Highlights

• Ready or Not features 4 weapon categories - Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. Players must choose their loadout carefully to survive missions.
• The VKS and Beanbag Shotgun are non-lethal weapons that can help players detain enemies instead of killing them.
• The MPX is a fast-reloading SMG that allows players to unload bullets quickly without worrying about running out of ammo.

Ready or Not features 4 categories of weapons, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. These categories all have their own advantages, but players can only bring one primary weapon and one secondary weapon into every Ready or Not mission, so players are going to have to spend some time in the arsenal to figure out what the correct loadout would be to survive every encounter and gain that elusive S Rank.

The best weapons in Ready or Not will certainly help players in hostile situations, but a level of skill is still required, as players will need to be like John Wick if they are supposed to survive one of the hardest but best tactical shooters of 2023. Ready or Not’s best weapons feature both lethal and non-lethal choices for all.

Updated on April 2, 2024, by Jake Fillery: The best Ready or Not guns range in situational usage, and some encounters might call for an agile touch, whereas others, it's time to get loud. The beauty of this immersive tactical shooter comes from the fact that every weapon has its usage, and every weapon will have its day, yet, it's these weapons that deserve the spotlight the most. Whether it's running a sidearm or a hard-hitting shotgun and everything in between, the best guns in Ready or Not are essential to taking out hostiles, saving the hostages, and completing the mission with an S ranking to prove that each player has what it takes when they bring the best tools for the job.

12 .357 Magnum

A Revolver That Kicks Hard, But Hits Harder

It wouldn't seem fair to not have any side-arms on the list, and although they are often not the main weapon players should use, it's hard to deny that they can provide a certain kick that would be necessary against armored targets. The .357 Magnum is a classic, and fans of 80s cop movies might appreciate the nostalgia of this weapon, although sometimes nostalgia doesn't outshine usefulness. This weapon is extremely powerful, but having only 6 shots and being a nightmare to reload can make it a tad annoying in the field, so it's best reserved for unsuspecting enemies, or those whom players know they can confidently take out in one shot; just don't expect an incapacitation.

11 G19

A Reliable Sidearm Pistol For Agile Players

Competence is the key to a good loadout, and bringing along a trusty side-arm is the way to go. Whilst there is nothing inherently unique about the G19, that doesn't mean it cannot impress. It's a great side-arm, with consistent stats throughout that will easily help players in their battle against crime. The rate of fire is decent, and the ammo capacity is nice, allowing players to fire off multiple shots to try and incapacitate enemies, or more if they want them dead. It's a reliable sidearm, and that's really all players need out of a pistol since it isn't their main weapon.

10 VKS

Non-Lethal Assault Rifle

The VKS deserves a spot on the list since it is a non-lethal weapon that will help players seek an S Rank, as most difficult missions will have plenty of enemies and ones that players will need to detain rather than kill. With the VKS, this task becomes slightly easier, as players will have a fast-firing pepperball gun, which has pretty decent range and control compared to other Assault Rifles in Ready or Not. Players are going to want a decent trigger finger to use the VKS, due to a few shots being needed to get hostiles to surrender due to the pain.

9 Beanbag Shotgun

Non-Lethal Shotgun

Another great choice for those looking for a non-lethal approach is the Beanbag Shotgun, a weapon that does as described, and fires beanbags. This weapon can be a powerful tool, and a simple blast of this shotgun to the chest could cause another pain to incapacitate enemies and keep them alive.

Yet, players are going to have to use this weapon more carefully, as a headshot, or excessive shots to the same target, could kill a hostile instead of stunning them.

8 MPX

Fast Reloading SMG

Reloading is always a burden to weapons in games, and that’s especially true for tactical shooters with intense difficulty. The MPX helps players avoid that curve thanks to its fast reloading potential, and its low recoil, meaning that players will have a better time with this SMG, unloading fast-firing bullets into their opponents without worrying about running an empty magazine.

It’s the best of both worlds with the MPX, due to its blend of an Assault Rifle and SMG, providing some great tactical advantages with the hardest Ready or Not missions.

7 MK18

Low Recoil & High Handling Assault Rifle

Another great assault rifle option is the MK18, which features a built-in scope, providing players comfort in knowing that they do not have to mess around with different scopes to find the right one. However, they can still play with their own attachments, but the addition of the short barrel of the MK18 will make clearing enemies out of a room far more efficient in the right hands, and the highly adaptable design of this gun makes for a smooth weapon for players to use in this FPS game.

6 B92SX

Precise Pistol

The B92SX holds strong as one of the best secondary weapons in Ready or Not due to its reliability in combat. The high ammo count of this pistol means players can unload their trigger finger into enemies that are wearing armor without fear of missing or having said enemy’s armor eat away at their bullets. The recoil is easy to control, which further enhances the pistol as a solid choice for Ready or Not, especially for players who decide to run in with a shield for added defense.

5 M1014

Fast Firing Shotgun

If going non-lethal isn’t a player's style, or simply using a rifle, then the M1014 shotgun is a great choice thanks to its kick, providing enhanced stopping power to targets that just won’t surrender. The M1014 will help players clear and breach rooms in close-quarter battles, and its reliability and fast firing make it one of the best shotguns in Ready or Not for a reason. If players want further advantages, then the ability to customize it with attachments will reward the most adept shotgun fan out there.

4 SPC9

Light, High Fire Rate SMG

This Special Purpose Carbine cements itself as one of the best SMGs in Ready or Not, due to its easy handling of close-quarter situations. The SPC9 will specialize in close-range areas, and medium-range areas, where situations don’t have to turn sour.

For the 1.0 release of Ready or Not, the SPC9 is a decent SMG that can handle most situations in smaller maps, and even hold its own in larger ones. Where the SPC9 really shines is the high fire rate, meaning players will be able to fire in quick succession, unloading on many enemies without having to lose their heads.

3 GA416

Reliable Assault Rifle

The GA416 has a very comfortable frame that gives players a reliable weapon for their primary slot. The GA416 can handle situations from short to long range with ease, as players will have an efficient assault rifle in their hands. This durable weapon will reward players old and new, as the recoil is controllable, and the use of attachments means that players will have more freedom of just how they use the GA416. This rifle and its alternate firing modes mean players have more of a handicap when it comes to firing accurately.

2 SA-58

One-Tapping Assault Rifle

If players want to head into a fight where their only objective is to lay waste to criminals, then the SA-58 gets the job done, and more. This is one of the best Ready or Not weapons for a reason, and its hard-hitting bullets can easily one-tap enemies, and make short work of those that are protecting themselves with armor. The SA-58 is a powerful gun, and players will not be able to incapacitate enemies due to the power which will have criminals and terrorists bleeding out before they can be arrested for keeping hostages. It's great, but none can survive facing down the barrel.

1 P90

A Close-Rang SMG With Nice Recoil & 50 Rounds

SMGs are often overlooked for their size and ability to deal with long-range fights, but the P90 makes up for it with its recoil, spread, and ammo capacity. The P90 is a marvel, and a classic, and players who wield it into battle will feel more fluid as they walk between corridors, clearing out buildings without worrying about holding a clunky and large weapon that fires slowly. The P90 has a great rate of fire to ensure that enemies that are not intimidated will go down with ease; once they are shot up with a barrage from the P90.