Dual Pistols Question

[Jacooni]

Hi!

So I've been playing woodland games on private property for a couple of years now, using a JG G36C. It's a lot of fun, really, but I've started to think that it just doesn't suit my playing style. I'm tired of simply switching to full auto whenever I have a less-than-absolute chance of making a hit. I actually realized this when, a week ago, my battery died in mid-game and I used two of my friends' KSC Glock 19 sidearms.

It wasn't quite as combat-effective as an AEG, especially in head-to-head engagements, but I found myself playing much more aggressively, getting closer to targets before taking shots, conserving ammo, and even focusing on my fieldcraft. I feel like that half of a game made me a much better player because of the challenge that using dual pistols gave me. Moreover, I enjoyed reloading often (I had 6 extra magazines, so I didn't need to re-gas and reload the magazines mid-game), and I loved how maneuverable it was to not have to sling around an AEG. All in all, I had more fun with dual pistols than I've had since I first started playing airsoft.

I went and looked for others' thoughts on playing with dual pistols. In this search, I came across a site with articles written awhile back by a guy called Battlepriest (http://tinyurl.com/4ron7qt). Some really fantastic stuff there, and it encouraged me to make the switch from an AEG to dual GBBs. There's not too much else out there about dual pistols in airsoft, but from what I've read, it's a very niche playstyle that appeals to a very select few individuals, one of which I think I am.

I really didn't like the G19s (too blocky, ergonomics just weren't agreeable), but instead, I'm looking at KWA M9 PTPs (http://tinyurl.com/46zshpa). The PTP pistols don't seem to have that much aftermarket support, but on their own they've gotten almost nothing but praise, and I'd like to make my first dual-pistol setup without changing out slides, valves, hop-up assemblies, and the like (as I would want to with TM pistols). I do plan to add a thread adapter (http://tinyurl.com/4uamwkm) and a mock silencer (http://tinyurl.com/4lbyngx) so that I can run an extended-length EdGI inner barrel through both pistols for some extra FPS and accuracy, as it is for woodland playing.

Do you think that the KWA M9 PTP is a good choice for me, or are there other options that I should consider instead? It's important to me that it has a magazine capacity of at least 20 rounds, is made by a reputable company or has gotten great reception from the community, and that additional magazines aren't more than $40 each, as I intend to buy at least 6, and as many as 9.

Also, if there's anyone here that runs dual pistols, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[Switchback]

I think that the KWA M9 PTP is a nice gun, and with the available parts for it, the handgun is a good buy. As for dual-wielding? No Sir. Keeping an extra handgun on standby in case of primary failure is a good strategy, but firing two at the same time will not let you fire accurately. Getting two M9's will be an interesting thing to see out on the field more often.

The magazines are reliable and sturdy, and have a high enough capacity to be sustainable, and not too high to cause poor round management.

[Jacooni]

I appreciate the input

I'm actually thinking about mounting a pair of <5mw green lasers between the two M9s for quick target acquisition. There's some part of me that just has to believe that it's possible to do it with some level of practicality...

Reloading shouldn't be impossible either; I recall watching a video of someone dropping down to a crouch so they could release their magazines onto the ground without damaging them, then setting the right-hand pistol in their left hand while they took out a pair of magazines from a drop-thigh rig and slid them in at the same time, and returning the right-hand pistol to fire.

[Blitzkreig]

Vogonford has played games with seven pistols on his person.

[Jacooni]

Vogonford has played games with seven pistols on his person.

Yeah, reloading is so overrated

[Rentax]

I appreciate the input

I'm actually thinking about mounting a pair of <5mw green lasers between the two M9s for quick target acquisition. There's some part of me that just has to believe that it's possible to do it with some level of practicality...

Reloading shouldn't be impossible either; I recall watching a video of someone dropping down to a crouch so they could release their magazines onto the ground without damaging them, then setting the right-hand pistol in their left hand while they took out a pair of magazines from a drop-thigh rig and slid them in at the same time, and returning the right-hand pistol to fire.

When dealing with pistols on the field you will find you are at a disadvantage.
Shorter effective range giving the enemy more time to shoot you as you approach.
No full auto for burst or suppressive fire so your field craft has to be crafty, or taking on more than about 3 guys at once will end up in your death.
Weaker fps most pistols shoot between 300fps and 330fps which means rounds deflect off leaves and branches, where the 400fps aeg you are up against would just mow them (and you) down
Fewer rounds in a mag which means more magazine reloads, The more often you have to stop to reload your magazine the more often you are not shooting at the guy you just got close to, the guy you just gave your position away to by shooting at him and the guy who now knows you only have a pistol and has lost all fear of you. So he come barreling down on you using burst fire to keep you huddling under what little cover you have while you try and to a tricky two magazine at once reload, in which you have given up all target acquisition, and readiness to shoot your opponent. Once you have completed your mag change you have to stand back up using no hands since both have guns in them, then acquire your target, down at least one sight or you will have severely diminished accuracy. and then pull the trigger. Add the adrenaline of the game, and I can pretty much say with certainty, you have been shot.

I'm not saying don't wield a pistol, I'm not saying don't get two pistols, one as your primary and one as your secondary and from time to time John Woo the shit out of the both of them. I am saying, from a "combat effective" stand point, dual wielding pistols is not combat effective.

Get two pistols, using just one work on field craft, field craft, field craft. Once you have gotten that up to the place where you feel completely comfortable with your weapon on the field. Then consider adding the second pistol. I can guarantee you, you will find you use an empty hand more often than you get kills with a second pistol.

As for choice in weapons. I too have never liked the Glocks, But then again I don't like the M9 eather, so I'm bias. But based on what I have seen I would say consider either the 1911 for something with "less bulk" and more versatility in looks or check out the USP, it's a bit more bulky like the glock, but I think it's a solid platform.

[midnight_commander]

You can do what you can do with two pistols with only one pistol.

Except you can do it better.

[Jacooni]

Awesome feedback, thank you very much!

Shorter effective range giving the enemy more time to shoot you as you approach.

Right. This is why I intend to add a mock silencer and extended inner barrel (about 220mm by my estimate, roughly MP5-length?), and though I still don't expect to be able to compete equally against AEGs, I suspect that I should be able to at least hold my own in accuracy. If I make the pistol too long, though, it'll get in the way of maneuverability, which defeats one of the biggest advantages that I see in going this route.

Weaker fps most pistols shoot between 300fps and 330fps which means rounds deflect off leaves and branches, where the 400fps aeg you are up against would just mow them (and you) down

That's one of the reasons that I chose the M9 PTP. It seems to shoot around 360fps or higher. Also, by adding a longer barrel, from what I've read, it will give more length for the gas to expand, and should actually kick up the fps to around 400fps or so. I plan on using .28g Biodegradable BB Bastard BBs for accuracy, as well.

Fewer rounds in a mag which means more magazine reloads, The more often you have to stop to reload your magazine the more often you are not shooting at the guy you just got close to, the guy you just gave your position away to by shooting at him and the guy who now knows you only have a pistol and has lost all fear of you.

I've accepted this, heh. I'll have to count my shots and make sure that they count. On the other hand, I enjoy reloading, for whatever reason. It feels "real" to me.

No full auto for burst or suppressive fire so your field craft has to be crafty, or taking on more than about 3 guys at once will end up in your death.

I've considered this very much. It seems that I will need to emphasize stealth and maneuverability in this sort of play style, so I've been planning a gear loadout to focus on that. I want to use this with ~40% jute and ~60% natural vegetation as a light ghillie over Multicam BDUs with a pair of drop-thigh rigs, one with six pistol magazine pouches and one with three AK mag pouches to use as dump pouches (should keep the dumped mags from rattling too much), and a Multicam Camelbak MULE with pistol mag pouches on the back as well. I'd also have a shoulder holster for the M9 itself. No chest rig or plate carrier or anything, as I feel that that would weigh me down and prevent me from maneuvering well.

My idea is not to play aggressively, as I think it would be a bad idea to try to substitute a pistol for an AEG, but instead, I'd like to adopt the role of a scout. I wouldn't mind shelling out to pick up a Devgru throat mic or something similar and be able to use maneuverability and fieldcraft to provide information for the rest of my team even better than a sniper. I think it's a sound idea on paper at least. I don't mind not getting the most kills, as long as I know that my role can change the tide of the game if I play it well.

As for choice in weapons. I too have never liked the Glocks, But then again I don't like the M9 eather, so I'm bias. But based on what I have seen I would say consider either the 1911 for something with "less bulk" and more versatility in looks or check out the USP, it's a bit more bulky like the glock, but I think it's a solid platform.

Yeah, I really wanted a 1911 when I started looking at GBBs. The thing, though, was that all I could find was Western Arms pistols that were incredibly expensive and had lacking magazine capacities (and expensive magazines at that), underwhelming FPS measurements, and (usually) no rails on the bottom. The KWA 1911 PTPs also have poor magazine capacities. I did notice the Marui Hi-Capa 5.1, which has a great magazine capacity (double-stack), but it looks like I'd have to upgrade it pretty thoroughly before it would perform on par with the KWA M9...

I have to admit, I really don't like the looks of the USP. I know that that's a really superficial reason for turning it down, but if I can get away with not using it, I'd like to.

I am saying, from a "combat effective" stand point, dual wielding pistols is not combat effective ... Get two pistols, using just one work on field craft, field craft, field craft. Once you have gotten that up to the place where you feel completely comfortable with your weapon on the field. Then consider adding the second pistol. I can guarantee you, you will find you use an empty hand more often than you get kills with a second pistol.

I'll do that, then. Great advice, really, thank you very much for sharing it

[Hutch]

I would love to try this "dual wield" thing, but lately I have been doing amazing as you said, but with only one pistol, my kp45.(I'm working on repair right now =/)

[Pharaoh 7]

I would say you should leave the dual wielding to the MacManus brothers. Dual wielding is cool in video games and movies but not a practical exercise in real life.

[Jacooni]

I would say you should leave the dual wielding to the MacManus brothers. Dual wielding is cool in video games and movies but not a practical exercise in real life.

I've actually never seen that movie...

Understood, in any case.

[Combs4027]

The Duel Weild idea to me is a little usless, because what if theres a guy farther away like in outdoor game, you wont be able to hit em' and he'll shoot you first. I can see it maybe for CQB/CQC games if you can shoot fast enough. But thats just me.

[Juicemachine]

Replace second pistol with more mags for first pistol.



You're still not going to be any sort of asset to your team, beyond being able to run behind enemy lines with some binos and a radio.


To each their own, though.

[Jacooni]

Replace second pistol with more mags for first pistol.

You're still not going to be any sort of asset to your team, beyond being able to run behind enemy lines with some binos and a radio.

To each their own, though.

What makes you think that I can't be any sort of asset? There seem to be a number of advantages to using a GBB as a primary...

I do plan on picking up a single pistol though.

[Payback]

Just a new guy speaking here, take it as you will, but isn't airsoft supposed to be fun? So if you like to dual wield pistols, then, by all means dual wield them and have fun doing it and being different.

Seems that when restrictions are put on a player, then that player can get bored easy and leave the sport all together. Just my thoughts.

On the gun side tho, evike posted these new 1911's that have a built in laser, expensive but very sharp looking.

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info ... s_id=34393