Which big iron should you carry on your hip?
The list that follows sums up all available side arms in both Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online. It highlights which weapons are great in a tough spot and which are best avoided - the list is not necessarily definitive, though. One of the great things about Red Dead is that, as long as you practice (and in some cases be persistent) you can make any gun work for you. However, I have tried to create this list with practicality for the user in mind.
10. Double-Action Revolver
Last on the list, and unfortunately my personal favourite, we have the D.D. Packenbush Double-Action Revolver. It’s cool, but arguably useless, and can be difficult to use for a few reasons. It is weak and it is inaccurate - meaning your only option, usually, is to just empty the cylinder on your opponent and hope you kill them. Headshots, the go-to kill method of any gunslinger, are very difficult to execute with this weapon.
10. Double-Action Revolver
Last on the list, and unfortunately my personal favourite, we have the D.D. Packenbush Double-Action Revolver. It’s cool, but arguably useless, and can be difficult to use for a few reasons. It is weak and it is inaccurate - meaning your only option, usually, is to just empty the cylinder on your opponent and hope you kill them. Headshots, the go-to kill method of any gunslinger, are very difficult to execute with this weapon.
The weapon also relies far too heavily on Deadeye and gun oil. Deadeye to make kills and gun oil to repair it - after you’ve sent a hail of bullets through it. It’s single redeeming feature is that it draws from the larger revolver ammunition pool, meaning you’ll always have plenty of rounds on hand.
9. Mauser Pistol
Next, we have the Muhlberg Mauser Pistol. I’m sure a few will be surprised to see it this low on the list, but I do believe the Mauser is deserved of a spot this far down.
9. Mauser Pistol
Next, we have the Muhlberg Mauser Pistol. I’m sure a few will be surprised to see it this low on the list, but I do believe the Mauser is deserved of a spot this far down.
While it does have an increased ammo capacity compared to other pistols mentioned on this list; having the highest capacity of all semi-automatic pistols in the game. It is slow - arguably far to slow for a semi-automatic pistol. To shoot, reload and aim. It’s also rather inaccurate initially before you gain any familiarity.
It’s annoyingly a very late-game unlock and incredibly expensive, in both multiplayer and the main story. A special version can be acquired as early as chapter 2 of the story mode, from dualist Billy Midnight, though.
All in all, it feels overshadowed by earlier semi-automatic pistols.
8. Cattleman Revolver
The starting Buck Cattleman revolver is next on this list. A staple across the West and a solid edition to anyone’s arsenal. If this was a list judged by cool points this weapon would undoubtedly be at the top, but from a practical perspective, there are far superior options.
8. Cattleman Revolver
The starting Buck Cattleman revolver is next on this list. A staple across the West and a solid edition to anyone’s arsenal. If this was a list judged by cool points this weapon would undoubtedly be at the top, but from a practical perspective, there are far superior options.
What makes this weapon useful is its cheapness to keep running and its all-round average skills. It’s relatively quick and can become very accurate once you have full familiarity. Where it faulters is with its damage output. If you rely on body shots to kill your enemies, you may find yourself in trouble.
7. Schofield Revolver
The Hutton & Baird Schofield revolver comes in at number seven on this list, just barely edging out the Cattleman. In a straight comparison between the two there is little to discuss concerning practicality. The Schofield is overall slower compared to the Cattleman but is both slightly more accurate and powerful. These two improvements, although only very minor, do improve the weapons feasibility. Slow and steady are the traits of the Schofield.
6. Navy Revolver
Duke’s Navy Revolver is the following pistol to feature on this list. A weapon exclusive to Red Dead Online. This weapon again is a step up from the Schofield, prioritising damage, and accuracy over speed - it is in fact the most powerful revolver featured in game. It is also insanely accurate with some practice.
7. Schofield Revolver
The Hutton & Baird Schofield revolver comes in at number seven on this list, just barely edging out the Cattleman. In a straight comparison between the two there is little to discuss concerning practicality. The Schofield is overall slower compared to the Cattleman but is both slightly more accurate and powerful. These two improvements, although only very minor, do improve the weapons feasibility. Slow and steady are the traits of the Schofield.
6. Navy Revolver
Duke’s Navy Revolver is the following pistol to feature on this list. A weapon exclusive to Red Dead Online. This weapon again is a step up from the Schofield, prioritising damage, and accuracy over speed - it is in fact the most powerful revolver featured in game. It is also insanely accurate with some practice.
Its biggest drawbacks are that it has a slow reload, only holds six rounds, and it holds a high price tag in stores. This time however, the high price is somewhat reasonable, as it’s more of a onetime investment. Its ammunition is easy and cheap to acquire, meaning plenty more volleys of pinpoint and powerful fire on your targets.
5. Sawed-off Shotgun
The Peeters & Janssens Sawed-off Shotgun enters the top five on this list. Though not a pistol in the traditional sense, Red Dead Redemption 2 presents them in the same way. They are used with a single hand, can be dual wielded and occupy the handgun slot in your inventory. For those reasons it easily qualifies for a spot on this list.
5. Sawed-off Shotgun
The Peeters & Janssens Sawed-off Shotgun enters the top five on this list. Though not a pistol in the traditional sense, Red Dead Redemption 2 presents them in the same way. They are used with a single hand, can be dual wielded and occupy the handgun slot in your inventory. For those reasons it easily qualifies for a spot on this list.
Now, you’re wondering why it’s so high up on the list and that is quite simply due to its versatility. It may be lacking in quite a few areas such as having a low backup ammunition pool, low loaded capacity, poor range, poor accuracy and just being generally difficult to use. However, it makes up for those issues by being a true CBQ machine. It’s incredibly powerful and if a kill isn’t made, then a stun; briefly incapacitating your foe, is at least guaranteed. It also comes with a wide variety of ammunition types. Dual Sawed-off Shotguns, loaded with incendiary shells and wielded by a proficient user can be incomparably devastating.
4. M1899 Pistol
A Peeters & Jansens firearm, this time the M1899 Pistol, takes the fourth spot. Much like the Navy Revolver this weapon is an exclusive, though this time to the main story instead. This handgun is an all-round achiever and I feel is a straight upgrade over Muhlberg’s previously listed Mauser Pistol.
4. M1899 Pistol
A Peeters & Jansens firearm, this time the M1899 Pistol, takes the fourth spot. Much like the Navy Revolver this weapon is an exclusive, though this time to the main story instead. This handgun is an all-round achiever and I feel is a straight upgrade over Muhlberg’s previously listed Mauser Pistol.
It more or less has all the same qualities of its predecessor but does hit that bit harder, something greatly appreciated alongside its speed. There’s not a great deal more to say about this firearm, except that you won’t be disappointed if you decide to use one.
3. Semi-Automatic Pistol
The sidearm to take the third spot is the Peeters & Janssens Semi-Automatic Pistol. While it’s weak - the clear weakest sidearm in the game - it makes up for that with speed and accuracy. As it is so quick to operate, the very slight damage drop off is negligible. You can blitz whole groups of enemies with easy headshots as sight acquisition is quick and reloads are rapid. It shares the same drawbacks as the other semi-automatic pistols in that is fouls quickly and draws from the small pistol ammunition pool.
2. Volcanic Pistol
The runner up on this list is the Hutton & Baird Volcanic Pistol. Some may be shocked to see this so far up the list, and that just shows how underrated this sidearm truly is. It’s an absolute powerhouse. Much like the Double-Action Revolver, this weapon bridges the gap between the semi-automatics and revolvers. However, this time around, this weapon favours the qualities of the revolvers rather than the semi-automatics.
3. Semi-Automatic Pistol
The sidearm to take the third spot is the Peeters & Janssens Semi-Automatic Pistol. While it’s weak - the clear weakest sidearm in the game - it makes up for that with speed and accuracy. As it is so quick to operate, the very slight damage drop off is negligible. You can blitz whole groups of enemies with easy headshots as sight acquisition is quick and reloads are rapid. It shares the same drawbacks as the other semi-automatic pistols in that is fouls quickly and draws from the small pistol ammunition pool.
2. Volcanic Pistol
The runner up on this list is the Hutton & Baird Volcanic Pistol. Some may be shocked to see this so far up the list, and that just shows how underrated this sidearm truly is. It’s an absolute powerhouse. Much like the Double-Action Revolver, this weapon bridges the gap between the semi-automatics and revolvers. However, this time around, this weapon favours the qualities of the revolvers rather than the semi-automatics.
With eight rounds of very powerful and very accurate fire, it overshadows all but the final spot on this list. It can also be acquired incredibly early in the campaign; available in stores from the beginning of chapter two - this is before most other weapons - where it is also very cheap to purchase.
It’s basically a lever-action rifle, packaged as a pistol, which provides you with a great reliable companion. Its main downside is it requires the scarce pistol ammunition to function.
1. LeMat Revolver
The champion of this list, and deserved winner, is the D.D. Packenbush LeMat Revolver.
1. LeMat Revolver
The champion of this list, and deserved winner, is the D.D. Packenbush LeMat Revolver.
The LeMat really is an all-round life saver, being a sturdy ten-shooter that’ll never let you down. It may not necessarily be the most powerful, nor the quickest, but its nine rounds of revolver ammunition, coupled with its single shotgun projectile make it very versatile. This ten-round capacity means less reloading, which offsets its slow reloads and the buckshot shell provides a quick and instant knockdown for any encroaching enemy.
It’s a single pistol that has the accuracy of a revolver, power of a shotgun and capacity of a semi-automatic. When two are wielded together, the weapon can truly be devastating. It’s relatively cheap to purchase, considering the benefits it offers, and uses both common revolver ammo.
Its only drawback is that it can take a little while to unlock, both in single player and online, but just know that the wait is worth it.
There we have it, all ten of Red Dead Redemption 2 / Online's sidearms ranked. If you think the order is wrong let me know down in the comments.
There we have it, all ten of Red Dead Redemption 2 / Online's sidearms ranked. If you think the order is wrong let me know down in the comments.
all images ©: Rockstar Games, Rockstar Studios
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