I suck with pistols but I can at least hit the paper.
That reminds me, I really have to get to the range this weekend.
I would've this past weekend, but I was scared that the lady I was with would out-shoot me.
bragger
As one who couldn't hit shit, I always want to know if they are left eye dominant and if they have tried that stance? My shots were all over the place, missing paper and everything, until I tried turning and closing the right eye (we lefties are weird like that) and all of a sudden my shots were in a fist sized area.
And I am not left handed in case anyone wonders.
Sounds like he should have asked you for a few pointers. I always practiced out to 25 yards.
Everyone should Billiam.
Everyone should shoot out to 25? Or everyone should ask you for pointers?
Everyone should shoot out to 25-yards.
Pistols are funny things. Certain ones I shot better than others. Though by Nate's high standards of pistolcraft I should stick to throwing rocks.
I can't hit squat with my Dad's tricked out Gold Cup. Same thing for my brother's Springfield 1911.
H&K USP, no problem. Sig, no problem. (Glock, I wouldn't know 0 I've held a Glock but never shot one. They just don't inspire enthusiasm when you pick them up.)
Maybe I've got 'euro-hands' - is that a legit condition? There's something about the 1911 that doesn't feel right in my hand.
Porc,
The weapons you are describing that you like, grips that are more rounded. The 1911s grip is thinner and longer. The angle of the 1911's grip could be bothering you as well.
Why didn't the guy sandbag it? Ain't that step numero uno for questionable aim points? (I mean after bore-sighting).
He wasn't even benching it dude.
He was standing their shooting at a 10 inch paper target... basicly playing point-and-shoot.
Yeah, well, they'll let anyone buy a Ferrari, too.
As one who couldn't hit shit, I always want to know if they are left eye dominant and if they have tried that stance? My shots were all over the place, missing paper and everything, until I tried turning and closing the right eye (we lefties are weird like that) and all of a sudden my shots were in a fist sized area.
And I am not left handed in case anyone wonders.
Erik | Homepage | 05.21.07 - 11:32 pm | #
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I'm a little confused...but it does sound like your left eye is stronger.
I'm a lefty so I'm used to taking instructions and doing a mirror image of it.
Wendy,
Eye-dominance has nothing to do with which hand you are more coordinated with.
Make a circle with your thumb and fore-finger. Now look through that circle with both eyes open at a far away object.
While you're looking... close one eye. Then open it, and close the other.
One side, the object will continue to appear in the circle. The otherside, the angle will be off.
The side that keeps the object in the circle is your dominant eye. That's the eye you should shoot with.
If that works for you Wendy, then the stance you will want to take is to put your left side more towards the target, your right foot back. Your right arm will be fully extended towards the target and your left arm will be bent a bit. You will also cock your head towards your right arm as you aim. You will also have to close your right eye.
Might sound complicated but it isnt. Just grab a gun and put your left side to where you are aiming. It will come naturally.
The important thing to remember is that left eye dominant people cant shoot for shit using the regular shooting techniques that you always hear or read about. Just realize that you are different and modify what you hear to suit you.
That being said you should probably still practice with just the right eye, at least as little.
Many shooters have trained themselves to shoot with the non-dominant eye, particularly skeet shooters. Switching eyes with a pistol is no big deal, tough to do with a long gun.
I'm left eye dominant too and never had a problem hitting the target.
I sort of agree with Bill. Its not as big a deal as people make it out to be.
I was just trying to define it for Wendy.
I think it's a good thing to define because a lot of people don't realize it. It's just something I've always done and I've been shooting since I was a kid so it just seems natural to me. I didn't even think about it until someone pointed it out once.
Thanks Nate. My left eye is definitely dominant, but that's not a big surprise since there's astigmatism in my right eye.
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"Your right arm will be fully extended towards the target and your left arm will be bent a bit. You will also cock your head towards your right arm as you aim. You will also have to close your right eye."
That makes me think of Yuna in FFX-2. :D But I get what you're saying.
The most complicated thing is the "grab a gun". Neither the hubby nor I grew up in gun using families. Still, I like to be as informed as possible because sometime down the road, one never knows. Hunting is certainly good for filling the freezer and there's plenty of (too many) deer in MI as well. We are finally moving away from Detroit back to the West side of the state. (Yay!)
Ah well, y'all just keep rubbing off on me and be patient if I ask a stupid question occasionally. 
We'll be happy to rub off on ya darlin'... but don't tell your husband!
ok... sorry... sometimes I should really let the puns lay.
Good grief. Sounds like the guy needs glasses.
I was taught to shoot by a guy who was a champion silhouette competitor.
Using a Colt 1911, we would walk up to the line and stand in an "off hand" stance, with one hand hooked in a belt loop or pocket, then knock over the steel cutout images of different animals and at different distances. Great fun!
After that, my friends would get mad when I could pick up a gun I never saw before and shoot better they could with their own guns. They called me a natural, and I loved every second of it!
I wonder if the guy with the Springfield was a cop.
Commenting by HaloScan
