Bifocal shooting?

[Hussky]

I am new to pistol shooting (other than pocket mouse guns) and i just bought a 539, i really like the gun. i use to shoot allot of trap and skeet and i was fairly good. This was over 30 years ago, i am 70 ish now. I have been out to the range several times at different distances, and i am coming to the conclusion that it is very difficult is shot with bifocals. because if i look though the bifocal then the target is blurs or vise versa. any comments on this problem. i would like to be good at target shooting and maybe competative shooting. Thank you Doug from Florida

 

[Hussky]

I just thought of someting; has anyone ever tried contacts with mono vision? Thank You Doug from Florida

 

[tbury]

I have seen a couple of ways to go on this problem. There is a company I found online who will take you prescription and grind the lens with the near focus on top so you do not have to cock your head to get the front sight in focus. Another is to put a disk with a small hole in front or on the lens of your dominate eye; this gives you a better depth of field.

The only other method I know is to use a scope or red dot sight.

 

[deanodog]

I use reading glasses that are only 1.5X and let the target blur and concentrate on the front sights. I lost my dominant eye due to bleeding vessels and now shoot with my other eye.
At least I have one good eye left. I am 72 yrs old.

 

[k22fan]

I also wear bi-focals. Like most mine are focused for long distance and reading. Neither focus works well for pistol iron sights. I use seperate shooting glasses. I took my target pistol to my optomitrist and he tried different lenses while I focused on the sights. You most likely will have to bypass the front office staff and discuss what you want with the optomitrist. Don't forget to say you only will buy safety lenses and frames that have snap on side shields. This is not as unusual as you might think. A lot of optomitrists are familiar with shooters' needs. You might ask other shooters at the range which doctor they use.

Some pistol shooters find their computer glasses are focused for about the right distance.

The other alternative is to use optical sights, a red dot or scope. I'll put that off until I'm forced to use one.

Unfortunately, I'm overdue for a new set of lenses.

Good Luck,
Gil

 

[Hussky]

Thank you Deanodog
Aren't the golden years great? I have been reading allot about this issue. Is there hope that i can be a good shot with a blurry target. It seems like this would be a big problem. I hope i am wrong. What my goals are at this point is to be able to shoot some close groupings at 25 yards. Maybe i am dreaming?

 

[Hussky]

Thank you k22
i will try that.

 

[k22fan]

[...] Is there hope that i can be a good shot with a blurry target. It seems like this would be a big problem. I hope i am wrong. What my goals are at this point is to be able to shoot some close groupings at 25 yards. Maybe i am dreaming?

A clear focus on the sights superimposed over a blurry bullseye produces the tightest 25 yd. groups. This is not just what old guys are forced to. It is also the goal for young shooters with great vision.

 

[Hussky]

K22

I think i can do it at 25 yards, all i need is is a 10 power scope.
Non realistic goals are just pipe dreams. I don't know who said that, but i think it is true. Doug For Florida

 

[RGPM1A]

I had the same issue with bifocals. The main problem was I kept moving my head up and down to see the sights and the target simultaneously - couldn't get focus on both at the same time. I also tried every type of contact lens combination and style. I finally settled on 1.25 reading glasses with my regular contact lenses. The are weaker than my regular reading glasses but allow me to see the sights clearly and also see the target with only a slight blur.

I also tried optical sights and they are fine but I prefer irons. I also tried a Merit Optical attachment that is a small aperture that sticks to your distance glasses. The aperture increases your depth of field and allows you to clearly see the sights as well as the target. The downside to this solution is that it doesn't work well in low light and IMHO is only suitable for bullseye shooting.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hussky]

RGPM
Thank You I am going to find the Merit Optical attachment and see if that helps. Doug From Florida

 

[Hussky]

This may be cheating? but do laser sights work for accuracy?

 

[moonclip]

.....Some pistol shooters find their computer glasses are focused for about the right distance......

Bingo! I worked this out with my optician. Typically, the distance to your computer screen will be very close to the distance of your front sight to your eye (about arm's length with your index finger extended). This is great for target shooting. Obviously, other types of practice, self-defense for example, will need other approaches. It's highly unlikely you'll be able to get to your shooting glasses in a SHTF situation.

......moon

 

[Hussky]

I want to thank all of you
Your comments really helped. I have solved the problem (with your help). I just took a 2" by 2" piece of paper and i put 2 smaller hole in it so i could try 2 different size holes. I put the paper up to my eye and look through the holes at the sight and a target and they are both in focus. I couldn't believe what happened. I can see the sight and the target very clear. i am sure the Merit Optical attachment would work fine but i don't want that big contraption hanging on my glasses. What i am going to do is find some removable stick on soft plastic that i can't see thought and then put a small hole in it and solution solved. ya sure something will go wrong but it is fun trying. thanks again to all. Doug From Florida

 

[DUNTOV]

I am new to pistol shooting (other than pocket mouse guns) and i just bought a 539, i really like the gun. i use to shoot allot of trap and skeet and i was fairly good. This was over 30 years ago, i am 70 ish now. I have been out to the range several times at different distances, and i am coming to the conclusion that it is very difficult is shot with bifocals. because if i look though the bifocal then the target is blurs or vise versa. any comments on this problem. i would like to be good at target shooting and maybe competative shooting. Thank you Doug from Florida

I have a laser on my 642, big improvement, you can focus on the target with both eyes open

 

[kayak45]

I have the same bi-focal issues. Found a great article, I think it was at bullseye and gave to my optomitrist (SP?) not only for fitting but for testing. Try to find that . This guy was a bullseye shooter and an opto!

 

[Hussky]

I think for self defense the best solution would be a laser sight. just the laser pointing to someone has to be intimidating in it's self. I mainly carry for self defense against big dogs, I am a real estate appraiser and i work in an area of many pit bulls.

 

[RGPM1A]

I want to thank all of you
Your comments really helped. I have solved the problem (with your help). I just took a 2" by 2" piece of paper and i put 2 smaller hole in it so i could try 2 different size holes. I put the paper up to my eye and look through the holes at the sight and a target and they are both in focus. I couldn't believe what happened. I can see the sight and the target very clear. i am sure the Merit Optical attachment would work fine but i don't want that big contraption hanging on my glasses. What i am going to do is find some removable stick on soft plastic that i can't see thought and then put a small hole in it and solution solved. ya sure something will go wrong but it is fun trying. thanks again to all. Doug From Florida

Huskey its not that big. Fits in a 1" cube easily. Check out this link for a photo:

World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

 

[kshock]

When you say bifocals, do you mean the no line (progressive) lens? I shoot competition and had the same problem. Couldn't see the target clearly without glasses but couldn't find the focus with the glasses. A fellow shooter with the same problem advised he has seperate single vision glasses for shooting only. I had an old pair of glasses made with single vision lenses and the old style line bifocals at the bottom (I can't see my sight settings without the bifocals). Seems to be working good but I have not tried this outdoors yet, only at the indoor range.

 

[OKFC05]

The only thing that has to be in focus for accurate shooting is the front sight. I shoot with single vision "computer glasses" in IDPA and USPSA.

In defensive shooting, IDPA and USPSA, it is necessary to shoot quickly and accurately from a varienty of positions with targets at different distances and heights. Trying to find the right spot on a bifocal is not only difficult, it is sometimes impossible due to the position.

Shoot at blurry targets? Heck yes, you should be concentrating on the front sight at distances beyond point shooting, anyway.

Know you don't want to hear this, but suggest you find a good instructor with grey hair and bad vision, and let him teach you how it's done. Buying gimmicks and shooting aids won't help in defensive shooting, which is right now.