Red Dead Redemption: Every Shotgun

Key Takeaways

• Blunderbuss is incredibly powerful against undead in Undead Nightmare DLC despite slow reload speed.
• Sawed-off shotgun offers immense power but sacrifices accuracy and capacity.
• Semi-auto shotgun, though powerful, requires practice due to low accuracy but high rate of fire.

Shotguns are one of the most popular forms of weaponry in the open-world western Red Dead Redemption, known for their ability to fire multiple shots in short succession. They are generally quick to reload, but do not hold large magazines.

There are five shotguns players can acquire in Red Read Redemption, each with its own benefits, whether that be unlocking achievements or improving a player’s combat abilities. Four of these are available in the main game, with clear favorites emerging among fans of the game for their reliability and reload speeds. This list focuses on the firing capacity of each gun and their uses in combat scenarios.

5 Blunderbuss

A DLC Exclusive Item

• Power: High-Very High
• Reload Speed: Low
• Range: Moderate
• Rate: Low
• Capacity: 1

While the Blunderbuss is an excellent weapon for killing the undead, it is limited to the Undead Nightmare DLC and cannot be used in regular singleplayer mode, so players of the base game won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of this one.

The Blunderbuss can kill any undead in one shot, and can even kill multiple undead at a time if they are close together. Even fired against humans, it has high power, making it a worthwhile weapon to have. That said, the slow reload speed means players should be mindful of when they shoot and plan their movements in advance.

4 Sawed-off Shotgun

Powerful But Inaccurate

• Power: High
• Reload Speed: Moderate
• Range: Very Low
• Rate: High
• Capacity: 2

Most players wouldn’t go out of their way to get the sawed-off shotgun. It is extremely powerful, but at the expense of accuracy. Not to mention, with its small capacity, reloading can become an issue too. However, some players do recommend using two at once, which eases the reload issue and creates a very powerful set up.

Players will first encounter this gun in the middle of the game, where it can be collected from enemies killed.

3 Semi-auto Shotgun

Takes Some Getting Used To

• Power: High
• Reload Speed: Medium
• Range: Low
• Rate: High
• Capacity: 5

This definitely isn’t the most accurate weapon in the game, but it can be very powerful, especially at close range. With its ability to spray fast, it can be perfect for intense combative scenarios, especially for those seeking multiple kills in one swoop. Fans of the game often recommend this gun for more experienced players, arguing it takes some getting used to before mastering the perfect shooting style.

This gun can be purchased from the Gun Merchant, who can be found at Escalera. The base price is $1000, but this can be halved with high honor, and reduced even further to $250 if players are wearing the Savvy Merchant Outfit. At that price, it’s definitely worth purchasing the Semi-auto shotgun.

2 Double-barreled Shotgun

Great For Moving Targets

• Power: High
• Reload Speed: Medium
• Range: Short
• Rate: Moderate
• Capacity: 2

This dependable gun is great for bounty hunting and subduing targets at a distance, but its small capacity means it isn’t best for attempting multiple kills in quick succession.

In particular, the double-barrelled shotgun is great for firing at moving targets, giving players the option of firing both bullets at once by simply double tapping the trigger. Of course, this means they’ll have to reload immediately, but with its moderate reload rate, this isn’t too inconvenient.

Players can acquire this gun in a number of ways. They’ll receive the gun after killing Spike Haggerty in the main game, Philip Ross in a side-mission, or after saving the deputy at the Tesoro Azul hideout. It can also be purchased in Armadillo, with the initial price of $300 halving or quartering, depending on the player’s fame or honor.

1 Pump-action Shotgun

A Reliable Favorite

• Power: High
• Reload Speed: Medium
• Range: Short
• Rate: Moderate
• Capacity: 6

The pump-action is a fan favorite for lots of reasons. Its power makes it a great defensive tool for beginners, but its average reload speed and range don’t make it overpowering either. Players have remarked on the cinematic quality of using this gun, with an immersive sound effect.

The pump-action also has the biggest ammunition capacity of any Red Dead shotgun, with an impressive 6 bullets per round. Sadly, it’s the last weapon players will unlock in the game’s single player mode, but it is well worth obtaining for its superior qualities.

Most players will obtain this gun during the mission ‘And The Truth Will Set You Free’ from Dutch’s Gang. There’s also a chance players will receive it if they kill Edgar Ross, with the option to reload if they don’t get it on their first try.