Practical Pistol Show 131 - How many eyes

Published on February 13, 2016
Duration: 23:31

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show discusses firearm and magazine maintenance during competition. Ben Stoeger, Matt, and Gabe offer insights into their practices, emphasizing that most competitive shooters perform minimal maintenance during a match, primarily cleaning sand from magazines. For multi-day matches, some may perform a light cleaning or lubrication between days. The discussion also touches on the debate of shooting with one or both eyes open, with a consensus that while two eyes open is ideal, it's not strictly necessary for success, and shooters should find what works best for them.

Quick Summary

Most competitive shooters perform minimal maintenance during a match, primarily cleaning sand from magazines. For multi-day matches, some may do a light cleaning or lubrication between days. While two eyes open is ideal, it's not strictly necessary for success; many high-level shooters use one eye. Full firearm teardowns during a match are generally avoided due to risks of error.

Chapters

  1. 00:51Introduction & Question Setup
  2. 01:20Maintenance During a Match
  3. 06:42Maintenance Between Shooting Days
  4. 09:38Full Teardown During Match?
  5. 12:21Two Eyes Open vs. One Eye Open
  6. 18:37Cross-Dominance Discussion
  7. 22:18Guest Outro & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical firearm maintenance performed by competitive shooters during a match?

Most competitive shooters perform minimal maintenance during a match. The primary focus is usually on cleaning sand or debris from magazines to ensure reliable feeding. Full firearm cleaning or disassembly is generally avoided unless a specific part breaks.

Should competitive shooters always use the two-eyes-open shooting method?

While shooting with both eyes open is often considered ideal for a wider field of view, it's not strictly necessary for competitive success. Many high-level shooters achieve excellent results by closing or squinting one eye, especially for precise sight alignment. The best approach depends on individual physiology and practice.

What are the risks of performing a full firearm teardown during a competition?

Performing a full firearm teardown during a match carries significant risks. These include the potential for reassembly errors, such as incorrect part placement or losing small springs, which can lead to malfunctions and compromise performance. It's generally only advisable if a part has broken and requires immediate attention.

How do competitive shooters handle cross-dominance?

Cross-dominance can be handled in several ways by competitive shooters. Some may switch shooting hands to align with their dominant eye, while others retrain their eyes to use their non-dominant eye as the primary sighting tool while maintaining their dominant hand. High-level shooters have found success with various mitigation strategies.

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