Highlights

  • Specialty pistols like Micah's Revolver offer unique advantages with higher damage output and special engravings, enhancing gameplay experiences.
  • Unique variants like the Schofield Revolver and M1899 Pistol provide a variety of gameplay options with different attributes for players to choose from.
  • Lever-action pistols like the Volcanic Pistol and LeMat Revolver offer high damage and accuracy, making them valuable choices in combat situations.

Many years after its release, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still widely considered one of the greatest video games of all time and retains a high player count today across all platforms. In addition to its well-written and meaningful story, unparalleled immersion and interactivity, the gunplay still holds up extremely well, which is no surprise considering Rockstar's history of making engaging and intuitive combat systems.

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As a Wild West outlaw, it is fair to say that pistols are of relatively high importance. The player is not always able to access their horse or prepare for every mission by selecting an arsenal of powerful rifles, and as a result, revolvers and pistols become of paramount importance throughout significant portions of the game. From the basic, six-shot Cattleman Revolver to unique, customized semi-auto Mausers, there is plenty of choice throughout the game's many missions and gun stores when it comes to selecting the ideal sidearm.

7 Mauser Pistol

A Strong Semi-Auto Pistol Available Early In The Game

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols Mauser Midnight Pistol
  • Damage: Medium
  • Accuracy: High
  • Rate of Fire: High

The German-imported Mauser pistol is a magazine-fed, semi-automatic pistol with a significantly higher fire rate than most other pistols or revolvers in the game. While the damage and reload speeds may hold this weapon back somewhat, it is still a great pistol with strong stats in all areas.

Players will be able to unlock this weapon after starting Chapter 2 and entering Valentine. A unique variation, Midnight's Pistol, can also be acquired during the mission "The Noblest of Men, And A Lady" from the body of Billy Midnight.

6 Micah's Revolver

This Powerful Endgame Variant Is Stronger Than The Base Double-Action Revolver

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols Micah's Revolver
  • Damage: Medium
  • Accuracy: High
  • Rate of Fire: High

Micah's Revolver is a variation of the Double-Action Revolver but has some additional damage to it that enables players to take out enemies often with just one or two well-aimed shots. In addition to its strong stats, the pistol also has a unique appearance with Micah's personal engraving "Vengeance Is Hereby Mine" carved into the barrel.

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Like most other unique weapons, Micah's Revolver cannot be modified or customized, and it will require players to have completed the mission "American Venom" in the Epilogue Part 2. It is an easily missable item that some players might have overlooked altogether, but it can be found near Micah's body after killing him at the end of the mission.

5 Schofield Revolver

A Powerful Pistol That Offers A Significant Upgrade Over The Cattleman Revolver

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols Schofield Revolver
  • Damage: Medium
  • Accuracy: Very High
  • Rate of Fire: Medium

The Schofield Revolver is one of the best-handling weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2, combining a near-perfect balance of power, accuracy, and rate of fire. Particularly when upgraded with some heavier ammo types, the Schofield Revolver is easily one of the best weapons in the game.

The only downside of the Schofield Revolver when compared to some superior weapons is its slow reload time, but this isn't especially noticeable in the game. To unlock this pistol, players will need to complete the mission "Blessed Are The Meek" in Chapter 2. Players can also acquire two unique variants of the weapon: Otis Miller's Revolver and Calloway's Revolver by completing the quest "The Noblest of Men, And A Woman."

4 M1899 Pistol

A Relatively High-Tech Pistol With Several Useful Attributes

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols M1899 Pistol
  • Damage: Medium
  • Accuracy: High
  • Rate of Fire: Very High

The M1899 Pistol is the most modern in the game and as a result, comes with several unique advantages when compared to its rivals. With reasonable damage and an 8-round clip, players can make use of its superior fire rate to take down entire groups of enemies at once, particularly with the assistance of Dead Eye.

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To unlock the M1899 Pistol, players will first have to complete the mission "The Battle of Shady Belle" at the start of Chapter 4, after which it can be purchased exclusively from the gunsmith in Saint Denis.

3 Semi-Automatic Pistol

This Fast-Firing Pistol Is Ideal When Faced With Groups Of Enemies

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols Semi Automatic Pistol
  • Damage: Medium
  • Accuracy: High
  • Rate of Fire: Very High

The Semi-Automatic pistol has the fastest fire rate of any pistol in the game, enabling players to unload rounds in an almost machine gun-like manner, while still retaining the versatility of an ordinary pistol.

In addition to having a high damage output to go with its rate of fire, the Semi-Automatic pistol also holds eight rounds rather than the standard six. To unlock this weapon, players will first have to complete the mission "The Joys of Civilization" at the start of Chapter 4.

2 Volcanic Pistol

This Supremely Powerful Lever-Action Pistol Has Unmatched Accuracy

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols Volcanic Pistol
  • Damage: High
  • Accuracy: Very High
  • Rate of Fire: Medium

The Volcanic Pistol is the most powerful in the game and is equally stylish as it is effective. While the rate of fire may pale in comparison to the Semi-Auto and Mauser pistols, the Volcanic Pistol more than makes up for it with its supreme damage and accuracy.

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Capable of finishing most enemies with a single, well-placed shot to the upper torso, head, or thighs, this lever-action pistol makes for an excellent backup when rifle ammo runs out since it retains many of the same qualities as those more powerful weapons.

1 LeMat Revolver

An Unrivaled Handgun With Several Firing Modes And Unique Advantages

Red Dead Redemption 2 Pistols LeMat Revolver
  • Damage: High
  • Accuracy: Very High
  • Rate of Fire: High

The LeMat Revolver is one of the highest-damage pistols in the game and comes with the twin bonus of having a 9-round cylinder, more than any other revolver in the game. The weapon also has a secondary firing mode enabling it to shoot shotgun shells.

As a result, it is one of the most valuable weapons players can acquire or sell in the game, too. To acquire the LeMat Revolver, simply visit any gunsmith after completing the mission "The Gilded Cage" in Chapter 4.

red dead redemption 2 poster
Red Dead Redemption 2

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
October 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure