TRAINING WITH KL STRATEGIC (7.1): Goals - the crucial question

Aiming is defined as the process of aligning the weapon to a predefined point, with the intention of hitting that point with the projectile when the shot is fired.

As simple as this sounds, this process proves to be quite difficult in reality. Particularly open sights place increased demands on the shooter. This seventh part of the article series deals with this issue in the first section.

A sight is considered open when the aiming device consists of multiple elements that are placed at different distances from the shooter's eye and actively used for aiming; usually a rear sight and a front sight. Due to the design, multiple planes are used in these open sights, which are at different distances from the shooter's eye:

1. Plane = Rear sight
2. Plane = Front sight
3. Plane = Target

The human eye can simultaneously represent these different distant planes, but cannot sharply outline all of them at the same time. Thus, the shooter faces the first fundamental question:

Which element of the sighting device should be sharp?

To answer this question, a precise assessment of one's own skills and knowledge of the training level is necessary. Additionally, the answer to this question is situation-dependent. I will try to answer this question based on these points.

Let's start with the aspect of one's own skills. Handling a firearm always involves a comprehensive process, which means that aiming is also linked to the other four fundamental shooting elements.

For beginners and those who specifically want to train on the aiming process, as well as those who realistically say that their firearms handling skills are not as good as they would like, it is recommended to switch focus between the planes of rear sight, front sight, and target while aiming with open sights. This means that the focus - that is, the sharp focus on each plane - switches back and forth between rear sight, front sight, and target.

It is important to always check that the alignment of the rear sight and front sight to each other, as well as the alignment of the firearm/sighting on the target, namely the hold point, are correctly executed and maintained considering the other shooting elements during the shot release. Depending on the progress/focus in aiming training, the focus switches at the moment of shot release.

It is particularly important to avoid "classic" aiming errors. This is enabled by focusing on the individual elements and the associated control of the alignment to each other. These aiming errors include:

• Sideways clamping
• Full grain
• Fine grain

This method is not only useful for beginners and shooters who want to specifically train in the aiming process. Depending on the situation, this method may be advisable or even necessary. Let's delve a little deeper into the methodology of aiming and its associated biomechanical aspects:

In stress-resistant firearm handling, we divide the distances to a target into different areas; the reactive range and the non-reactive range. This division depends on the type of weapon used (long gun, handgun), the type of sight used, and especially on the shooter's personal skills. The latter aspect is crucial.

The reactive range refers to a target distance of 0 to approximately 7-10m. The exact definition depends on the shooter's skills. Aiming in this range is relative, as alignment of the gun - with the corresponding skills - is done intuitively here. Depending on the required accuracy of the shot, precise aiming with alignment control may be necessary here.

The non-reactive range is any target distance from the upper limit of the reactive range to the maximum range of the respective weapon. As the distance increases, the need for precise aiming also grows. Therefore, the alternating focus to control correct sight alignment becomes advisable here.

The further an object is from the eye, the more time is needed to focus on it sharply. This is biomechanically justified. To focus on objects further away, the muscles in the eyes need to relax, whereas nearby objects are focused on by contracting the eye muscles. However, relaxation occurs more slowly than contraction, requiring more time. Another time-consuming biomechanical method of focusing in the human eye is when focusing on farther objects. Initially, the focus surpasses the object, then focuses back to it, followed by slowly relaxing the muscles to bring the focus correctly onto the object.

While this process occurs within a short timeframe, it is significantly longer than focusing on nearby objects. On the other hand, this method provides much more precise results.

Now, the next question arises:

How can an experienced shooter accelerate the aiming process?

The answer to this question is primarily very simple: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

However, there is a method for advanced shooters that requires a high level of skills and mastery of the shooting elements. If these criteria are met, this method can save a lot of time in aiming.

The method is called "Focus on front sight aiming".

Basically, this technique is quite simple. You focus sharply on the front sight and then bring it into the target. As simple as this sounds, it is challenging to implement. The successful application of this method requires the ability to bring the gun straight and correctly aimed to the alignment, and to see the area of the front sight sharply focused. To do this, the area where the front sight will be in alignment is focused on, so that the front sight itself is immediately seen sharply by contracting the eye muscles while in alignment. The rear sight and target are at this point blurry. This method requires a lot of practice. Most shooters tend - particularly with handguns - to shoot at full sight to ensure that the front sight is clearly visible for safety. This leads to slightly lifting the gun muzzle to prevent the front sight from being obscured by the rear sight. Paying attention to this is especially important when practicing this method. The method is based on the fact that the human eye can focus sharply only on one plane, but can still show multiple planes simultaneously. The rear sight and target are displayed blurry, but this is enough to reliably hit target areas under correct conditions (shooting elements). With the "Focus on front sight" method, it is possible to shoot almost instinctively. Thus, this method can significantly expand the reactive range, which is advantageous for reaction shooting by professional gun carriers and also for dynamic sports shooters.

As mentioned before, this technique is based on reliable and well-developed shooter skills. If the grip, alignment, breathing, and trigger behavior are not 100% correct, one will have little success with this method. However, skilled and trained shooters can quickly hit relatively small target areas even at moderate distances under difficult conditions (from the holster, turning, moving, etc.) using this method. For example, with this method, hitting a target area of 7 cm in diameter from a distance of 10m with a handgun from the holster within 1.5 seconds (reaction shooting) is easily achievable.

Now, onto the most discussed and fundamental question:

Both eyes open, or one closed?

This question has led to some disputes, and everyone has their own opinion. Generally, I always tell my students to do what works best for them, what is most functional for them. In the end, success determines right or wrong.

However, there are some basic factors to consider:

1. The decision depends on the type of sighting device. Open sights generally allow both variations. Red dot sights are designed to project a target mark into the shooter's field of view, so it doesn't make sense to close one eye here. Scopes are intended for longer distances and do not require spatial vision but rather precise alignment of the reticle to the target. In this case, closing the non-aiming eye is advisable.
2. The distance to the target and the size of the target area are crucial. Especially with open sights, even slight deviations have a significant impact on the trajectory of the projectile and ultimately on hitting the intended target. This means that there is a certain target distance - depending on one's own skills - where it is advantageous to forego spatial vision and focus on precise sight alignment; in other words, closing one eye.
3. The situation dictates the behavior. Depending on the situation, the shooter must decide how to aim. For dynamic situations where rapid reactions are required along with spatial vision, aiming with both eyes open is preferable. Beyond a certain distance, point 2 applies. Reaction shooting can generally only be done with both eyes open because it requires fast target acquisition and relatively large target areas.

In addition to these points, other aspects such as eye dominance, target behavior, personal threat level, etc., should also be considered. However, the primary goal is to take a safe shot considering all influencing parameters. Whether aimed with both eyes open or one closed is then relatively irrelevant as long as the desired target is hit. The decision lies with each shooter. Experience has shown the following tendency in courses:

Beginners shoot with one eye closed at all distances. As skills increase, aiming is often done with both eyes open at close distances. Dynamic shooters tend to close one eye only at distances beyond 15m to increase precision. When initially trying to switch to "both eyes open," the hit results may deteriorate, which is natural. This should not discourage shooters.

In summary for the topic "Aiming with open sights":

When training aiming and for beginners, it is recommended to initially switch focus between the planes to ensure correct sight alignment. This also applies when you have a new weapon, a new sight, or a changed sight setting.

Skilled shooters can use the "Focus on front sight" method to optimize the time for the aiming process, but they must rely 100% on their skills in the application of the other shooting elements to work effectively and efficiently.

Whether to aim with both eyes open or one closed with open sights is purely academic and depends on personal characteristics, preferences, and skills.

All the information provided is based on experience and research. There will always be someone for whom the results of scientific studies are not exact or not applicable. However, I hope to have shown fundamental possibilities that allow individuals to find a suitable method for themselves.

My advice: Try it out for yourself - success will prove you right. If you have questions, seek someone knowledgeable in the field.

In this sense

Khi Pa