Weapons That Are Not Worth Buying

Key Takeaways

• Mauser Pistol: High rate of fire, low damage, should only be used in close-range situations. Price is $800 at Blackwater Gunsmith.
• LeMat Revolver: Unusual design, low range, slow reload speed. Costs $1,250 at Escalera Gunsmith, can be reduced to $313 with outfit and high honor.
• Explosive Rifle: Expensive, low rate of fire, needs reload after each shot. Costs $10,000 at Blackwater Gunsmith, bad choice unless high damage is needed.

There are many reasons why some of the weapons in Red Dead Redemption shouldn’t be on any player’s radar. One of the most obvious ones is, of course, low damage. If a weapon can’t seriously damage enemies, then it’s not worth buying. But there are other reasons too, including heavy weight, low accuracy, limited magazine capacity, and many others.

Some of the weapons in Red Dead Redemption are so bad that sometimes it feels like a joke. But most bad guns are cheap, which makes them a little bit attractive when money is low. But that doesn’t mean that anyone should keep them, so be sure to get rid of these weapons as soon as possible.

8 Mauser Pistol

Low Damage and Accuracy

• Price: $800
• Clip Size: 15
• Location: Blackwater Gunsmith

The Mauser pistol is considered one of the worst weapons in Red Dead Redemption, although it’s one of the five rare pistols in the game. It does have a very high rate of fire, but it means nothing if the damage is really low. It wastes ammo for nothing, and it doesn’t even hit the right spot.

The only way it can be used is in close encounters when range and accuracy don’t matter. If there’s still a need for one, it can be purchased in West Elizabeth.

7 LeMat Revolver

Low Range and Reload Speed

• Price: $1,250
• Clip Size: 9
• Location: Escalera Gunsmith

This strange-looking revolver uses a weird design of a barrel reminiscent of a shotgun but with much lower damage and range. It’s also extremely slow to reload for some reason, yet it costs as much as a full-blown rifle on the market. This is definitely one of the worst purchases players can make.

The only saving grace of this revolver is the possibility to reduce the price to $313 with the Savvy Merchant outfit and High Honor after completing “An Appointed Time” mission.

6 Explosive Rifle

Low Rate of Fire and Range

• Price: $10,000
• Clip Size: 1
• Location: Blackwater Gunsmith

The Explosive Rifle is ridiculously expensive, and there’s really no reason to buy it unless there’s a need for very high damage output. But be aware that it needs to be reloaded after each shot, which significantly reduces its fire rate. It can also hold no more than 30 rounds – and that’s with the Bandolier equipped – which go out faster in longer shootouts.

The explosive rounds are just as expensive, making it one of the worst possible purchases in the entire game. Players with low honor will be able to get it for no less than $15,000.

5 Semi-Auto Shotgun

Low Range and Reload Speed

• Price: $1,000
• Clip Size: 5
• Location: Escalera Gunsmith

The Semi-Auto Shotgun can be compared to a Pump Action Shotgun, but it has lower damage, which makes it worse. Although it can hold up to five bullets in a single reload, the distance plays a huge role, as the quick bullet drop significantly reduces its range. That’s why the Semi-Auto Shotgun will have any use only in close quarters, where its fast rate of fire can be of some benefit.

At least it’s not too expensive, although it will show good results only when hunting for prey due to a decent spread. But during shootouts, it won’t be able to do much.

4 Sawed-Off Shotgun

Very Low Range and Accuracy

• Price: $500
• Clip Size: 2
• Location: Thieves’ Landing Gunsmith

This weapon has a shortened barrel, which allows it to shoot only at very low range. This also influences the spread, which is increased, making it highly inaccurate. On top of that, players can make a maximum of two shots before reloading, which is typically as slow as any other shotgun.

The only way one could use a Sawed-Off Shotgun effectively is during the running and gunning scenarios, where precision doesn’t matter. At close range, it can deal a lot of damage, especially when dual-wielded.

3 Double-Barreled Shotgun

Low Range and Limited Ammo

• Price: $300
• Clip Size: 2
• Location: Armadillo Gunsmith

Although a Double-Barreled Shotgun has a decent damage output, it’s only achievable at close range. The further players stand away from their target, the lower the damage and accuracy will be. At least this shotgun is cheaper than other variants, having a tighter spread due to longer barrels.

There’s also a possibility to get this weapon for free during the “A Frenchman, a Welshman, and an Irishman” mission, or just pick it up behind the deputy’s house in Tesoro Azul Hideout.

2 Carcano Rifle

Low Rate of Fire and Accuracy

• Price: $1,100
• Clip Size: 5
• Location: Blackwater Gunsmith

This is quite an unusual rifle, having a pretty good range and damage due to high-velocity bullets, but a very low accuracy and fire rate. The worst part about the Carcano Rifle is that players can’t tag their enemies when using the scoped version of this weapon, but without the scope, there’s no way to hit the targets precisely.

The only way to tag enemies while using the scope is to quickly switch between the weapon with auto-aim and shoot with the Carcano Rifle.

1 Buffalo Rifle

Low Rate of Fire and Ammo Capacity

• Price: $150
• Clip Size: 1
• Location: Any Gunsmith

The Buffalo Rifle is arguably the worst rifle in Red Dead Redemption. Except for high damage, it really can’t offer that much. Holding just a single round means reloading after every shot, which is slow and frustrating. During firefights, the slow reload times make this weapon insufferable.

On top of that, it can be obtained only after players obtain Rank 5 of the Master Hunter Challenges. Also, players have reported several glitches when using the Buffalo Rifle, which adds to its reputation as one of the worst weapons in the game.