New to handguns

[Cyklops99]

alright folks, new to handguns... but been shooting rifles and shotguns for decades.

got an M&P 9mm full size, AND the shield 9mm.

I was in a hunting accident when I was younger and lost the sight in my right eye. I shoot right handed, but aim with my left eye.... here's my question.

I am missing left, with everything I shoot. my pistols, my wifes, rentals.... you name it. I've tried holding over towards my left eye more with my right hand... and it's uncomfortable, and i fear in a self defense situation I'll neglect this... will drifting my sights help?

i am getting tight groups, but consistently left of the bulls eye.

 

[bobknn]

You have the reverse problem that I have. I shoot left handed but have to aim with my right eye. I consistently shoot to the right in a tight pattern. I have a 9mm Shield and an M&P 22 compact. If someone can answer your question I should be able to reverse the information to solve my problem.

 

[Bkreutz]

Try tilting the pistol 45 degrees to the left, it will feel more natural sighing with your left eye.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Assuming you have the left grouping issue from a solid benchrest, there is certainly no harm in seeing if there is enough latitude in moving the sights to see if they will print to your point of aim. This may alter the POI enough that no one else would be able to use your gun, especially at longer distances. If this doesn't work, it 'may' be a situation in which a laser sight may be useful.

 

[TucsonMTB]

alright folks, new to handguns...
. . .
i am getting tight groups, but consistently left of the bulls eye.

You don't mention how far to the left your groups are hitting.

When I shoot "weak handed" as part of my occasional practice at the range, I still aim with my dominant eye at least part of the time. Accuracy is NOT prefect, but is "close enough" for self defense.

If you are practicing for self defense, NOT moving the sights is probably a good idea so that you are not limited if you have to use another person's weapon in an emergency. I believe that, with some practice, you will be accurate enough.

Still, if you are simply target shooting for fun and accuracy, moving the sights makes good sense. One of the guys I shoot with a fair amount always has to move his sights a fair amount, even though he has no known handicaps. As a result, I cannot shoot his handguns well. But, he can. And that's what counts.

Still, just like shooters not working around an eye injury, it is probably worthwhile to carefully shoot a few rounds while resting the heel of your hand on the bench just to be certain your group offset is not the result of some trigger or holding technique in need of improvement.

Disclaimer: My "advice" is probably worth every penny you paid for it. But, I must admit that many relatively new shooters at our range have benefited from shooting from a rest for a while before moving the sights on their new pistol. They are usually surprisingly grateful for that reminder, which makes us both smile.

Best of luck to you, sir.

 

[Cyklops99]

You don't mention how far to the left your groups are hitting.

When I shoot "weak handed" as part of my occasional practice at the range, I still aim with my dominant eye at least part of the time. Accuracy is NOT prefect, but is "close enough" for self defense.

If you are practicing for self defense, NOT moving the sights is probably a good idea so that you are not limited if you have to use another person's weapon in an emergency. I believe that, with some practice, you will be accurate enough.

Still, if you are simply target shooting for fun and accuracy, moving the sights makes good sense. One of the guys I shoot with a fair amount always has to move his sights a fair amount, even though he has no known handicaps. As a result, I cannot shoot his handguns well. But, he can. And that's what counts.

Still, just like shooters not working around an eye injury, it is probably worthwhile to carefully shoot a few rounds while resting the heel of your hand on the bench just to be certain your group offset is not the result of some trigger or holding technique in need of improvement.

Disclaimer: My "advice" is probably worth every penny you paid for it. But, I must admit that many relatively new shooters at our range have benefited from shooting from a rest for a while before moving the sights on their new pistol. They are usually surprisingly grateful for that reminder, which makes us both smile.

Best of luck to you, sir.

I have not shot from a rest... i will give that a try. I am shooting 'good enough' for self defense, but want to get into some competitive shoots my range has... and I am not sure 'good enough' will do. I haven't measured it, but I would guess hittting maybe an inch, or two left. I am only shooting at 21 - 25 feet tho... so the further move out from that.... obviously the further I seem to miss.

i will certainly give a rest, and tilting the gun a try... thank you all.

 

[hardluk1]

I shoot right handed and left eye . Many right handed shooters tend to shot left and low . Its more about your finger placement on the trigger and grip than dominate eye and what hand you shot with . Could also be sight adjustments on your pistol .

If your shooting good groups from a rest that are well centered and on target it more than likely grip and trigger control . If good groups from a rest but left its sights adjustment .

 

[Ballistic147]

My son shoots same as you, right handed sighting with the left eye. I'm right handed/right eye and we can swap between any of our guns and shoot center target. Maybe I'm wrong here but iron sights are iron sights. As long as the front sight is lined up with the rear sight it shouldn't make any difference providing the gun is properly sighted in. One issue that is common with striker fired pistols is shooting low and left and in most cases this is caused by finger placement on the trigger.

For shooting rifles/shotguns I was taught pad of finger on trigger. With the striker fired pistols most people find moving closer to the first joint on the trigger may solve shooting left. Dry firing is a good way to work on your trigger pull by trying different finger positions on the trigger to see which one gives the least amount of movement on the sights.

 

[gwpercle]

Same problem. I was right eye dominant and right handed.
Lost sight in right eye. Now shoot with handgun in right hand, aim with left eye. Adjust sights to group where you're aiming . I have had no problems with adjusting.
Fixed sighted revolver got a Burris Fastfire compact red dot. I'm liking it so much I want to put one on my 45 acp 1911 even though it has adjustable sights.
Between the front and rear sight there should be enough drift to get you on target.
I now shoot rifles and shotguns left handed to accommodate the left eye thing...that's the only way I could find to shoot them.
Most of the advice about holding the gun and placing finger is from people who haven't lost an eye. Eyes make a difference, they are part of the equation .
Centering the rear and front sights on a gun and expecting everyone on the planet to shoot to that same point makes me wonder, why do we have adjustable sights at all ?
Gary

 

[OKFC05]

I am right handed and left master eye. That in itself changes nothing about how the handgun sights should be aligned.

Here's a suggested test: Shoot 3 10-round strings at 15 yds: one with both hands, one right hand only, and one left hand only.

Overlay the 3 targets, and see if it is one group or three.
Three different groups, then you are the problem. Now try shooting it slowfire from a rest.

I sometimes set an IDPA stage that requires the shooter to shoot with a patch over their strong eye, and sometimes the results are hilarious to everyone but the poor shooter who never practices "handicapped" shooter with either hand and either eye. A real handicapped shooter who has lost an eye usually cleans up on this stage, since he shoots the same way he always does.

 

[fixitfred]

It may not have anything to do with your question but do you shoot rifles and shotguns left handed?

If you are new to handguns it may not be a problem to shoot with your left hand since you use your left eye.

When I taught my son to shoot I found out he was right handed but left eye dominate so I taught him to shoot left handed.

Cyklops99, a little self deprecating humor.