Ghost Recon: Breakpoint: Best Pistols, Ranked

Sidearms remain an integral part of a player’s arsenal in an FPS like Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, especially if the right Pistol can help players eliminate opponents as a last resort or before using their heavier firearms. However, the many Pistol offerings in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint can easily overwhelm players who don’t know how to pick the best sidearm for their playstyles.

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Players need to remember that Pistols in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint isn’t just there for aesthetics but to ensure gamers have a backup weapon should they find themselves in a bind. Thankfully, certain Ghost Recon: Breakpoint Pistols show how they can supplement a player’s combat approach. From heavy hitters to standard-issue support arms, here are the best Pistols in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint.

Updated on June 5th, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With no definitive news as to the nature of the leaked Ghost Recon title coming in 2025, fans of the franchise might be eager to once again engage in high-risk missions and take down foes with a variety of weapons and gear found throughout the tactical shooter. However, for fans who feel confident with their skills in handling Primary Weapons, perhaps it’s time for them to choose the right handgun to guarantee their survival. While players will most likely only have to use their Pistols in emergency situations, knowing which one to use for specific preferences can make outfitting their characters much easier to accomplish. Must-have Pistols in this regard include a popular modular handgun, as well as the game’s closest equivalent to the Glock, both of which are now included on this list thanks to its most recent update.

12 P320

20 Damage

At first glance, the P320 already outclasses its fellow Handguns in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint gameplay for having the fastest base reload speed at 2 Seconds, allowing players to make an expeditious retreat into cover and return to combat just as quickly. The weapon’s harsh vertical recoil can make it difficult to control at long distances, making the Handgun more suitable as a fast-firing secondary weapon best used in emergencies, or when retreating to cover in order to reload a primary firearm.

Compared to other handguns, the P320 enjoys some of the best Mobility in the game - something players need if they’re hoping to outmaneuver enemies from critical situations. Despite its middling Accuracy, Handling, and Recoil, the P320’s tendency to help players shoot enemies more quickly can make it an ideal Sidearm of choice for more technical roles such as support units and even snipers.

P320’s Primary Recommendation: MK14 Assault DMR

Players running teams can provide their unit with more effective long-distance support with the P320 paired with ranged heavy-hitters such as the MK14 Assault DMR. When equipped with a Short Barrel, an ASR Suppressor, and the ATPIAL x3 Rail, the MK14 Assault DMR can enjoy better accuracy and more controlled recoil. This Primary loadout should allow players to provide covering fire and eliminate pesky targets while their teammates up close can take care of other threats. The P320 in this regard can provide much-needed emergency firepower, as its decent reload time and average damage should hold back threats while the player re-positions.

11 F40

23 Damage

When it comes to intense tactical shooters like Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, a player’s survival may be determined by how well they can depend on their sidearm when cornered by enemies. It’s this precise reason that the F40 can become a reliable Secondary Weapon for both straightforward and complex builds, as the weapon’s decent Recoil and Mobility is paired with a hefty Magazine capable of pulverizing foes at close range.

The performance of the F40 is close to that of a Glock, which in itself is a brand not present in Breakpoint gameplay. Its tendency to make quick and clean shots can make it a go-to sidearm should players need to clear areas quickly without rousing suspicions, and its quick reload and decent iron sights can make it a fireifght-ready pistol regardless of the situation.

F40’s Primary Recommendation: M4A1 Modular Assault Rifle

When it comes to a Primary Weapon to pair with the F40, the M4A1 Assault Rifle, particularly its Assault variant, is an ideal choice for heavy firefights. Despite having worse recoil and being limited to burst-fire and full-auto modes, the higher DPS at the cost of damage-per-mag can be a worthwhile trade-off if it means taking down foes faster. The F40’s comfortable handling can make it a decent stop-gap measure should players find themselves overwhelmed, as finding adequate cover can help players pick off foes with the F40 while waiting for the right moment to reload the M4A1 and get back to the engagement.

10 P227

20 Damage

While the more compact SIG Sauer P230 also exists in a player’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint gameplay, the P227 remains one of the more tactically viable Pistols in the game courtesy of its supremacy in mobility. Although its rather middling range and magazine count mean players must rely on constant reloads in risky close-range plays, the P227’s low recoil can compensate with clean shots.

This ease of handling makes the P227 an excellent handgun for beginners, especially for players looking to learn the game’s more intensive mechanics. At 10 ammo per magazine, the gun’s 23 Damage should provide players with enough learning curve to score consistent headshots before reloading.

P227’s Primary Recommendation: SIG 516 Assault Rifle

Equipping the P227 with a suppressor and the ATPIAL x3 laser sight should give Breakpoint players better chances of going toe to toe against foes in close quarters, with a recommended primary of choice being the SIG516 (Assault Rifle). The rifle bears a close resemblance to the M16, this time boasting quite the fast 800 RPM with middling 20 Damage per shot, making it the ideal Assault Class armament for quick engagements. The sidearm can also be paired with the SRS A1 (Sniper Rifle) for long-distance attacks, with the 516 and the P227 used when enemies close in on the players.

9 USP Tactical

20 Damage

The USP Tactical based on the Heckler & Koch’s gun of the same name is a lightweight sidearm that boasts a slide lock for a quieter sound profile. At its core, the USP Tactical boasts a silencer and an extendable magazine, giving players more confidence in exploring their Ghost Recon skirmishes more clandestinely. Its decent stability helps players make both quick shots and more calculated plays.

Numbers-wise, the USP Tactical has decent damage and rate of fire for a pistol. This variability makes the USP Tactical an all-rounder pistol, even if it lacks overall DPS. It might take multiple shots to take down foes, but this flaw necessitates the USP being used as a last resort rather than a primary weapon.

USP Tactical’s Primary Recommendation: MP5 Submachine Gun

Despite its stats playing along the middle ground of the M9 and the M1911, the USP Tactical’s quieter shots make it more viable for Echelon Classes. In turn, its ideal primary of choice is a heavy-hitter capable of supporting the sidearm in close quarters, which is where the MP5 (SMG) comes in. This iconic SMG retains an impressive 800 RPM and 26 Damage per pop, which should take care of most enemies once players blow their cover.

8 Maxim 9 Echelon

23 Damage

Boasting quite a stylish appearance, the Maxim 9 of SilencerCo was introduced in the Deep State DLC update to spice up Ghost Recon: Breakpoint gameplay with a stealth focus. The Maxim 9’s real-life property of being the first handgun to have a built-in silencer is carried over into the game with its emphasis on accuracy and handling.

Opting for the long-barrel version gives players quite the futuristic-looking handgun that works well in fast and loose firefights. Its recoil and range make the Maxim 9 more practical for close to mid-range encounters and emergencies. However, its decent damage can make the Maxim 9 a basic stealth handgun, capable of knocking out opponents with just a few shots.

Maxim 9 Echelon’s Primary Recommendation: M110 Dedicated Marksman Rifle

The excellent handling of the Maxim 9 more than makes up for its lack of firepower, making it a solid choice for an all-around sidearm for most setups. With this in mind, players can use a weapon like the M110 (DMR) for more tactical plays, especially when dealing with players in mid-to-long-range environments. Dishing out 54 Damage per shot at 400 RPM with a 15-round magazine makes the M110 quite a fast-paced sniper, with its 3.15-second reload and a range of around 500 meters rivaling the OTS 3 and SVD. Even if the M110 can’t take care of most targets, having an M4A1 (Assault Rifle) on standby should defend Marksman Classes from sudden firefights.

7 5.7 USG

27 Damage

When NATO commissioned Belgium’s FN Herstal to create guns against the Soviets in the Cold War, the 5.7 USG accompanied the P90. In a player’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint best gear, the Five-Seven remains a reliable sidearm for standard support firepower. Also called the Five-Seven, the 5.7 USG has a decent magazine size that easily compensates for its middling damage numbers, giving players more bang for their buck with each shot.

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Upgrading the 5.7 USG with 3x Laser and the Suppressor can make it quite a useful stealth weapon, allowing players to take out enemies undetected from the right vantage points. However, its lack of premium performance at the base makes the Five-Seven more of a standard sidearm than something dependable in emergencies.

5.7 USG’s Primary Recommendation: AK-74 Assault Rifle

A Pathfinder with the 5.7 USG can breeze their way through close-ranged firefights with the pistol’s decent 27 Damage and manageable 2.30-second reload speed. However, Pathfinders who want to control the battlefield more efficiently may want to try the AK-74 (Assault Rifle) as the 5.7’s main primary weapon of choice, especially with its excellent range and averaging marks on accuracy and recoil. These weapons work well with the battlefield control options of the Pathfinder’s Armaros Interface, allowing players to use a drone to scan battlefields to mark and tag opponents, as well as use a variety of tools to distract them.

6 C-SFP

27 Damage

Based on the 1999 Springfield Armory XD pistols series, the C-SFP is quite a stunner with incredible mobility. Although much of its other stats are averaging at best, its handling supremacy makes the C-SFP an ideal handgun in closed spaces such as alleys, passageways, and buildings. This indoor use advantage also compensates for its relatively short range, especially since enemies won’t have a lot of room to make the distance in the same indoor spaces.

Players who want to grant the C-SFP should use it when escaping inside closed areas while looking for ammo in their Ghost Recon: Breakpoint playthroughs. This makes the C-SFP a decent partner for area-flexible incursions, going for wide-reaching ARs and SMGs in open spaces while reserving this firearm when chasing targets in rooms.

C-SFP’s Primary Recommendation: HK416 Assault Rifle

The C-SFP’s emphasis on mobility while boasting decent-enough accuracy and handling can make it suitable for hit-and-run stealth kills, with the HK416 (Assault Rifle) a decent primary weapon of choice in firefights. Its 26 damage at 700 RPM may seem not as fast as the SR-3M, but it still facilitates more pinpoint shots at mid-to-long-ranged incursions. Pair this weapon with any underbarrel shotgun and an Echelon Class user can pull off traditional stealth kills, engage in firefights, and get up close and personal when necessary.

5 M1911

27 Damage

Considered perhaps the most popular Pistol in gaming, the M1911 appears in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint gameplay as one of the most reliable handguns in the player’s arsenal. As per usual, the John Browning superstar boasts incredible mobility on top of decent handling and accuracy. In turn, the M1911 is easily one of the more recommended starting sidearms in a player’s initial Breakpoint playthrough.

This Pistol’s only downside is its average range and recoil woes - things easily compensated by upgrades such as an HDG Extended Magazine and even a standard Silencer. With the M1911 boasting some of the highest base firepower for a Pistol in the game, this handgun can be a dependable sidearm for players who need to escape tough situations. The M1911 is a classic for the arsenal of any player due to its popularity, familiarity, and all-around good uses. It's one of the best pistols in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, and easily recognizable thanks to its appearance in other media.

M1911’s Primary Recommendation: Koblin Assault Rifle

The M1911’s handling on top of its large mag size makes it a reliable Pistol in most combat situations, making the rest of a player’s loadout depend on how they want to approach engagements. Given how the M1911 can handle close-to-mid-range encounters, a mainstay in a player’s arsenal with the M1911 should be the Koblin (Assault Rifle), primarily for its 2.2-second reload speed and 30-percent damage boost against drones. Destroying drones as soon as possible can make firefights much easier for players, especially when drones get tough at the onset while still capable of killing players in long enough fights.

4 SC IS (HDG)

30 Damage

When Operation Checkmate forces the Ghosts to rely on the shadows in their missions, Sam Fisher of Splinter Cell fame provides the fabled SC IS (HDG) for more stealth-oriented Ghost Recon: Breakpoint gameplay. Arriving with the stealthy Echelon Class, the SC IS (HDG) is a menace to deal with courtesy of its high damage output and decent mobility. With a Suppressor, the SC IS (HDG) becomes a throwback to Sam Fisher's dependency on the good ol' SC Pistol as a handgun.

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Perhaps the only handgun to use 5.56 Ammo is usually reserved for Assault Rifles and SMGs, the SC IS (HDG) sends opponents into a world of harm with each shot. Having the same ammo type as heavier weapons makes the SC IS (HDG) a must-have in aggro-heavy missions, especially for players who want faster and loose gameplay with ARs.

SC IS’s Primary Recommendation: SR-3M Assault Rifle

Stealth enthusiasts may want to fully immerse themselves in the SC IS Pistol and its inclusion with the Echelon Class. Players eager to play the super-spy could opt for the SR-3M (Assault Rifle) for their engagements. Based on the silenced AS Val, the SR-3M boasts a more compact appearance while still giving players punchy 30 Damage at 900 RPM with a 30-round mag capacity. Although not necessarily offering tremendous firepower, players hoping to immerse themselves in Breakpoint may appreciate outmaneuvering hordes of opponents with a stealth-reliant kit.

3 MK 23

31 Damage

Perhaps the most capable stealth handgun in the game, the MK 23 by Heckler & Koch stands out with its high mobility and above-average accuracy and handling. When equipped with the HDG Suppressor, the MK 23 can take out enemies in stealth at relatively close distances with no one else the wiser thanks to its silencer attachment.

The only trade-off regarding the MK 23 is its limited range, forcing players to adopt a more close-ranged playstyle to capitalize on this handgun’s firepower. However, the MK 23’s supremacy in close quarters does pave the way for a risk-loving Shotgun-Handgun combo or guarantee the reliability of combining this Pistol with a Ghost Reckon: Breakpoint Sniper Rifle to secure all ranges.

MK 23’s Primary Recommendation: MK 18 Assault Rifle

Players who can capitalize on the MK 23’s punchier feel despite its slower rate of fire should be able to dispatch threats at close range with relative ease, especially with the gun’s handling in fast-paced firefights. In this case, a primary weapon companion for the MK 23 comes in the form of the MK 18 (Assault Rifle), an AR that with above-average accuracy, handling, and firing rate. Its 22 Damage at 800 RPM with a 30-round magazine may not deal as much damage at the onset, but its potential for consistent precision-firing can make it quite the deadly AR.