New pistol shooter with questions

[Duke878]

Hi, Im a new pistol shooter and I have afew questions for the pros/instructors/coaches out there:

1) Im right handed and im pretty sure right eye dominant. Im having real problems doing the "two eyes open" thing. I can shoot okay with only my right eye open, but I want to shoot properly. I have a hard time focusing down the sights with both eyes open..seeing the double thing. Is there any tips or pointers to help train my eyes and brain to adapt? Ive heard of the eye patch thing... but is there anything else?

2) One day, id like to get into IPSC or other pistol and rifle competitions. Is there a fourm I can look up rules and a "guide for newbies"

.. i guess that was just two questions. But i guess more ill come later. Please try not to flame and thanks for all the help and pointers!

Also, when I get a chance, Im going to try to take some pistol classes at Silvercore in BC (anyone know why their website is down?)
AND altho it doesnt matter, ive got a 3rd Gen G17.

okay, last question.
3) What are good relatively inexpensive sight upgrades that may help with aiming and sight picture for a new shooter?
Thanks again!

 

[npbra]

I shoot 1 eye closed and have for 30 years with good results. So if it works for you, do it. Don't try to adapt to something that doesn't work for you. Look at the competion section here on Gunnutz to get info on your second question.

 

[relliott]

This trick works very well:
Put a small piece of clear cellophane tape on you shooting glasses over your non-dominant eye. It only needs to be large enough and positioned so that when you are looking at your sights with the gun at full extension you can only see up to your wrist with the dominant eye closed. This will permit you to shoot with both eyes open but without the double-vision or the added tension of closing one eye. You will also be able to look under the tape when you need to perform any other task that does not involve sighting the gun.

 

[Wendell]

The IPSC Rules are here: <http://www.ipsc.org/rules/>

This book will be invaluable to you (but only if you read it): <http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Shooting-Fundamentals-Brian-Enos/dp/0962692506>

 

[Adam F85]

I have found that in time your dominant eye will take over and it will become natural (with both eyes open). I began shooting with one eye as well but it is better to be able to shoot with both eyes open. If you look down your sights, your eyes will focus ( may take a second) .....close your left eye and you will see it lined up the same as it would with one eye.

I personally really like night sights, but I wish Trijicon or a quality brand would stick with the u-style rear sight and single dot front. I like the way stock Glock sights line up...very quick acquisition....but I like them to glow...so I go to Trijicon

Maybe try XS Express night sights (I think thats what theyre called)

 

[DMenshaw]

I had trouble too at first...the non-dominant eye will adjust over time. I started by closing one eye and opening before I pulled the trigger. This got faster over time to the point where I keep both eyes open all the time.

 

[TDC]

If you're seeing double its likely because you're cross dominant. Another possibility is that both eyes are relatively equal in strength.

TDC

 

[MTF]

I don't shoot much now (old), but used to shoot handguns quite a bit for quite a while. Never shot IPSC.

I found my dominant eye by holding a thumb out at arm's length with both eyes open, and then closing one eye and then the other. The eye that saw the thumb directly in line, without the thumb being displaced right or left, is the dominant eye. But having said that, I've shot both with one eye and both eyes, as the occasion seemed to warrant.

Close up seemed to work best with both eyes, but distance shooting seemed to work better with one. I think we're all a bit different and there isn't any one way that's "the best" for every individual. It's whatever works for you. The trick -- if there is a trick -- is to spend time shooting and evaluating what the results are. I started with a .22 pistol and found eventually that 9mm is as much handgun cartridge as I felt able to shoot well. Keep shooting, trying different things and thinking about how it all works for you. And take the time to enjoy it.

 

[Duke878]

I found my dominant eye by holding a thumb out at arm's length with both eyes open, and then closing one eye and then the other. The eye that saw the thumb directly in line, without the thumb being displaced right or left, is the dominant eye.

Excellent little trick! Confirmed im right eye dominant

I started with a .22 pistol and found eventually that 9mm is as much handgun cartridge as I felt able to shoot well. Keep shooting, trying different things and thinking about how it all works for you. And take the time to enjoy it.

I think ill get a .22 pistol to get the fundamentals of pistol shooting before I move onto my 9mm. Any suggestions for a good inexpensive starter? The Rugers seem good and reliable. I can always pass the .22 to the gf when im done with it, just like my 10/22