Cross eye dominance

[shark31]

Why do many people that are cross eye dominant continue to shoot and train wrong handed?

Example:
Left eye dominant, right handed shooter.

The reason that I ask is that I see a lot of civilian shooters that don't take the time to learn to shoot with the complimentary hand in the early stages of shooting. It seems to me that these people would be much better served in the LONG RUN to learn early to shoot left handed if they are left eye dominant or visa-versa. Not attacking anyone for their personal choices, just trying to get a feel for the "why".

[Robb Jensen]

I'm left-eyed and a right handed shooter. I was one those kids who's parents didn't want me to be weird. Somethings I do left handed like bowling throwing a football, baseball etc. All guns I shoot right handed (started shooting at age 5), I can shoot longguns and handguns left handed pretty well too. I did this exclusively for a year about 5yrs ago just to get good at it switching now with 32yrs of shooting experience would just be foolish. I can shoot precision rifles better left handed with more comfort (less eye strain). I write right handed.

Dominance has varying degrees. It only hurts you if you let it.

Some damn good shooters who are also cross dominant are:

IDPA founder and Master class IDPA shooter Larry Vickers left-eyed, right handed (shoots handguns righthanded, longguns left handed)

GrandMaster USPSA/IPSC (2006 Limited Nat'l champion), Master class IDPA shooter Dave Sevigny left-eyed, right handed (shoots everything I know of right handed)

GrandMaster USPSA/IPSC, Master class PPC/IPDA shooter Phil Strader left-eyed, right handed (shoots everything right handed).

[abnk]

I'm left-eye dominant and right-handed as well. In basic training, the DSs had me shoot left-handed, which felt a bit unnatural.

I ended up switching to right hand again--both pistol and rifle-- since most weapons are not southpaw friendly. The only problem I have when shooting rifle with both eyes open is an inch or two left POI. 50 yards and above, I close one eye. Shooting at longer distances, I am noticeably better left-handed.

Shooting pistol with both eyes open is something I yet have to learn.

[Patrick Aherne]

Simple. I didn't know I was cross-dominant until I had been shooting shotguns for 10-12 years and my firearms instructors never caught it in initial training because I could qualify and didn't need extra attention.

[Low Drag]

I'm left-eye dominant and right-handed as well. In basic training, the DSs had me shoot left-handed, which felt a bit unnatural.

I ended up switching to right hand again--both pistol and rifle-- since most weapons are not southpaw friendly. The only problem I have when shooting rifle with both eyes open is an inch or two left POI. 50 yards and above, I close one eye. Shooting at longer distances, I am noticeably better left-handed.

Shooting pistol with both eyes open is something I yet have to learn.

I have the same issue with cross dominance.

Take a look at C.A.R. for a "default" handgun platform.

Here's the civi web page: http://www.ipdsystems.com/

It look goofy but it worked wonders for me and it's very fast up close and on the move.

[czydj]

I tried to sight through an aimpoint and eotech the other day at my local shop. Not easy... I just saw a post here about mounting your red dot sight at a 45* angle off the top rail. I'm thinking if I hung the sight off the left side that might be the best way to shoot a carbine with both eyes open. Any merit to that thought? Any suggestions?

[UVvis]

I tried to sight through an aimpoint and eotech the other day at my local shop. Not easy... I just saw a post here about mounting your red dot sight at a 45* angle off the top rail. I'm thinking if I hung the sight off the left side that might be the best way to shoot a carbine with both eyes open. Any merit to that thought? Any suggestions?

If you are left handed, there is some merit to this. Right handed it goes on the right side. 3 gun folk do this so they can have a close range sight and a telescopic sight on the same gun.

For a primary sight, it makes your gun pretty wide. When you are looking through EOtechs or aimpoints make sure you are looking at something that is some distance away so you focus on the target, not the sight. If you are cross eye dominant, and have a hard time picking the sights up with your non dominant eye, it is time to practice until you can, or shooting hands. But whatever works best for you.

[shark31]

Thanks, I didn't know LV was cross dominant.

I was referring to new shooters on long guns more than those who have been doing it for a long time. Shooting a pistol would be much easier to overcome as the sights are further from your face. Just trying to find reasons that people start off shooting that way, is it: No initial training, bad training, bad attitude towards learning, etc.

[UVvis]

I'm left eye dominant and only have partial vision out of my right eye. My right eye vision is pretty lousy.

I'm right handed, I shoot pistol right handed and long guns lefty.

[boyanzhu]

Brits have shotgun schools for hunters and trap/skeet, some of these schools have been around for a very long time, like 100+ years. They keep good records and pay attention to eye dominance. Their statistics show about 30% or men and 90% of women are cross-dominant.