Dumb Handgun Questions

[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