The Best Pistols & Revolvers In Red Dead Redemption

Key Takeaways

• Pistols and revolvers remain a staple in combat in Red Dead Redemption.
• The Volcanic Pistol is an average option primarily used in the early stages of the game due to its beauty rather than usefulness.
• The High Power Pistol is a statistically consistent late-game favorite with powerful shots, high capacity, and fast reload.

Pistols and revolvers are some of the best guns in Red Dead Redemption. After all, it is a cowboy game and these items provide some of the most realistic gameplay for fans who want to immerse themselves in the world. They’re also very useful weapons, usually with a short range but a quick reloading speed.

Pistols and revolvers are best for single-handed combat, which can be most useful when pursuing enemies on horseback, but they aren’t best for hunting animals. Players can find pistols and revolvers at the top of the weapons menu, so they’re easily selected. This list details which of the pistols and revolvers available in the game are the most useful, considering a variety of metrics.

8 Volcanic Pistol

• Ammo capacity: 8
• Reload: Medium
• Rate of fire: Low
• Range: Moderate

The Volcanic Pistol is a rather average option, especially paling when compared with other available weapons. That said, players often enjoy using this gun in the early stages of the game, and it is considered a beautiful gun that enhances the atmosphere, despite its lack of usefulness.

Like a few of the weapons in Red Dead Redemption, it can be attained in two ways. First, players can buy the gun from the gunsmith at Armadillo, but it is also found in the Twin Rocks hideout, where it can be grabbed for free.

7 Double-Action Revolver

Slow And Steady

• Ammo capacity: 6
• Reload: Medium
• Rate of fire: High
• Range: Low

This is not a weapon for high-speed action and dramatic combat. While it has a high rate of fire and relative quickness, the slow reload means that players will have to strategically shoot and find the time between shots to prepare the weapon again.

The Double-Action revolver can be acquired in a few different ways. It is found in the gang hideout at Tesoro Azul after the challenge has been completed. It’s in a chest near where the deputy had been held hostage. If players don’t acquire the gun in Tesoro Azul, it is added to their arsenal automatically after the Great Mexican Train Robbery mission.

6 High Power Pistol

A Late-Game Favorite

• Ammo capacity: 8
• Reload: High
• Rate of fire: High
• Range: Moderate

This is statistically one of the most consistent pistols in Red Dead Redemption: powerful, fast, and high capacity, but is let down by the fact that it’s unlocked late in the game.

This weapon is unlocked when Edgar Ross gives it to the player in a cut scene before the mission ‘Bear one another’s burdens’, which occurs in the penultimate chapter of the game’s story.

5 LeMat Revolver

Expensive But Reliable

• Ammo capacity: 9
• Reload: Low
• Rate of fire: High
• Range: Moderate

Players often choose the LeMat as a reliable mid-range weapon, with some suggesting it is best paired with a Schofield for variety. Statistically, it’s got a very good ammunition capacity when compared with other similar weapons.

The LeMat revolver can be bought from the Escalera Gunsmith for $1250, making it one of the most expensive revolvers in the game. Lower costs are available with certain considerations, including high honor.

4 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Fast But Messy

• Ammo capacity: 7
• Reload: High
• Rate of fire: High
• Range: Low

This pistol is notable for its speed and accuracy, both of which make it a relatively popular choice. That said, some players fault the pistol for its messiness and relative lack of power compared with other stats.

The Semi-Automatic pistol is purchasable from the gunsmith in Escalera for $300, which halves on high honor runs. Alternatively, players will be able to unlock this gun in the treasure room of Fort Mercer hideout after completing it.

3 Mauser Pistol

Most Impressive Stats

• Ammo capacity: 15
• Reload: very high
• Rate of fire: very high
• Range: medium

Arguably one of the most popular pistols in the game, the impressive stats of the Mauser Pistol cannot be denied. With an ammunition capacity of 15, it’s also a reliable weapon for intense combat scenarios with multiple targets.

The Mauser becomes available to players later in the game, from the Blackwater Gunsmith for at most $800, but this price varies with higher and lower honor.

2 Cattleman Revolver

Most Stylish

• Ammo capacity: 6
• Reload: slow
• Rate of fire: Moderate
• Range: low

The beauty and style of this revolver have been noted by fans who use it, really adding to the already immersive qualities of Red Dead Redemption. This reliable revolver is available right from the beginning of the game, which is probably why lots of players are particularly fond of it.

Because it has lower power compared with other weapons, players will be wise to aim for the head when shooting the Cattleman, as they may require more shots to kill with bullets to the chest or torso. Its poor ability to kill enemies makes it great for missions like bounty hunting where players don’t wish to kill, but slow or stop their opponent.

1 Schofield

Player’s Favorite

• Ammo capacity: 6
• Reload: medium
• Rate of fire: medium
• Range: medium

Fans love the Schofield revolver for its accuracy, which coupled with reasonable firepower and reload speed makes it a sensible option for combat. The consistent kill power of this weapon makes it a favorite, with shots able to do serious damage to anywhere on the body.

The accuracy of this weapon makes it ideal for challenges that require sharpshooting and dueling shots. Players can get the Schofield after completing the mission ‘the gunslinger’s tragedy’.