Best pistols in Stalker 2, ranked

Pistols in Stalker 2 can be your best friends in the Zone. While they aren’t as effective as main weapons, they do come in handy if you're in a pinch. Moreover, even though pistols have a low fire rate and limited range, they don't take up a lot of space, are light, and can dish out decent damage if you build them right.

You will find a lot of pistols in Stalker 2 while exploring the Zone. However, most of them will either be completely unusable or in poor condition. Still, instead of throwing them away, unload them and sell them to a merchant in exchange for a better secondary. We have compiled a list of all the best pistols in Stalker 2 so you'll know which one to keep on your person at all times.

Disclaimer: This is a ranked list. Ranks are based on the pistol’s effectiveness in most situations as well as the writer’s personal opinions. Variants of a gun with the same stats but with different skins have been ignored.

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Ranked list of the best Pistols in Stalker 2

7) UDP Compact

Best for short-range bursts (Image via GSC Game World|| YouTube/Weapons From Games)

• Weight: 1 KG
• Caliber: .45
• Magazine Capacity: 15

The UDP Compact delivers excellent damage and accuracy at close range, with a high magazine capacity. However, its short range limits its effectiveness beyond a certain distance, making it more suitable for combat against mutants or in confined spaces. This is exactly why we gave it the last spot since getting up, close, and personal with the enemy can often prove fatal in Stalker 2.

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6) PTM

Overall a good weapon but lacks damage (Image via GSC Game World|| YouTube/Weapons From Games)

• Weight: 0.55 KG
• Caliber: 9x18
• Magazine Capacity: 8

The PTM is a basic and common pistol with weak damage, making it suitable only in dire situations or for headshots. It’s accurate but lacks the firepower or versatility of the other options on this list. This lack of damage potential is what made it rank this low on the list.

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5) Skif's Pistol

Best starter pistol (Image via GSC Game World)

• Weight: 0.05 KG
• Caliber: 9x18
• Magazine Capacity: 8

Skif’s Pistol is a more accurate and slightly upgraded version of the PTM. While it is the starting weapon and has minimal damage, its higher accuracy and range make it a useful sidearm for early-game encounters, especially considering its light weight.

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4) PTM Monolith

The gun is included in the Delux edition (Image via GSC Game World)

• Weight: 0.5 KG
• Caliber: 9x18
• Magazine Capacity: 12

This special PTM variant offers improved accuracy and range, along with a higher magazine capacity than the standard PTM. While it’s only available as part of the Deluxe Edition DLC, it can be a solid sidearm with some extra utility.

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3) Deadeye

Build it properly to get the most out of it (Image via GSC Game World)

• Weight: 0.92 KG
• Caliber: .45
• Magazine Capacity: 15

A unique pistol that stands out for its impressive damage, accuracy, and range. It’s a highly powerful and customizable weapon that can be silenced, making it versatile for stealthy builds. With proper modifications, you can make this pistol one of the best guns in the game, but building it demands a heavy grind, which is why it didn’t climb higher on the list.

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2) APSB

One of the best pistols in the game (Image via GSC Game World|| YouTube/Weapons From Games)

• Weight: 1.21 KG
• Caliber: 9x18
• Magazine Capacity: 19

Pistols are great sidearms, but they aren’t very effective when it comes to fire rate. So, a fully automatic pistol with strong accuracy, great penetration, and a high fire rate is a rare find. The APSB checks all of these boxes as its rapid fire rate and armor penetration make it a highly effective sidearm for close to mid-range combat.

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1) Rhino

The king of all pistols in Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World|| YouTube/Weapons From Games)

• Weight: 1.58 KG
• Caliber: 9x39
• Magazine Capacity: 6

A powerful revolver, the Rhino delivers devastating damage, especially against mutants. It rivals shotguns in raw power, offering excellent accuracy and range. However, the drawbacks are its small ammo capacity and loudness, which is absolutely not for you if you are going for a stealth build.

Still, Rhino’s damage output and effectiveness are unparalleled to any other pistol in the game, which is why it is the best pistol you can find in Stalker 2.