Do you shoot with glasses or contacts??? Come on in...

[mcvickj]

Recently both my roommate and I have started going to the range to target shoot. Last Friday we went to the range and he was complaining about the smoke and drying his eyes out. He also mentioned that the target was so blurry that he couldn't get the same sight pattern twice if he tried. He was just putting shots down range for the sake of shooting. So he decided to make an appointment for the eye doctor. Come to find out his perscription was so off it wasn't even funny.

Well fast forward to yesterday. His perscription just arrived and he was itching to head to the range to see how much this improved his shooting. He was still all over the place. He was pretty pissed because things were still blurry. He decided that he was going to try his glasses instead of his contacts the next time we visit the range.

This particular range is an indoor range. Shooting 10 -12 yards out with a Beretta U22 Neos. We are looking for ourdoor range that is open to the public.

Any tips from shooters who wear contacts or glasses?

Mandatory pic of said pistol. We both purchased a Neos.

 

[Mr T-Maxx]

The only shooting I do is with glasses........shot glasses and on occasion, a lime.

Mr T

 

[DirtRacinFool]

I've always had better results hitting a target when I wear my glasses.

 

[FastEddy]

First off, excuses are excuses :
There is no substitute for practice. Just like anything else, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Both of you may want to take some lessons or get a coach to help you get the mechanics down right before you learn bad habits.

Shooting a hand gun is 80% instinct 10% equipment and 10% eyesight. Once you get the body mechanics down seeing the target and sights is nothing more then fine tuning.

When I was being coached back in High school we had a drill where we would close our eyes, draw up to the target, then look to see if we were in the proper position to fine tune. This all boils down to being able to draw up to the target without thinking about it then using sight to group.

This day and age you can do this at home with a laser sight. After a while your body will know exactly where it should be.

Bad safety glasses are an issue. Spend some coin and get a set that has good optics. The cheaper ones will distort your vision. As long as you have the proper prescription is shouldn't matter if you use contacts or glasses. If the smoke dries out your eyes, use some lubricating drops.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Nice pistol mcvickj, I almost picked up one of those a few months back for plinking.

I used to shoot exclusively with glasses because at the time I was told that contacts would distort my vision. Five years later now I shoot exclusively with contacts. Like FastEddy said, hitting the target is a matter of practice and muscle memory. If you want to be a good marksman you have to have a smooth trigger finger. I shoot with a cheap Taurus 9mm, and on a good day can outshoot my club members who have HKs, Glocks, berettas, Browning hi-powers, sig, etc. It takes alot of pactice and knowing your equipment. I also found that shooting with contacts means you can shoot in any light condition, it's just a matter of using the lens that is suitable for the occasion.

 

[kwong2001]

Well, i've only gone shooting like 3 or 4 times. I know all the safety precautions and how to handle a gun, blah blah blah, but quite frankly, I just suck at shooting, I really need to get someone to show me all the proper techniques.

Anyhoo, i've only been shooting with contact lenses, and they worked fine. Didn't have any problems of drying out the contact or anything. I've got the accuvue hydraclears and they work out pretty good.

 

[Plaidfish]

the weapon should be an extension of you not something you shove around and go bang bang with smooth motion from every moving part of your body from head to toe...no jerking or heavy breathing...nervousness makes mistakes.....as far as what eyes to use...I say whatever you feel most comfortable w/ and definately get a good set of glasses....I test em by looking at the counter and move your finger slowly to touch the surface....if the optics are off there is a point where you actually look like you are touching but you're not....minimize that effect as much as possible....should be the same w/ any eyewear anyone puts on......
I like the Sig .22 marksmans pistols....but I use the Ruger Mark 2......time tested and a freaking tank....

 

[vbgagnon]

Well first off you should always have glasses on wether it be prescription or safety. I don't wear glasses/contacts anymore so I couldn't tell you what to do this way, but like what was said above its all practice practice practice!

 

[kwong2001]

I've always had safety glasses on when shooting. But I just suck at shooting. I think part of it has to do with the fact that i'm right handed and left eye dominant. I can't even shoot a rifle cuz i can't see down the sights.

 

[jetmechG550]

Before LASIK, I was contacts only. When I shot a compound bow glasses interfered with using my sight. I now shoot a longbow (which my fathers makes) and that is all instinctive. Shooting pistols I use the same theory, though I do use the sight, I just don't hold my focus on it. Safety glasses suck, but that is strictly MY Opinion, I never where them whether shooting or at work. When I wore contacts it was gas perms for several years then only a short time in soft and never had problems with eye iritation from smoke.

 

[Nevaren]

lol Kwong,I am Left handed and right eye dominant, i shoot with both eyes open.
I Military trained on model 1911a .45's I generally fire in groups of 2, center mast, and i dont really think about the sights with a handgun. I was trained to draw the weapon and fire a certain way. As soon as the front sight is where i want it, i squeeze off two rounds.
I sold both of my pistols when my oldest boy was around 6 years old. I only have a shotgun and a muzzle loader now for hunting.

I do miss plinkin with the hand guns every now and again lol


granted it took alot of practice and some heavy duty coaching to get there. have fun and look into a coach.

 

[godale03]

I agree with the rest. If you don't already have glasses on, wear shooting glasses. Those contact will not protect your eyes in the even of an eplosion or ricochet. Practice is always the most important thing. I was taught to shoot by a retired Lt from our local police department and shooting is definitely instinctual, and something you have to train your body to do. Kinda like developing and good golf swing. He ran me through the departments firing course and let me tell you that was stressful the first few times. Especially with him yelling at you to reload, get behind the baracade. Pretty soon I was running through the course with no problems. It just takes time. After you get the mechanics down, your sight path is a piece of cake. I wish I had more time to shoot. I have three glocks (21, 22, 17) My favorite two though have to be the AR15 and the Smith .357 Mag. The Mark II Plaid is one hell of a nice .22 pistol. I can hit a coke can at 50 yards consitantly with that thing.

Tom

 

[Plaidfish]

The Mark II Plaid is one hell of a nice .22 pistol. I can hit a coke can at 50 yards consitantly with that thing.

yeah I love them things...I'm lookin for another one now.....they were used in Korea by alot of US officers cause they are like having a small rifle.....I shoot smileys in the silouettes but that's at like 30-40 ft....and aiming carefully...10 seconds for 11 rounds and poof happy face....50 yards is pretty damn good man...I hardly get to go anywhere w/ that much range.....and when I do get those chances I take the arm breaker .308......LOL I love watching people fire that thing the first time...look like they poop themselves....