Many Red Dead Online guns sit behind character rank, so what you can buy depends on how far you've climbed. The Gunsmith and Handheld Catalogue sell the firearms and bows, and the Fence adds the High Roller revolver, melee weapons and throwables. Flammable Moonshine is sold at both the Fence and the Moonshiner Store. Every shop item has a cash price, and every firearm and bow they sell also has a Gold price, so the rank and price on each one tell you what to save for next.
How to use this collection
Rank 1 means the gun has no character rank gate. Trader, Bounty Hunter, Moonshiner and reward requirements are called out separately. Gold prices show only where the shop offers them.
Rockstar can change prices in updates, and temporary discounts can lower what you pay.
Weapon category
Pistols
Pistols come late in Online. Until the Volcanic opens at rank 21, revolvers are your handguns.
Volcanic Pistol
Its slow firing and reload speed make each shot count.
- Category
- Pistols
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 21
- RDO$
- 270
- Gold
- 11
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Its semi-automatic action removes the need to cock it between shots.
- Category
- Pistols
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 22
- RDO$
- 537
- Gold
- 22
Mauser Pistol
Rapid fire and a roomy magazine suit close-range fights.
- Category
- Pistols
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 34
- RDO$
- 600
- Gold
- 24
Weapon category
Revolvers
Cattleman Revolver
A balanced sidearm for close to medium range.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 50
- Gold
- 2
High Roller Double-Action Revolver
Engraved steel and card-and-skull grips set it apart.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 190
- Gold
- 8
LeMat Revolver
A second barrel fires one buckshot round.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 317
- Gold
- 13
Lowry's Revolver
A Navy Revolver variant marked with blood and scratch engravings.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Reward
- Unlock rank
- 1
Navy Revolver
A single-action revolver modeled on the 1851 Colt Navy.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 275
- Gold
- 11
Schofield Revolver
A powerful, accurate revolver with a slower firing and reload pace.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 9
- RDO$
- 192
- Gold
- 8
Double-Action Revolver
Its trigger mechanism lets it fire quickly without cocking between shots.
- Category
- Revolvers
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 17
- RDO$
- 127
- Gold
- 6
Weapon category
Repeaters
Carbine Repeater
The stock's tube magazine helps it reload quickly.
- Category
- Repeaters
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 90
- Gold
- 4
Evans Repeater
A high-capacity repeater with a fast rate of fire.
- Category
- Repeaters
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 300
- Gold
- 12
Lancaster Repeater
Its fast lever action keeps follow-up shots moving.
- Category
- Repeaters
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 12
- RDO$
- 243
- Gold
- 10
Litchfield Repeater
A high-capacity repeater built for strong mid-range hits.
- Category
- Repeaters
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 18
- RDO$
- 348
- Gold
- 14
Weapon category
Rifles
The Varmint Rifle takes .22 cartridges, and the Elephant Rifle takes Nitro Express. Standard rifle ammo won't work in either.
Elephant Rifle
Built to hit large animals with a powerful shot.
- Category
- Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 580
- Gold
- 24
Bolt-Action Rifle
A bolt-action rifle for long-range fights against multiple targets.
- Category
- Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 7
- RDO$
- 216
- Gold
- 9
Varmint Rifle
A fast-firing rifle for small mammals and large birds.
- Category
- Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 8
- RDO$
- 72
- Gold
- 3
Springfield Rifle
A single-shot breech loader suited to medium and long range.
- Category
- Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 38
- RDO$
- 156
- Gold
- 7
Weapon category
Sniper Rifles
Rolling Block Rifle
A single-shot, scoped rifle built for long-range hunting.
- Category
- Sniper Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 13
- RDO$
- 411
- Gold
- 17
Carcano Rifle
Its bolt action and quick follow-up shots help at long range.
- Category
- Sniper Rifles
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 50
- RDO$
- 456
- Gold
- 19
Weapon category
Shotguns
Every shotgun takes the same buckshot and slug types, so rank and price decide between them.
Rare Shotgun
An engraved double-barrel shotgun with an antique brass finish.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 258
- Gold
- 11
Pump Action Shotgun
Its pump action and roomy tube work well in close fights.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 5
- RDO$
- 266.4
- Gold
- 11
Repeating Shotgun
Its lever action cycles shells between close-range shots.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 11
- RDO$
- 434.4
- Gold
- 18
Sawed-Off Shotgun
The compact shotgun fits a sidearm slot and can be fired one-handed.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 19
- RDO$
- 111
- Gold
- 5
Double-Barreled Shotgun
Its paired barrels let it fire two close-range shots in quick succession.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 30
- RDO$
- 185
- Gold
- 8
Semi-Auto Shotgun
Its strong fire rate and quick reload suit close-range groups.
- Category
- Shotguns
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 42
- RDO$
- 540
- Gold
- 22
Weapon category
Bows
The bows share the same arrow types, Tracking Arrows included. The choice comes down to aiming stamina and cost.
Improved Bow
Aiming drains less stamina than with the standard Bow.
- Category
- Bows
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 275
- Gold
- 11
Bow and Arrows
A silent weapon for stealthy hunting or combat.
- Category
- Bows
- Vendor / source
- Gunsmith / Handheld Catalogue
- Unlock rank
- 10
- RDO$
- 124
- Gold
- 5
Weapon category
Melee Weapons
The Hammer and Lance Knife open with Trader rank instead of character rank. The Machete is the cheapest melee weapon, but it waits until rank 32.
Hammer
A blunt melee weapon built for hard-hitting strikes.
- Category
- Melee Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 75
- Gold
- 3
Jawbone Knife
Its flint blade has a coyote jawbone for a handle.
- Category
- Melee Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 105
- Gold
- 5
Lance Knife
A bespoke knife style for Traders.
- Category
- Melee Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 125
- Gold
- 5
Machete
The broad blade reaches farther than most melee weapons.
- Category
- Melee Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 32
- RDO$
- 40
- Gold
- 2
Weapon category
Thrown Weapons
Most throwables are cash only, and the Fire Bottle is the cheapest at $0.75.
Ancient Tomahawk
A traditional tomahawk with a striped shaft and polished blade.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 5.5
Bolas
Wraps around a target's legs to restrain them.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 30
- Gold
- 2
Flammable Moonshine
Pour a trail of moonshine and ignite it with a shot.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence / Moonshiner Store
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 20
- Gold
- 1
Hunter Hatchet
A long-bearded axe that can be thrown as well as swung.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 1
- RDO$
- 5
Throwing Knife
Balanced for quiet throws, and it can also be used up close.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 8
- RDO$
- 2.5
Cleaver
A wide-bladed tool that can be swung or thrown.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 15
- RDO$
- 8
Dynamite
A powerful explosive that you can throw or set down before lighting.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 16
- RDO$
- 1
Fire Bottle
Spreads a fireball when it breaks on impact.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 24
- RDO$
- 0.75
Hatchet
Can be swung at close range or thrown at a target.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 28
- RDO$
- 4.25
Tomahawk
A light thrown weapon that you can recover after use.
- Category
- Thrown Weapons
- Vendor / source
- Fence
- Unlock rank
- 36
- RDO$
- 4
After Story Mode guns instead? Those are in Red Dead Redemption 2 Weapons. The free starting Hunting Knife and the lassos are left out: the knife has no shop price, and lassos restrain targets instead of fighting.
Early Guns Worth Buying by Rank
Rank 1 has the cheapest early options. The Cattleman Revolver is the cheapest gun you can buy at $50 or 2 Gold, and the Carbine Repeater is the cheapest repeater at $90 or 4 Gold. Both unlock at rank 1.
The Rare Shotgun is the surprise. Story Mode treats it as a one-off pickup, but in Online you can buy it at the Gunsmith from rank 1. The Pump Action doesn't unlock until rank 5. The Rare Shotgun unlocks earlier and costs less cash than the Pump Action, $258 versus $266.40. Both cost 11 Gold.
The Improved Bow is open at rank 1 too. The standard Bow and Arrows unlocks at rank 10 for $124 or 5 Gold, less than half the price.
Rifles split two ways. The Elephant Rifle is open at rank 1, but at $580 or 24 Gold it's the priciest early gun, so save for it only if you hunt big game. For long-range fights, the Bolt-Action Rifle at rank 7 costs $216 or 9 Gold.
Useful Weapons by Category
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pistols | Semi-Automatic Pistol | For quick follow-up shots, since its semi-automatic action removes the need to cock it between shots. Unlocks at rank 22. |
| Revolvers | LeMat Revolver | For a revolver that also carries buckshot, since its second barrel fires one buckshot round. Unlocks at rank 1. |
| Repeaters | Evans Repeater | For fights that need a lot of shots, since it's a high-capacity repeater with a fast rate of fire. Unlocks at rank 1. |
| Rifles | Bolt-Action Rifle | For long-range fights against several targets. Unlocks at rank 7. |
| Sniper Rifles | Rolling Block Rifle | For long-range hunting, since it's a single-shot scoped rifle. Unlocks at rank 13. |
| Shotguns | Pump Action Shotgun | For close fights, where its pump action and roomy tube work well. Unlocks at rank 5. |
| Bows | Improved Bow | For shots where you hold aim, since it drains less stamina than the standard Bow. Unlocks at rank 1. |
| Melee Weapons | Hammer | For hard-hitting melee strikes. Unlocks at Trader Rank 1. |
| Thrown Weapons | Dynamite | For blowing up groups and cover. Unlocks at rank 16. |
The Volcanic is the cheapest pistol, unlocking at rank 21 for $270 or 11 Gold. For a cheap sidearm overall, the rank 1 Cattleman Revolver still wins at $50 or 2 Gold.
Weapons for Close Fights and Hunting
The Mauser Pistol's rapid fire and roomy magazine suit close-range fights, the Repeating Shotgun cycles shells between close shots, and the Sawed-Off Shotgun fits a sidearm slot and can be fired one-handed.
For hunting, match the gun to the animal. The Elephant Rifle is built to hit large animals, the Varmint Rifle fits small mammals and large birds, and the Bow and Arrows is silent for stealthy hunts.
How to Get Lowry's Revolver
Lowry's Revolver is a reward, not a shop gun. Solve the Los Santos Slasher mystery in GTA Online first, then get 50 Navy Revolver kills in that mystery. After that, take the revolver from the basement at Lucky's Cabin near Valentine.
Mistakes That Waste Ranks or Cash
- Trusting a rank 1 label. The Bolas need Bounty Hunter Rank 10, the Lance Knife needs Trader Rank 5, and Flammable Moonshine needs Moonshiner Rank 5 plus 2 Role Tokens.
- Expecting the LeMat to be a shotgun. The second barrel fires one Regular Buckshot shell, and the main barrel takes revolver cartridges.
- Skipping the crafting step. Special ammo like Sedative .22 and Tracking Arrows is crafted, so you need its pamphlet and materials first. Sedative belongs to Naturalist progression and Tracking Arrows to Bounty Hunter. Red Dead Online Roles covers both roles.
FAQ
Is Lowry's Revolver worth the GTA Online detour?
Only if you want its look. It's a Navy Revolver variant with blood and scratch engravings. If you just want a Navy, the Gunsmith sells one from rank 1 for $275 or 11 Gold.