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I’ve been reading on the internet about aiming using one or two eyes open. From what I’ve read most say both eyes open within 25 yards and using one eye 25+ yards.
When I use two eyes open I see a ghost of my pistol.
So I was curious what you guys think about this subject.

GrayGuy wrote:I’ve been reading on the internet about aiming using one or two eyes open. From what I’ve read most say both eyes open within 25 yards and using one eye 25+ yards.
When I use two eyes open I see a ghost of my pistol.
So I was curious what you guys think about this subject.

I think it depends entirely on you and what results you get with each.

I was also taught recently that you should shoot with your dominant eye over the sights, which seems to work about as well for me as using the eye on the side of your dominant hand. I didn't even know that my left eye is dominant, though I am right-handed.

I'm mono-vision, far-sighted in one eye, near-sighted in the other...so...I just use one eye...not on purpose mind you, it's what my "mind" does automatically.

The reason I even went looking about the subject was because it occurred to me in a close fire situation bringing the gun up to my eye and aiming down the sights would be too slow.
I found two forms of aiming fast: point and shoot, flash sighting. These touched on the subject of one eye or two eye aiming.

PUCKER wrote:I'm mono-vision, far-sighted in one eye, near-sighted in the other...so...I just use one eye...not on purpose mind you, it's what my "mind" does automatically.

I have that same issue, but shoot with both open most of the time. The only time I shoot with one closed is longer range and trying to be pinpoint accurate with my handgun. I even shoot with both open using a scope.

It really does depend on eye dominance. On top of it, it also depends on the extent of eye dominance.

Luckily, I am right-handed, shoot right-handed, and am mostly right-eye dominant. I say "mostly" because I am not 100% right-eye dominant. I can shift from time to time. Those who are predominantly one eye dominant over the other can more easily suppress the image from the non-dominant eye and do not have problems with doubling of the vision or confusion with so-called "ghost images." For this reason I frequently close my left eye when shooting, whether it be distant or near. But, I'm working on it. It should take a while, but as someone once said, "You know how to get to Carnegie Hall, don'tcha? Practice."

I shoot with right hand and dominate right eye, left eye closed.Been doing it that way too long to change now.
I have a AR15 with a Aimpoint red dot optic and you are "supposed to " keep both eyes open with that and i have a
heck of a time remembering to do it.Just seems natural to close that left eye.

Okay, guys thanks for the info. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I'm right there with ya texjames, started way young shooting rifles right handed with dominate right eye open and left eye closed. Later in life I tried to learn to shoot shotguns, skeet, trap, and game with both eyes open and it just don't work for me. Besides I can generally hold my own when shooting and hunting with a crowd so why try to fix something that ain't broke too bad.

I keep one eye closed for target/range shooting.

I shoot both eyes open. I am right handed and right eye dominant so it isn't a big deal. Doesn't matter what distance or whether with a handgun or long gun.

For those that have trouble making the transition from keeping one eye open to keeping both eyes open here is a suggestion.

Get a pair of shooting glasses and put a piece or two of scotch tape over the weak eye lens. Then when you have both eyes open you will only actually see the gun sights/target out of your dominant eye. This tends to teach you to focus with the dominant eye. After some practice you can remove the tape and still shoot with both eyes open.

I used to see a ghost when I first started shooting with both eyes open and I just memorized which one was the target (I think left was the non-ghost target). I shoot right handed, but I look down the sights with my left eye and my head tilted like a confused puppy. I just walked around my house "acquiring" targets to see where the ghost was and I couldn't get the the ghost to appear anywhere; so apparently the ghost disappears with practice. I hadn't thought about "Casper" for some time now; I wonder when he went away.

The ghost is aways gonna' be on the same side (left or right), so just look down the sights with both eyes open, then close one eye and the ghost will disappear showing which side is the "real" target. Another trick to convince yourself that you've aquired the target is to close one eye to "verify" that you've got the target and you'll eventually trust it like we've all manage to trust our rear and side mirrors. Target acquisition is 100% faster with both eyes open and a lot more comfortable and natural when you get the hang of it.

Embalmo

texasjeep44 wrote:Get a pair of shooting glasses and put a piece or two of scotch tape over the weak eye lens. Then when you have both eyes open you will only actually see the gun sights/target out of your dominant eye. This tends to teach you to focus with the dominant eye. After some practice you can remove the tape and still shoot with both eyes open.

Good idea! I wish I'd known this when I was training myself to keep both open. I suppose a smudge of Vaseline might do the same thing.

Embalmo

I shoot with both eyes open, with Crimson Trace.

glbedd53 wrote:I shoot with both eyes open, with Crimson Trace.

That sounds like a good new slogan for Crimson Trace.