How to Dual Wield Pistols (Handguns)

Last Updated: May 19, 2023

Shooting one handgun from each hand is a great idea if you are out on the shooting range and looking for a new challenge. For defensive use against multiple attackers, dual pistols (or akimbo ) allows you to target two enemies at once, have a higher rate of fire, hold twice as much ammo without having to reload and have a backup pistol if one jams. The downsides are that there is less accuracy and you have to hold each pistol with one hand.

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This technique can be used with revolvers or pistols. The pistols should ideally be the same, or at least similar in size, weight and firing ability.
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Make sure you are equally good at shooting accurately with both your left and right hand.
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No matter what you've seen in John Woo movies, the human eye can't accurately aim two pistols at once, so use point shooting. This will lower your accuracy, but the alternative is painfully slow shooting.
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If you fire both pistols in different directions, check in advance that there's nothing that would be dangerous or irresponsible to shoot in the direction you aren't looking. And naturally, shooting in a direction without looking will be very bad for that hand's accuracy.

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Question

How to reload with dual handguns?

Cros Saint

Community Answer

You basically have to drop one of your weapons to reload. That’s another reason why dual handguns aren’t recommended.

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Tips

It can feel awkward if you finish one pistol before the other, so try to use each one as much and make sure they have the same capacity.

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It is a good idea to have modified your weapons with wrist straps, so that when you must reload, the other handgun remains in reach. Don't put a wrist strap on a desert eagle or any other type of magnum, though, because the strap might injure your hand or wrist from the recoil.

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There are extended magazines available for more efficiency. There are restricted in many places so check your local laws for more information.

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Warnings

This is probably not allowed at most shooting ranges.

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While reloading will take a lot of practice, never "sight-rack" or "sight-cock" (using your belt or side of your leg to pull the slide of the pistol back after changing magazines.) This is a dangerous practice that can lead to self inflicted injuries or death.

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Reloading is harder for lack of free hands.

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Always wear hearing and eye protection when shooting, and practice proper firearm safety .

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NEVER DUAL WIELD HIGH POWERED HANDGUNS! Dual wielding these may cause fractures to your arms or your shoulder. If your going to dual wield any guns, try to make sure its ammunition is NOT .50 Action Express, .44 Mag, or .357 Mag because this is some of the most powerful ammunition.

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