Shooting & Moving - Both eyes open and...

Just wanted to get some discussions going about 'shooting & moving'.

For the most part, I shoot right handed with my left eye. The past couple months I've been shooting with both my eyes open. For the most part, it's been working pretty good for me in a stationary position while shooting. I've done dry fire drills at home just to force/practice my left eye to take over. My left eye is dominant but sometimes it travels back-n-forth.

So, my husband and I are at the range in the pistol pits shooting steel plates trying shooting & moving drills, back-n-forth, side to side. I did better than I thought...and I say that because.... I somewhat lost site of the front site while moving (so I thought). I'm not sure if that was due to my dominance shifting or the overall experience of moving with both eyes open that I lost site of things??. THe funny thing is....I was making most of my targets!!! HOW??

We were probably about 15 feet away and there were about 8 targets spread across a 25-30 feet area.

So - fellas - obviously practice, practice, practice... Should I do these drills slower to actually SEE (and process with both eyes) until I can move faster to make sure the sites are in my eyes/brain?

Thoughts?

 

so why arent there more girls like you in my area around my age? god... why have you forsaken me?

 

I haven't done a lot of the two eyes open, but from what I understand it is a visual training issue. Just like muscle memory in golf or any other sport.

In most SD situations you are going to have both eyes open because you will be reacting in a split second.

I have lost focus as well when I try to move back and forth.

I do long range (relatively) target shooting with my AR and I can keep both open. But there it's just aim...stabilize...and fire.

You know the firearm mantra: Practice, practice, practice.

And then practice some more...

 

Jandy, here's a link that talks about it.

Hope it's helpful...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44922024/Shooting-With-Both-Eyes-Open-the-Correct-Method

 

Shooting on the move is some of the most fun you can have with an AR imho

 

I wish I could find the videos from "Shooting USA", but this "Pro Tip" shows how you transition from target to target. The best speed is achieved by moving your eyes THEN your sights. Don't stare at your front sight as you move from target to target, it will be much slower.

http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/STRADER1-2/strader1-2.html

 

Training and age are factors. As you get older, it becomes more difficult to focus on the front sight. Install an XS Big Dot, or if you got money to spend, Trijicon RMR on a milled slide.

 

i did alittle at my brother's policeman training ground.

i was moving and shooting. it felt slow, compared to the pros. but i was simply pointing and aiming for the most part. both eyes opened, and not so much sighting down the barrel. kinda like aiming a slingshot.

i did suprisingly well. i hit pretty much all the man-sized targets. my groups were much bigger than the SWAT team..but i had a bunch of dead paper targets.

how the pro speed shooters do it is simply amazing.

 

They're out there, secretly packing..... You just gotta find 'em!

But then again, when I was your age I would've never considered shooting a gun let alone owning or carrying one. It's probably not a hobby you (a girl anyway) goes out and does on her own (by herself) unless she was brought up with it or has someone to 'introduce' it to her.

So - get out there and find a nice girl who's willing to give it try and maybe she'll get hooked on it.

 

Thanks Gang!!

Keep the links & thoughts coming!

scollins & Brywi - Thanks for the links! Very helpful!! I guess I just gotta get out there and practice practice practice!!

It was just weird doing it for the first time. They always talk about 'follow-thru' and I just couldn't believe how making some of those shots with the input I was getting in my head.... Maybe next time I'll slow down a little bit and work my way up to walking faster. This is primarily for 'defensive' sake - and making the hobby a little bit more exciting/challenging too!

 

I was just watching videos on this today at work on youtube(I dont like to work, so I watch youtube all day). I know alot of people dont like nutnfancy but sometimes he has some really informative vids. Also Sootch has a good video on this very subject. I practiced a bit today, I cant wait to get to the range and start this process.
I shoot rifle with both eyes open, but never really gave it any thought with pistol since I am new to the pistol platform.

 

From what you describe your practice is right on the money. Take note that shooting and scooting is more of a defensive tactic and if you are using a hand gun it is most often used for supressive fire while you "scoot." Your ability to hit targets while on the move puts you in the top 10% and will give you one hell of an advantage should the need arise. Just remember to take note from the instructor and find cover fast as possible before thinking about sustained return fire on a perp.