MAY 21, 2015

Skill Set: Eye Dominance

Revolver stocks by Tiger McKee.
The "eye" question comes up with regularity, especially with new shooters. Most people have a dominant or strong hand. The same thing is true for the feet and legs. A right leg dominant person usually steps with that leg when they start moving, regardless of the direction of movement. The dominance principle applies to the eyes as well. A common question from new shooters is how to determine which eye is dominant. Or, "I'm right handed, but left eye dominant," someone will ask, "so what should I do?" Shooters you shoot with both eyes open or close one? The answer to most of these questions depends on the individual. An easy technique to determine which eye is dominant is to point at an object with your hand at eye level and both eyes open. Close one eye. If the object you're pointing at is still lined up with your finger the open eye is dominant. When you close an eye and the object seems to shift, the finger isn't on target any longer; the open eye is your non-dominant eye. It isn't unusual for someone to be "cross-dominant," for example right handed but left eye dominant. With a handgun this isn't a big problem. You can rotate the head slightly so the left eye is on the sights, use more of a Modified Weaver type arm position- support arm slightly bent and at about a forty-five degree angle – to bring the weapon in line with your strong eye, or a combination of both techniques. Sometimes a slight adjustment in the stance is required, but using as natural a stance as possible, the body's natural point of aim, which is where your body wants to be will provide more consistent results. Some people don't have a dominant eye. When I hold a pistol in the firing position I see two distinct pair of sights. The sights on the left are what my right eye is seeing and the pair on the right is what the left eye sees. For a large target at close range it's not a big deal. I keep both eyes open. When I need more accuracy, a small target or a long distance shot, I squint my left eye slightly, making the right eye dominant. (Squinting one eye usually shifts dominance to the other eye, unless of course the other eye doesn't work very well.) Partially shutting down one eye can also help if you're cross-dominant and using a rifle, which has four contact points with your body including the cheek-weld, the position of the head on the stock. The other option is to shoot rifles or carbines left-handed, but unless you grew up doing this sometimes this can be difficult. For most people a red-dot type sight solves this problem. With dots your visually focus is on the target, as opposed to the front iron sight, and you have both eyes open. It normally won't matter which eye is stronger, focus on the target and put the dot where it needs to be. Shooting with both eyes open provides a wide field of view and good depth perception. If necessary squint one eye slightly, shifting dominance to the other eye. Some cross-dominant people shoot pistols with their strong hand and long guns on the side of their strong eye. Ultimately, remember accuracy is about hitting the target. Each individual "sees" differently. Learn what you can get away with for close, large targets. Find out what you need to do as the distance increases or the size of the target decreases. The only way to find out how you need to shoot is to experiment, discovering what's necessary for you as an individual to ensure when you press the trigger the shot goes where you want it. Once you discover what works, practice- as always - is the path to success. Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of "The Book of Two Guns," writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk's DVD, "Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html Website: www.shootrite.org http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts