I am naturally right-handed in life (I.e. throw, eat, etc) however I shoot better left-handed. I believe it's because I am left-eye dominant. However, shooting lefty doesn't feel smooth on the draw or targeting in, feels a little uncoordinated. For self/home defense purposes, should I shoot with my natural and innate coordinatedness (new word) or should I go with the little more accurate lefty way but have less natural feeling? Help me out...
Left or Righty??
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Joined
·
3,300 Posts
I am right handed and right eye dominant. I draw right handed and pass to my left. I do reloads while shooting lefty, but do not draw. My 1911 has ambi safety and mag release. It takes practise. So if you want to draw lefty, practise with your unloaded pistol and do your reloads with dummy cartridges. Your mind and muscle memory will adapt. Leave speed alone and practise your technique. The speed will come naturally.
Joined
·
13,132 Posts
Cannon for the close ranges involved in either you will not normally have time to actually sight the gun with the sights anyway. If sighting you should use your strong predominant eye. But that still does not mean you have to hold the pistol in your weak hand if you are left dominant. Just use your dominant eye when aiming you can still hold the pistol in the right hand. Rifles and shotguns makes little difference due to the distance of the sight plane. With the pistol or for that matter with a defensive shotgun or rifle you will need to train by looking right over the top of the iron sights. Or through the optics if you have them. I am assuming we are talking pistol or revolver here. If you practice proper grip, drawing acquiring the target as mentioned you will develop muscle memory. You will not need to actually use the sights by looking through them. Meaning within 7-10 yards which is much farther than most in house confrontations would be. If you practice and make yourself do it you will have little trouble hitting a man sized silhouette. And as stated most occasions you will not have time to take aim anyway.
03
03
Joined
·
3,300 Posts
Sniper is right, but use the isosoles stance instead of weaver.
Joined
·
517 Posts
I am left eye dominant I shoot rifle left and I shoot pistol right.I was cross shooting using my left eye and right hand to shoot.One day a range officer friend of mine noticed how I was shooting.I had been making an adjustment in my stance from the weaver style stance to the isosoleas stance.He suggested that I could do one of two things change my hand to left or train my right eye.I opted for comfort of the more natural right hand and eye.Now it's a natural thing for me it took a bit of training but now it's like I've never shot any other way.Adapting to the new stance took some getting used to but it allows for a greater range of motion,left to right,right to left forward and backward,where the weaver has you're feet and body facing one direction either left or right.I took advantage of some free advise a tactical trainer gave me in my stance.Realise however that you can train however you feel most comfortable but the situations that arise may dictate different than you're training.
If you are talking handguns, it don't matter which hand you use or which eye you use. This is only a factor when you discuss shoulder fired weapons. I know, I have been right handed and left eye dominate for my entire life.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Join the discussion
