In June of 2015 I wrote about starting my experiment with carrying two pistols, both on the belt: The Summer of Two Guns. It's been over a year now, and I've discovered some good stuff along the way. I began my experiment working with revolvers, which I thought would be a good, simple way to start -- especially since you can dry practice without having to worry about cycling slides to reset triggers. This works good on the range, and I discover that the physical aspects of working with two guns is not that difficult, due to "bilateral coordination," which is our natural ability to perform controlled movements using both sides of the body at the same time. The mental aspects of working with two weapons – at the same time – are three or four times more complex. Starting out slow, I draw both pistols onto the chest of the target, firing both of them at once. Next I start putting hits in the chest area with one pistol while putting shots into the pelvis with the other pistol, again firing both once. When I use the timer to check it turns out I can fire both pistols at once – the timer registers them as one shot –putting two hits on target in the same time it takes to get one hit using one pistol. I can fire six shots into the chest, using both pistols, in about a half a second. Are there reasons to carry more than one pistol? I think so. First, there's the "New York" reload, drawing another pistol when one runs empty. Having a spare pistol allows you to arm a partner. One hand or arm is injured; use the other hand to draw. While driving your car it may be easier to draw from the left side as opposed to fighting against the seat belt. Even if you don't plan to carry two guns it's a good idea to have a backup in case one pistol breaks. Having duplicates works well for husbands and wives -- that way everything is the same. If you are forced to use your pistol for defense it will be taken away and who knows when you'll get it back. Having a spare at home is a nice feeling. During testing I carry two smaller frame pistols, such as a pair of "J" frame revolvers or a set of Glock 42's. Carrying the same type pistols would be the best case, but I discover that for me carrying my full size pistol on the strong side – either a semi-auto or revolver – and a small pistol on the support side, such as the "J" frame revolvers works best. When carrying a semi on the strong side and the revolver on the left, I position on spare mag on the left in front of the revolver holster. This way I can get to the spare mag to reload, or bypass it and go for the revolver. Options are a good thing. Miyamoto Musashi, the great swordsman of feudal Japan, taught and believed in using two swords in combat. However, he never said it was for every occasion. By studying his works you discover that the idea of training, practicing and understanding the techniques of the two swords made using only one sword easy and efficient. The same is true with pistols. Often times when people see me carrying two guns they ask, "Why do you carry two guns?" My response? "Why do you only carry one?" Maybe it's not for everyone, but if you want to be prepared, two is definitely better than one. (For a detailed account of my two-gun test see: FMG's 2016 Concealed Carry Special Edition) Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of "The Book of Two Guns" - http://shootrite.org/book/book.html writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk's DVD, "Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html Website: www.shootrite.org