What Is the Best Handgun in Resident Evil 7?

In survival horror games, handguns seem to see the least appreciation. I mean, who wouldn't prefer to blow a zombie up with a grenade launcher? However, Resident Evil 7 has several ways of turning your attention to handguns. A handgun may be your only available firearm, or it might be more powerful than others. This guide introduces you to all handguns in Resident Evil 7, ranks them from worst to best, and tells you how to get them!

5. MPM Handgun

The MPM Handgun on the Wrecked Ship

The MPM doesn't get the spotlight for very long, as you don't find it until you play as Mia in the wrecked ship. Once you regain control of Ethan and find an item box, you'd do well to recover your more powerful weapons. But since it's your only available firearm at the beginning of the wrecked ship, it still comes in handy!

MPM Details

• The MPM and the G17 do the least damage out of the handguns.
• It holds 9 bullets total and comes loaded with 2 handgun ammo bullets.
• You begin this segment without a firearm, and the ship is crawling with Molded monsters. After Eveline forces Mia to watch an old tape, you'll be able to make the trek to find the survival knife and machine gun. Until then, the MPM is beneficial against the Molded!

How to Get the MPM Handgun

• The MPM is on the Wrecked Ship 1F in the Maintenance Room.
• Sneak past the creepy 4-legged Molded that's patrolling the hallway near the door.
• You'll see a dead crew member that clearly didn't find the MPM fast enough. His hand is holding onto the drawer handle of the table in front of you. Open the drawer that he's grabbing to find the MPM.
• Madhouse Difficulty: Madhouse doesn't make it quite as easy for you. For the MPM, you'll have to head to the Wrecked Ship 3F. The MPM is on a desk in the Sick Bay.

Video Guide:

Video Guide to the MPM Handgun

4. G17 Handgun

The G17, Our Gift From the Deputy

The G17 is another gun that will make you appreciate even the weakest handgun. Imagine trying to fight the seemingly immortal Jack Baker with only a pocketknife!

G17 Details

• It ties with the MPM for the lowest damage, but it trumps the MPM in some ways.
• It holds 10 bullets. Regular and enhanced handgun ammo occupy separate chambers. This way, both chambers can stay filled with less ammo taking up your inventory slots.
• After Jack knocks you out at the Guest House, he takes away your weapons. When you get the G17, your only other weapon is a pocketknife. Since you immediately enter your first boss fight with Jack, it's a great weapon to have until you obtain another firearm.

How to Get the G17 Handgun

• You'll get this gun when you go to the garage after you meet the Deputy. When you first meet him at the window, he refuses to give you more than a pocketknife.
• In the garage, Jack brutally kills the Deputy. The Deputy's unfortunate circumstance leaves the G17 on the ground next to him.
• All that's left is to pick up the gun and try to avoid following the Deputy to the grave!

Video Guide:

Video Guide to the G17 Handgun

3. M19 Handgun

The M19 in the Guest House

You can find the M19 twice, with the first time being early in the game while you're in the Guest House. Jack removes it from your inventory, and it seems he attempts to break and discard the gun. Luckily, Jack has 2 repair kits lying around so you can make the M19 your survival partner again. Reunited and it feels so good!

M19 Details

• The M19 surpasses the MPM and G17 in damage.
• It holds 7 bullets at full capacity.
• It has a higher critical headshot rate. Keep calm and land some Molded headshots!

How to Get the M19 Handgun

Guest House:

• You can use the M19 in your boss fight with Mia in the Guest House attic.
• After you climb the stairs leading to the attic, look for a door on the right side of the hallway. Enter the room to find the M19, as well as some ammo and a bottle of first aid med.
• When Jack knocks Ethan out for a surprise nap before dinner, he removes the M19 from your inventory. Non-weapon inventory items move to an item box for retrieval, but the M19 and axe from the Guest House won't be there.

Zoe's Trailer:

• After escaping the Main House and reaching the yard, you'll have access to Zoe's trailer. On the bed in her trailer, there's a "Broken Handgun." This is the M19, but it needs a repair kit before use.
• You can find the first repair kit underneath the porch. Look for a piece of sheet metal that covers the crawlspace. Combining the repair kit with the broken handgun in your inventory restores it to a functioning M19.
• The other repair kit requires you to find a Treasure Photo. The photo is in the Master Bedroom Storage Room in the Main House. It shows you a corner of Lucas' Testing Area with a tall cage topped with a severed mannequin head. When you find this spot in the Testing Area, move the mannequin head aside to reveal the repair kit.

Video Guide:

Video Guide to the M19 Handgun

2. 44 MAG

Does MAG Stand for 'Magnificent'?

The 44 MAG isn't too hard to get, but it costs a pretty penny. Well, more like 9 antique coins! If you haven't collected enough antique coins by this point, no worries! You will have the opportunity to find more coins and save up to invest in this high-powered handgun.

44 Mag Details

• Besides the Albert-01 Replica, the 44 MAG is the most powerful handgun. A single headshot can behead Molded monsters!
• It holds 7 bullets in total. While other handguns in the game require regular or enhanced handgun ammo, the 44 MAG has a specific ammo. The 44 MAG ammo is hard to find, but each bullet is worth the trouble. Don't get trigger-happy or you'll run out!
• The recoil takes a toll on the firing rate and aim. Make sure your aim compensates for heavy recoil.

How to Get the 44 MAG

• The 44 MAG is in Zoe's trailer. It's locked inside a birdcage with a coin slot.
• Insert 9 antique coins into the coin slot and the cage will unlock.
• Retrieve the 44 MAG and enjoy blowing away monsters!
• You can go back for the 44 MAG at any point while you have access to the yard and Zoe's trailer. After completing the segment on the wrecked ship, the 44 MAG moves to the Mine Office in the swamp. Since the Salt Mine that you're approaching is rife with Molded, it's a wise investment!

Video Guide:

Video Guide to the 44 MAG

1. Albert-01 Replica

One Handgun to Rule Them All

Ethan encounters the original Albert-01 in the final moments of the game. The Umbrella Corporation engineered this high-powered anti-bioweapon that Ethan uses to kill Eveline. As a reward, a replica of the Albert-01 becomes available to use in a previous save or a new game.

Albert-01 Replica Details

• The Albert-01 Replica is the most powerful handgun in Resident Evil 7.
• It only holds 3 bullets. The limited clip capacity forces you to reload frequently, but stabilizers can combat this issue.
• Unlike the 44 MAG, it doesn't use special ammo. The regular and enhanced handgun ammo you encounter is all you'll need. You can't beat how powerful the Albert-01 Replica is when you load it with enhanced handgun ammo!
• It has a laser sight for improved aiming.

How to Get the Albert-01 Replica

• You receive the Albert-01 Replica as a reward for completing the game on any difficulty.
• To use it, load a previous save or start a new game. The replica is available to grab from any item box.
• Add it to your inventory from the item box.
• Feel free to get trigger-happy since you have an ample supply of ammo!

Video Guide:

Video Guide to the Albert-01 Replica

You may also be interested in:

• Resident Evil 7 Best Handguns
• Resident Evil 7 Best Moments
• Resident Evil 7 All Weapons and How to Get Them
• Resident Evil 7 Best Achievements and How to Get Them
• Resident Evil 7: All DLC - Which Is the Best?
• Top 15 Games Like Resident Evil 7 (Games Better Than RE7 In Their Own Way)