Shooting Handguns with Both Eyes Open: Do You Really Have To?

Published on October 20, 2021
Duration: 8:58

This guide explores the common advice of shooting handguns with both eyes open, detailing its benefits like improved peripheral vision and reduced eye strain. It addresses the challenge of visual confusion and offers expert advice from Gabe White, suggesting temporary squinting or closing an eye to clarify the sight picture when needed. The role of red dot sights in facilitating both-eyes-open shooting is also highlighted.

Quick Summary

Shooting handguns with both eyes open offers benefits like reduced eye strain, better peripheral vision, and improved depth perception. However, visual confusion can occur; expert Gabe White suggests momentarily squinting or closing an eye if needed. Red dot sights greatly simplify both-eyes-open shooting by allowing natural target focus.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Both Eyes Open Shooting
  2. 00:30Benefits of Both Eyes Open
  3. 02:04Challenges: Visual Confusion
  4. 03:36Expert Advice: Gabe White
  5. 05:17Alternative: Target Focus
  6. 07:17Role of Red Dot Sights

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of shooting a handgun with both eyes open?

Shooting with both eyes open reduces muscle strain compared to squinting, maintains crucial peripheral vision for situational awareness, and preserves natural depth perception, which is vital in dynamic self-defense scenarios.

What visual challenges can arise when shooting with both eyes open?

Many shooters experience visual confusion, seeing double images of the target when trying to focus on the front sight. This issue can be exacerbated when dealing with moving targets or multiple targets placed close together.

What is instructor Gabe White's advice for shooters experiencing visual confusion?

Gabe White advises that if a specific shooting problem causes visual confusion, it is acceptable to momentarily squint or close the non-dominant eye to achieve a clearer sight picture and improve accuracy.

How do red dot sights affect shooting with both eyes open?

Pistol-mounted red dot sights make shooting with both eyes open significantly easier. They allow for a natural target focus while superimposing the aiming point, effectively reducing visual conflict and aiding target acquisition.

More Training & Techniques Videos You Might Like

More from Lucky Gunner Ammo

View all →