The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is rich with a variety of firearms that found their way into the American West. With military long rifles, hunting shotguns, and bows aplenty, Rockstar’s open-world Western action game has plenty of weapons to choose from. The single-player of Red Dead Redemption 2 has several unique weapon variants that are considered distinct from the base model.
Sidearms are a signature weapon and icon of the Old West, and Red Dead Redemption 2 has its fair share for players to wield. Not all sidearms are created equal, however, and knowing which to take on a mission and which to leave in the horse’s saddlebag can make the difference between life and death.
9 Double-Action Revolver
The Double-Action Revolver’s good rate of fire is its main claim to fame, but falls short in almost every other aspect. The weapon’s damage and range are subpar, and the reload speed can prove meddlesome.
This reduces the weapon’s overall effectiveness compared to other sidearms in the game. It’s better than no weapon at all, but should otherwise be passed up.
8 Cattleman Revolver
The Cattleman Revolver is the default revolver of Red Dead Redemption, based on the iconic Colt Single Action Army revolver. It regularly appears in cutscenes and has average statistics across the board.
Other options become available as the game goes on, which can render this weapon obsolete in comparison, but it can still hold its ground if needed. The Cattleman is a popular choice for Arthur Morgan and John Marston.
7 Mauser Pistol
The Mauser is a German-designed semi-automatic pistol, one that proved popular around the world in militaries and civilian hands alike.
It holds 10 rounds and boasts a decent rate of fire, but lacks the accuracy and stopping power of its peers, reducing its capability for medium-range or on-the-move combat.
6 Schofield Revolver
The Schofield Revolver is all but a complete upgrade to the Cattleman, boasting a faster fire rate and good accuracy for a revolver.
While it’s not the strongest or most accurate, being an easily obtained upgrade to the base revolver makes the Schofield all but a must-have. They’re the preferred sidearms of Dutch in the single-player campaign.
5 Navy Revolver
Exclusive to Red Dead Online, the Navy Revolver is an older weapon that trades fire rate and stability for damage over range.
The Navy takes a moment to settle the swaying reticle and has a slower hammer-pull rate compared to other revolvers, but does solid damage at medium range, letting the Navy hit harder than one may expect.
4 LeMat Revolver
An experimental French design, the LeMat defies many known concepts about revolvers. The LeMat holds 9 rounds in its cylinder, with an additional single shotgun shell in its second barrel.
Its secondary fire and extra ammo capacity make up for the slower rate of fire and longer reload time, earning the LeMat a fearsome reputation.
3 Semi-Automatic Pistol
The Semi-Automatic is fast-firing and fast-to-reload, perfect for quick drawing on groups of enemy players. It’s the first of the three semi-auto pistols available to Arthur in the game.
The downsides of mediocre damage and poor accuracy do make this weapon tougher to use against heavier or distant enemies, but the sheer output of damage shouldn’t be ignored, especially if players find themselves in a pinch.
2 Volcanic Pistol
There’s nothing harder hitting in the sidearm category, the Volcanic Pistol packs a punch. A slow rate of fire is made up for with hard-hitting shots that can drop enemies with ease, even at a distance, so long as players don’t need to spam-fire.
If paired with another pistol or a rifle, the Volcanic Pistol becomes a showstopper to be respected.
1 M1899 Pistol
The M1899 is sadly not available in Red Dead Online, which is a shame (though historically accurate) as the M1899 is an exceptional weapon. The M1899 pairs above-average fire rate and damage with a fast reload time, making it quick to fire and usable at decent ranges, a rarity for non-revolver handguns in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Stylish, experimental, and effective, the M1899 should be at Arthur’s side as soon as possible.
