r/canadaguns • u/YDpr99 • Apr 08 '26

Shooting Shotgun cross eye dominant!

Right hand dominant but legally blind in my right eye…

I’m in the process of getting my license and have started doing the deep dive into first firearms and all that.

As a kid I’d always go target shooting with my uncle and cousin but would really struggle with the rifles as my right eye is almost completely blind but I’m right handed.

Now I’m looking at purchasing a shotgun as my first firearm but working if I’ll need to shoot it my non dominant side so I can actually see down the barrel/sight.

I know for rifles I will probably be buying with the action/bolt on the left side and learn how to shoot from my non dominant hand. But with a shotgun would I do the same?

Also would I need to find a shotgun that’s made for left handed people so I don’t have shells ejecting towards my face?

If anyone has experience with this I’d love some advice.

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u/MBGLK Apr 08 '26

I’m actually the same. Blind in my right eye. Right hand dominant. Just shoot as a lefty. You get used to it quickly. For manual action guns I prefer to shoot left handed and keep the action on the right side. It feels natural to me to rack a bolt with my right hand. I guess I just got used to it. It’s honestly not a big deal. Just shoot as a lefty.

1

u/YDpr99 Apr 08 '26

Have you ever shot a righty semi shotgun from the left side? Do I need to be concerned where shells eject from? Most of my friends say I should be fine shooting from the left with a right handed firearm

3

u/CompetitionOld1322 Apr 08 '26

I just kept my right arm down a bit and the shells ejected over my arm. Worst case, just make sure your wearing full sleeves and let them bounce off your arm.

2

u/MBGLK Apr 08 '26

Exactly what the other guy said, they're not going to hit you in the face, MAYBE the arm, it's not a big deal.