[Top 5] Escape From Tarkov Best Pistols

Updated:

23 Jan 2020

Do not underestimate the power of the pistol, it only takes one well-placed shot to take down any opponent. With the right ammo, there is a one-in-three chance it could penetrate on the first shot with any armor rated class three.

When you hear that dreaded click from an empty mag, having a sidearm could be the difference between heading back to your hideout with fresh loot or lying on the ground as scavenger bait. You must know the tools you utilize to take advantage of the strengths your secondary could have. These are the five I would rely on to save me in tight situations.

5. Beretta M9A3

The M9 Beretta has been in service since 1985 and it is trusted by military and police throughout the world. The M9A3 is the latest version of the M9 Beretta series that was released in 2015 to better accommodate the user’s needs. With new production materials, it is much cheaper to manufacture while still maintaining reliability.

In Escape From Tarkov, this pistol is the cheapest 9x19mm pistol in the game. But just because it is the cheapest, does not mean it should be underestimated. This pistol comes with a threaded barrel that can conveniently attach 9mm suppressors and has a 3-slot Picatinny rail for your laser/lighting needs.

It can be bought through Peacekeeper Level I.

Beretta M9A3 details:

Ergonomics - 70
Vertical Recoil - 515
Horizontal Recoil - 280
Muzzle Velocity - 457 m/s
Rate of Fire - 30rpm
Fire Mode - Single

Magazine:

Standard 17-Round Magazine

Best ammunition details:

Penetration: 9x19mm AP 6.3 (25 Pen / 52 Dam)
Damage: 9x19mm RIP (2 Pen / 102 Dam)

All details above are the base stats when it is completely stripped.

4. P226R

The P226 is another 9mm pistol that many nations trust to arm their military and police personnel. Even the United States Navy has made the P226 Navy variant as their standard pistol for their SEAL teams starting in the 1980s.

This pistol has a large range of modifications that can change the performance to whatever the user desires. It can be built for recoil reduction or more ergonomic friendly, or even a balance of the two. While it does not come with a threaded barrel when it’s fresh out of the box, one can be added to accommodate a 9mm suppressor.

It can be traded through Peacekeeper Level I for four A-2607 knives, sold through Peacekeeper Level II and sold through Mechanic Level II.

P226R details:

Ergonomics - 80
Vertical Recoil - 490
Horizontal Recoil - 305
Muzzle Velocity - 457 m/s
Rate of Fire - 30rpm
Fire Mode - Single

Magazine:

Standard 15-Round Magazine
Extended 20-Round Magazine

Best ammunition details:

Penetration: 9x19mm AP 6.3 (25 Pen / 52 Dam)
Damage: 9x19mm RIP (2 Pen / 102 Dam)

All details above are the base stats when it is completely stripped.

3. FN Five-seveN

NATO was looking for a new cartridge and two weapons chambered in it to the One being shoulder-fired and the other being a handheld firearm. FN Herstal introduced the 5.7x28mm ammunition and produced the P90 which chambered that round in the early 90s. Later that decade the FN Five-seveN was produced and has been in service since the start of the new millennium.

There are two variants in Escape From Tarkov, one being FDE and the other being the original black. Modifications are limited but the barrel can be interchangeable with a threaded barrel and accept a special suppressor designed for that caliber. What makes this pistol a contender is its ability to punch through armor and reliability taking down hostile targets.

It can be bought through Peacekeeper Level III, and the FDE version can be traded through Peacekeeper Level III for one GP coin.

FN Five-seveN details:

Ergonomics - 86
Vertical Recoil - 330
Horizontal Recoil - 240
Muzzle Velocity - 716 m/s
Rate of Fire - 30rpm
Fire Mode - Single

Magazine:

Standard 20-Round Magazine

Best ammunition details:

Penetration: 5.7x28mm SB193 (35 Pen / 54 Dam)
Damage: 5.7x28mm R37.F (8 Pen / 98 Dam)

All details above are the base stats when it is completely stripped.

2. Glock 18C

The Glock 18C is apart of the Glock family and is the selective-fire variant of the Glock 17. This machine pistol was originally produced in the mid-80s at the request of EKO Cobra. This pistol can be fitted with a detachable shoulder stock both in the real world and in-game for better control when firing fully automatic.

This machine pistol is the most expensive in the game, but for good reason. With the ability to add a 50-round drum magazine and bonus of a GLR-17 stock, this firearm is a force to be reckoned with. On top of all that, the rate of fire is incredibly high, it can shred anything you throw at it.

It can be bought through Mechanic Level III.

Glock 18C details:

Ergonomics - 90
Vertical Recoil - 360
Horizontal Recoil - 286
Muzzle Velocity - 457 m/s
Rate of Fire - 1200rpm
Fire Mode - Single / Auto

Magazine:

Standard 17-Round Magazine
Magpul Pmag 21-Round Magazine
"Big Stick" 33-Round Magazine
SGMT 50-Round Drum Magazine

Best ammunition details:

Penetration: 9x19mm AP 6.3 (25 Pen / 52 Dam)
Damage: 9x19mm RIP (2 Pen / 102 Dam)

All details above are the base stats when it is completely stripped.

1. Silenced Stechkin Automatic Pistol (APB)

The APS is the grandfather on this list as it was in service decades before the rest were being designed. The Soviet Union needed a new self-defense weapon for tank crews, aircraft personnel, and other servicemen that were not in the front lines, the APS filled that need. It later was phased out for the AKS-74U but it found a new home with the Spetsnaz and the FSB. The APB machine pistol is the more optimized version of the APS for silent operations.

In Escape From Tarkov, this machine pistol is well-rounded for accessibility, price, and ability to be effective in close-quarters engagements. It might be limited to modifications and magazines, it doesn’t change the fact that this pistol is incredibly good for what it is designed for. Additionally, the APB comes with a suppressor, further reducing the cost to run in a raid.

APS can be traded through Prapor Level I for one bag of screws and one pile of bolts. It can also be bought through Prapor Level II, and the suppressed variant can be bought through Prapor Level III.

APB details: