Gear and progress
Weapons
Rockstar counts over 50 unique usable weapons, a wide range of customization and several ammunition types that change accuracy, range or damage. Here is each class, what it is for, and how to keep your guns working.
Checked Sep 30, 2026 · Sources: OfficialCommunityCGN
What Rockstar says
"Detail, depth and choice" define every part of the game, weapons included: more than 50 unique usable weapons, a range of customization options, and a selection of ammunition to improve accuracy, range or damage. Rockstar also describes a new and enhanced Dead Eye system. Official
The classes
- Revolvers and pistols can be dual-wielded, with short range and a high rate of fire. Pistols fire faster and hold more; revolvers hit harder.
- Repeaters are the well-rounded choice: decent damage, high fire rate and large magazines.
- Rifles add range and accuracy and take scopes. Two long-scoped rifles force you to look through the scope when aiming.
- Shotguns are the close-range tool. The sawed-off is the only one that sits in a sidearm slot.
- The bow is quiet, never degrades, and takes six types of arrow.
- Melee and throwables include knives, hatchets, tomahawks, dynamite and fire bottles.
Added to Story Mode in 2019
With the PC release, Rockstar added four weapons to Story Mode: the M1899 Pistol (a new semi-automatic), the Evans Repeater, the High Roller Revolver and the LeMat Revolver. The last three had been Online-only before. Official
Upkeep: condition and familiarity
- Familiarity. The more you use a firearm, the better it handles. Kills raise it, and the community says 80 headshot kills with one gun is the fastest route. It shows in the compendium.
- Degradation. Carried and holstered guns lose condition over time, faster in mud and water. The bow never degrades.
- Cleaning. Clean at a gunsmith under customization, or anywhere with gun oil. Unique guns cannot be cleaned or customized at a gunsmith.
- Slow the wear. Holsters, off-hand holsters, the Beaver Tooth Trinket and the Raven Claw Talisman all reduce degradation.
- Weapon locker. Since update 1.20 you can clear unused weapons off your horse in Story Mode, so you carry one of each type you actually use.
Ammunition
Ammo is sold at general stores and gunsmiths. Regular ammunition is cheap. High velocity pierces multiple targets, split point slows Dead Eye drain, express adds damage, and explosive is crafted from express ammunition and animal fat. Varmint cartridges only fit the Varmint Rifle. Community
Dead Eye
Dead Eye slows time and lets you mark targets. It has five levels that open as the story progresses, and its core grows with Dead Eye XP from hunting, skinning and challenges. In Story Mode you still take damage while it is active. Higher levels highlight more of a target's body parts. Red Dead Online works differently: it has no upgrade levels, only ability cards. Community Ability cards
Sidearms
Revolvers, pistols and the sawed-off
Prices are the Story Mode gunsmith price at neutral honor, checked September 30, 2026. Community
Revolvers
Revolvers hit harder per shot than pistols, and every sidearm can be dual-wielded. Prices are the Story Mode gunsmith price at neutral honor; they move with your honor.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattleman Revolver | 6 | $50 | – |
| Double-Action Revolver | 6 | $65 | – |
| High Roller Double-Action Revolver | 6 | $90 | Added to Story Mode with the 2019 PC release. |
| Schofield Revolver | 6 | $84 | – |
| LeMat Revolver | 9, plus 1 shotgun shell | $172 | Fires revolver rounds and has a single shotgun-shell barrel. Added to Story Mode with the 2019 PC release. |
| Navy Revolver | 6 | $275 | – |
Pistols
Pistols fire faster and hold more rounds than revolvers, with less punch per shot.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanic Pistol | 8 | $150 | – |
| Semi-Automatic Pistol | 8 | $210 | – |
| Mauser Pistol | 10 | $250 | – |
| M1899 Pistol | 8 | $350 | A new semi-automatic with clip-loaded ammunition, added to Story Mode with the 2019 PC release. |
Sawed-off shotgun
The one shotgun that sits in a sidearm slot, so two can be dual-wielded.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawed-Off Shotgun | 2 | $85 | Takes a sidearm slot. |
Longarms
Repeaters, rifles and shotguns
Repeaters
Well-rounded: decent damage, a high rate of fire and large magazines.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbine Repeater | 7 | $90 | – |
| Lancaster Repeater | 14 | $135 | – |
| Litchfield Repeater | 16 | $145 | – |
| Evans Repeater | 26 | $140 | A high-capacity repeater added to Story Mode with the 2019 PC release. |
Rifles
For range and accuracy. The Varmint Rifle is the small-game tool: it is a .22 and it is what you want for clean pelts on rabbits and squirrels.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varmint Rifle | 14 | $72 | Small-game rifle. |
| Springfield Rifle | 1 | $120 | – |
| Bolt Action Rifle | 5 | $180 | – |
| Rolling Block Rifle | 1 | $187 | A long-scoped rifle: aiming always looks through the scope. |
| Carcano Rifle | 6 | $190 | A long-scoped rifle: aiming always looks through the scope. |
| Elephant Rifle | 2 | $580 | Very high damage, very slow handling. |
Shotguns
Unmatched at close range, which makes them the tool for clearing a room.
| Weapon | Rounds | Store price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Barreled Shotgun | 2 | $95 | – |
| Pump-Action Shotgun | 5 | $148 | – |
| Repeating Shotgun | 6 | $185 | – |
| Semi-Auto Shotgun | 5 | $225 | – |
The bow
Arrows
| Arrow | Best for | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Arrows | General hunting and quiet kills. They stick in the body, so they are the easiest to retrieve. | Buy at gunsmiths. |
| Improved Arrows | Large animals: more powerful and they fly faster. They pierce, so one arrow can hit more than one target. | Craft: 1 arrow + 1 flight feather. |
| Small Game Arrows | Rabbits, birds, crabs and other small game. They bounce off larger bodies. | Craft: 1 arrow + 1 flight feather + 1 shotgun shell. |
| Poison Arrows | Targets flee and die slowly from poisoning. | Craft: 1 arrow + 1 flight feather + 1 oleander sage. |
| Fire Arrows | Sets targets alight. The wiki recommends them against people, not animals, and they cannot be retrieved. | Craft: 1 arrow + 1 flight feather + 1 animal fat. |
| Dynamite Arrows | Explode on contact. Good against groups, bad for hunting. | Craft: 1 arrow + 1 flight feather + 1 dynamite. |
Close and thrown
Melee, throwables and mounted guns
| Weapon | Kind | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting Knife | Melee | You start with it. It is also how you skin. |
| Machete | Melee | Bought from fences or found on certain enemies and in some missions. |
| Rare and unique knives | Melee | Several knives are found as pickups around the map. |
| Lasso | Throwable | You start with it. It ties up people and animals. |
| Throwing knives, tomahawks, hatchets and cleavers | Throwable | Bought from fences as the story progresses. Throwing knives and tomahawks can be improved with feathers. |
| Dynamite and fire bottles | Throwable | Bought from fences or crafted. Volatile versions are crafted. |
| Browning gun, Gatling gun and cannon | Mounted | Available only where the game places them. |