IPSC Shooting Techniques

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PeterB

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New to IPSC. Can hit targets most of the time, although slower than most others in the club.

Am confused about sighting techniques of pistol for IPSC. One eye closed and focus on the front sight with the target as a blur. Alternatively, shoot as I currently do, both eyes open, focus on target and point and shot.

Any references to published works would be welcome and any opinions will be most greatfully received,,,,,,
 
If you're using non-optical sights, unless you're shooting at something point blank range, you'll need to focus on the front sight. Keeping your sights aligned is much more important than having the gun pointed exactly at the 'centre' of where you want the bullet to go. If you misalign the sights, you'll get an angular error which will really cause the shot to go off target; if you keep your sights fine, but misaim, you'll still hit the target, just slightly off.

re 1 eye vs 2: IF you can do it with both eyes open, that's better, but most people have a hard time with that, and close the non-dominant eye.
 
both eyes open is the best way. your facial muscles have to strain to contract one side an open the other. I never shoot with one eye closed. the only time is a few times using a scope, but some guys crunch up there face, while all you have to do is close the eyelid.
 
You'll find yourself adapting your sight picture to the situation. At close range targets you can get a flash sight picture, by looking over the top of the slide at the front sight. Almost like point shooting, but limited to close stuff. As targets get further out, you'll need to get a better sight picture, but still quickly, both eyes open is good. For longer shots, I'll sometimes close weak eye, and take a precise aim, if time allows. Dry fire practice really helps to develop the reflex sight picture, trigger control, and muscle memory. Now, if only my eyes were 20 years younger...
 
I put a piece of scotch tape over my weak eye so that my strong eye focuses on the front sight, while I am still keeping both eyes open. (Bullseye shooters usually do this too). I'm also right handed, and left eye dominant which is why I pretty much need the tape!
 
As it turns out, our bodies are kinda cool. I am a bullseye shooter gone ipsc recently, and i think that the sight picture practices carry over quite well.

1. Never Close One Eye - this will cause fatigue, change the way that the light enters the open eye (consistency is key).
2. Dont Occulde One Eye - While i did put a peice of tape over my eye while i was shooting bullseye, i decided that the idea of loosing depth perception while trying to navigate an IPSC course was prety dangerous. (and slow)
3. It costs less in accuracy to keep your sights perfect, but aim at the wrong point than it does to aim at the right point and have messed up sights. (this iis why every one says focus on your front sights)

So the idea is to 'train' your brain to recognize that shooting should be done with the dominant eye.

Some tricks that have worked for me:
If you bring up your gun relativly quickly, looking at the front sight. Get it to the point of aim and close your eyes (both of them). Then open your eyes again, and you should be pointed at the right spot. As soon as things start to get off track (your sight picture changes) close your eyes again. Open em up, realighn (make sure to look at your front sight). Keep doing this for... A VERY LONG TIME. Feel free to take breaks, move around, rest your arm etc, the objective is to get your body to udnerstand and adopt the new behavior. Just like getting in shape, it takes time. Be patient and it will come.

*note* this only works if you look at your sights. if you wander and look at the target, it all gets messed up.

I totaly feel your pain though, i remember how damned hard it was for me to get mysefl to figure out that i should be looking at the sights.... it seems so counter intuitive.
 
PeterB said:
Any references to published works would be welcome and any opinions will be most greatfully received,,,,,,
Click to expand...

www.Burkettvideo.com - tips on his website and promos for his videos - see Dragoon here to buy in Canada. Read Eric and Saul's contributions in the IPSC Global Village (find through www.ipsc.org)

In my opinion, avoid Brian Enos' book until you've been shooting a year or so. It's so into mental stuff that it just messes with a beginning shooter working on the basics. But get it after the year - you'll understand it more.

The Brian Enos forum has lots of shooting techniques by Brian himself and good shooters too.
 
kent23 said:
I put a piece of scotch tape over my weak eye so that my strong eye focuses on the front sight, while I am still keeping both eyes open. (Bullseye shooters usually do this too). I'm also right handed, and left eye dominant which is why I pretty much need the tape!
Click to expand...

I am right handed and left eye dominant as well, so I cant my head a bit.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice regarding technique. Am off to buy suitable glasses so that I can see my front sight clearly...
 
It is possible to use tape on the glasses of the non-dominant eye, you just have to be sure and use a strip that only covers the minimum of the lens needed. I put a strip across about the top third of the lens. You soon learn to look under the tape when moving but to look "through" it when aiming.
 
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