Shooting with 1 or 2 Eyes Open?

[RutgersGrad]

I'm about to purchase a Glock 22, after waiting over 2 months for my permit to come in, and I've been wondering. What's the proper way to shoot... with one eye open or having both eyes open. I see people doing it both ways and I'm not even sure if there is a "right" way. And if both ways are proper, how are customs inspectors at FLETC trained in that regards, since I'm in the hiring process with them right now.

Sorry if this is a dumb question.....

[CanineCop]

For combat style pistol shooting use both eyes. One eye shooting is a target trick (if even target shooters are doing it now) and might get you killed if it's for real.

[copboy]

I personally think you should learn how to shoot with both eyes open. IF someone is coming at you from your rigt side with a knife and you have that eye closed the attack may not bee seen thus you are a pin doll. The main objective is just to hit your target though.

In the glock you picked a good weapon I love mine.

[parcellspost]

Shooting with both eyes it the best way but not the easiest. I still have to work on that. You also need to figure out which is your dominat eye.

Good luck as with anthing the more you practice the better you will get.

Lance

[scootsmo]

I was taught in my firearms class for Chicago Police that you should do what feels best for you. I personally shoot with one eye while the instructors are split down the middle. Remember that your ultimate goal is to hit the target and you'll have better odds doing what you feel best doing. Anyways, cops only hit their target 5% of the time when they are in a shootout so the more comfortable you are the better chance you have of hitting the offender.

[Alexander]

Rutgersgrad--
Isn't there a law that says you have to get your permit within 30 days from the time the agency accepts the application? I'm almost positive there is in NJ.

[RutgersGrad]

You are correct, there is a law that requires the permit to be denied or approved within 30 days. You would think that having a couple of family members working for my local department would speed up the process a little bit, but no. For whatever reason, the state background checks are going extremely slow these days. I was told that the average wait for a permit in Jersey now is 6-8 weeks. Don't remember why it's so slow.... think it's been that way since 9/11 if I remember correctly....

[gbcop]

Originally posted by copboy
I personally think you should learn how to shoot with both eyes open. IF someone is coming at you from your rigt side with a knife and you have that eye closed the attack may not bee seen thus you are a pin doll. The main objective is just to hit your target though.

In the glock you picked a good weapon I love mine.


If someone is comming at you, there is no time for aligning your sights, it's point and bang, THEN sweep for target's. Under a high stress situation like an knife yeilding attacker comming at you, tunnel vission will set in and regardless if you have one eye or two eyes open, you won't see the guy sneaking up on your flank.

How you shoot is up to YOU. But the key is shooting ONE particular way. If you can shoot a pistol one handed and pull off 230 or better scores all day long, STICK TO IT! You have to find out what works best for YOU. Don't waste your time learning how to shoot the United States Custom style, find out what works for you and stick to it. (unless of course their method works for you ;))

So to reply to your statement, "I'm not even sure if there is a "right" way." The right way is the method that works for you!

[RutgersGrad]

Thanks for all the advice. From my experience so far, I find it easier shooting with one eye open. I just didn't want to get used to shooting a certain way only to find out in a academy somewhere down the line that my method was completely wrong. But I'm sure shooting with both eyes open probably just takes a little more time to get used to.

[DaveG27]

Use both eyes. When I first started shooting I shot with one eye also. Then one day at the range I noticed I was shooting with both eyes open. I never made a conscious decision to do it, I was just relaxed and concentrating on smoothness and trigger control. I will tell you it is much more comfortable than shooting with one eye.

BTW, consider yourself lucky you got a permit in 2 months. I waited 6 months and 3 weeks for my NY permit. :rolleyes:

[JI603]

shoot with both eyes open.

You need to figure out which is your dominant eye though...

Do this:

Take your thumbs and pointer fingers, and hold your hands out in front of you, with the fingers and thumbs touching --- it makes a triangle.

Get a buddy to back up about 15-20 feet, and put his head in the little triangle you made with your fingers. Ask him which eye he can see.

This is your dominant eye, and the one that you will use to focus on the front sight. If you have never used a handgun before, concentrate on the front sight post. Your target will be blurry, but don't worry. Pull the trigger slowly and hard to the rear --- it should be a surprise when the gun fires.

Just practice- you'll get it.

[Spidey-Man]

Let me throw in my two cents, if you are in law enforcement and for combat shooting purposes, two eyes open. The most important thing about this is muscle memory, lost and lots of practice. Before you know it you wont even aim it will be all about your muscle memory. We practice this way and also running, sprinting before shooting. That way you get your heart rate up which will simulate a stressful situation or if you get into a foot chase and have to use your weapon at the end of it. Marksmanship is elemental so always practice your basics. Practice makes perfect.

[RutgersGrad]

Thanks everyone for all that advice. I'm going to be picking up my Glock 22 tomorrow, and when I finally get to the range, I will definately be praticing with both eyes open. I know it might be harder to adjust to at first, but in the wrong run it'll be worth it.

[ksia]

I always shot on the range with one eye closed. Then one day we did a high stress drill and at the end I realized both eyes were open. The instructor said that is what happens when you are stressed...your brain wants to take in as much as possible and boths eyes stay open.