Question on shooting rifles, switching eyes and hands...

[nakedbike]

Is it common to be able to shoot with either left eye/left hand OR right eye/right hand on a rifle? I noticed I was able to switch back and forth while shooting my Mosin this weekend and still hit the steele ram 100 yards away every time with the iron sights. Is this normal or do people generally use the dominant eye while shooting with their left or right hand?

This helped me shoot longer because I was able to spread the abuse over both shoulders. That iron plate on the back is brutal.

[fishman]

You are gifted. I know I can't. Atleast not very well.

[The Annoyed Man]

Is it common to be able to shoot with either left eye/left hand OR right eye/right hand on a rifle? I noticed I was able to switch back and forth while shooting my Mosin this weekend and still hit the steele ram 100 yards away every time with the iron sights. Is this normal or do people generally use the dominant eye while shooting with their left or right hand?

This helped me shoot longer because I was able to spread the abuse over both shoulders. That iron plate on the back is brutal.

On the one hand, no, I am not "ambi-visual," and I cannot switch a rifle from side to side without having eye-dominance issues.

On the other hand, I would like to tell you about this amazing modern invention—the rubber recoil pad. Most modern rifles come with one. Antique rifles and Russian rifles can be fitted with a slip-on version:

• http://www.pachmayr.com/home/slip-pads.php, $14.50
• http://www.pachmayr.com/home/deluxe-slip.php, $39.98, adjustable leather
• http://www.pachmayr.com/home/deceleraton-slip.php, $25.98

If I were you, I'd go with the $14.50 model, as the other two are worth in excess of a Mosin Nagant.

[erick619]

i've never tried it with a conventional rifle, but when i use to paintball, i could shoot both left handed/left eye and right handed/right eye. however, that was a lot easier because i would "walk the trigger" and send "ropes" of paint downfield. rope/roping means to shoot at a high rate of fire that you create a "rope" with your paint. no need to really aim. just move your line of fire accordingly.

so to answer your question.. you are gifted




example of "walking the trigger":
http://youtu.be/za05mnosTUY?t=36s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nakedbike]

This was a shooting for accuracy thing Andy so one eye was closed. I'll have to try both eyes open next go around.

A rubber pad might be a good idea TAM.

It would be a little hard to walk the trigger on this gun, silly bolt action.

[StewNTexas]

For rifle shooting, I think it all depends on distance. It one thing to hit a steel target at 100 yards with either eye, but if shooting at 1,000 yards, open sights, it makes one hell of a difference.

After my recent eye surgery (glaucoma), my right eye (dominant) is less sharp than my left. This is causing me some trouble shooting pistols at normal ranges. I am still trying to work this problem out.

As far as long distance rifles, I dont do that anymore. The recoil is not good for defib/pacemaker units.