The Dual Berettas, once known as the .40 Dual Elites, are an iconic set of pistols in the Counter-Strike series. These semi-automatic pistols were originally exclusive to the Terrorist side before becoming available to both factions in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO). Renowned for their rapid rate of fire, high ammo capacity, and stylish dual-wielded nature, the Dual Berettas present a unique option for players who prefer a high-action, spray-and-pray style. However, despite their appealing mechanics, these pistols come with trade-offs, making them most effective in specific situations. Learn how to use the CounterStrike Dual Berettas with tips, strategies, stats, and insights to dominate your opponents at close range.

History and Evolution

The CounterStrike Dual Berettas are based on the Beretta 92 series of pistols, specifically the Beretta 92G Elite II, used in the earlier versions of Counter-Strike, Condition Zero, and Source. In Global Offensive, the design was slightly modified to resemble the Beretta M9A1, featuring inox steel and wooden grip panels.

Before CS:GO, these pistols were exclusive to Terrorists, while Counter-Terrorists had the Five-seveN as their counterpart. With the release of CS:GO, the Dual Berettas were made available to both sides, lowering their price from $800 to $300, which opened up new strategic possibilities for pistol rounds and eco buys.

In-Game Mechanics and Stats

Damage and Hitbox Values

The Dual Berettas may not pack as much punch as other pistols in the game, but they offer better damage output compared to some spawn pistols. The high rate of fire compensates for their relatively low per-shot damage, making them ideal for close-range engagements where players can overwhelm opponents with sheer volume of bullets.

Here’s how they perform based on hitboxes:

Unarmored Targets:

• Head: 150 damage (one-shot kill)
• Chest & Arms: 37 damage
• Stomach: 46 damage
• Legs: 28 damage

Armored Targets:

• Head: 86 damage (still potent, but no one-shot kill)
• Chest & Arms: 21 damage
• Stomach: 26 damage
• Legs: 28 damage

Their effectiveness against unarmored opponents is notable, but against armored enemies, the Dual Berettas struggle due to their lower penetration power and damage falloff.

Rate of Fire and Recoil

One of the main strengths of the Dual Berettas lies in their impressive rate of fire. Players with fast reflexes can reach a fire rate comparable to submachine guns by rapidly clicking or binding fire actions to their mouse wheel. However, this fast firing comes with significant recoil, making sustained accuracy difficult beyond close range.

For this reason, the Dual Berettas are often most useful in tight, chaotic encounters where precision is less important than firing as many bullets as possible. Their large magazine size helps mitigate the need for constant reloading in these situations, but the lengthy reload time can leave players vulnerable if caught without cover.

Tactics and Strategies

Close-Range Dominance

The Dual Berettas excel in close-quarter combat, particularly during pistol rounds. Their ability to fire quickly and with reasonable accuracy while moving makes them a perfect choice for aggressive pushes or defensive holds. Players can overwhelm enemies by spraying bullets at short distances, using the high magazine capacity to their advantage. Rushing into enemy territory or holding chokepoints like bombsites in Dust II or Inferno can be very effective, provided the user is moving fast and staying on target.

When using the Dual Berettas in close combat, aiming for the head is crucial. Their damage dropoff becomes a non-issue at this range, and their rate of fire compensates for any missed shots. By strafing and firing in bursts, players can minimize the impact of recoil while maximizing damage output.

Mid-Range Engagements

At medium ranges, the Dual Berettas become significantly less effective due to their high spread and recoil. Players should aim for the chest or stomach at these distances, as landing headshots becomes increasingly difficult. Short, controlled bursts work best here, and keeping engagements quick and mobile can give an advantage.

While not ideal for long-range engagements, the Dual Berettas can be used to suppress enemies and control space by spamming bullets, even if actual damage output is limited. Using cover and peeking in and out of corners helps mitigate the accuracy issues at medium range.

When to Avoid Using the Dual Berettas

The limitations of the Dual Berettas become apparent at long distances, where their severe damage dropoff and low accuracy make them an unreliable choice. For maps like Dust II, where long-range engagements are common, players would be better off choosing a P250 or Desert Eagle, which can deliver more consistent headshots from a distance. Similarly, when going up against snipers, the slow reload and spread make the Dual Berettas a poor counter.

Reloading in open areas is risky, as the long animation time makes the player an easy target. It’s always best to reload in a safe location or when surrounded by teammates who can cover you.

The Role of Dual Berettas in Different Game Modes

In CSGO, bots are less likely to buy the Dual Berettas compared to earlier versions like Source, 

where they were a frequent choice for AI-controlled players, particularly when restricted to pistols. In player-versus-player matches, however, they are commonly used during pistol rounds due to their low cost and high magazine capacity.

In earlier versions of Counter-Strike, if the player had a submachine gun like the K&M Sub-Machine Gun or Schmidt Machine Pistol equipped, the Dual Berettas would share the same ammo pool due to their shared caliber. This was a quirky mechanic that has since been removed in CS:GO.

Achievements and Fun Trivia

The Dual Berettas have been a part of Counter-Strike for years, and players can earn several achievements tied to their use. For instance, the “Akimbo King” achievement is unlocked when a player kills an opponent using Dual Berettas while wielding the same pistols themselves.

Interestingly, dual-wielding Berettas in the game was inspired by Hong Kong action films, particularly those directed by John Woo, where characters famously wield two pistols in cinematic shootouts. Additionally, in Global Offensive, players can spot a misspelling on the guns, with “PIETA BARDOTTA” written on the side, a playful nod to avoid copyright issues with Beretta.

Conclusion

The Dual Berettas occupy a unique place in Counter-Strike‘s arsenal. While they are not the go-to choice for all players, their affordability, high rate of fire, and large magazine capacity make them an attractive option for aggressive, close-range combat, especially during pistol rounds. However, their low accuracy, long reload times, and limited effectiveness at range prevent them from being a top-tier competitive weapon. Mastering the Dual Berettas requires understanding their strengths and weaknesses, knowing when to rush in and when to fall back, and, above all, keeping those barrels blazing.

Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming to perfect your pistol skills, the Dual Berettas offer a fast-paced, action-packed experience for those brave enough to wield them.