RDR2 Best Guns

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players need the best weapons to ensure that they’re the most dangerous man in the room when things inevitably go south. While many weapons have entirely situational benefits, some prove to be the best to have across the board, and players are either confident experts or total fools not to have these in their arsenal.

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After all, gameplay in Red Dead Redemption 2 is as hard or as easy as players make it. Not making the most of the weapons arsenal in the game, or sticking to boring and ineffective weapons over and over again will make firefights more challenging than they should be. As a result, it's the player's duty to help Arthur gather the best guns in RDR2 that they can use to turn the tide of battle and make things easier during some of the game's more action-packed segments, of which there are many.

Updated January 3, 2025 by Stephanie Harris: Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best open-world games ever made, with Rockstar's technical mastery and excellent writing coming together to help players enjoy Arthur Morgan's deeply personal tale that serves as the beating heart of this experience. With the eventual release of Red Dead Redemption for PC late last year, its sequel is bound to be finding new fans about now.

Players must get through several combat scenarios if they wish to reach the end of this amazing game, making it important to use the best RDR2 guns and melee weapons to ensure that most enemies aren't able to put up too much of a fight when facing off against Arthur Morgan and his sharpshooting skills. A few more such weapons have been included in this list since its original publication.

29 Machete

A Melee Weapon That Can Hack Enemies To Pieces

While the majority of players would prefer using ranged weapons to tackle the numerous threats that will come their way in Red Dead Redemption 2, there's nothing wrong with keeping a melee weapon handy to take out enemies that come too close. One such weapon that serves Arthur Morgan well on his journey is the Machete.

As one might expect, this weapon can easily put down most enemies after a few swings. Normally, closing the distance against an enemy with a ranged weapon is a death sentence, but players who achieve this goal can use a Machete to deal out a violent death to any foe who tries to snuff out Arthur's life prematurely.

28 Cleaver

A Great Close-Combat Weapon That Can Also Be Thrown

Melee weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2 are pretty interesting, but what makes these weapons even better is if the player can successfully throw them. The Cleaver is one such weapon that's deadly enough to take enemies out from afar while also serving as a handy hacking tool if some hapless fool closes the distance on Arthur. They'll have no idea what's in store for them.

Aiming this weapon in combat can be a bit wonky, so players should ideally get a good angle on their throw if they don't want to miss. The weapon may be a one-hit kill at range, but it leaves them vulnerable to being shot at if they're incapable of nailing an enemy at close range.

27 Tomahawk

A Strong, Fast Projectile Weapon That Requires The Utmost Precision

Using a Tomahawk in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be pretty challenging since players need to aim this projectile weapon with pinpoint accuracy for it to be the most effective. This can make it tricky to throw this weapon during an intense firefight where players need to stay in cover for extended periods.

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However, players who get the hang of this ranged weapon will find it to be pretty fun to use in combat. Watching an enemy drop to the ground after being hit by a tomahawk is always satisfying. Of course, players can always use this weapon in melee combat as well if an enemy is close by, making the Tomahawk a versatile and exciting weapon to whip out in any dramatic scenario.

26 Cattleman Revolver

A Weapon Arthur Has From The Very Start Of The Game

The first revolver players get hold of is, surprisingly, one of the best revolvers and a solid gun to keep throughout the game. It has a surprisingly adequate range for a handgun, and the high fire rate means players get a few rounds into their enemies before they can react.

Admittedly, it is quickly outclassed because of its damage, but if players dual-wield two of these revolvers, they can remain a threat long into the endgame. But, even wielding one revolver, players can quickly fan the hammer and have a great fire rate to overcome those weaker bullets.

25 Mauser Pistol

Excellent For Close-Range Combat Because Of Its High Fire Rate

Semi-automatics became the norm at the advent of the industrial age when Red Dead Redemption 2 is set. It's easy to see why a pistol that boasts a rate of fire as high as this would take out most enemies in a flash, especially in close-range combat. This makes the Mauser Pistol a great sidearm for players to rely on if things get too hot and heavy.

It may not boast the highest damage, but players will pump so many bullets into their foes that they won't have any time to react before biting the dust. Players will eventually upgrade and keep a better sidearm on them as they progress through the game, but the Mauser Pistol will serve as a loyal servant until players reach this point.

24 Semi-Automatic Pistol

A Rapid-Fire Weapon That's Balanced With Low Damage Per Shot

This pistol may not be as good as a revolver or shotgun in close-quarters combat, but it’s a great weapon for horseback riding, as players can fire off quite a few shots and quickly reload for another attack, all while in motion. It also has a decent enough range for a pistol, meaning players can hold their own in mid-range combat.

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Perhaps its only weakness is that it’s very expensive, and it can be very hard to find pistol ammo in the game. Still, if players have a stash of these bullets lying around, they can do a lot of damage and have a lot of fun with this weapon.

23 Otis Miller's Revolver

A Unique Schofield Revolver That Belonged To Otis Miller

Otis Miller is a legendary gunslinger in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. It's easy to see why finding one of his elaborate firearms makes it fun for players to channel their inner vanity and shoot down enemies in style.

The fact that unique weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2 can't be upgraded is a huge downside that has irritated fans quite a bit. Still, it's a small price to pay for owning one of the best guns in RDR2, that looks great and does its job in battle. Players must head to Rattlesnake Hollow in Cholla Springs as part of a treasure hunt if they wish to find this revolver.

22 Calloway's Revolver

Jim "Boy" Calloway's Schofield Revolver

Canis Canem Edit is a Latin phrase that fans of Rockstar's Bully may be familiar with. It's nice to see this game get a nod in Red Dead Redemption 2, even if it may be on something as simple as a unique revolver that players can get after shooting down Jim Calloway himself during the final duel of "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman."

It's a simple gun that doesn't have anything unique to boast about from a gameplay perspective, but most fans won't mind. As long as players love the reference and use it as intended in battle without expecting too much of it, Calloway's Revolver will be a decent firearm to get their hands on in the game.

21 Flaco’s Revolver

A Unique Cattleman Revolver Previously Owned By Flaco Hernandez

The nice thing about this weapon is that it’s obtained from a side quest, and upgrading requires simply using it. This gives it an advantage over other weapons that require significant cash upfront to obtain, and then yet more cash to modify and upgrade.

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This revolver also has great accuracy for a gun of its caliber, meaning players can get the drop on revolver-wielding enemies a lot sooner and pick them off while they struggle to hit them. Dual-wielding this weapon with another revolver makes the player feel like one of the best gunslingers in the West.

20 Midnight’s Pistol

A Unique Mauser Pistol Previously Owned By Billy Midnight

This unique gun is gold-plated, and once belonged to one of the most infamous gunslingers in the West, Billy Midnight. While he may or may not deserve the title, given the mysterious circumstances around his opponent's death, his gun is one of the best handguns a gunslinger could own.

This gold-plated beauty has some solid stats, with a great fire rate and reload speed even when dual-wielded with something else. It really shines if the player dedicates some time to upgrading it, as it has great accuracy.