How (& Why) You Should Find Your Dominant Eye

Eye dominance matters for pistol shooters, too! Julie Golob explains the how and why.

posted on June 23, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

At its heart, all shooting boils down to hand-eye coordination. For some of us, that hand-eye coordination is completely natural ... but for others, we often find that the bullets aren't hitting where we were looking. One of the reasons that can happen is eye dominance. 

Never heard of eye dominance? Well, if you're a handgun shooter, that's probably because most of the time people talk about eye dominance in terms of shotgun shooting. The truth is that it matters with pistols, too (just not quite as much). Just as most people have a dominant hand, most people have a dominant eye. The trouble is that they're not always on the same side. 

In this video from Smith & Wesson's GUNSMARTS series, pro shooter Julie Golob teaches you a simple way to determine which of your eyes is in control when you shoot. We dare you to watch it and not immediately try her trick! 

Latest

Yackley Work Ccw Main Image Horizontal
Yackley Work Ccw Main Image Horizontal

Considerations for Concealed Carry in the Workplace

The odds of you needing to use your concealed carry pistol at work are relatively low, but nonetheless, if you are allowed to carry in the workplace, you must be especially vigilant to follow all the rules.

Review: The Heritage Coachwhip Double-Barrel 12-Gauge Shotgun

This classically styled side-by-side features exposed hammers and a case-color receiver.

New Guns 2026: Henry Repeating Arms Explorer Carbine

Available across the company’s most popular center-fire platforms, the Explorer Carbine draws inspiration from the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest.

How to Shoot Around Cover

Cover is always a good idea in an armed conflict, but you must know how to use it correctly.

Dealing With Aggressive Panhandlers

When you are approached by aggressive street people asking for money or anything else, how do you handle it and stay safe while avoiding an escalating conflict?

The Armed Citizen® February 20, 2026

Before an armed thug decides to threaten a potential victim, he should learn whether she, too, is armed.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.