Cross-eye dominant shooters?

Landavazoaj · #1 03-10-2009, 07:59 AM

I am a cross-eye dominant shooter, ie: I am right handed but my left eye is the dominant.
I've fumbled around the net before and found quite a few "sollutions" to this. Some were very wacky like wearing an eye patch, putting lotion on glasses on the dominant eye (to correct the problem while shooting) and some practical, like tilting your head.

The problem with all of the above IMHO is sure they may work for the range, but in a self-defense encounter I don't think you'll whip out your eye-patch or glasses with tape or lotion on them.

I tried to find a way to resolve this issue- not by trying to change my eye dominance but by accepting it and moving forward.

While shooting I stand in the so called "modern" isosceles stance

Rather than completely tilting my head, I make it a point to rest my cheek bone on my upper right arm and position my arms slightly left of center. Over the past couple of years this has helped me a great deal, and now is muscle memory.

Just thought i'd offer some advice to those with this very frustrating problem...

If anyone has a different method please share as this problem is VERY frustrating and can turn new shooters off very quickly.

capo2186 · #2 03-10-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landavazoaj

I am a cross-eye dominant shooter, ie: I am right handed but my left eye is the dominant.
I've fumbled around the net before and found quite a few "sollutions" to this. Some were very wacky like wearing an eye patch, putting lotion on glasses on the dominant eye (to correct the problem while shooting) and some practical, like tilting your head.

The problem with all of the above IMHO is sure they may work for the range, but in a self-defense encounter I don't think you'll whip out your eye-patch or glasses with tape or lotion on them.

I tried to find a way to resolve this issue- not by trying to change my eye dominance but by accepting it and moving forward.

While shooting I stand in the so called "modern" isosceles stance

Rather than completely tilting my head, I make it a point to rest my cheek bone on my upper right arm and position my arms slightly left of center. Over the past couple of years this has helped me a great deal, and now is muscle memory.

Just thought i'd offer some advice to those with this very frustrating problem...

If anyone has a different method please share as this problem is VERY frustrating and can turn new shooters off very quickly.

I used to tend to look with my left eye when aiming when I first learned to shoot (age 10). I didn't totally correct the issue until I was 18. It was a pain to try to correct. Using my right eye now is natural for me. I have heard the eye patch thing works well. I never tried it. I honestly just kept practicing using my right eye instead of my left. Very discouraging to try to learn the proper way when your body tries to do something different....it can be corrected though

Glockster20 · #3 03-10-2009, 10:01 AM

I have the same issue... right handed, dominant left eye. I have practiced just aiming and getting a good site picture with both eyes open. Doing so I have trained my dominant left eye to zero in on the front site. I do turn hy head slightly to the right so as not to get a "double" image of the site picture. Like you Landa... I tend to rest my chin on my upper right arm.

charliej47 · #4 03-10-2009, 11:18 AM

I have the issue where whichever hand I am shoot that both eyes try to 'see' at the same time. on the range for target practice I will close my off eye forcing my shooting eye to acquire the target. During my rapid fire exercises I keep both eyes open.

In an attack you will not have time to acquire your target but you will be in a controlled panic/fight mode. You have to go on trained responses and try to make it through the encounter.

DarrellM5 · #5 03-10-2009, 11:58 AM

I'm naturally left handed and left eye dominant. When I decided to start training to shoot right handed, I mirrored everything, including eyes. It just took some practice. Now I shoot right handed/right eye just as well as left and it feels natural.

rrc1962 · #6 03-10-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glockster20

I have the same issue... right handed, dominant left eye. I have practiced just aiming and getting a good site picture with both eyes open. Doing so I have trained my dominant left eye to zero in on the front site. I do turn hy head slightly to the right so as not to get a "double" image of the site picture. Like you Landa... I tend to rest my chin on my upper right arm.

I'm also right handed, left eye. This is how I do it as well. Sometimes I find myself closing my right eye which doesn't present a problem since that's how I've always done it, but I always try to shoot both eyes open. I shoot the rifle and shotguns using my right eye (non-dominant) with both eyes open just because there is no other option, but I've never had an issue with both eyes open with a rifle like I did (do) with a pistol.

Glock Fan · #7 03-10-2009, 12:26 PM

Learn to shoot with the same hand as your "dominant eye". Cross eye dominance isn't too big of a problem with handguns, but may prove to be a HUGE problem with rifles and shotguns. If you're consistant in your shooting techniques, then it makes it a lot easier to transition between various firearms.

gfb

Stiofan · #8 03-10-2009, 12:32 PM

I was right handed right eye dominant until an eye injury at about age 18. During the healing my left eye took over and I've been left eye dominant since, over 30 years. I first noticed it playing baseball, I could no longer hit for average, and when I went shotgunning I was missing way too many birds.

I now close my left eye for aiming, it's second nature for me at this point. My right eye takes over and I hit what I aim at. It's the same theory of putting a bit of tape or grease on your left eye glasses to force the right eye to focus. I don't even think about it anymore, i'm just used to doing it.

BTW, my right eye fully recovered from the injury and was damaged/healing for only about 6 weeks so it doesn't take much to change a lifetime worth of eye dominance!

pack_sig · #9 03-10-2009, 12:32 PM

I believe with practice you can resolve any physical or mental hiccups. Training aids are just that "aids" they are a crutch that are ment to be discarded after sufficient practice. It looks like you worked yours out the pretty much the same way I did. With the "modern" isosceles stance. However, I modify it by moving my left foot back about 8" which in turn pulls my left shoulder back, shortens my left arm and in turn pulls the firearm to my left eye. I also shoot with both eyes open. I have found this works well for me. I realize everybody is different and it really comes down to muscle memory. I hope this helps anybody still looking for a solution.

rrc1962 · #10 03-10-2009, 12:56 PM

I find shooting handguns both eyes open easier in bright sunlight. Switching eyes has never really been a problem. In combat practice, I keep the shotgun on a sling and can switch from shotgun to handgun in a couple of seconds and be on target with both. I also find that if I use a slight right foot back stance it helps to put my left eye in better alignment. When I practice both eyes open, I'm still shooting left eye dominant. It would be nice to be right eye dominant, but I'm not sure it's worth trying to change at this point.