STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

Key Takeaways

• Different pistol options like PTM & UDP Compact are vital for long-range encounters in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
• Skif’s Pistol, an improved PTM, offers higher range and accuracy, making it a great starting pistol.
• The powerful APSB pistol with automatic capabilities and high penetration is rare but valuable.

Throughout the treacherous Zone of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, players can expect to encounter their fair share of people, animals, and mutants who need shooting. Fortunately, the game offers a wide arsenal of different options, ranging from powerful long-range rifles to compact and close-quarters SMGs.

Players will have to keep an eye on different ammo types, weapon conditions, and different accessories — which can be used as modifications. In addition to having one (or several) main weapons, it’s always helps to have a trusty side-arm for when things get really intense. Attacking enemies will rarely sit patiently for you to reload, so sometimes the best option is to whip out a pistol to finish the job. The following pistols can be found throughout the game world and will ensure that players always have a life-line when all else fails.

9 PTM

A Common Pistol With Fairly Weak Damage

The PTM is the most common and basic pistol throughout the world of STALKER 2. Though its not ideal, it can be a vital lifeline in desperate situations, but this clunky little gun should really be used as a last resort.

Though it may have mediocre damage and penetration, often only killing enemies with direct headshots, the PTM is remarkably accurate for its small size. Despite its commonality and relative weakness, it can be helpful to keep a reserve PTM in your inventory, just in case.

8 Skif’s Pistol

An Improved Version Of The Standard PTM

Skif’s Pistol is the starting gun in the game and is a modified variant of the standard PTM. In addition to weighing virtually nothing, Skif’s Pistol also has higher default range and accuracy statistics compared to the standard pistol.

Since this gun is already acquired by progressing through the prologue, there are no special requirements to obtain it. Skif’s Pistol can also be considerably improved through the use of upgrades, attachments and artifacts.

7 PTM Monolith

A Special PTM Variant With A Unique Skin

The PTM Monolith is a special, unique variant of the standard PTM pistol and has stats closer to Skif’s Pistol in terms of its improved accuracy and range. What sets the PTM Monolith apart, aside from its awesome paintwork, is the extended magazine capacity.

The PTM Monolith is only available for players who have purchased the Deluxe Edition DLC, after which they will need to recover the Journalist’s Stash in Zalissya. Players who do follow this side mission will also be able to collect the Light Merc Suit alongside the pistol.

6 UDP Compact

A Solid Sidearm For Close Range Encounters

The UDP Compact is a powerful .45 Caliber pistol with very high accuracy, good damage, and a high magazine capacity. Unfortunately, it is limited by its short range, meaning that shots will lose damage considerably after around 60 meters or so.

Nonetheless, it is still a very solid pistol and makes for an excellent mid-game side arm. It can make for a good backup weapon when fighting with mutants, since they are much more likely to approach a short distance than human enemies.

5 Gambit

A Unique Pistol With Solid Stats

Gambit is a unique variant of the UDP Compact and is virtually identical in terms of performance. The Gambit does have a cool, unique look though and can be upgraded with various accessories in order to make it more powerful.

Much like the standard UDP Compact, the Gambit also suffers from a short range, so it is best used for close encounters such as clearing buildings and tunnels. In any case, this is certainly a solid sidearm to customize and keep around.

4 APSB

The APSB is a great unique pistol with fully automatic capabilities, good accuracy and exceptional penetration for a sidearm. The APSB is also very rare and, as a result, is highly valuable, selling for up to 13,402 Coupons.

The most reliable way to find the APSB is in the tiny village in the south-west corner of the Chemical Plant region. Here, the pistol can be found in the smashed up brick building where a floating anomaly is present. After dispersing the anomaly, the pistol and some ammo will spawn on the roof where you are transported.

3 Deadeye

A Highly Powerful & Accurate Pistol

Deadeye is a unique pistol that, unlike many other unique weapons in the game, is not based on an existing model in the game and is its own gun entirely. With excellent accuracy and above-average damage, Deadeye really is one of the best pistols in the game.

Range and penetration are also improved when compared to the other standard pistols, and unlike the larger revolvers, it can be silenced too. Though the pistol is already very strong at the base level, further modifications can enhance it to one of the best weapons in the game.

2 Rhino

A Supremely Powerful Revolver

Originally used as an African buffalo hunting pistol, the Rhino is a supremely powerful revolver that will blow enemies away from close-to-mid range and is especially effective against radioactive mutants.

The power of the Rhino is such that it even rivals some shotguns, but it doesn’t compromise on accuracy or range, making it the best overall sidearm in terms of raw power. The only real drawback is its limited ammo capacity and loudness, which can alert nearby enemies quite often.

1 Model Competitor

A Unique Variant Of The Rhino Revolver

The Model Competitor is a unique variant of the Rhino that is available as part of the Ultimate Edition DLC. The weapon’s performance is identical to the standard Rhino, but it does come with a unique cosmetic skin and can be sold for almost double the value.

To obtain the Model Competitor, head to the Journalist’s Stash east of Yaniv Station as part of the unique Ultimate Edition side quest. The revolver can be found in a small stash inside a freight car along with some ammunition.