Polarized Glasses - Shooting

[RipOne]

I don't wear sunglases when rifle shooting, but I heard that Polarized Glasses shouldn't be used for shooting - must be a distortion

Curious ... can anyone shed some light on this ?

[savageT]

RipOne,
Can't imagine why polarized glasses will distort any more than clear safety glasses???  I would prefer using the B&L Shooter's Glasses with light yellow/amber tint for maximum contrast, but under bright sun, I'd sure want my polarized sunglasses.
Jim

[RipOne]

SavageT:  I don't understand it either - also heard that they won't let commercial Aircraft Piolets use them !? A puzzle for me right now.

[Medbill]

Hi,

I shot my best silhouette air pistol scores with my prescription polorized glasses on and it was over iron sights as well.  I think my scores were in the low 30's but I'd have to look.  Maybe it distorted my vision enough to improve my scores.  :-)

Haven't tried it through a scope yet since they're kinda dark.

B

[Mongo1]

If there is an FAA advisory involving polarizing sunglasses I am unaware of it, but there is one involving "Blue Blocker" sunglasses as extended wear of them is reported to have the potential of a permanent change in the perception of red and amber (yellow) colors such as those used for warning lights in aircraft which would not be a good thing.

The problem with polarizing sunglasses in particular (and darker lenses in general) is that they reduce the amount of light going to the eye very substantially (typically by a factor of 4X) which can reduce your ability to see things (especially over iron sights) in all but the brightest of conditions as the pupil will expand due to the lesser amount of light reaching the eye and reduce the depth of field and hence sharpness of your focus potentially.  Young eyes tolerate this better than experienced eyes.

It is simply a matter of what works best for you.