During military training, many of us learned to aim with one eye. However, some professional shooters prefer to aim with both eyes open. Why is this? Which method is more effective? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
Understanding Shooting Stance and Aiming
Aiming with One Eye
Aiming with one eye seems to be the most familiar method for those new to firearms. The action involves closing one eye, then aiming at the target through the scope or iron sights with the other eye. Which eye you choose depends on whether you are left- or right-handed, but it’s generally best to use the eye closest to the
gun.
Advantages: The reason this aiming method is taught to most beginners is that it feels completely natural. According to the NRA shooting guide, most of us have a dominant eye, which, simply put, has a better ability to capture distant visual data and transmit it to the brain than the other eye. You can find ways online to determine your dominant eye. Additionally, closing one eye helps you focus more intently on the sight picture and avoid distractions from other objects.
Disadvantages: However, according to most experts and shooting instructors, focusing too much on a single target is actually a disadvantage. Many people are trained to use and own firearms for self-defense or recreational hunting. When using a gun in these situations, you will need to observe everything around you. While using one eye makes it easier to focus on the target, it limits your field of view and your ability to perceive your surroundings.
In summary, aiming with one eye has the following pros and cons:
Pros:
Easy for many people to learn.
Allows utilization of the dominant eye’s capability.
Easier to focus on the target.
Cons:
Limited field of vision.
Aiming with Two Eyes
Aiming with both eyes is a less common shooting method. However, experts and experienced shooters often prefer this option.
Advantages: A clear and crucial advantage of aiming with two eyes is increased situational awareness. Hunters will be able to survey the entire sky or horizon to spot not just a duck directly in front of the barrel, but also subsequent targets 15 meters away.
Aiming with both eyes significantly increases the number of consecutive shots that can be made. In other words, this method allows you to switch quickly between targets without becoming disoriented or wasting time, as you would when aiming with one eye.
Disadvantages: Gun users will need a period of practice to get accustomed to the two-eye aiming method, especially those who are already used to using one eye. When first learning this method, instinct will urge you to “cheat” by squinting or fully closing your non-dominant eye. You don’t need to try and stop it! Your instincts will gradually change as you get used to aiming with both eyes open.
If using protective eyewear, you can apply some lip balm to the non-dominant lens to slightly blur it. This trick helps the brain eliminate phantom effects that cause the real image to double, allowing you to focus on the target with both eyes open.
In summary, with the two-eye aiming method, you can:
Pros:
Increase field of vision.
Increase ability to transition between targets.
Cons:
Can be difficult to learn.
Initial training may result in ghosting or double vision.
Ultimately, whether you choose to aim with one eye or two is not overly important. Most instructors will advise you to use the method that feels most comfortable and effective for you. If you’re already accustomed to aiming with one eye, practicing with two eyes might be challenging. However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, trying each method to find the one that suits you best certainly won’t hurt.
