Red Dead Online is every bit as savage as the regular game, with all its various quests and missions to complete. That’s why you need the same kind of beastly weapons Red Dead Redemption 2 outfits you with to hold your own against hordes of skilled players looking to bring you down.
There’s a wide variety of different weapons available in Red Dead Online, just like you’d find in Red Dead Redemption 2. Just because they worked for you in the single-player game, however, don’t think you can fall back on your favorites here.
While the weapon lineup is the same, many of the firearms you hold dear do handle differently in multiplayer. Here’s a handy list to refer to of some of the best weapons out there in Red Dead Online, no matter your skill level. Happy shootin’!
Keep in mind that you have to reach a certain rank to be able to use some of the weapons found in Red Dead Online. For instance, you need to reach Rank 9 for the Schofield Revolver, Rank 10 for the Bow, and so on. Here’s a list of the requirements, also found within the catalog in-game.
- Rank 5 – Pump Action Shotgun
- Rank 7 – Bolt Action Rifle
- Rank 8 – Throwing Knife, Varmint Rifle
- Rank 9 – Schofield Revolver
- Rank 10 – Bow
- Rank 11 – Repeating Shotgun
- Rank 12 – Lancaster Repeater
- Rank 13 – Rolling Block Rifle
- Rank 15 – Cleaver
- Rank 16 – Dynamite
- Rank 17 – Double Action Revolver
- Rank 18 – Litchfield Repeater
- Rank 19 – Sawed-Off Shotgun
- Rank 21 – Volcanic Pistol
- Rank 22 – Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Rank 24 – Fire Bottle
- Rank 28 – Hatchet
- Rank 32 – Machete
- Rank 34 – Mauser Pistol
- Rank 36 – Tomahawk
- Rank 38 – Springfield Rifle
- Rank 42 – Semi-Auto Shotgun
- Rank 50 – Carcano Rifle
Best Weapons in Red Dead Online
Repeating Shotgun
If you only buy one weapon for the majority of your time in Red Dead Online, make it the Repeating Shotgun. It’s deadly close up and just as lethal at mid-range. But at point blank range, it’s a completely devastating nozzle of flying metal. It’s unfortunately pretty pricey, but we recommend saving up for it. You won’t need to buy much else, if anything, for the duration of your online escapades — unless you just want to.
High Roller Double Action Revolver
This is an extremely simple weapon to procure and an excellent pistol to use. You can access the gun at any Fence for free, after which it will be available via your Weapon Wheel or horse saddle. That’s after you acquire it.
You must first unlock the High Roller by playing GTA Online in the single-player adventure — by completing a special Treasure Hunt mission. PS4 players get the fastest firing revolver ahead of Xbox One users and it can be acquired for the low, low price of free. It’s simply one of the best revolvers in terms of fire rate. Paired with Dead Eye, it becomes a totally unstoppable force and you don’t even have to go to great lengths to nab it.
Schofield Revolver
If you need a good revolver, fast, you’ll want to snap up the Schofield Revolver (if you don’t already have the High Roller). Its deadly accuracy, stability, and overall rate of fire make it a perfect companion for traveling around, picking off would-be enemies. It’s also a fantastic choice for veterans who know their way around aiming down sights. It’s not as simple as taking a shot with something like a semi-automatic pistol, or as explosive as a shotgun, but this pistol is great for players looking for something that does the job fast and cheaply.
Springfield Rifle
The Springfield Rifle is an excellent choice for those who prefer the “spray and pray” method. That is to say, pick this up if you aren’t very good at aiming. The weapon more than makes up for a lack of skill with high innate accuracy and fire rate. It’s a bit expensive at $240, and won’t be available to purchase until you hit Rank 38, but it’s an affordable knockout for players of all skill levels.
Bow
It may not seem smart to bring a bow to a gunfight, but you’ll see exactly why you want a bow as soon as you purchase one. It’s perfect for long-range fights and extremely simple to get your hands on. Dead Eye’s improvements in Red Dead Online over the main game make it effective even when you’re aiming to rack up headshots. You can plant yourself in a far-off location and slowly pick off enemies from wherever you are. You don’t want to go up against a posse of gun-toting outlaws armed with just a bow and arrows, but it’s a great option for self-defense, that’s for sure.
Thanks for taking the time to read our guide! Hopefully, this will put you on the path to becoming the rootinest, tootinest shootist in the wild west.
