Eye patch

[Ruger22C]

My left eye is my master eye, but I'm right handed, so I have to close my left eye hard to see my iron sights, which makes it harder to see. I tried covering up my left eye with a piece of paper, and it seems much easier to use the irons that way.

My question is, are there any eye patches made for shooters, or should I just get the cheap black pirate patch for $1.00?

Thank you, Signed,
Spark Johnson.

[2rangers]

Ruger22c-
If you look at midway, brownells, etc., you will see they sell covers that attach to a pair of shooting (or regular) glasses. Some of them have hinges that allow you to flip them up out of the way. They make it alot easier for you to gain sight alignment and target picture. I know, as I'm left handed, left eye dominant, and fire right handed. I learned to shoot w/ both eyes open, even thru a scope. I can't explain it, but somehow, I'm able to "ignore" what my left eye sees, and only pay attention to the right eye. :sniper:

[Ruger22C]

Originally posted by 2rangers@Sep 19 2005, 06:15 PM
Ruger22c-
If you look at midway, brownells, etc., you will see they sell covers that attach to a pair of shooting (or regular) glasses. Some of them have hinges that allow you to flip them up out of the way. They make it alot easier for you to gain sight alignment and target picture. I know, as I'm left handed, left eye dominant, and fire right handed. I learned to shoot w/ both eyes open, even thru a scope. I can't explain it, but somehow, I'm able to "ignore" what my left eye sees, and only pay attention to the right eye.* :sniper:
I was only looking to cover one eye, this looks like it covers one eye completely, and then almost completely covers the other eye? If I get some WileyX's I'll consider this, though. Since I don't have any glasses - 20/20.

It probably works better than an eye patch?

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/Pro...OTERS+OPTIC+AID (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=19702&title=HAWKEYE%7e+SHOOTERS+OPTIC+AID)

Also, what are some other good shooting aids? So far what I've found is: Elbow pads, Knee pads, Optic Aid (Above), Shooting gloves with a splint, Compression clothing, a Sling, vertical grip, pistol grip, bipod, and shooting bench.

If there's anything else that I haven't found, and I'm sure there is, I'd appreciate suggestions! With what I have now, Elbow pads, banana magazine as a vertical grip, and a sling, I can actually shoot better standing than I can crouching :).

Thank you, Signed,
Spark Johnson.

[2rangers]

Shooting off the bench is usally the most accurate, as it removes most of the "human" factors. Standing, unsupported, a good military sling, used properly to brace the rifle, is a good way to go. There are a plethora of shooting aids, devices, etc., and most do help to an extent. I don't use that many, as I prefer to have complete control of the entire firing situation, and also, that's how I was taught. I fire standing like this.
Right foot directly under right shoulder, perpendicular to the plane of fire. Left foot a comfortable distance apart, and pointing towards the target. Wrap the sling around the left arm, and put the left elbow into my gut. Rifle should be supported at balance point in left hand. Rifle butt firmly but not forcefully inserted into pocket of right shoulder. Right hand is to squeeze trigger and control butt end of rifle like a boat tiller.

In effect, the sling stabilizes the rifle, as it is pulled taught when in firing position. The left arm is supported by rib cage, and forms a platform for wich the rifle rests.
What this does is makes the rifle and the shooter more of a singular piece, and not 2 independant items. Also, the rifle's muzzle will rise and fall as you breathe, and allow you to time your fire between breaths, as well as form a stable platform when using proper breath control.

:sniper:

[Ruger22C]

Originally posted by 2rangers@Sep 19 2005, 07:41 PM
Shooting off the bench is usally the most accurate, as it removes most of the "human" factors. Standing, unsupported, a good military sling, used properly to brace the rifle, is a good way to go. There are a plethora of shooting aids, devices, etc., and most do help to an extent. I don't use that many, as I prefer to have complete control of the entire firing situation, and also, that's how I was taught. I fire standing like this.
Right foot directly under right shoulder, perpendicular to the plane of fire. Left foot a comfortable distance apart, and pointing towards the target. Wrap the sling around the left arm, and put the left elbow into my gut. Rifle should be supported at balance point in left hand. Rifle butt firmly but not forcefully inserted into pocket of right shoulder. Right hand is to squeeze trigger and control butt end of rifle like a boat tiller.

In effect, the sling stabilizes the rifle, as it is pulled taught when in firing position. The left arm is supported by rib cage, and forms a platform for wich the rifle rests.
What this does is makes the rifle and the shooter more of a singular piece, and not 2 independant items. Also, the rifle's muzzle will rise and fall as you breathe, and allow you to time your fire between breaths, as well as form a stable platform when using proper breath control.

:sniper:
That's about the same thing as I do, never measure my right foot and right shoulder etc. But, I put my left elbow into ribs, etc. etc.

Personally, I do like to have all of those extras that make shooting more accurate. I hesitated even mentioning the bench, because you can only fire in one position with it. You said there are many devices, can you either name some, or better, give me a website, that catagorizes, or sells just that, etc. Otherwise, it's hard to find something, when you have no idea what you're looking for.

Also, what about a Shoulder splint? I know it's not designed for shooting, but to support someone who injured their shoulder... It may stabilize better? Any comment on this?

P.S. I also wear a Night guard (jaw), that I moulded to match my teeth, which is a very simple process. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about - This also helps me shoot better.

P.P.S. I recently put some of that Sight paint on my front sight, I've not taken it to range yet, but I think this is going to help alot.

Thank you, Signed,
Spark Johnson.

[2rangers]

I've heard of shooters wearing mouthpieces, in an effort to keep the jaw/cheek weldment stable and repeatable. If you have a bum shoulder, and a splint or wrap helps you shoot better/more comfortable-go for it!! The ruger front sight on the 10/22 is difficult to see, at best. It kind of gets lost in bright sunshine, twilight-forget about it!! Some matte sight paint should help greatly. Look up U.S. Palma, and you will find some great shooting tips for competition type shooting!! :sniper:

[Sout'Paw+1!]

I read a book many years ago: Competitive Shooting, by A.A. Yur'Yev (or something like that). It was translated from it's original Russian language to english. It is rather dated material now but the information is timeless.

Anyway, there was a chapter on aiming that relates to your question regarding using an eye patch. It stated that closing the non-shooting eye completely, causes the "shooting" eye to involuntarily dilate, reducing visual acuity up to 20%. I guess you could call this a sympathetic, reflexive response. If you want evidence of this phenomena just go your bathroom, stand in front the mirror and completely or near completely cover one of your eyes. You will immediately see your non-covered eye involuntarily dilate in response to the covered eye! The book suggested either using both eyes open when aiming (A lot of people, including myself can't do it w/o straining both eyes!) or using semi-transparent plastic to "block" your non-aiming eye.

I used to shoot 10M Intl. Air Rifle in the late '80's - '90's, and had a similar problem. I wasn't cross dominant (I think ipsilateral vision is the term, just don't quote me on that.), but I was also unhappy using a piece of target paper - under my headband - to cover my non-shooting eye. Out of frustration I purchased an eye patch from a local drug store and used it on my next range session. Needless to say it was very, very uncomfortable, it didn't feel right, and it had a negative effect on my aiming (blurred sight picture) and concentration! It also caused significant eye strain: a headache! I threw it away and never looked back!

Reading this book after the fact explained everything I experienced! To solve my problem once and for all I cut a rectangular piece out of a tupperware top, leaving a small protrusion in one of the corners to cut a hole in it, and place it over the rear peep sight post of my rifle's rear sight. It worked perfectly! The semi-clear plastic comfortably "blocked" my non-aiming eye w/o causing dilation or strain in my aiming eye. Most of the shooters I saw back then used this method, while others used the target paper under the headband, or aluminum shooting glass frames (Knoblock Neo-Style, etc.) fitted with either the semi-clear plastic blinders or adjustable metal peep sights. I only saw 1 or 2 foreign shooters use the both eyes open method (Chinese or Taiwanese), none were Russian. Hope this helps.