jjohnson said:
No, not at least as far as I can see, even if the Lara Croft of Tomb Raiders makes it look cool. Most of us really aren't so adept with handguns that we can manage effectively two of 'em at the same time - better to be good with one and be able to reload if you have to.
I would agree with this sentiment. Of course, that doesn't prevent one from learning to effectively use two handguns, or rather, using one at a time, one in each hand. It's just like "double tapping", it's two aimed shots in rapid succession, not just some form of abrupt rapid fire.
How many of you guys SHOOT with your 'weak side?' I doubt most of you do.
I do, and most of the hand-gunners that I know do too. Not all of the time of course, probably 25%-30% of the time.
Of those who do, can you actually HIT with one in each hand? Uh, huh, thought so. I had enough Law Enforcement firarms training to actually hit a full sized silhouette at 15 yards, weak side, but it wasn't shooting back.
I can. Relatively accurate off-hand shots at 8-10 paces. After reading Ed McGivern's book, I'm starting to practice his methods for double-action shooting (one- & two-handed). When I get good enough to allow myself to be taped, I'll think about posting some vids ^_^
What do you do when both run empty, anyway? Doesn't that make reloading kinda awkward?
I believe that the SOP is to sheath the weak-hand weapon at that point and reload the strong-hand weapon. Of course, if you've emptied not one but two guns and the problem isn't taken care of, I wonder how many mistakes you made in your situational awareness to get into so much trouble???
Sure, if you're big into CAS trickshooting, and have time and money to practice A LOT you could do it for show, but most of us don't have that. If I were going to carry two sidearms, ONE of them would be a shotgun or carbine.
I agree with both points. However, how often are we able to just stroll down the road with a long gun? We are able to carry two sidearms relatively easily when compared to carrying long guns. Many folks practice a "New York" reload, thus they are carrying two handguns. How difficult would it be to have two guns in hand, taking aimed shots alternately or just emptying one gun and then transitioning to the other?