Most of learned that shooting with one eye closed was the proper technique, and we have been doing it that way our whole lives. But have you ever tried shooting with both eyes open?
When faced with a life-threatening situation, your shooting skills will be tested and you may need to use skills you've never used before. Keeping both eyes open while shooting can be a great benefit because it allows you to be more aware of your surroundings while shooting. When it comes to defending your family, your neighbors, and yourself, good and quick judgment is key, and that means being able to perceive what is going on around you.
It might seem difficult at first, but you can learn to shoot with both eyes open by doing a little target practice and getting used to it. It's easier than you think.
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Tips for Shooting with Both Eyes Open
It is important to remember that real crisis situations are far from what you see in the movies; that is, one opponent to face at a time. You have to learn to keep both eyes open as you focus on the target and stay aware of other threats. Most of the time, these happen very quickly. Here is a very helpful article and video on learning how to shoot with your eyes open. Click here for the full post.
Learn to Shoot with Both Eyes Open
How To
You don’t walk around with one eye closed, do you? Why should you shoot with one eye closed? Closing one eye while shooting decreases both situation awareness and depth perception. In a tactical situation this can be deadly. You need to learn to shoot with both eyes open in order to maneuver properly as you shouldn’t be standing still in a firefight. You also need the extra vision to “keep an eye out” for other targets. So check out the video below and start training to shoot with both eyes open.
via Learn to Shoot with Both Eyes Open – Preparing for shtf.
Most practical shooters and enthusiasts may find this difficult to master but all they need is time, effort and practice. In low light situations, people who shoot with one eye shut will have problems, most of which would be avoidable if this shooting skill is learned. After all, having and using a firearm is all about protecting yourself and your loved ones.
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Jack
January 22, 2018 at 4:14 PM
My take on shooting day or night on single or multiple targets. Shooting with both eyes open, ( instinctive shooting). First get a proper grip using both hands hold weapon close to body at stomach level with forearms parallel to ground. Focus on spot you want to hit, push the weapon towards the spot(target) you want to shot bring the gun all the way up to eye level,( call this eye target line) looking directly over the top of the sights at your spot. Double tap the spot(target). I use this technique for distances of 5-15 yards. First body shots then head shots. If you have difficulty try using one eye but only put front site in center of target don’t take the time to align sights. ( sight alignment takes time and you are looking at fast engagement time not bullseye shooting.)
Progress from single target to two targets, also hostage senerios.
For targets at 0-5 yards keep weapon at a
position of close to your stomach, both hands on weapon, forearms parallel to ground (gun directly under your nose) face target look at target spot , double tap. A little practice and you should be able to look at any spot on the target and hit it. This technique is called a,”third eye ” technique.
This works well when clearing rooms, when assault could be close and unexpected.
Stepping around corners pivot whole upper body towards threat area, this keeps weapon centered on potential close in threat without extending your arms where attacker could push past your outstretched arms and gain an advantage. Also increases your speed of engagement.
I have not spoken of drawing your weapon as I prefer to teach you to have gun in hand when you get the gut feeling that condition red is here.
Hope this quick note has helped. Just something I have learned in my travels.
Be safe and remember; slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Just practice being deliberate in your engagement, think through what your going to do and then do it
Jack
Ridley Fitzgerald
January 10, 2018 at 8:57 PM
I didn’t realize that shooting with both eyes open could be beneficial. We want to get a pistol for home security, so I’ll have to remember this. If we ever need to use it, we definitely want to be aware of our surroundings.
Gregg
December 6, 2014 at 11:33 AM
I learned to shoot in the US Army…both eyes open.
Gregg
December 6, 2014 at 11:42 AM
The one eye thing others were talking about… I recall it was for night patrol in case the enemy fires an incendiary flare or a sunburst type of device which would blind you unless one eye was closed. I don’t remember it particularly having anything to do with shooting more than night vision preparation. Although I am sure there would be plenty of shooting after the enemy fires off a flare.
engrmerc
December 3, 2014 at 6:15 PM
I distinctly remember being trained to shoot with one eye in the Army. The reason was because of having to fight at night. Letting more light in is not what you want to do if you are engaged in a firefight at night and have no night vision goggles. With one eye closed, night vision in that eye is preserved. With both eyes open, you will be practically blind when there is a lull in the action and you need to move or see what is going on in the immediate area. Also, with both eyes open, you will only be able to see other muzzle flashes or light sources in your peripheral vision, so you will not be more aware of your surroundings. Maybe both eyes open is better during daylight, but not at night.
Patti Blanton
December 3, 2014 at 4:05 PM
My grandson signed up with you and paid with my card. He has gone off to college. I am on Soc Sec and I can’t afford this. Please cancel this. Thank you..
Robert Healy
December 3, 2014 at 1:06 PM
Interesting topic…. I was a Navy Photographers Mate back in the Viet Nam days and I learned to take photos with both eyes open. When you are looking through a camera lens you only see up to the focal width of the lens. If someone is outside of the frame you can get shot really fast. I learned to set up the shot (photo), compose and shoot (photo) with both eyes open so I could also see the periphery and know if I was in trouble. Situation awareness is really important when you armed with a 35mm Nikon, not a lot of knock down power.
MIKE MC
December 3, 2014 at 10:41 AM
RIGHT HANDED, LEFT EYE DOMINANT, I CANT DO IT. NO PROBLEM HOLDING THE WEAPON LEFT HANDED AND SIGHTING WITH BOTH EYES OPEN BUT IVE NEVER BEEN A LEFTY (IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE).
Lynn ME
December 6, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Mike MC: I have the same problem. I have tried several times to learn to shoot with both eyes open. Since I am right-handed and left eye dominant, when I do, I can’t hit the broad side of a barn (LOL). It just doesn’t work for me. I am told, however, that I would have had a great hitting average in baseball.
Just-John
December 3, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Having both eyes open does not work for everyone. I can shoot with either eye and when something is blocking my field of vision for one eye the other takes over. So if I’m shooting right handed and open my left eye now the sights are no longer in my field of view. I agree with your other commenter… would be nice to have an actual article.
Anthonyk747
October 17, 2014 at 6:45 AM
Your article is way too short on a topic that most of your readers probably know more about than you; hence, that’s the reason you are receiving the rating on the article that you are. Just sayin’.