46 articlesAfter countless updates, Cyberpunk 2077 now has dozens of pistols to choose from which range from standard handguns to powerful Iconic weapons that come with unique effects. Although Update 2.3 introduced new vehicles, QoL improvements, and various enhancements, it didn’t significantly rebalance the pistols.
This means that the weapon meta remains mostly unchanged since Update 2.1. Regardless, there are some changes to the overall ranking as far as pistols go.
With that in mind, here’s our updated pistol tier list based on overall effectiveness, versatility, and performance.
All Pistols in Cyberpunk 2077 Ranked From Worst to Best As Of Update 2.1
Joke Tier
Pistols in this tier are mostly meant as jokes or gimmicks; they’re not really intended for actual use. If you’re using one of them on your playthrough, make sure to replace it as soon as you find any other pistol.
CD Projekt Red’s Recent Job Listing Hints at Potential Cyberpunk 2 Online Multiplayer FeatureSep 18, 2025
How to Break Into and Out of Prison in Cyberpunk 2077 | Patch 2.3Jul 27, 2025
How to Get to DRY CREEK in Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.3Jul 26, 2025We have the AR Raygun Supreme 9000 which is intentionally designed as a novelty weapon. While it has a unique appearance and amusing visual effects, its damage output is extremely poor.
Note: Technically, this weapon can’t even be kept through normal means and is only used during the “Following the River” quest. Completely useless either way.)
Then we have the Slaught-O-Matic, which is the cheapest disposable firearm in the game. It’s useful only during the opening hours of the game when resources are limited. Since it can’t be upgraded and offers mediocre stats, it becomes obsolete almost immediately.
Bottom Tier
Moving on up from joke weapons into actual pistols, this is the bottom of the barrel. These guns have some notable strengths, but their weaknesses are far too many to ignore.
We have the Liberty which offers balanced handling but doesn’t excel in any category. Meanwhile, Plan B comes with a unique gimmick that consumes Eurodollars instead of ammunition, though it offers mediocre damage output.
The other pistols that belong to this tier are the HJKE-11 Yukimura and HA-4 Grit.
Low Tier
Pistols in this tier have some really strong strengths here and there. Sadly, they always have too many drawbacks that keep them from really excelling. They aren’t terrible, but you can do better.
For example, the Apparition can deal impressive damage when charged, especially against low Health enemies. Unfortunately, it relies heavily on Tech Weapon perks to truly shine.
Or the Tamayura which offers excellent accuracy and decent headshot damage, but comes with low fire rate and lack of standout features.
Other pistols in this list include the Unity, Ticon, and JKE-X2 Kenshin.
Mid Tier
Pistols in this tier are considered middle of the road, and they can carry you comfortably into the late game. However, they’re easily overshadowed by other stronger pistols at that point.
Long story short, they aren’t amazing, but they aren’t terrible either! Just perfect average quality.
One of them is Skippy which was once considered one of the game’s best weapons due to its smart targeting system. Unfortunately, newer Iconic pistols have surpassed its overall damage and scaling.
There’s also the Seraph which features powerful critical hits and burning effects, but fall short of the expected damage output in the late game.
This tier is home to a lot of other weapons which include the following:
- Nue
- Catahoula
- Kongou
- M-10AF Lexington / Lexington x-MOD2
- Kappa / Kappa x-MOD2
- A-22B Chao
- M-76e Omaha
High Tier
This is where things start to get interesting. Specifically, pistols in this tier have some very unique strengths and few weaknesses. You won’t be disappointed when you get your hands on any of them!
One notable weapon is Genjiroh which happens to be one of the strongest Smart Pistols in Night City. It can lock onto several targets at once, making it quite devastating if you’re running a build that relies on Smart Weapon perks.
Another notable weapon is Dying Night which become one of the strongest general purpose pistols, thanks to its excellent fire rate, handling, and critical hit rate.
Other weapons that make it to this tier are as follows:
- Ambition
- Pariah
- Death and Taxes
- Crimestopper
- Scorch
- Cheetah
Top Tier
As you might expect, pistols in this tier are almost the best. They represent some of the best that Cyberpunk 2077 has to offer. Every single one of them is capable of dealing devastating damage and being a perfect companion for your V!
One such weapon is the Malorian Arms Pistol (3516) which combines massive damage with stylish melee attacks and explosive shots. This one excels in aggressive close-to-mid range combat.
There’s also the Rook which delivers sustained damage with amazing handling. It’s quite consistent in both stealth and open combat, making it one of the best pistols in the current meta.
Other top tier pistols include Chaos, Riskit, La Chingona Dorada, and Ogou.
The Best of the Best
Lastly, we have the best of the best. And if I’m being honest, you’re unlikely to ever use any of the lower-tier weapons once you acquire any of these three beauties!
The Lizzie had some small changes made with recent updates, but it’s still insanely powerful. In fact, it remains one of the most devasting Tech Pistols in the game. It’s extremely powerful as it fires 5-shot bursts when fully charged and stays accurate while doing so.
Her Majesty is an Iconic Unity variant meant for stealth, and it’s still arguably the best stealth gun in the entire game. When paired with Optical Camo and a stealth-focused build, it’s capable of delivering silenced headshots at insane accuracy.
Even after multiple updates, it remains the main choice for most players who prefer taking down enemies in the shadows.
Lastly, we have Pride, which continues to earn the top spot, thanks to its incredible headshot multipler and amazing performance against elite enemies. As long as you’re on full health, you can take down multiple targets with a single shot.
However, this gun is obtained really late depending on how you play the game, but that’s its only downside.
Conclusion
Regardless of your playstyle, Cyberpunk 2077 will always have a pistol that can complement your build. Though lower tier handguns can do just fine in the early stages of the game, it’s the Iconic pistols that take the spotlight as they can transform your overall experience.
That said, the best pistol is the one that fits your build and how you play the game. But then again, if you’re looking for the most effective sidearms in the game’s current version, then make sure to consider the ones in the top tiers.
ALSO READ: Cyberpunk 2077: How To Get MA70 HB X-MOD2 | New Secret Iconic LMG Update 2.1
