or something that holds lots of bullets, point it at the sound and close both eyes, shoot til it runs dry, and run.
Carl

[JLS]

Sighting the pistol at close range isn't any slower then hosing a target, with practice.

Sights are a good thing, learn to use them.   

 

Proper focal point shooting is not hosing the target.  If someone can't fire an accurate double tap at a man sized target at 10-20 feet then they need to work on their grip and their stance.

Sights are fine, knowing when you need to use them is even better.

[300rum]

Boy, it is crazy what people can miss sometimes....

Instead of a double tap, think of two controlled, sighted shots, each separate from the other.  It is just as fast, if not faster and tons more accurate. 

[300rum]

You are rarely able to get a perfect stance and sometimes not even the best grip.  A properly fired shot, where you know where the bullet is going before it gets there wins every single time. 

[Band]

:)Just buy a glock or something that holds lots of bullets, point it at the sound and close both eyes, shoot til it runs dry, and run.
Carl

Sounds like great advice.  Thanks.

[JLS]

You are rarely able to get a perfect stance and sometimes not even the best grip.  A properly fired shot, where you know where the bullet is going before it gets there wins every single time.

FWIW, when I reference stance I am only referring to the shoulders and head.  Proper grip and pistol alignment allows you to shoot accurately regardless of what the feet and legs are doing.

I've never advocated an improperly fired shot.

[JLS]

Boy, it is crazy what people can miss sometimes....

Instead of a double tap, think of two controlled, sighted shots, each separate from the other.  It is just as fast, if not faster and tons more accurate.

Controlled pairs have their place and application, as do double taps. 

You can use no sights, flash picture of front sight, flash picture of front and rear sights, and focused sighting.  Each has their own application and purpose.

The two things that don't change are a proper grip (either one handed or two handed) and a proper trigger press.  This is true regardless of whether you are brace contact shooting, or shooting steel plates at 100 meters.

[300rum]

I understand what you are saying.  I have tried both extensively in order to find out what works better.

The fact is though, a properly sighted shot far exceeds any other option.  It exceeds everything else in both speed and accuracy which is what we are after, right?  While point shooting, indexing, hosing, whatever you call it may do the job some of the time, a properly sighted shot will give you the intended result every single time without giving up any speed.  It will also give you the ability to know where the shot will go before the bullet even gets to the target and this is the most important reason to master it.  It does take practice but once mastered, it far exceeds any other option.

You are headed the right way though, sometimes I only need to see a portion of my front blade in order to get the intended hit, say at 5-7 yards.  At about 10 yards I need to see most of the sight in the rear notch.  At 20 Yards, I have to see my front blade and pretty much equal bars of light on each side in order to hit the intended target, say a 6" round circle.  At 50 yards I must have a hard front sight focus and pay more attention to the trigger.

The most important part, though, and the reason it far outweighs any other technique is that once the pistol fires, at that exact moment, I can see the sight lift in recoil.  At the exact moment the sight lifts in recoil I will know where the bullet will hit on target, if I do my job.  On the flip side, I will also know if the shot is errant and will be able to make up that shot.  It can be done, for me anyway, in about .12-.18 on close targets, some can do it faster.  A full auto M-4 has splits of somewhere around .9-.10, for reference.         

[300rum]

I want you to try this.  Take your pistol and shoot it with someone off to one side (safely) watching you.  You need to know if you are blinking when you shoot.  Double up on your ear protection, muffs and plugs, it makes a difference.  It is normal to blink when you fire a pistol but in order to be able to "call your shot" and know where the round will go before it gets there, you must be able to see it.

Once you can keep your eyes open, watch the front sight through the firing cycle.  It may take a while but what you are looking for is the sight lifting in recoil.  Try looking "over" the front sight first, that may help.  Just fire into a backstop, don't try to sight the pistol on a target just yet.

Eventually, you will see the sight lift at the moment of ignition.  At that point your brain has the information it needs, from the feedback provided from the sights, to tell you if your shot was sufficient or errant.  With a bit of time and practice, your brain will take a snap shot of the feed back you gained from the shot and will either "call it" an acceptable shot or an errant shot. 

As the pistol recoils, the front sight will go up and down.  I can see it go up, I lose it for a bit and then pick it up on the way down as it nestles into the rear notch.  At this point you can correct the errant shot with another one if you would like.  This happens, for me anyway at the fastest of about .12 and on average at about .15 of a second at close range, 5-7 yards.  I have seen it done at less then .10 but not on demand.

That is why a sighted shot far outweighs the other examples.  You can do it as fast or faster and will know where the bullet will hit before it even gets there.  That is why a "double tap" is a lousy way to shoot a pistol.  You can shoot a controlled pair just as fast or faster and know where they are before they get there.   

[Alchase]

A double tap, is nothing but two controlled shots (a controlled group) shot quickly and accurately.

When starting out, grip, trigger control, and sight picture, then re-acquiring your sight picture after the first shot, are more important then hitting your target or speed between shots.

After lots of practice shooting controlled groups, will eventually lead to the ability to perform what most people refer to as double taps "effectively"!

You can not become proficient in double taps without a substantial amount of shooting practice.

Most shooters, who have not been trained, just do not practice enough to become proficient in double taps.

This is also why allot of shooting ranges do not allow Double taps.

The only time I would advocate point shooting over controlled sight shooting, would be under extreme situations, danger close, or on your back, etc.......

For someone just starting out, grip, sight picture, trigger control, are the foundation for controlled groups. Everything else comes from these.

And putting lots of ammo down range.

Band, if you have access to an outdoor range, or an indoor range that will let you move your targets to withing 2-3 yards, 5 at most (most ranges the close target line is set at 10 or 15 yards) shoot starting with controlled groups of two, then three, five. Once you are comfortable shooting controlled groups at that distance, then move to 10, start over with controlled groups etc...

Dry firing(depending on your weapon of choice) is an excellent way to practice grip, sight picture, and trigger control when you can not get to the range.

[300rum]

The origin of a "double tap" is two shots with one sight picture, pulling the tripper twice (fast) on one sight picture.  It was all the rage awhile back and is a great way to miss.  It gets confussed with hitting the target twice, a lot. 

Then "point shooting" became popular and then it was, "point or index your pistol on the target with out using your sights and pull the trigger fast twice".  That was even worse. 

Two individual, sighted shots on the same target is the way to go, always.  I guess you could call it a "controlled pair" or something like that but what it is, is two separate sighted shots that are entirely different from each other. 

The importance in the differentiation is that I am never really approaching a target for a "controlled pair".  I am approaching the target in order to shoot it as many times as I need to, if I miss, I want to pick that shot up as quickly as possible.  That is why knowing how to "call your shots" is imperative.  If I need to shoot twice, I shoot twice and move along.  If I shoot twice and see a miss, my follow up shot is immediate and repeated as needed.   

[Alchase]

I have never seen anyone successfully shoot a double tap, with the same sight picture.
Recoil prevents this.

A double tap or controlled pair is a shooting technique where two well-aimed shots are fired at the same target with very little time in between shots.[1][2] Instruction and practice of the double-tap improves overall accuracy as shooters often do not have the gun fully extended on the first shot meaning the second of a double-tap is usually the better.