Shooting a handgun is a skill that requires a lot of precision, control, and awareness. For many, the instinctive habit is to close one eye while aiming down the sights. When I first learned to shoot; my instructor told me to squint one eye shut, believing it would help me focus better on the target. As I progressed in my training, I discovered that keeping both eyes open has significant advantages. It enhances peripheral vision, reduces eye strain, and improves situational awareness.
Enhanced Peripheral Vision
One of the best advantages of shooting with both eyes open is the ability to maintain a wide field of view. Closing one eye while shooting can make you lose sight of things happening around you. This might not matter much at a shooting range, but in real-life self-defense situations, it can really change what happens. It's important for shooters to pay attention to what's going on around them, including threats and bystanders, to keep everyone safe and make smart choices. Keeping both eyes open helps you see more of what's around you. And that can allow you to react faster to what's happening.
Imagine a law enforcement officer responding to an active killer encounter. Closing one eye could reduce their ability to detect movement in their peripheral vision, making them more vulnerable. In contrast, keeping both eyes open provides a fuller picture of the environment, allowing them to assess threats and react appropriately.
Reduced Eye Strain and Fatigue
Keeping one eye closed for a long time can make it feel uncomfortable and tired. When the dominant eye is forced to do all the work, it tires more quickly. This is more of a problem for shooters who spend long hours at the range, competitive shooters, and those in military or law enforcement roles.
By keeping both eyes open, the shooter reduces strain and distributes the workload between both eyes. This not only prevents fatigue but also allows for longer shooting sessions without experiencing discomfort or blurred vision. I found that as I trained more with both eyes open, I could shoot longer with better focus and control.
Improved Depth Perception and Target Acquisition
Another major benefit of shooting with both eyes open is improved depth perception. Depth perception is important when engaging moving targets or shooting at different distances. Closing one eye reduces the brain’s ability to judge distances accurately, which can result in slower target acquisition and less precise shots.
For example, competitive shooters who engage multiple targets rapidly benefit greatly from using both eyes. The ability to quickly shift your focus from one target to another without sacrificing clarity or perception allows for a more efficient and effective shooting experience.
Faster Shooting and Increased Accuracy
Many shooters find that keeping both eyes open allows them to shoot faster without compromising accuracy. The reason is simple: both eyes working together provide a more natural view of the target and sights. This is particularly important in self-defense situations where a quick decisions can be the difference between life and death.
When a threat presents itself, there’s no time to consciously close one eye, align the sights, and then fire. Training with both eyes open ensures that the shooter can acquire and engage the target almost instinctively.
“Fight or Flight" Situation
In a stressful situation, it is likely that both eyes will open wide. This is because in a natural "fight or flight" reaction, which is triggered by adrenaline, the pupils dilate and sensitivity to light increases. This leads to your eyes “buggin’ out” for a broader field of vision to better detect potential threats. So instead of fighting your natural instincts, it’s best to use them.
Overcoming the Challenge of Dominant Eye Confusion
Some shooters may initially struggle with keeping both eyes open because of eye dominance issues. A right-handed shooter with a dominant left eye, for instance, may find it difficult to align the sights properly. However, with practice, they can train their brain to adjust and learn to use both eyes effectively.
One way to train for this is by using the “both-eyes-open” technique while dry firing or practicing with a red dot sight. Many shooters find that red dot optics make it easier to shoot with both eyes open, as the dot naturally aligns with their vision without requiring the same level of focus as iron sights.
The Real-World Advantage
In defensive shooting, every fraction of a second counts. Keeping both eyes open enables a shooter to react faster and stay aware of their surroundings. Whether in a home defense situation, a law enforcement encounter, or even a competition setting, having an unobstructed, full-field view can be the key to success.
Personally, once I made the switch to shooting with both eyes open, I never went back. It felt more natural, my target acquisition improved, and I was more aware of my environment. The more I trained this way, the more I realized how much I had been limiting myself by keeping one eye closed.
Give it a Shot... Literally
While shooting with one eye closed may feel natural to many, the benefits of keeping both eyes open are undeniable. From improved peripheral vision and depth perception to faster target acquisition and reduced eye strain, this technique offers great advantages. Whether you’re a beginner, a law enforcement officer, or an experienced marksman, training yourself to shoot with both eyes open is a skill that can elevate your shooting performance and overall awareness.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving it a shot… literally. With time, patience, and practice, it may become the most natural and effective way for you to shoot a handgun.
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4 comments
I learned this technique 6-7 years ago using hexagon sites on my glock pistols. Then I realized it works just as well with open sights. My target groups shrunk from 12 inches to 6 inches and smaller
Level your pistol , point it at the target, and notice where your sights line up. A short amount of practice dry firing and you will improve your shooting skills considerably. One-eyed-sighting is archaic.
I used my big screen TV to practise..and make sure your pistol is unloaded before you start dry fire practice.
Great article, it makes a lot of sense. As we move forward in our respective professions, adjustments and improvements in tactics should be developed and used.
For handgun shooting I have both eyes open, for rifle, I close my left eye. My left eye does not turn left so I have double vision when shoot a rifle. My body does not recognize adrenaline.
Target shooting is just that…shooting at a “target”. It doesn’t threaten your life and it’s easy to hit (depends on your skill level). Real-life is so different, you’ll have both eyes as wide open as a hub-cap. Train that way! You’ll need it!