Do You Close an Eye When Shooting a Handgun? The Definitive Guide to Proper Handgun Shooting Technique
The question of whether to close one eye when shooting a handgun is a common one among novice shooters, and the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no." The best approach involves understanding the principles of sight alignment and target acquisition, and then adapting your technique to achieve optimal accuracy and safety.
The Myth of Closing One Eye:
Many beginners mistakenly believe that closing one eye—typically the non-dominant eye—mimics the way we use a monocular device like a telescope. However, this is fundamentally incorrect for handgun shooting. Closing an eye significantly reduces your field of vision and depth perception, hindering your ability to accurately assess your target and maintain proper stance and balance.
The Importance of Proper Sight Alignment:
Accurate handgun shooting hinges on achieving perfect sight alignment: aligning the front sight, rear sight, and target in a straight line. This requires the use of both eyes, even if one eye is dominant. Here's why:
- Depth Perception: Using both eyes provides crucial depth perception, allowing you to accurately judge the distance to your target and compensate for any discrepancies in alignment. This is especially vital at longer ranges.
- Wider Field of Vision: Keeping both eyes open provides a much wider field of vision, allowing you to maintain awareness of your surroundings and ensure your safety. You'll be better able to identify potential hazards and react accordingly.
- Improved Stability: With both eyes open, you're less likely to shift your body or weapon unintentionally, contributing to better shot stability and accuracy.
How to Shoot with Both Eyes Open:
For many, the initial challenge is dealing with the "blurring" effect that can occur when using both eyes open. This is simply the result of your dominant eye's image overriding the non-dominant eye's image. Here are some strategies to overcome this:
- Focus on the Front Sight: Concentrate on aligning the front sight with the rear sight and the target. Let your peripheral vision take care of the target's overall position. Your focus should be primarily on the front sight—it's the key to accuracy.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: With consistent practice, your brain will naturally adapt to the process of using both eyes, and the "blurring" effect will diminish. Start with close-range target practice and gradually increase the distance as you improve your technique.
- Professional Instruction: Consider taking a professional handgun shooting course. A qualified instructor can provide personalized guidance and feedback, ensuring you adopt the proper techniques from the outset.
Safety First:
Remember, safe gun handling is paramount. Always follow the four basic rules of firearm safety, and never point a firearm at anything you don't intend to shoot. Seek professional guidance if you are unsure about any aspect of safe firearm handling.
Conclusion:
While it might seem counterintuitive, closing one eye is detrimental to accurate handgun shooting. Mastering the use of both eyes, focusing on the front sight, and practicing regularly will significantly improve your shooting skills and accuracy. Always prioritize safety and seek professional instruction for optimal learning and safe gun handling.
