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Pistols in Modern Warfare 2 are often an overlooked firearm due to the game’s large variety of deadly weapons available. Once you acquire an attachment that grants you Akimbo Pistols, however, the meager handgun becomes a close-range demolisher.
NOW READ: Best X12 Loadout in Modern Warfare 2
There are a total of five Pistols in the game with four of them being immediately available at the beginning. All of them also have the necessary Rear Grip attachment that will turn it into a dual-wielded weapon.
Akimbo Pistols are a great alternative for certain builds that don’t make use of the Overkill base perk. With its light weight and rapid rate of fire, you’ll easily be able to maneuver yourself quickly around the battlefield.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Akimbo Pistol Loadout
In order to wield Akimbo Pistols in the game, you’ll have to level the following firearms up to a specific rank:
- Akimbo P890 – Rank up the P890 to Level 26
- Akimbo .50 GS – Rank up the .50 GS to Level 17
- Akimbo X12 – Rank up the X12 to Level 19
- Akimbo Basilisk – Rank up the Basilisk to Level 28
- Akimbo X13 Auto – Rank up the X12 to Level 19
Once you’ve reached the above weapon levels for each Pistol, you’ll be able to equip the Akimbo Rear Grip. Keep in mind that you’ll also be able to earn the Akimbo X13 Auto after you’ve reached Level 19 with the X12.
Although Akimbo Pistols are ineffective when used in mid- to long-range battles, they’re extremely deadly in close quarters combat. Since you also won’t need to use the Overkill base perk to equip it, you’ll be free to use other effective ones such as Double Time and Tracker.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Perks to Equip with Akimbo Pistols
Recommended | Alternatives |
Base Perks: Double Time and Tracker | Scavenger |
Bonus Perk: Fast Hands | Hardline |
Ultimate Perk: Quick Fix | Ghost |
Double Time
Since you’ll need to get up close and personal to get the most out of your Akimbo Pistols, Double Time is the perfect Base Perk to go along with it. Because it doubles the duration of your Tactical Sprint, you’ll be able to cover more ground as you search for enemies. It also enables you to move faster while crouched which is a nice cherry on top.
Tracker
Every map in MW2 is extremely chaotic so hunting for kills can often be a difficult task. Through the use of Tracker, you’ll be able to hunt down enemies much more efficiently as you’ll immediately know where they headed. Paired with Double Time, catching up to a fleeing Operator will be extremely easy.
Fast Hands
Dual-wielded pistols means more damage but its two magazines also extends your reload time. With Fast Hands, you’ll be able to reload much quicker and you can also use equipment and swap weapons much faster in case you run out of ammo.
Quick Fix
Needing to get up close and personal to use Akimbo Pistols means that you’ll inevitably suffer your fair share of damage. To avoid unnecessary deaths, Quick Fix will help you regenerate your health quickly after a kill so you can get back to fragging again.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Attachments for Akimbo Pistols
Akimbo X13 Rear Grip
This is the most important attachment of all since you won’t be able to use Akimbo Pistols without it. As mentioned before, you’ll need to reach specific levels with Pistols first before you can acquire each of their Rear Grips.
FJX DIOD-70 Laser
Lasers can often be counterintuitive because they reveal your location to the enemy. In this instance, however, the FJX DIOD-70 laser is only visible in ADS. Since you can’t aim down sights with Akimbo Pistols, you’ll get all the pros that this attachment brings without its one con.
XRK Sidewinder-6 Slide Barrel
This particular barrel improves both Recoil Control and Bullet Velocity which is extremely useful due to the Akimbo X13 Pistol’s rate of fire. It does slightly lower both your movement speed and aim down sight speed. But since this weapon is lightweight and fired from the hip, you won’t really notice the effect too much.
XRK Ventor 900-Muzzle
The XRK Ventor-900 slightly stabilizes both horizontal and vertical recoil, which will allow you to control your Akimbo X13 weapon spray better.
33 Round Mag
An increase in your weapon’s magazine capacity is just what you need to offset its high rate of fire. Using Akimbo Pistols will often eat up your ammo quickly so a larger magazine will allow you to sustain your assaults.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Tactical Equipment to use with Akimbo Pistols
Smoke Grenade
Smoke Grenades provide the perfect cover for you to get closer to the opposition in order to mow them down. It also deters snipers and riflers from shooting you down at a distance, which means you’ll have an easier time maneuvering around them.
Semtex
The Semtex is always a useful tool for surprising and eliminating a bunch of Operators quickly. Use this to cause chaos within enemy ranks and rush in with guns blazing.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Weapons to Pair with Akimbo Pistols
M4 Assault Rifle
Arguably one of the best weapons in the game, the M4 is a perfect accompaniment to Akimbo Pistols because of its high damage and long-range capabilities. Having both in your arsenal will make you nearly unstoppable in combat.
SP-R 208 Marksman Rifle
If you want to pair your dual pistols with a long-range, high-powered weapon, then the SP-R 208 is the perfect firearm for you. Its ADS speed, firepower, and range make it an ideal complement to any type of pistol.
MW2 Akimbo Pistols FAQ
What are the best dual pistols in Modern Warfare?
The Akimbo X13 Auto is arguably the best dual-wielded pistol in the game due to its high rate of fire and decent damage.
Can you Akimbo in MW2?
Yes, you’ll be able to equip Akimbo Pistols in the game. However, you’ll need to reach the following ranks for the pistols in the game:
- Akimbo P890 – Rank up the P890 to Level 26
- Akimbo .50 GS – Rank up the .50 GS to Level 17
- Akimbo X12 – Rank up the X12 to Level 19
- Akimbo Basilisk – Rank up the Basilisk to Level 28
- Akimbo X13 Auto – Rank up the X12 to Level 19