Dual wielding weapons is a technique that looks extremely impressive, but nine times out of ten is not practical. Maybe 99 times out of a hundred, perhaps even more! Though it looks easy in movies (as most truly challenging things do), the only time it is effective is when the user is fully trained, and typically they would have to be well-matched in a fight. There is a rich history behind the skillset, particularly with regard to dual wielding swords or other paired weapon types used in martial arts. But dual wielding in real life today? It doesn’t hold up well to modern firearms.
Dual Wielding (verb)
Dual wielding is a technique using two weapons, a main hand weapon and an offhand weapon, for training or combat.
A lesson from the Learning Curves series.
Generally, two weapon fighting is more often seen in a piece of fiction or a video game (like Elden Ring or Dungeons & Dragons) than something you see on the news or in real life. The second weapon (the off hand weapon) is usually similar if not identical to the primary weapon. In The Mummy (1999) Rick O’Connel showcases his two weapon dual wield skills with a matched pair of Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 revolvers. His compatriot, “Mr. Daniels” uses a brace of Colt New Service revolvers. In Iron Man 2, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) fights with a pair of electrified whips.
It’s not uncommon to see it romanticized in media, such as in chapter fifteen of the popular fiction novel, ‘Children of an Elder God’:
Two swords came out. One was covered with orange-red flame, the other shone with pale moonlight. They rose, dispelling the gloom that had fallen upon the balcony, then sliced down in unison. The Regent caught one with each hand, and the fire and light were snuffed. “Fire dies and light fades.” His hands twisted and the flaming sword was wrenched from Asuka’s hands, falling at Cassilda’s amber-frozen feet. The moon sword simply snapped in his hands, then crumbled away to dust.
But the technique is not seen in real life for a reason, as most people don’t possess the skills to control two weapons simultaneously with equal dominance. This fact leaves those who want to use two weapons at once using combinations like a sword and a shield. Weapons, such as Tonfas, used together must be small and nimble.
This isn’t to say a dual wielder can’t put rounds exactly where they want ’em with two guns simultaneously. It can be done, but usually, that sort of skill is the purview of a metahuman like Jerry Miculek.
Dual Wielding in the Media
Many weapons dual-wielded in media require two-handed handling. A common trope in action movies is for the hero to dual-wield two handguns with sharp accuracy. A handgun’s recoil alone would make dual wielding impossible, if not incredibly challenging. Even more critical is how it negatively impacts accuracy. To accurately aim a handgun, the user needs to use one eye to look down the barrel. Typically people use their dominant eye, though some are cross-dominant. Real accuracy isn’t possible if you’re dual wielding, even if you are cross-dominant. If you can handle the recoil, great! Your shot won’t do you any favors, so just shoot appropriately with one firearm at a time.
The History
There is a history behind dual wielding, but it’s not how movies portray it. Though it doesn’t appear in military practices, it shows in weapon-based martial arts. One example in history is a class of Roman gladiators named Dimachaerus. They were known for carrying and fighting with two swords.
According to warriorsandlegends.com
The dimachearus gladiator was well equipped for offensive and close quarter combat, with their name translating as ‘bearing two knives’ which aptly describes the dimacheari armaments. The Dimachearus were armed with two scimitar blades known as siccae, curved and perfectly designed for slicing attacks on an opponent.
These gladiators are shrouded in mystery with very little information from Roman times about them, but their legacy has still survived to this day as that rarity of a gladiator with no shield.
In Asia, multiple Japanese martial arts include dual-wielding techniques, such as a technique made by Miyamoto Musashi that involves the dual wielding of a katana and wakizashi in two sword techniques called Niten Ichi-ryū. Specialized schools still teach this technique in the modern day. Many other martial arts have dual-wield techniques, such as Krabi Krabong and Kalaripayattu. These techniques are very advanced and should be left to the properly trained.
Contrary to popular belief, in America’s wild west, most cowboys didn’t dual wield. In reality, it was more common for cowboys to carry two guns at once to ensure an available backup. It was typically urban legend for cowboys to dual-wield their revolvers; however, there are a few instances where it happened. Bat Masterson was said to be ambidextrous, but there isn’t much evidence to say he would dual wield often.
FAQs
What is dual wielding?
Dual wielding is when one uses two weapons simultaneously, one per hand. This technique is commonly seen in modern media using swords or guns.
Is dual wielding effective?
Not really. That is, unless you’re a fictional character that just went through a training montage. Dual wielding isn’t a realistic or practical technique for the everyday person. Even for the highly skilled, it still wouldn’t be as effective as using weapons one at a time. However, there are select martial arts in which it is tradition to use two weapons, and within their practice, it is effective.
What weapons are used for dual wielding?
The most common weapons used to dual-wield are two swords or handguns. Other weapons can and have been used throughout history, both in weapon-based martial arts, and popular media. A unique trope uses one large sword in one hand and a small dagger in the other. Either way, attempting to dual-wield is still not recommended unless properly trained.
Skill Set: Two-Gun Shooting
Tiger McKee
I enjoy reading the classics, especially Ed McGivern’s Fast And Fancy Revolver Shooting. There’s no denying McGivern and his contemporaries, the “old” guys, knew a lot about using firearms. So, Fast And Fancy is where I started for information on how to accomplish “two-gun” shooting.
“Why,” you ask, “do you want to shoot two guns?” That’s a legitimate question. Carrying a spare pistol — or knife, flashlight, etc. — is a good idea. In 1854 Jonathan R. Davis successfully defended himself against an attack near Sacramento, California, with his two Colt pistols and Bowie knife. All eleven attackers died.
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Lance Thomas, a watch dealer in L.A., used multiple pistols against several armed robbers. He had pistols positioned all around his shop, within easy reach. Mas Ayoob tells the story of a store clerk who had his pistol taken away in a robbery, and drew his second, backup gun, to stop the threat. It was “just in time,” according to Mas.
Benefits of Two-Gun Shooting
If one hand/arm is injured, your “second” gun is easily acquired with the other hand. Plus, don’t forget the “New York Reload,” which applies to malfunctions, too. Carrying two pistols that are exactly the same is even better. Consistency is also good between team members. There are many reasons to have several clones of your favorite pistol.
There’s plenty of dry practice involved. Revolvers are much better suited for this. This assumes one already knows how to use both hands safely and efficiently. With time, McGivern tells us, “…both guns can be fired together.”
Henry FitzGerald, in his classic “Shooting,” recommends firing up close in the beginning. Firing, “double action and pointing, no sights used, the arms stiffened when the muzzle is pointed in the right direction.”
Practicing the Two-Gun Method
After extensive dry practice, it’s time to see some results. I started with a pair of “J” frames. These are matching pistols, which is mandatory, especially concerning trigger action. The technique that works best for me is with each pistol canted slightly inboard. This allows one sight picture using two sets of sights. These are “work” revolvers so, a few extra dings resulting from them “kissing” each other during recoil won’t matter.
Using a “flash” sight picture on the sights, a quick visual confirmation of front sights, and target alignment with smooth compression of the triggers, results in good hits. It was much better than I expected. It’s even possible to hit the chest with one pistol and the pelvic area with the other.
Later I switched to a pair of GLOCK 19s. With semi-auto pistols an aggressive stance is mandatory, rolling the shoulders forward to ensure the pistols have the resistance needed to function properly. I thought the semiautos might be difficult but they’re easier and more efficient than the revolvers. The split times between shots is shorter, and there’s a marked improvement in accuracy.
Working with two guns at once is fun, and the results were rewarding. Could this be done in a fight, against an actual threat? I guess that depends on how much one practiced. I do know that the two-gun drills have improved my general shooting skills across the board. It also makes you think a lot more about gun handling and manipulations. Just remember, Safety is always your first and primary concern.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.
Grace Ainsworth
Read the original article in its entirety at Breach Bang Clear.
Dual shooting risky with pistols if NOT same caliber
Fine for swords
‘might’ be viable skill IF someone is willing to devote the time, effort, and money (guns/ammo ain’t cheap!) into developing the needed skills. Then again, the likelihood of encountering any situation where even modest skills will be needed is fairly low. IOW if ya ain’t looking for trouble you are not likely to find it but it still might find you. More range time is probably the best solution for that eventuality.
Historically speaking, during the Renaissance and through the Elizabethan periods and later, two blades were commonly wielded, the primary/strong sided one being a narrow bladed sword/epee/saber/rapier, the off-hand using a “main gauche” (French term for “left hand) which would most often be a dagger, used to parry the opponent’s weapon when a shield or target was not normally carried. The dagger could be carried in a sheath on the belt while the sword was carried in a frog on the off-side for a “cross draw.”. The Richard Lester production of “The Three Musketeers” was actually a fairly accurate representation of the technique, and for comedic value, various items during a tavern brawl were substituted for the dagger, including, if memory serves correctly, a tankard, a roasted chicken and a baguette. Cloaks were sometimes used for parrying, as well, although they could be a bit unwieldy but provided protection from cuts.