Except you are a long-range precision shooter, it is always an advantage in real-life situations to be able to shoot confidently with both eyes open: you always want to see as much of your surroundings as possible.

But how do you learn how to shoot with both eyes open? It takes a lot of practice, and some basic tricks we will be evaluating in this blog.

Method#1. Start With One Eye Closed 

The simplest and most effective way to learn how to shoot with both eyes open is to start by shooting with your weak eye closed, then open it gradually as you practice. Here’s how it works: you start by lining up your firearm with one eye closed, like you normally would, then gradually open both eyes to get a feel of how it looks.

• Then, raise and line up the gun with both eyes open and proceed to practice shooting with both eyes open.
• After a few rounds, close your weaker eye, take some shots, then open it again and take more shots.

The objective of this method is to make shooting with both eyes open as familiar as possible.

It might take you a while to get used to, but it will eventually come easier and easier.. Once you start getting a feel for controlling your focus, it gets easier. 

Method#2. Focus on the Target, Then Align your Optic

Another way to practice shooting with both eyes open is to start by focusing on the target, then adjusting the position of the gun to match it. Here is how it works:

• You start by focusing on the target with both eyes open.
• Then, without shifting focus, you bring your gun up until your optic perfectly matches (as best as possible) your point of impact.

Then, focusing on proper stance and a consistent trigger press, squeeze firmly. You should be able to hit close-range targets with some consistency while keeping your eyes open.

Method#3. Squint and Open

The squint and open method takes longer to get used to, but it works with enough practice. Squint your weak eye and open it gradually till you can properly acquire a sight picture. 

There will be many times when you still close one eye by instinct, but if you practice this method long enough, you will eventually be able to keep both eyes open while you shoot.

Method#4. Cover Your Dominant Eye With Your Hand

If you are cross-eye dominant (i.e, your left eye is dominant, but you are right-handed or vice versa), shooting with both eyes open can be a little more challenging. 

Let's say you are left eye dominant, and right-handed, one trick you can use during practice is to start by holding the firearm one-handed in your right hand, and sight it with your right eye. 

Have your left eye open, but cover it up with your left hand. This method takes away the role of your dominant eye and helps you train your hands to line up with your right eye.

Over time, your right eye adapts, and you can cover your left eye less and less.

It certainly still takes a lot of practice, but it works if you are patient and persistent.

Method#5. Use an Eye Patch

Another method that works for overcoming the dominant eye and learning how to shoot with both eyes open is to use an eye patch. Use the patch for an hour or two at a time, and practice as frequently as possible.

You must not use an eye patch: I have seen people wear a pair of clear shooting glasses, rub Chapstick on the side of their weaker eye, and learn how to shoot with both eyes open in that manner.

After some shots, they wipe off the Chapstick, take some shots, and then apply less and less Chapstick until they do not need to keep applying any more.

The eye patch/Chapstick method works because it eliminates the shooting style you are familiar with and forces your brain to adapt to the eye that works. That way, the learning process is a lot more intuitive and comes more naturally.

Method#6. Try Dry Fire Practice

Another effective way to learn how to shoot with both eyes open is to start with dry fire practice. Start with dry fire practice, master handling the rifle with both eyes open, and then apply the same practice on the range.

Follow these steps:

1. Load some snap caps, find a “target" in a safe direction,
2. Focus on the target for some time, with both eyes open
3. Then put your finger on the trigger and squeeze.
4. Go slow at first, then speed up as your eyes stay open properly.
5. Go back and forth until it’s second nature. Do the same at the range

Dry fire practice works because there is no noise and/or recoil, and it is easier to train your brain with fewer distractions. 

Method#7. Use a Red Dot or LPVO

If you’ve been struggling to shoot with both eyes open, switching to a red dot sight or an LPVO optic might just be the game-changer you need. With an optic, it’s not hard to keep both eyes open as you’re still focused on what’s looking at the glass.

Get an optic on whatever gun you’re shooting. Focus on the target, not the dot. Let the dot superimpose on your target. Practice.

Why Red Dots Work

One of the biggest advantages of red dot sights is that they allow you to focus on the target, not on aligning front and rear sights. With a red dot, the dot appears right on the target, where your eyes naturally want to look. This makes it much easier to keep both eyes open without visual confusion.

A red dot or LPVO doesn’t block your peripheral vision like some traditional setups do. When you’re not squinting through a tiny aperture, your non-dominant eye can stay open, giving you more awareness and faster reaction times.

The illumination of the red dot or an illuminated LPVO reticle makes it stay visible even if your head isn’t perfectly aligned with the sight. It gives you the freedom to be accurate with both eyes open.

Gunnr LPVOs: The Best of Both Worlds

Low Power Variable Optics (like 1–6x or 1–8x scopes) are great for both close and mid-range shooting. At 1x magnification, you can shoot with both eyes open just like you would with a red dot. This makes LPVOs incredibly versatile for hunters, competitive shooters, and anyone serious about fast, accurate shooting.

Why Must You Learn to Shoot With Both Eyes Open?

There are many advantages to learning how to shoot with both eyes open: first, you get better situational awareness, which is key in close-range situations like CQB. 

• Secondly, shooting with both eyes open provides an overall better shooting experience. Humans have stereoscopic vision, and we need both eyes open or else our depth perception gets all dickered. That is why shooting with both eyes open somehow feels better.
• Third, you get to have more dexterity in your shooting. Being able to shoot with both eyes open allows you to shoot accurately and easily with either hand and eye, which is a nice gain for any shooter.

Conclusion

There is nothing “wrong” with shooting with your dominant eye, but it may constitute a hurdle in some shooting scenarios. If you are a cross-eyed dominant shooter, for example, knowing these tips would help you become a better shooter.  

Practice, practice, practice..and, to perfect your art, get an Odin LPVO.

How To Determine Your Dominant Eye

A simple way to determine your dominant eye is to hold your arms out and make a triangle with your hands. Then slowly bring it towards your face. You will find that you naturally put it around your dominant eye.