Ready Or Not: Best Weapons

Summary

• Ready or Not features 4 weapon categories – Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. Players must choose their loadout carefully to survive missions.
• The VKS and Beanbag Shotgun are non-lethal weapons that can help players detain enemies instead of killing them.
• The MPX is a fast-reloading SMG that allows players to unload bullets quickly without worrying about running out of ammo.

Ready or Not features 4 categories of weapons, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. These categories all have their own advantages, but players can only bring one primary weapon and one secondary weapon into every Ready or Not mission, so players are going to have to spend some time in the arsenal to figure out what the correct loadout would be to survive every encounter and gain that elusive S Rank.

The best weapons in Ready or Not will certainly help players in hostile situations, but a level of skill is still required, as players will need to be like John Wick if they are supposed to survive one of the hardest but best tactical shooters of 2023. Ready or Not’s best weapons feature both lethal and non-lethal choices for all.

Updated on March 7, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: With the release of Home Invasion and Dark Waters expansions, Ready Or Not also received a bunch of new weapons in different categories, some of which are fascinating enough to make it into the top ranks of the game’s best weapons.

The overall number of weapons in Ready Or Not has been growing steadily, and it can surely overwhelm any newcomer to this intense tactical shooter, making it more difficult to decide which weapon can perform well against the brutal enemies.

21

LVAR

A Carbine Rifle With a Built-in Suppressor

The LVAR is one of the best guns in the game for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s one of the most well-designed weapons, and it’s always nice to run into battle with a gun that looks as good as it feels to fire. On the topic of firing, it’s going to be a quiet delight due to its built-in suppressor.

With most guns looking better than they feel, the LVAR certainly stands out, and the fact that a suppressor is added to it automatically makes it one of the better weapons, and its attachments are rather freeing for more personalized use.

20

MCX

A Popular and Modern Assault Rifle for Performance and Customization

There’s a good reason why the MCX is a popular choice among law enforcement who jump into the game ready for action. It’s a smaller carbine rifle, one that provides a brilliant performance with a great option for customization.

The MCX has a myriad of potential with its recoil control and magazine capacity, and it functions as one of the best assault rifles that will certainly aid players across their combat experiences. With its stopping power, most engagements will end with one shot.

19

SLR47

An AK-Based Assault Rifle With Reliable Control

The AK47 is a classically designed weapon that features in practically every modern shooter, and the SLR47 brings forth that trend with some tactical realism. The appearance itself is great for those who simply adore this weapon, even if its shorter and stubbier design could warrant that of an AKS-74U.

Performance-wise, it’s a competent choice, a weapon that can mostly 2-tap enemies, which helps drop them fast and quick, even those armored to the teeth. Its appearance is fun, and its recoil doesn’t provide greatness in heavy engagements, so try to keep shooting accurately to see the true benefits of this gun.

18

Tactical Shield

Protect Against Direct Fire With This Tactical

The Tactical Shield is something that all players can equip as their tactical addition, but it’s also something that can only be used with sidearms. As such, it’s not wise to run in with just a Tactical Shield, as players might have an incredible defense, but they will also have nothing to return fire with, thus leaving them in a pretty vulnerable spot. Armed with a sidearm, players can navigate dangerous areas and take direct fire to the face, thanks to the safety and competent durability of the Tactical Shield. Be warned; it can shatter, and it’s not wise to stay out in the open with this slow-moving support weapon.

17

M14S-16

A Battle Rifle For Sharpshooters

Not many players prefer to play with a rifle in single-fire mode, and that’s why the M14S-16 also offers an auto mode as well. However, that is not the recommended fire mode as the recoil is really difficult to control, especially knowing that no vertical grip can be installed on the weapon.

That being said, M14S-16 does feel powerful when used as a single-fire marksman rifle. That is where this weapon excels. Giving the sharpshooters a joyful feel of what a decades-old weapon is capable of doing in modern chaotic engagements.

16

F90

A Compact Bullpup Rifle Ideal For Close Quarters And Long Ranges

The F90 is a great Assault Rifle choice for those who want something that retains its roots with an SMG twist. The F90 is a compact weapon, and it truly shines when it comes to maneuverability and adapting to tight corners and small rooms. This makes the F90 a decent choice for combat, as it can deal with enemies quickly thanks to its responsive fire rate and recoil, and the longer barrel allows it to be used at further distances than a shotgun or SMG just wouldn’t be able to hit.

15

MP5SD6

A Reliable SMG With A Built-In Silencer

Inheriting the same base as MP5, the MP5SD6 is a special build that comes with a silencer equipped by default, which is the reason why it is pretty quiet, even when compared to other weapons with a suppressor on their muzzle. So, it is indeed the best option for anyone thinking of a solo run and does need to fight quietly.

Aside from being quite silent, the weapon also comes with a very slight and quite controllable vertical recoil, which is just what every MP5 is known for. So, this weapon is actually suitable for using with magnified scopes, though that might not be every player’s preference.

14

MP5A3

A Modern Marvel SMG With Incredible Recoil

Some players might want something a little more agile to bring into the field. For those players, it’s best to look at the MP5A3 SMG, which comes as a more modern version of the MP5, with major improvements to its design and handling. The MP5A3 is lightweight, allowing players to move faster, and its lack of recoil makes it so easy to use, as players will be aiming at targets and unleashing bullets of fury with little kick to stop their accuracy. The MP5A3 can fire fast and accurately with little resistance, making it a competent pick.

13

.357 Magnum

A Revolver That Kicks Hard, But Hits Harder

It wouldn’t seem fair to not have any side-arms on the list, and although they are often not the main weapon players should use, it’s hard to deny that they can provide a certain kick that would be necessary against armored targets. The .357 Magnum is a classic, and fans of 80s cop movies might appreciate the nostalgia of this weapon, although sometimes nostalgia doesn’t outshine usefulness. This weapon is extremely powerful, but having only 6 shots and being a nightmare to reload can make it a tad annoying in the field, so it’s best reserved for unsuspecting enemies, or those whom players know they can confidently take out in one shot; just don’t expect an incapacitation.

12

G19

A Reliable Sidearm Pistol For Agile Players

Competence is the key to a good loadout, and bringing along a trusty side-arm is the way to go. Whilst there is nothing inherently unique about the G19, that doesn’t mean it cannot impress. It’s a great side-arm, with consistent stats throughout that will easily help players in their battle against crime. The rate of fire is decent, and the ammo capacity is nice, allowing players to fire off multiple shots to try and incapacitate enemies, or more if they want them dead. It’s a reliable sidearm, and that’s really all players need out of a pistol since it isn’t their main weapon.

11

VKS

Non-Lethal Assault Rifle

The VKS deserves a spot on the list since it is a non-lethal weapon that will help players seek an S Rank, as most difficult missions will have plenty of enemies and ones that players will need to detain rather than kill. With the VKS, this task becomes slightly easier, as players will have a fast-firing pepperball gun, which has pretty decent range and control compared to other Assault Rifles in Ready or Not. Players are going to want a decent trigger finger to use the VKS, due to a few shots being needed to get hostiles to surrender due to the pain.

10

Beanbag Shotgun

Non-Lethal Shotgun

Another great choice for those looking for a non-lethal approach is the Beanbag Shotgun, a weapon that does as described, and fires beanbags. This weapon can be a powerful tool, and a simple blast of this shotgun to the chest could cause another pain to incapacitate enemies and keep them alive.

Yet, players are going to have to use this weapon more carefully, as a headshot or excessive shots to the same target, could kill a hostile instead of stunning them.

9

MPX

Fast Reloading SMG

Reloading is always a burden to weapons in games, and that’s especially true for tactical shooters with intense difficulty. The MPX helps players avoid that curve thanks to its fast reloading potential, and its low recoil, meaning that players will have a better time with this SMG, unloading fast-firing bullets into their opponents without worrying about running an empty magazine.

It’s the best of both worlds with the MPX, due to its blend of an Assault Rifle and SMG, providing some great tactical advantages with the hardest Ready or Not missions.

8

MK18

Low Recoil & High Handling Assault Rifle

Another great assault rifle option is the MK18, which features a built-in scope, providing players comfort in knowing that they do not have to mess around with different scopes to find the right one. However, they can still play with their own attachments, but the addition of the short barrel of the MK18 will make clearing enemies out of a room far more efficient in the right hands, and the highly adaptable design of this gun makes for a smooth weapon for players to use in this FPS game.

7

B92SX

Precise Pistol

The B92SX holds strong as one of the best secondary weapons in Ready or Not due to its reliability in combat. The high ammo count of this pistol means players can unload their trigger finger into enemies that are wearing armor without fear of missing or having said enemy’s armor eat away at their bullets. The recoil is easy to control, which further enhances the pistol as a solid choice for Ready or Not, especially for players who decide to run in with a shield for added defense.

6

M1014

Fast Firing Shotgun

If going non-lethal isn’t a player’s style, or simply using a rifle, then the M1014 shotgun is a great choice thanks to its kick, providing enhanced stopping power to targets that just won’t surrender. The M1014 will help players clear and breach rooms in close-quarter battles, and its reliability and fast firing make it one of the best shotguns in Ready or Not for a reason. If players want further advantages, then the ability to customize it with attachments will reward the most adept shotgun fan out there.

5

SPC9

Light, High Fire Rate SMG

This Special Purpose Carbine cements itself as one of the best SMGs in Ready or Not, due to its easy handling of close-quarter situations. The SPC9 will specialize in close-range areas, and medium-range areas, where situations don’t have to turn sour.

For the 1.0 release of Ready or Not, the SPC9 is a decent SMG that can handle most situations in smaller maps, and even hold its own in larger ones. Where the SPC9 really shines is the high fire rate, meaning players will be able to fire in quick succession, unloading on many enemies without having to lose their heads.

4

G3A3

An Insanely Powerful Assault Rifle With Slight Recoil

As one of the DLC additions to Ready Or Not, G3A3 is one of those weapons that has been in service for a very long time, which is why its addition delighted many older fans of the game. The good news is that the weapon is pretty accurate to its real-life stats and feel: slower fire rate but devastating shot power.

The slow fire rate in G3A3 makes its recoil a lot better than many other assault rifles in the game. While that makes it easier to control, it also means that the player needs to be accurate with their aiming, and any officer who has both skills checked will rock with this weapon!

3

GA416

Reliable Assault Rifle

The GA416 has a very comfortable frame that gives players a reliable weapon for their primary slot. The GA416 can handle situations from short to long range with ease, as players will have an efficient assault rifle in their hands. This durable weapon will reward players old and new, as the recoil is controllable, and the use of attachments means that players will have more freedom of just how they use the GA416. This rifle and its alternate firing modes mean players have more of a handicap when it comes to firing accurately.

2

SA-58

One-Tapping Assault Rifle

If players want to head into a fight where their only objective is to lay waste to criminals, then the SA-58 gets the job done, and more. This is one of the best Ready or Not weapons for a reason, and its hard-hitting bullets can easily one-tap enemies, and make short work of those that are protecting themselves with armor. The SA-58 is a powerful gun, and players will not be able to incapacitate enemies due to the power which will have criminals and terrorists bleeding out before they can be arrested for keeping hostages. It’s great, but none can survive facing down the barrel.