The best revolver in Red Dead Redemption 2 can turn Arthur Morgan into one of the deadliest gunslingers in the West, but the worst can make him feel like an amateur at a shooting range. There are a total of 16 pistols and revolvers in RDR2, and while some are extremely common and can be bought in nearly every town and settlement, others are rare and can only be pried from the hands of bandit leaders. Regardless of how they're obtained, each handgun performs differently than the next, and it's important that players take their strengths and weaknesses into consideration.

Generally, pistols and revolvers are nowhere near as powerful and effective as shotguns and rifles. However, where rifles prioritize range and shotguns prioritize power, handguns provide an unmatched combination of accuracy and speed, which can be indispensable in dispatching large enemy groups. Plus, Arthur can actually dual-wield handguns in RDR2, which allows him to unload a storm of lead in dicey situations (and also feels quite exciting, if not a bit theatrical). Whether common or rare, single or double, these are all the handguns Arthur can wield in RDR2, ranked from worst overall to best.

17 RDR2's Double-Action Revolver Is The Worst Handgun In The Game

Purchased From All Gunsmiths

The Double-Action Revolver lands at the bottom of the list because of its low damage and middle-of-the-road reload speed, detracting from its snappy rate of fire. Sure, it's fast, but it doesn't have much else to show for it. Simply put, the Double-Action revolver in Red Dead Redemption 2 sacrifices too much for speed, and there are plenty of other handguns that fire just as quickly, only with higher damage and quicker reload speed.

The Double-Action revolver becomes available at all gunsmiths for $65 after the beginning Chapter 3, after finishing the "A Strange Kindness" quest. Players can also get their hands on the gun for free in Lonnie's Shack, where it's hidden away under a bunk bed.

16 RDR2's High Roller Revolver Has The Same Stats As The Double-Action Revolver

Purchased From Fences

Being a mere re-skin of the Double-Action Revolver, the High Roller revolver isn't much of an improvement. As players suffer through its low damage and accuracy, they can at least do it in more style with the handgun's unique carvings, which depict various gambler motifs (like dice and a deck of cards).

Appropriately, the High Roller revolver can be purchased from a fence after completion of the poker-centric mission "A Fine Night of Debauchery." Despite not being any better than the regular double-action revolver, the High Roller costs more than double, requiring a high fee of $190, presumably for the flashy design.

15 Micah's Revolver Is An Edgier Double-Action

Lootable From Mount Hagen After "American Venom"

Micah's revolver is a customized Double-Action with a red-and-black skull grip and a custom engraving reading "Vengeance is hereby mine," which perfectly fits Red Dead Redemption 2 antagonist Micah Bell's treacherous personality. While it might be more striking than the average Double-Action visually, it still suffers from the same shortcomings. There are plenty of better handguns to choose from, but Micah's revolver is at least a little more theatrically interesting.

After the timeskip near the end of RDR2, players can return to the site of the "American Venom" mission, the peak of Mount Hagen, to find Micah's weapon. It's also possible to get the gun earlier in the game by having one of the O'Driscolls lead the player to Micah during the "Old Friends" mission in the first chapter.

14 The Cattleman Revolver Is RDR2's Default Handgun

In Arthur's Inventory From The Beginning

The Cattleman revolver is available from the very beginning of the game, and another can be acquired either by buying or looting it. The revolver might be the first weapon that Arthur wields, but its stats are surprisingly well-rounded for being the starting handgun. The Cattleman's stats are on par with, if not better than, many of RDR2's rare, expensive, or unlockable handguns, with the added bonus that the player never needs to go out of their way to look for it.

It's nowhere near as flashy as some other weapons, but the Cattleman will get the job done, as YoungBrothers shows on YouTube. There are, however, plenty of better handguns in Red Dead Redemption 2, so while the Cattleman will serve Arthur well near the beginning of the game, it's best to look for an upgrade before long.

13 Granger's Revolver Is A Reskin Of RDR2's Cattleman

Looted From Emmet Granger

If players are looking for a Cattleman-esque weapon with a little more style to match the best Red Dead Redemption 2 outfits, they should look no further than Granger's revolver. The rare handgun has all the same stats as the Cattleman, but comes with a dark metal finish and custom floral engravings. It's still not the best revolver in RDR2, but it's a true dueler's weapon, and at least Arthur can look cool holding it.

Ironically, Granger doesn't even use his signature handgun in the duel. He opts instead to use throwing knives.

Unfortunately, it's a little more difficult to get, as Arthur will have to beat Emmet Granger in a duel to win the revolver. This is one of five side quests included in the mission "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman," which has Arthur track down five notorious gunslingers across the West. These visits usually end in violence, and all except one reward Arthur with a unique weapon for his trouble.

12 Flaco's Revolver Is Another Custom Cattleman

Looted From Flaco Hernández

Just like Granger's revolver, Flaco's revolver is a Cattleman with a bit more pizzazz. The rare weapon comes with skull engravings and an ivory handle, which is carved with a depiction of an eagle eating a snake. It'll do everything Cattleman is capable of, but look better while it's doing it.

In order to win this one, Arthur will have to defeat another gunslinger as part of "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman," in this case, Flaco Hernández. Since there's no difference between the two guns besides design, players can choose whichever they prefer the look of. The two revolvers also make an excellent pair for dual-wielding.

11 John's Cattleman Revolver Is The Best Custom Cattleman

In John's Inventory After "Motherhood"

John's Cattleman revolver is the final (and best) of the unique Cattlemen in Red Dead Redemption 2. This one comes with more sentimental value than all the rest, since Red Dead Redemption protagonist John Marston owns it. It comes with a blackened steel finish and a bone grip to make it stand out among the rest, but that's all it has going for it over the default Cattleman.

This gun appears automatically in John's inventory after completing the quest "Motherhood," but he's seen using it long before then. Players have a chance to unlock the revolver earlier in the game, much like Micah's revolver. To get it requires disarming an O'Driscoll during the mission "Paying a Social Call" and having them lead the player to John.

10 Algernon's Revolver Is High Speed, Low Damage

Requires Completion Of "Duchesses and other Animals"

Algernon's revolver is best known for its blindingly fast rate of fire, but unfortunately, it's missing the damage to take it higher up in the ranking. The handgun is best saved for situations where enemies are overrunning Arthur, but it doesn't stand a chance against high-health targets.

It takes some doing to get Algernon's revolver. First, Arthur can meet its owner, Algernon Wasp, at the mayor of Saint Denis' party, during the quest "The Gilded Cage." If Arthur saves him from choking on a nut, he'll invite him to visit his hat shop. Otherwise, Arthur will have to find the shop on his own. Algernon will ask him to gather a wide variety of materials for his hats - completing this may take the entire length of the game. Eventually, Arthur can return and save Algernon's life again, earning the Exotic Hat and Algernon's revolver.

9 RDR2's LeMat Revolver Has A Unique Advantage

Purchased From The Saint Denis Gunsmith

Among handguns, the LeMat might have the slowest rate of fire, but it has a unique characteristic that sets it apart from any other RDR2 handgun: the ability to fire shotgun shells. This trait gives players a fallback if they ever run out of pistol ammo in a firefight, which can help immensely in getting out of close-range jams. Still, the LeMat is best complemented with a quicker sidearm to make up for its sluggishness.

The LeMat is only available at the Saint Denis gunsmith for $172, making it the most expensive revolver in the game. This gun only becomes available for purchase after completing "The Gilded Cage" mission in Chapter Four.

8 RDR2's M1899 Pistol Is A Technological Marvel

Purchased From The Saint Denis Gunsmith

The M1899 is the most modern weapon in the game, but it's still not quite the best handgun in RDR2. Its gimmick is that it's semi-automatic, certainly a novelty at the turn of the century. As a result, it's all about speed and less about power, making it best for close-quarters fights with large hordes of enemies.

Unfortunately, it can only be found in Saint Denis for $350 after completion of the Chapter Three mission "The Battle of Shady Belle," making it harder to come by for newer players. However, once it's available, it makes a decent addition to Arthur's arsenal. The gun can also be customized, making it a versatile choice for players.