Semi-automatic pistol fires two bullets at once

The revolutionary weapon being demonstrated in this video is as close as it gets to having two guns in one.

In honor of the legendary Colt 1911-A1, weapons manufacturer Arsenal Firearms has unveiled the AF2011-AF Double Barrel Pistol, the world's first double-barrel semi-automatic handgun that fires two bullets at once. While the casing, parts and overall exterior has the look and feel of a Colt, the pistol features modifications such as twin barrel design that enable users to load as many as eight .45 caliber rounds (16 bullets). It's essentially akin to melding a pair of the classic handguns together.

Since double-barrel and semi-automatic handguns were conceived as a way of compensating for an inaccurate shot without reloading, there hadn't been much of a reason -- at least functionally -- to combine both technologies in one weapon. Besides, attempts to do so would mean the force of the shot would be off-center, which theoretically would lead to even greater inaccuracy.

The designers at Arsenal firearms claim they have figured a way around this problem. After six months of "intense and round-the-clock 3D designing, stereolithographic modeling and parts machining," they've perfected a handgun that "is not only very pleasing, but very accurate," according to the company's website. Although they haven't revealed how the technology works, their own internal testing demonstrated that shooters were able to accurately strike objects such as an orange located 15 yards away and a watermelon at a distance of 25 yards.

And with the force of two rounds, stopping power is said to be "tremendous." One shot would be enough to drop wild animals as large and as fierce as a bull.

There's no word on pricing or whether it would be made available in the U.S. That's because Arsenal Firearms would have to get past some regulatory hurdles, which may prove to be quite difficult.

According to Military Times:

Arsenal plans to bring these to the states, though there are concerns over the pistol’s NFA classification since one pull of the trigger fires multiple rounds. Arsenal employees say their interpretation of the BATF’s regs lead them to think the pistol’s action does not make it a machine gun. Wishful thinking.

What do you think? Is the AF2011-AF technically a machine gun?

(via Arsenal Firearms)

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This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com