Question for the Seniors?

[Dennis1209]

How do you older folks focus your eyes when shooting pistols?

I'd really like to improve my IDPA scores and shoot more accurately during my self defense range sessions. Dropping a hundred bucks on .45 ammo and not "seeing" any results is getting old.

Like most of us, when I was younger, I was a much better shot. Today I wear bi-focals and can not use them when I shoot, as they really mess with my focus.

If I focus my eye sight only on the front sight, the target is blurred and distorted and difficult to distinguish center mass.

The only thing I can think of is switch to a instinctive / point shooting, and focus on the target and forget the sights. That seems to do ok at close targets but, during IDPA matched many targets are roughly 15 yards out and I'm way off C.O.M.

What's your preferred method that works for you?

Thanks.

[Guest JMB]

Get a few IDPA targets, outline the 0 zones (head and chest) in red and set them up at several distances in your yard or basement.

Practice focusing on the front sight and picking the spot on the target. Practice enough and you'll learn to find the zones instinctively, like forming muscle memory.

You may still not be able to find the holes, but you'll find yourself with more 0 & 1s than 3s & FTN.

I shoot 9mm and half the time I can't see those holes and I rarely can see the holes on distance shots.

Good luck, nothing worse than having what you think is a good stage and ending up with a dozen down.

Not perfect, but it's better than correcting eyesight for distance, since distance always changes. The distance to the front sight is always the same.

[Rickey]

Try reading glasses. I see distance ok with out glasses but my sights are fuzzy so on 30 yd shots I'll use 1.00 reading glasses sometimes then the target is fuzzy but my sights are clear. Durn if you do and Durn if you don't. Getting old sucks.

[rcman2010]

Reading glasses have made a big difference for me putting them near the end of my nose works good , sharp front site little fuzzy target.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[Jonnin]

talk to your eye DR and get a custom set of glasses made up just for shooting? This is not always the right answer, depending on your eyesight, but its AN answer for some shooters.

I think the sport rules out both red dots and lasers, unfortunately, but for your carry gun, a laser might be a worthwhile investment. For non action shooting (your own plinking etc) you might consider a red dot. Both are excellent for people with eye problems.

[Jamie Jackson]

I'm an old fart and wear bifocals. and Yes, "Youth is wasted on the young".

I know what you mean. Life throws us a challenge every now and then. The scenario you describe is a good example.

I still just focus on my front sight, with the target being pretty fuzzy at distances. I make sure my sight is centered on the distant targets, at what I perceive as a line drawn across from axilla(armpit) to axilla, for IDPA targets just a bit lower (that's where they put the scoring ring...)

We have some 15-18 yard shots at my local club as well. Even when I used my G17 with Big Dot sights last month I didn't have any problem getting my hits...except that one pesky hostage that stepped in front of the badguy that time.

Like you mentioned...at closer ranges, only use as much sight as you need. Maintain a good straight back trigger press and it should put the rounds where they need to go...at least the majority of the time.

Good Luck Buddy.

[Dennis1209]

Thanks guys!

As far as IDPA... They're cruel.

A pair of black hands and a half black target as a back drop behind a XS Big Dot Sight sure helps but, I hear tell it's illegal

[gsbell]

Mono Vision is what you want, setup your glasses so your dominate eye can see the front sight crsiply and set the weak eye for infinity. Takes me 10 minutes or so to adjust to this when I arrive to the range, works great.

[Cherokee Slim]

You can get shooting glasses that are like bifocals. I use regular light orange shooting glasses with the bottom part a +2 & top part no magnification so that I can see the front sight when I want to. Don't get prescription ones unless you just want to, Midway and others sell pairs for less than $25. I got mine at Bass Pro in Atlanta.

Cherokee Slim

[jmecklen]

I feel your pain!

I've found that a fiber optic front sight is a great help even without any corrective lenses.

[rstandley]

I do as Greg does. My dominate eye is set up for the frt. sight, the other for down range. Brain goes nuts for about 5 mins, then its ok. I have drove home and not noticed I was wearing the range glasses.

[Dennis1209]

Mono Vision is what you want, setup your glasses so your dominate eye can see the front sight crsiply and set the weak eye for infinity. Takes me 10 minutes or so to adjust to this when I arrive to the range, works great.

Thanks guys!

Mono vision never even crossed my mind? I'll be trying that!