The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Johnny Bravo on September 08, 2009, 02:40:02 PM
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I need some help. I lost the sight in my right eye. I sure could use some tips on how to switch to a lefty with long guns. It's no problem with hand guns. My brain and body fight it with long guns. I purchased a couple of lefty guns. Maybe I should tie my right arm to my side for awhile. (http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac157/johnnybravo7/smileys/pirate-with-parrot-emoticon.gif)
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MB will be the best source on this as h4e has had the same situation.
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MB will be the best source on this as h4e has had the same situation.
Thanks TB. Maybe he'll see this.
JB
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There are a couple threads on this, try searching on "dominance"
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Thanks TB. Maybe he'll see this.
JB
Johnny, feel free to PM Mr. Bane. He's just one of us with a lot more toys and a job we would all probably sell our souls for! No doubt he'll answer directly!
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would you mind me asking how you lost the sight of your right eye? ;)
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I am left handed but have always shot right handed so I can't give you advice in regard to shooting left handed, but I had a uncle that lost sight in his right eye so he had a custom stock made that allowed him to continue shooting right handed, but was offset to allow him to use his left eye.
I'm not sure if his was unique or if others have done the same.
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Johnny let me say first how sorry I am for your situation. Now on to the adaptation, you Can learn to shoot opposite shoulder, it is easier if you are not fighting left eye and right eye. You are going to be fighting a lifetime of muscle memory, especially if your shooting off hand, just go with the flow and DO it, it will come in time, if it is important to you, every time you shoot, let that thought get in your head, ( I want and need to do this ) We do weak hand drills all the time, and the environment dictates that what is done on this day. I don't like it, but do it, and it is good for me to practice or compete this way, I might just wind up like you, and due to training will not come up empty. Take the skills you already know, and apply them to the other side, don't give up, and work with it, I don't think it will come easy, but it will come with practice and a good attitude.
Best of luck, and never fail to ask for more info. I will try as best I can, as well as others here.
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There are also offset scope mounts so you can continue to shoot right handed but use your left eye, probably an easier route than a custom stock or trying to learn to shoot left handed
http://www.the-gun.com/pdfs_articles/right_hand_left_eye.pdf
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I am very sorry for the loss of your eye. I had to make the same transition from RH to LH with long guns. I am strongly left eye dominant. My dad and grandad didn't realize it when I was a kid, teaching me to shoot RH, starting with toy guns when I was small. When I graduated to .22s at about six, they realized that I was hunching over, trying to use my left eye on an RH gun. First they coached me not to. It became apparent it was hopeless and switched me to shooting LH. The eye was better, but the mechanics were a beast. Both dad and grandad were serious shooters and had coached me from my first toy cowboy guns how to mount and aim, all RH. Mu grandad was a smart old guy though. He had a very simple solution. The fix, for me at least, was this. Keeping both, or in you case, your left eye open, focus on a ceiling corner. Slap the rifle to your shoulder LH, squeze the trigger (after performing saftey checks etc) and THEN sight down the barrel. Work the bolt and repeat, and repeat. Muscle memory, just like typing or fly casting is hard to learn at first, but if you let your eye guide your arms, its easier. your body will WANT to align the gun with your eye. It takes no money, no range time and you can do it watching TV. Others, more qualified than I, will probably have better suggestions. This is just what worked for me. Your mileage may vary. Good luck.
FQ13
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How about side mounting the scope? Would it move it far enough to the left to make shooting the rifle comfortable again?
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How about side mounting the scope? Would it move it far enough to the left to make shooting the rifle comfortable again?
Yes it is possible to offset the scope if you can find or fabricate the mounts.
In a previous post I included a link showing that is has and can be done.
http://www.the-gun.com/pdfs_articles/right_hand_left_eye.pdf