Six Times Rockstar Got Red Dead Redemption 2's Guns Wrong

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a near masterpiece, there's no doubt about that, and it's easily one of my most beloved videogames. The vast world and its incredible cast of characters are unforgettable, and if you can endure the many tens-of-hours of available gameplay it's an experience every gamer should partake in. Red Dead Redemption 2 is often praised for its high attention to detail — it being so precise that it has even been used as a teaching aid at universities! However, it's not impeccable, and if you're into history — specifically your military and small arms history — like me, you'll have noticed some erroneous implementations.

This article will explore six weapon-related mistakes found in Red Dead Redemption 2.

1. The Semi-Automatic Shotgun should not exist.

The Semi-Automatic Shotgun is a powerhouse; it's a devastating weapon, able to obliterate multiple attackers in seconds. However, this shotgun (the Browning Auto-5, our real-world equivalent) was not available until 1902. As the game takes place in 1899 the weapon is clearly an anachronistic addition. It certainly fits in well, not only looking the part but also providing gameplay variety, so I can see why Rockstar chose to include it.

2. Revolvers holding six bullets.

In Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online, Arthur (or your RDO character) will always top off their revolvers to full capacity. This was almost never done in the old West days, and a revolver's available capacity would've only been fully utilised during an actual shootout. Yes, revolvers had their cylinders cut to hold six rounds, but, due to the absence of any safety features it was incredibly dangerous to carry the sidearm fully loaded. Those in the know would have only loaded their revolvers to their penultimate capacities and then rested the firing mechanism on the remaining empty slot. This was to save them accidentally blowing their foot off while the gun was holstered.

3. The Cattleman Revolver is far too weak.

Now I know much of this issue is related to gameplay balancing, and I completely understand that fun must always take precedence over reality. Rockstar did manage to convey the true popularity of the Cattleman (Colt 1873 Single Action Army "Peacemaker") as it is featured heavily throughout the game — something very true to life — but they didn't communicate why it was so popular. This gun was a real workhorse: being sturdy, dependable, and most importantly very powerful. In fact, realistically speaking, it should be the most powerful handgun available to Arthur, but it's actually one of the weakest.

4. The addition of cap and ball revolvers.

Sometime after release, both Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online had two "cap and ball" revolvers added: the LeMat and Navy. Realistically, absolutely no one would be using these weapons in 1899; their technology was massively outdated and better options for protection were more accessible. The two guns, the LeMat (1850's Confederate LeMat) and the Navy (Colt 1851 Navy Model) revolvers, should have instead been offered as "cartridge converts" in order to keep them relevant in the 1890s and make them a more realistic option in the game. In reality, the LeMat even had a much later, dedicated cartridge firing version produced — this technically would've been a far better option altogether.

5. The Carcano sniper rifle also should not exist.

A favourite of Online snipers, the Carcano is an odd addition to the game; this is mainly due to the fact it's the 1938 model of the rifle. The game really should feature the original 1891 Carcano, but for whatever reason it does not — this is a mistake shared with the first Red Dead Redemption. Why Rockstar opted to incorporate a rifle that would not materialise for another 30 years, rather than using its original counterpart that already existed, I do not know. For the average player it's not an issue at all, but for nerds like me there are far too many tell-tale signs that it doesn't belong in the time period.

6. The American Army uses the wrong guns.

The Army are encountered a few times during the campaign, and luckily for Arthur they've been outfitted with the wrong equipment by Rockstar. Many of them carry Lancaster Repeaters (Winchester 1866 "Yellowboy"), however, this was not a firearm the military ever utilised. They should be using the Bolt Action Rifle (1892 .30-40 Krag–Jørgensen) and Double Action Revolvers (1892 Colt New Army and Navy), or even the Springfield Rifle (1888 Trapdoor Springfield), all of these being weapons that already exist in the game — that's what makes this particularly odd. Much like the Cattleman situation, balance prevails; I suppose if every enemy had rifle-level firepower Arthur would have a rough time.

This brings us to the end of the article, and I do hope you learned something today. Frankly, there are loads more minor errors—such as the Mauser Pistol having the wrong grip sides, the Springfield Rifle being the wrong size, the Semi Automatic Pistol having the wrong shape, and so on — but all that's for another article on a far more specialised website.

Know of any other interesting Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Online, or even Red Dead Redemption weapon facts? Put them in the comments below.