The Resident Evil 4 (RE4) Remake has no lousy handgun. Each handgun is effective in different ways and depends entirely on what you, as a player, are comfortable playing with. Some guns are fast at reloading, while others pack a powerful punch behind each bullet. This guide will help you decide which handgun is best for you in the RE4 Remake.
Key Takeaways
- There are mainly five handguns in Resident Evil 4 Remake, and having at least one handgun in your inventory is essential.
- These handguns are some of the most trusted weapons in the game and the weapons you will always rely on.
- As the ammo for handguns is easier to acquire and easy to craft, this makes it essential that you carry the handgun with the best stats.
- Moreover, handguns have plenty of variety, so they all feel unique in their own ways. Some guns can shoot through multiple enemies, and others can fire multiple bullets.
- You can also acquire various attachments for the handguns and increase their overall precision or rate of fire.
- These handguns can be bought from the Merchant or acquired from secret places on the map. Different handguns also unlock at different chapters of the gun to provide additional support.
- You can always upgrade the handgun through the Merchant to increase the power, rate of power, ammo capacity, or precision of the handgun.
- If you do not like a handgun, you can sell it back to the Merchant at a discounted price or store it in your inventory for later use.
There are mainly five handguns in the Resident Evil 4 Remake. You can buy these weapons through the Merchant in the game or find them hidden on the map. Moreover, these handguns are unique and boast a unique skill that makes handguns stand out in one category or another. This list will help you decide which handgun is most suitable for your playstyle.
Red9 – Best Handgun In RE4 Remake
The Red9 is the overall best handgun in the RE4 Remake. This is also one of the fan-favorite handguns in the game and is definitely a must-have pistol. Even the seasoned veterans who have played the original game and the newer players joining the Remake alike can agree that this is a gun you want to have.
This handgun is great whether you are in close-range or long-range combat. The raw power of this gun makes it so you can one-shot most of your enemies or at least stun them for a melee takedown. Moreover, the ammo is easy to acquire for a handgun and is abundant in the game, so you are never running out. Even the resources required to craft the ammo are readily available and do not require a specific recipe.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 1.50
- Ammo Capacity: 8 rounds
- Reload Speed: 0.85
- Rate of Fire: 0.90
- Precision: 3.00
Necessary Upgrades
As the stats suggest, this gun lacks ammo capacity, only carrying eight bullets initially. The slower reload speed on top of that makes it very dangerous when you are getting overrun by a mob of infected villagers as now can only shoot 8 bullets and need sufficient time to reload. Therefore, this is one of the first upgrades you should invest in and increase the number of overall bullets you can shoot.
Moreover, one of the necessary upgrades on this gun is trading the stock available for Red9. The Merchant will start carrying a stock just for the Red9, and you can trade it for nine spinels. This may seem expensive, although it is worth the price. This will increase the gun’s precision from 3 to 4.2, giving it a sniper-like precision in taking out enemies even from a distance.
Lastly, you should upgrade the power of this gun as the level 1 power of 1.5 is enough for the starting weaker enemies. This gun becomes almost too powerful and unstoppable at the max level 3 stats and the added-on stock. No enemy is too strong against this weapon, and the weaker enemies can easily be killed with a single headshot.
How To Acquire This Handgun
This is the only gun you acquire for free in the game, making it even more worth it. You can find this gun in the game on the Lago or the large lake. As the lake is a major part of the game, you will cross it on your boat and easily get this gun. Therefore, the Red9 will be on a broken ship in the middle of the lake, so make a quick stop.
The Red9 will be in a treasure chest on this lake, so acquire this gun and keep it safely in your inventory. As the gun is free, you can get the upgrades done as soon as you see the Merchant next time.
Punisher – The Piercing Pistol
The Punisher is another of the most powerful handguns in the game and the best handgun in RE4 Remake. Most players do not realize that this gun is one of the only handguns with penetrating bullet skills in the game.
This means that the bullet shot from this gun can hit two enemies at once. In the game, where ammo conservation is a major part of the gameplay, this makes this gun a great handgun in your arsenal.
Moreover, the gun has excellent precision, even at the starting level, so you will not miss any shots. The precision and penetrating power allow you to wait for two enemies to align, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Furthermore, as this is a handgun finding ammo will not be much of a problem.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 0.90
- Ammo Capacity: 12 rounds
- Reload Speed: 1.10
- Rate of Fire: 1.05
- Precision: 4.50
Necessary Upgrades
The Punisher has very well-rounded level-1 stats. However, the gun lacks power, initially taking several bullets to remove enemies. Therefore, it is best to spend your initial investments upgrading the power of this gun. Soon you will kill two enemies with a single bullet, and nothing is more satisfying.
Moreover, once you have maxed out the power, you can move to upgrade the reload speed and rate of fire. This will allow you to be comfortable even in close combat with several enemies, allowing you to shoot more quickly. So when you get stuck in a tricky situation, you can use your handy pistol to help you get out.
Additionally, you can trade ten spinels to get a laser sight installed on this weapon. Even though this is an expensive upgrade, it is very well worth it. This customization will allow you to remove enemies from quite a long distance without missing and wasting your precious ammo. This is especially handy in later chapters of the game, where enemies shoot projectiles from a distance.
How To Acquire This Handgun
There are two ways to acquire this handgun in Resident Evil 4 Remake.
The gun will be available in the Merchant’s store early in the game. This is also one of the tradable handguns, which means you can trade the weapon for spinels instead of Pesetas. You can acquire this weapon for 5 spinels, which makes this relatively cheap. The initial contracts provided by the Merchant, such as the Blue Medallion and Pest Control, are easy to complete.
Moreover, the gun is also unlocked earlier on in the game. This allows you to buy the gun for Pesetas, which is a great option to have if you are running low on spinels or saving it for something else. The handgun is modestly priced in the store at 10,000 Pesetas, which is again a relatively cheap price for this weapon, and you will have this much money early on in the game.
Blacktail – The Powerful Handgun
The Blacktail is the final handgun you can buy in the Resident Evil 4 Remake. This gun has some well-rounded and impressive statistics, even at level 1. Moreover, if you missed Red9 earlier on in your gameplay, then this is a great substitute handgun to have by your side. The gun packs a serious punch with a power of 1.40, which is almost equal to the Red9.
Moreover, the game has some of the best precision on handguns in the game, so you do not need to worry about distant targets. The power and precision allow the players to one-shot enemies from a distance. Additionally, this handgun is available to players at the perfect time. The later Chapters require you to finish off your enemies from a distance.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 1.40
- Ammo Capacity: 9 rounds
- Reload Speed: 1.20
- Rate of Fire: 1.19
- Precision: 4.20
Necessary Upgrades
The gun has some of the best-starting stats in a handgun. However, the has a very small magazine and can only carry nine bullets at level 1. This is definitely one of the first upgrade investments a player should make. You would need those extra bullets when you are surrounded by the enemy crowd. However, even at the max level of three, the gun can still only carry 11 bullets.
Therefore, if you had earlier acquired the Red9, it is not necessary to get his weapon. However, you can not get any additional attachments on the Blacktail that would further boost its stats. If you do have this weapon, just upgrading the ammo capacity and rate of fire would be a decent investment to make in the beginning.
How To Acquire This Handgun
The Blacktail is available after Chapter 6 in Resident Evil 4 Remake. You can buy this from the Merchant within the castle walls for a hefty price of 24,000 Pesetas. This makes it one of the more expensive handguns in the game. Moreover, remember that this is not your only investment in this handgun, as you would need to buy further upgrades for the Blacktail.
Therefore, you need to be committed to spending some serious changes if you are planning on getting this gun. All being said, this is still a very powerful handgun to have by your side, as you can kill enemies with a single bullet or at least stun them for the melee attack.
Matilda – The Fastest Handgun
The Matilda is a series favorite and another best handguns in RE4 Remake. This gun may seem tiny, but it can do some fantastic things. The gun starts with a power of 1.30 which is impressive considering this is Level 1.
However, one of the most remarkable things about this gun is its ammo capacity. The Matilda has the highest ammo capacity of any handgun in the game, capable of carrying 18 bullets in a single magazine.
This single quality alone makes it a must-have gun in your arsenal. Moreover, as handgun ammo is abundant in the game and easy to craft, you do not need to worry much about the ammo. The gun even has a special stock available to be traded from the Merchant, granting the handgun even more special powers.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 1.30
- Ammo Capacity: 18 rounds
- Reload Speed: 1.00
- Rate of Fire: 0.96
- Precision: 3.50
Necessary Upgrades
The Matilda starts with some very decent stats. However, spending money on improving the power is a great idea as the gun becomes almost unstoppable at level 3. The game has a power of 2.00 at level 3, which means that even the strongest enemies do not stand a chance and makes this the best handgun in RE4 Remake.
However, the gun has an abysmal rate of fire and reload speed. So spending some of your money getting these stats to their max is a great idea. Therefore, maximum level Matilda has a reload speed of 1.40 and a rate of fire of almost 1.63. This means that even when surrounded, you would not need to worry as your trusty pistol will unleash hell on your enemies.
Even if that was not impressive, this gun could fit with a special stock. This stock allows Matilda to fire in burst mode or shoot three bullets in a single click. Your rate of fire will go through the roof and transform this handgun into a submachine gun. However, this stock is very expensive, and you can trade the stock for 12 spinels from the Merchant.
So you would need to work hard to acquire this stock. Although, the games that are automatic in the game are responsible for wasting ammo if your aim is not on point. So you need to be careful after putting on this attachment and not get too excited.
How To Acquire This Handgun
The Matilda can be bought in the second half of the game. Moreover, this is another one of the tradable handguns in the game. Therefore, you would need to have at least ten spinels to be able to trade this handgun from the Merchant. So be ready to break many Blue Medallions and kill many rats to gain that many spinels. The spinels spawn rarely, and you must often work hard for them.
SG-09 R – The Original Classic Pistol
The SG-09 R is Leon’s iconic handgun and your starting handgun in the game. Therefore, this gun has some very basic stats and stands out in no category. This does make this handgun a bit boring; however, for a starting handgun, it’s a perfect starting point as you can upgrade it according to your playstyle. Moreover, as you are not spending money to buy this weapon so you can spend that money on getting reasonable upgrades.
The gun can also be attached with a laser sight, improving its overall accuracy.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 1.00
- Ammo Capacity: 10 rounds
- Reload Speed: 1.00
- Rate of Fire: 1.00
- Precision: 4.00
Necessary Upgrades
The SG-09 R has very basic stats, and compared to other handguns, these stats may be a little lower. So you are planning on sticking with this handgun, it’s better to invest in upgrading the power of this gun. However, this is not the only upgrade, as you would also need to upgrade the rate of fire and the reload speed of this gun.
One special upgrade that does make this gun worth your time is the special exclusive upgrade. This exclusive upgrade increases your critical hit rate by five times. Therefore, you would be disintegrating enemy heads and kneecaps more often. This will help you save up your precious ammo and open enemies to melee attacks.
How To Acquire This Handgun
You do not need to buy this weapon as this is the handgun you start with. So it is always by Leon’s side even when no other handgun is to be seen.
Resident Evil 4 Remake allows players to choose their handguns based on their playstyles. Some handguns in the gun are hand canons capable of producing raw power. Meanwhile, some guns can unload a magazine faster than enemies can run in your direction. Handguns are an incredibly essential part of your arsenal, and even the games promote the use of handguns.
Handgun ammo is much more abundant than any other ammo in the game. Moreover, plenty of handgun attachments in the game affect a gun’s total capabilities. This allows you to make your arsenal around your handgun and rely on your handguns, even in the simplest situations. My recommendation is to pick a handgun that best supports your playstyle in RE4 Remake and try on different handguns, so you always know your options.
Sentinel Nine
Sentinel Nine is an exclusive Handgun in RE4 Remake. It becomes available to players only when they buy the Deluxe or Collector’s Edition in the game. It can become an essential weapon in any player’s inventory because of its accuracy and ability to tackle bioterrorism.
Moreover, Sentinel Nine is better than the SG-09 R in the beginning levels. However, its performance is overshadowed later in the game when the Red9 shotgun becomes available.
With its precise accuracy, accessibility, and considerable firepower, the Sentinel Nine is an excellent choice for most close to mid-range combats in RE4 Remake. Similarly, with its big magazine and easily craftable ammo, you can use it without any restrictions on any mobs in the game.
An interesting and valuable feature of the Sentinel Nine is that it can stun enemies for a few seconds. Consequently, you can save some ammo and use any melee weapon to kill the enemy. However, use it wisely, as it does not work mostly on significant bosses of the game.
Level 1 Statistics
- Power: 1.1
- Ammo Capacity: 19 rounds
- Reload Speed: 0.9
- Rate of Fire: 1.19
- Precision: 4.00
Necessary Upgrades
When getting this handgun in RE4 Remake, upgrade its power to at least level 3, from 1.1 to 1.5. It would cost you around 20,000 ptas to upgrade it to level 3. As power is the only drawback of this gun, you may as well spend some more money to upgrade it to level 5 and increase its power to 1.9.
While the Sentinel Nine rate of fire is quite fine, it would be even better to upgrade it to level 5 in the game. Costing around 19,000 ptas, this upgrade can improve the rate of fire from 1.19 to 2 in the game. Similarly, it would be best to upgrade the reload speed from 0.9 to 1.3 by spending 10,000 ptas. These upgrades will make it one of the best handguns in RE4 Remake.
Additional 15,000 ptas can improve the ammo capacity from 19 to 31, although optional. After reaching level 9 in RE4 Remake, players will also be eligible for an exclusive upgrade for their handgun. The exclusive upgrade, costing around 80,000 ptas, can improve the critical rate of the gun by 5x.
How To Acquire This Handgun
Only Deluxe or Collector’s edition players can get this gun in Resident Evil 4 Remake. After purchasing any of these two editions, players can find the Sentinel Nine in their storage menu. However, whether this gun is worth spending some extra money solely depends on the choice of players.
That is about it for the best handgun in RE4 Remake. If you have any thoughts and opinions, do share them in the comments section below.
Check out more of our guides about the Resident Evil 4 remake:
- Resident Evil 4 remake: Blue Medallion locations
- Resident Evil 4 remake: Lake symbol puzzle
- Resident Evil 4 remake: How To Get Mendez False Eye
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