Red Dead Redemption 2 Best Weapons Tier List
Arthur Morgan's arsenal determines how effectively you dominate the Wild West. Here's every weapon ranked from best to worst.
S-Tier (Must-Have Weapons)
Lancaster Repeater - 14-round capacity, excellent accuracy, fast fire rate - Available: Chapter 2 (Rhodes gunsmith) or free from Micah's stagecoach robbery - Best all-around weapon for 90% of combat situations - Upgrade: Rifling + Iron Sights + Wrap
Pump-Action Shotgun - Devastating close-range power - 5-round magazine, fast pump action - One-shots most enemies under 15 meters - Available: Chapter 3 or purchase from any gunsmith
Carcano Rifle - Best sniper rifle in the game - 6-round magazine, semi-automatic - Available: Chapter 6 (mission) or buy from Saint Denis gunsmith - Essential for long-range engagements
A-Tier (Excellent)
Schofield Revolver — Best revolver, balanced damage and accuracy. Free from Valentine doctor's back room robbery.
Bolt Action Rifle — Reliable hunting rifle. Obtained early (Chapter 2, hanging mission). Good for large game and one-shot kills.
Volcanic Pistol — Highest damage pistol. Slow fire rate but hits like a rifle. Available Chapter 2.
Semi-Auto Shotgun — Faster than Pump-Action, 5-round magazine. Available Chapter 4+ or Watson's Cabin robbery.
B-Tier (Solid Performers)
Cattleman Revolver — Starting weapon, respectable with upgrades. Great dual-wield potential.
Double-Action Revolver — Fastest revolver but inaccurate. Good for Dead Eye rapid-fire.
Litchfield Repeater — Highest repeater damage but terrible accuracy. Only use with Dead Eye.
Sawed-Off Shotgun — Compact sidearm with shotgun power. Perfect off-hand weapon.
Weapon Customization
All weapons can be customized at gunsmiths:
| Upgrade | Effect | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Rifling | +Accuracy | $15-25 |
| Improved Iron Sights | +Aim speed | $10-20 |
| Longer Barrel | +Range, +Accuracy | $15-30 |
| Leather Wrap | -Degradation rate | $5-10 |
| Engravings | Cosmetic only | $2-5 per part |
Unique and Rare Weapons
- Midnight's Pistol (Gunslinger mission — Billy Midnight)
- Flaco's Revolver (Gunslinger mission — Flaco Hernandez)
- Granger's Revolver (Gunslinger mission — Emmet Granger)
- Calloway's Revolver (Gunslinger mission — Jim Boy Calloway)
- Rare Shotgun (Hermit at Manito Glade)
- Rare Rolling Block Rifle (Chapter 3, "Magicians for Sport" mission)
- Ornate Dagger (Saint Denis Vampire)
FAQ
Q: What loadout should I use? A: Lancaster Repeater (back) + Pump-Action Shotgun (shoulder) + Schofield Revolver ×2 (dual wield) = optimal setup.
Q: When should I use the Varmint Rifle? A: Hunting small animals (rabbits, badgers) only. It's terrible in combat despite high accuracy.
Q: Are unique weapons better than standard? A: Statistically similar, but they have unique appearances. Flaco's Revolver is the best-looking sidearm.
Q: Can I miss unique weapons permanently? A: Yes! Some are mission-specific. The Rare Rolling Block Rifle from "Magicians for Sport" is missable.