Pistol-whipping is the act of physically striking a person with the barrel or stock of a handgun. The hardness of a typical gun barrel or stock, combined with the significant force normally used in pistol-whipping, can cause significant injury to the victim, particularly if (as is usually the case) the victim is struck in the face or head.

Pistol-whipping is a common interrogatory technique among police and military forces, as well as criminal and terrorist organizations.