One eye open vs two

[Artie]

I know this has been discussed to death but... are there expert marksmen out there that prefer one eye closed while target shooting rifles (paper punching)?

[Ronfiveo]

Not that I'm an expert but, for pistol... two eyes open.
For rifle one eye, scoped or not.

Ron

[buellm2]

I almost always shoot pistols with two eyes open.  One exception could be sighting in a pistol from a rest.
For rifles with peep or open sights, usually one eye open.  If the target is moving, two eyes open.
Scoped rifles, usually two eyes open with lower powered scopes.   With higher powered scopes (20X or higher) from a benchrest, one eye open.

Everyones eyes are different, this is just what I usually do.   I also occasionally practice pistol using right eye only and left eye only.

I hardly ever shoot with no eyes open unless I'm practicing some instinct drill with pistol at close range.

[Artie]

It's difficult for me to clearly see small targets with open sights and both eyes open. With open sights and my left eye closed (I'm right eye dominant),  front sight clarity improves when I close my left eye. I also use 0.75 magnification glasses.

[splitbeing]

I'n nothing special of a shooter. My understanding is two eyes open, and so am following to learn everyone's know-how on this....

[lefteyeshot]

Rifles one eye, pistols two eyes.

Wonder if Jodie Foster had her eyes open in that dark room in "Silence of the Lambs".

In the Army at night with just open sights they teach shooting with both eyes open. One looking over the top of the rifle for windage, the other down the side for elevation. Most people shoot high at night.

[Artie]

Pistols, both eyes open for me. Scoped rifles both eyes open as well. Live targeting, mostly both eyes open.
It's open sights and diopter when I have to double check my vision to determine the best method. Sunlight & background play a big role too.

[avator]

Rifles one eye, pistols two eyes.

Wonder if Jodie Foster had her eyes open in that dark room in "Silence of the Lambs".

In the Army at night with just open sights they teach shooting with both eyes open. One looking over the top of the rifle for windage, the other down the side for elevation. Most people shoot high at night.

Pretty sure the only way I could make my eyes look in 2 different directions would be if I was high... day or night.   

[KevinJBrown]

Two eyes open. Depending on the widgets I put on my rifle left eye checks level while right eye looks through scope.

[splitbeing]

Rifles one eye, pistols two eyes.

Wonder if Jodie Foster had her eyes open in that dark room in "Silence of the Lambs".

In the Army at night with just open sights they teach shooting with both eyes open. One looking over the top of the rifle for windage, the other down the side for elevation. Most people shoot high at night.

Pretty sure the only way I could make my eyes look in 2 different directions would be if I was high... day or night.   

I has the same thought, but didn't say it [chuckling].

[lefteyeshot]

It's a way of describing it. Actually, your eyes are switching back and forth quickly. Young people's eyes do it so fast they probably don't notice like they don't notice focus changing between front sight, rear sight and target so fast as much as old people like us. Of course you don't have to believe it.

[avator]

It's a way of describing it. Actually, your eyes are switching back and forth quickly. Young people's eyes do it so fast they probably don't notice like they don't notice focus changing between front sight, rear sight and target so fast as much as old people like us. Of course you don't have to believe it.

Oh, I believe it, I'm just amazed at some other's abilities to do things that I find difficult. I suppose anything is possible with enough practice. I think I'm stuck in the habit of closing one eye.. probably why I'm not a great pistol shooter.
A couple years ago I was able to make a head shot on a timber rattler at 10yds. off hand from the seat of the zturn but that was most likely more luck than skill.

[Back_Roads]

 99% of the time both eyes open, when adjusting the eye focus I may use one eye. Tried both eyes closed I need more practice

[splitbeing]

Use the force, Luke.

[Xraycer]

I'm right handed, but left eye dominant. So, while I've learned to aim with the right eye, it's a bit more effort in keeping the left eye shut, which in turns strains the right eye. When target shooting through a scope, I would close the left eye, get the reticle on target with the right eye, and then open the left eye. This relaxes the face muscles for a much steadier shot.
For pistols, I cock my head to utilize my dominant left eye for aiming. So, my torso is never perpendicular to the target.

[lefteyeshot]

Seems from pics and video most 10mm rifle shooters shoot with both eyes open and the non-firing eye covered.

[splitbeing]

I think the rational is the face is more relaxed with both eyes open.  In addition to relaxation, for some closing one eye also slightly, very slightly, closes the other.

[buellm2]

If situational awareness matters, you better have both eyes open.   Red dots, always both eyes open.

[lefteyeshot]

If situational awareness matters, you better have both eyes open.   Red dots, always both eyes open.

Scout scope is good for that.

[Artie]

If situational awareness matters, you better have both eyes open.   Red dots, always both eyes open.

Scout scope is good for that.

That's how I set up my M4.