Shooting with both eyes open

[ptdunk]

I use a flip down diffusing blinder on some normal safety glasses for 10m pistol and pistol HFT with open sights and keep both eyes fully open.

got them from intershoot: https://www.intershoot.co.uk/product...r-for-glasses/

and a blinder for 10m rifle that attaches to the rearsight and I've made a leather one for use with a no.8 rearsight on a Britannia. (sacrilege I know)
I shoot HFT & FT both eyes open with a scope, but when it comes to vintage rifle with open sights I just close my left eye. I know it's not ideal but I couldn't get on with both eyes open with open sights on either rifle or pistol and a flip down eye blinder for vintage comps seems a bit much.

[IMG][/IMG]

Probably a daft question, but why is using a peepsight easier on the eyes than a "normal" rear sight?

I think whereas with open sights you focus on the front sight, and so the rearsight and target are a bit blurred, the diopter brings the frontsight and target into focus, which makes it easier to aim, plus if you have a ring front sight the human eye can line up a circle within a circle very accurately, throw a round target into the mix and you can line them all up inside each other very accurately.

Cheers,
Matt

[trajectory]

Guess it's not easy if you are not used to it but theres a couple of things that might help.

Assuming you know your sight is ok & been recently confirmed you dont need corrective lenses or need them updating. Sorry but it's important to know you are starting off ok.

Shoot in good light, ensure the sights are clear, correct eye relief to rear sight sufficient gap or border if using a square blade, ensure you can focus on front sight. Good contrast between sights & background. Practice for short periods, stop before tiredness or strain kicks in. Take a few deeper than average breaths before taking aim. Dont hold aim too long, concentrate but dont rush. Take time between shots. Establish a time pattern & try to follow it. Rest between shots, look at objects & focus on things at varying distances.

Glasses / shades might help.

Practice, build up stamina over time, don't expect massive changes quickly......patience is key.

I'm lucky I was taught to shoot with both eyes open from the start so it 2nd nature but I can see how it might be less natural to some.

Ps dont think it works with BSA light patterns though ( just kidding)

Edit. Forgot to mention dry practice.......you can pracice without actually needing to fire a pellet, just holding the rifle on aim & replicate the holding/ sighting regime is good practice. Try to replicate lighting conditions & sight picture though.

[jirushi]

Guess it's not easy if you are not used to it but theres a couple of things that might help.

Assuming you know your sight is ok & been recently confirmed you dont need corrective lenses or need them updating. Sorry but it's important to know you are starting off ok.

Shoot in good light, ensure the sights are clear, correct eye relief to rear sight sufficient gap or border if using a square blade, ensure you can focus on front sight. Good contrast between sights & background. Practice for short periods, stop before tiredness or strain kicks in. Take a few deeper than average breaths before taking aim. Dont hold aim too long, concentrate but dont rush. Take time between shots. Establish a time pattern & try to follow it. Rest between shots, look at objects & focus on things at varying distances.

Glasses / shades might help.

Practice, build up stamina over time, don't expect massive changes quickly......patience is key.

I'm lucky I was taught to shoot with both eyes open from the start so it 2nd nature but I can see how it might be less natural to some.

Ps dont think it works with BSA light patterns though ( just kidding)

Edit. Forgot to mention dry practice.......you can pracice without actually needing to fire a pellet, just holding the rifle on aim & replicate the holding/ sighting regime is good practice. Try to replicate lighting conditions & sight picture though.

Thank you for your great advice.
Dry practice is a good idea; I can even do that in my house.
I went to an optometrist recently. My eyesight is fine, although I am a tiny little bit nearsighted.
Taking it easy, and taking a few deep breaths before taking aim is also a good tip. I have tried this before, but forgot soon after.
I have some work to do! It's all good fun.

[jirushi]

I use a flip down diffusing blinder on some normal safety glasses for 10m pistol and pistol HFT with open sights and keep both eyes fully open.

got them from intershoot: https://www.intershoot.co.uk/product...r-for-glasses/

and a blinder for 10m rifle that attaches to the rearsight and I've made a leather one for use with a no.8 rearsight on a Britannia. (sacrilege I know)
I shoot HFT & FT both eyes open with a scope, but when it comes to vintage rifle with open sights I just close my left eye. I know it's not ideal but I couldn't get on with both eyes open with open sights on either rifle or pistol and a flip down eye blinder for vintage comps seems a bit much.

[IMG][/IMG]




I think whereas with open sights you focus on the front sight, and so the rearsight and target are a bit blurred, the diopter brings the frontsight and target into focus, which makes it easier to aim, plus if you have a ring front sight the human eye can line up a circle within a circle very accurately, throw a round target into the mix and you can line them all up inside each other very accurately.

Cheers,
Matt

Hello Matt,
Thank you for your reply and the photo.
Those look very useful to make shooting with both eyes open, possible/easier. Good idea to attach a blinder to the peepsight.
You might be right that using a blinder is a bit ott when shooting a Light Pattern.
But I will try it, to see how I get on.