Summary
TheResident Evil 4remake includes 22 primary weapons. Of these, only a few are worth the player’s time, effort, and money because the game is designed so that players can easily beat it using just the starter weapon pack—provided they upgrade the default pistol. So, the question is, which additional weapons are worth it?
This list aims to highlight the most worthwhile weapons in theResident Evil 4 remake. It covers most weapon categories, including melee, handguns, shotguns, SMGs, rifles, assault rifles, and bonus weapons. The ranking evaluates not only performance within each category but also the overall effectiveness compared to weapons across all categories. Below is an explanation of the criteria used for ranking.
Updated on Jul 01, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery: The remake of Resident Evil 4 has become a classic in the genre, with thousands of players still enjoying it after two years. Nonetheless, the debate over the game’s best weapons continues to be a recurring topic, with each new wave of players reigniting the discussion. Keeping this in mind, the following list has been assessed and updated to better highlight the advantages of top-tier weapons and provide more insight into their performances.
Handcannon & The Infinite Rocket Launcher
RE4 Remake Weapon Tier List Criteria
The rankings consider the cost of each weapon, its effectiveness, and its impact on gameplay. Higher-ranked weapons justify their price, deliver deadly power, and enhance the overall gaming experience.
1.2 (indestructible at max level)
Upgrade Cost
260,000
ThePrimal Knifeis an end-game collectible introduced in the remake. Players get their hands on this blade after destroying16 well-hidden clockwork castellans(one in each chapter). However, what makes this weapon unique is its Exclusive Perk:The Indestructibility.
After maxing out the Primal Knife’s stats, players can pay an extra 10,000 pesetas to the Merchant to unlock its hidden potential. After this one last upgrade, their blade will never break again, giving them unlimitedparries and stealth kills.
In terms of Power, the Fighting Knife is the best melee choice. Krauser’s blade can inflict up to 3.6 DMG per hit, whereas the Primal Knife maxes out at 1.2. However, players can stab an enemy with the latter as many times as they want, yielding an overall higher damage rate.
2 (with 5x Critical Rate at max level)
304,000
Quick Review: When combined with the Laser Sight, SG-09 R creates the closest gunplay experience to the originalResident Evil 4. It is also one of the most affordable handguns to fully upgrade, as it’s a free starter gun. SG-09 R’s only drawback is its average firepower, which can be offset by its exclusive perk that increases the critical rate by five times.
It’s impossible to make a list of thebestRE4weaponswithout including the iconicSilver Ghost. According to the game’s lore, Leon acquired this custom pistol from Joseph Kendo, the famous firearm designer. The MUP-inspired handgun proves effective against all enemy types, maxing out at 2.00 Power on top of a 5x Critical Hit Chance, which guarantees satisfying zombie head explosions.
In theResident Evil 4remake, the SG-09 R fails to outperform most late-game pistols in terms of firepower. However, if players are looking for the best weapon sound effects and a realistic shooting experience, the Silver Ghost is a must-have.
Players should purchasethe Laser Sightfor the SG-09 R as soon as possible for refined shooting, reviving the original game’s nostalgic aiming system.
1.2 (with 5x Penetration at max level)
353,000
Quick Review: No other gun is as effective as a Biosensor-equipped LE5 against the annoying Regeneradors. It is accurate, acute, and rapid, giving the player a chance to counter highly mobile enemies. As for the downside, LE5’s low firepower prolongs the TTK (time to kill), making this SMG weak against enemy herds.
Submachine guns can be very useful inResident Evil 4,especially when fighting against massive hordes of enemies. Players will face a lot of these as they finish this game, which means that they can truly benefit from this weapon. The best submachine gun inResident Evil 4is theLE 5, and players can find it in a locked freezer in Chapter 13.
The damage of the LE 5 is not too high, but its fast rate of fire and ammo capacity make up for its lack of power. However, its best facet is its perk. The LE 5 has a penetration power that allows its bullets to pierce through enemies. Couple this with its rate of fire, and the LE 5 is a reliable weapon to use against multiple threats throughout theResident Evil 4remake.
5.1 (with the Exclusive Perk)
430,000
Quick Review: If it wasn’t for its high recoil, CQBR could easily rival for the top spot among theRE4remake’s ARs. When the enemy is at long range, this automatic assault rifle can inflict immense damage as it fires up to 32 bullets with a rate of 2.50. Even better, when targeting the enemy’s weak spots, CQBR’s shots deal three times more damage, making the gun a perfect choice in some of the boss fights.
TheCQBR Assault Rifleis a fully automatic weapon. It essentially functions similarly to SMGs, but this particular assault rifle is better because it has higher damage and better precision. However, it is a much bigger weapon; therefore, it occupies more space in the player’s inventory.
The CQBR Assault Rifle also has penetration power, making it the ultimate weapon touse against hordes. If the player has enough ammo, they can wipe out a camp of enemies with ease while using this weapon. Players will find the CQBR Assult Rifle in a lock box in the Library during Chapter 10. Alternatively, they can purchase it from the Merchant starting in Chapter 11.
40.5
514,000
Quick Review: Broken Butterfly is among the deadliest magnums in theResident Evil 4remake. It packs a whopping 40.5 damage per shot (at max level), which is enough to one-shot even the strongest foes. However, the tradeoff is the slow fire rate and heavy recoil. Missing a shot with Broken Butterfly can be an unforgivable mistake, especially if it’s against a fast-moving creature.
TheBroken Butterflyis the first magnum players can acquire inResident Evil 4. Aside from the Rocket Launcher, magnums are the most powerful weapons in the game. However, their ammo is also the rarest. The weapon’s caveat is that its accuracy can be somewhat shaky. Given the rarity of magnum ammo, this can make the weapon very risky to use.
That being said, as long as the player can master the weapon’s aim, the Broken Butterfly is an absolute beast. It can be purchased from the Merchant starting in Chapter 7.
4.90
416,000
Quick Review: Stingray is the best option for sharpshooting in theRE4remake. It has an above-average precision rate, and when aimed at the enemies' weak spots, it deals an extra three-fold damage. From Chapter 13 onward, Stingray becomes a valuable weapon in the player’s arsenal because long-range combat becomes more intense.
TheStingrayis a semi-automatic assault rifle. It has an excellent range, which makes it perfect for killing enemies from afar. It becomes significantly more useful once it is fitted with a scope. With it, the gun becomes a sniper’s best friend.
Another strength of the Stingray is that it deals three times more damage to weak points. Its damage value is also decent enough. Both these traits make the weapon effectiveduring boss fights. Players can purchase the Stingray from the Merchant starting Chapter 7.
N/A
Quick Review: Despite its hefty price tag, the Rocket Launcher is one of the best weapons in theResident Evil 4remake simply because it can function as a skip button for boss fights. The player can eliminate the most daunting monsters with just one shot of this weapon, although it has a one-time-use limitation.
TheRocket Launcheris a ridiculously powerful weapon. Rockets fired from this weapon can one-shot almostevery single enemyin the game. However, the weapon is very expensive, and it can be deadly to the user as well. When fired from a close distance, the explosion can also damage the player.
Just like in the original, the Merchant in the remake also offers an Infinite Rocket Launcher. Players can purchase this from him during New Game+ for a whopping 2,000,000 Pesetas. It’s ungodly expensive, but nothing inthis horror gamewill ever stand in Leon’s way with this enormously overpowered weapon.
36
540,000
Quick Review: The Handcannon is a beast-killing pistol that’s worth every Peseta the player invests in its upgrades. At max level, the Handcannon deals a whopping 36 damage with high penetration. However, what makes this magnum one of the best weapons in theRE4remake is its exclusive perk that grants unlimited ammo—allowing players to tackle challenges and hunt for achievements more easily.
Reminiscent of the Elephant Killer fromResident Evil 5, theHandcannonis the strongest magnum in theRE4 remake,but what keeps it among the top-tier guns is its Exclusive Perk. When fully upgraded, the Handcannon gets anUnlimited Ammo perk, becoming a never-ending powerhouse — one that one-shots all formidable enemies.
The only two downsides of the Handcannon are its high upgrade price and low fire rate. Players must pay 540,000 Pesetas to maximize its stats. However, even after the buff, the pistol will retain its below-average accuracy.
19.2 (with the Exclusive Perk)
400,000
Quick Review: The Riot Gun helps Leon keep the enemy herds away. The gun’s pushback effect is perfect for controlling the attacking crowd, creating enough space to reposition, heal, or simply escape. The Riot Gun is also quite effective in one-on-one combat, thanks to its above-average firepower and fire rate.
TheRiot Gunis a powerful piece of weaponry.It is a shotgun, after all, and shotguns are very reliable inResident Evil 4. This semi-automatic shotgun has high damage, reduced recoil, and a decent rate of fire. It is a perfect weapon to use against bosses and mini-bosses due to its power and speed.
The gun is good against mobs, too, but that would be a waste of ammo. It’s best to reserve this weapon for tougher encounters. Players can acquire the Riot Gun from the Merchant. It becomes available for sale during and after Chapter 6, and it costs 28,000 Ptas, which isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every buck.
4.0 (with the exclusive perk)
384,000
Quick Review: Not only is the Red9 a top-tier pistol, but it is also the best weapon in theResident Evil 4remake. It has everything a top-notch gun should have: Firepower, accuracy, penetration, capacity, and accessibility. The Red9 packs 4.0 damage at max level and fires bullets that can easily mutilate the enemy. Also, thanks to its stock, the Red9 has a manageable recoil and kick, which increases its overall precision rate.
Inspired by the Mauser C96 (a real-life German pistol), theRed9is thebest handgun inResident Evil 4remake. It is fast, fierce, and forceful, dropping Ganados like flies. However, the main reason the Red9 outperforms all other weapons is its accessibility and power. Players can find this unmatched pistol in a chest for free, and after a few upgrades, it becomes a beast-killing firearm with a massive 4.05 firepower.
From the moment players get their hands on the Red9, they can remove all other pistols from the inventory. This semi-automatic weapon, with its stylish integral box magazine, can help Leon easily clear all stages in the game. The Red9 holds a special place in the hearts ofRE4fans, as it is Luis' weapon of choice. With the remakedelvingdeeper into Luis' fateand his short-lived friendship with Leon, his favorite pistol becomes even more special.
