The Resident Evil 4 remake brings the beloved Capcom third-person horror shooter into the modern age with a fresh coat of paint, mechanical tweaking, and sound design that puts the player’s audio setups through its paces. Among these overhauls are the changes to Leon’s firearms, some being nearly identical to the original, while others are new to the title or have been drastically overhauled.
When it comes to rescuing the President’s daughter and defeating the menacing forces of the Las Plagas virus, Leon deserves only the best of the best. Mutant men, wolves, and salamanders aplenty are in the player’s way, and using the right gun for the right situation will reward players with loot and joy aplenty.
10 W-870
Similar to the original game, this pump-action beauty is one of the first weapons Leon can come across in the game world. It can be found in the second-story house in the first village, right where the original was placed.
For dealing with hordes of infected villagers, special infected or rampaging chainsaw men, the W-870 is a perfect early-game fallback when players find themselves in a tough situation. Keeping the rushing infected at bay is a tried and true tradition the W-870 continues with pride.
9 Matilda
A returning friend from Raccoon City. Precise to fire and boasting a healthy magazine capacity, the Matilda is a solid go-to for serving as Leon’s main handgun in the later stages of the game. Additionally, if players can acquire the stock attachment from the Merchant, the weapon can be made into a burst-fire submachine gun. For precise shooting and versatility, the Matilda is a robust little gun.
8 Punisher
Penetrating power for the low cost of absolutely nothing! The Punisher handgun can be acquired in a trade with the Merchant if players have 5 of the gemstones that can be earned by completing the merchant’s special quests.
The Punisher has the ability to penetrate targets, striking multiple enemies at once, and is relatively affordable to upgrade into an even more effective weapon. For the ease with which the weapon can be earned and the benefits of hitting multiple grouped-up enemies at once, the Punisher is a solid upgrade to Leon’s starter pistol.
7 SR 1903
A beloved workhorse rifle and returning favorite, 1903 is the first rifle players can purchase from the Merchant. If players have been careful to check around corners and loot fallen foes, there should be more than enough money and valuables to afford the weapon. The first proper long-range weapon, the 1903 can make short work of enemies at a distance, saving the shotgun and pistol ammo for closer engagements. While it’s easily supplanted later on, the SR 1903 carries a hefty chunk of the game on its back in style.
6 Broken Butterfly
A carry weapon of times long past, the Broken Butterfly isn’t out of the fight any more than it was in 2005. The Broken Butterfly is a slow-firing, hard-hitting magnum that has the highly desirable penetrating ability, making crowd control far more viable.
Magnum ammo is rare and sought after, so weapons like the Broken Butterfly shouldn’t be used lightly. When the time comes, the Broken Butterfly can carry Leon through the infected hordes with style.
5 Killer7
A well-executed movie reference and a fine power weapon to have on hand, the Killer7 deals greater base damage than the Broken Butterfly and can be upgraded to boast a healthy magazine capacity and fire rate, making this hefty hand cannon even deadlier. Offering penetrating power for striking multiple foes, the Killer7 can dispatch especially infected and bunched-up groups with relative ease in spectacular form. When Leon has the Killer7 in his grasp, any and all infected foes are now targeted for termination.
4 Stingray
A near-total upgrade from the SR 1903, the Stingray is a sleek, powerful semi-automatic rifle that means business. Like the 1903 and a handful of other firearms, the Stingray can penetrate multiple targets but also has access to a variety of optical sights for the player to swap out at their leisure. The greatest downside will likely be the weapon’s size in the briefcase inventory, taking up a notable amount of room. If players can work around this, then the Stingray will easily become the player’s main long-range firearm.
3 LE 5
Fast firing, sleek, iconic, and versatile, the LE 5 is the finest submachine gun Leon can get ahold of in the Resident Evil 4 remake. The LE 5 has the ability to mount optic sights, a feature that in the original was heavily restricted and only worked with sniper rifles.
The LE 5 is effective at crowd control and staggering foes, with a modest but upgradable magazine capacity and penetrating power, letting players spray and pray into any and all infected abominations that try to get in Leon’s face. With a few upgrades being dumped into the weapon, the LE 5 is the ultimate close-quarters weapon for antiquated castle hallways, damp caves, and run-down village town squares.
2 Blacktail
What the Blacktail lacks in gimmicks and special abilities, it makes up for in power and accuracy. The Blacktail is precise and hard-hitting, less than the Magnums but with a consistent hardiness against enemies, making it ideal for staggering headshots, hitting lit dynamite out of enemies’ hands, and nailing that last pesky blue medallion that’s been hiding in plain sight. The Blacktail can be used up close and afar, only being beaten out by sniper rifles in the hands of skilled and patient players. If ever there was a sidearm to take up arms with against Las Plagas, it would be the Blacktail.
1 CQBR Assault Rifle
An honest-to-goodness assault rifle with all the desired trimmings and upsides that come with it, The CQBR comes with penetrating power, an optic rail for various sights, full auto fire, and devastating damage. While the ammo can be scarce and time-consuming to craft, the sheer firepower of the CQBR ensures that any use of it will prove wildly successful for the player. From crowd control and special infected dispatching to boss fights and ambushes, Leon is never as safe as when he has a loaded gun in his hands, and he’s even safer when it’s the CQBR.
