Best Pistols in Fortnite

The pistol class of weapons in Fortnite Battle Royale are the jack of all trades amongst Fortnite Weapons. If I had to get a dub with just one weapon in my inventory I would pick a pistol. They can compete with shotguns like the Heavy Shotgun or Pump Shotgun at close range. Pistols are also viable against submachine guns and Suppressed Assault Rifles at mid range battles. I’ve even had success snagging some long range elims with pistols against snipers like the Heavy Sniper Rifle. There is no better all around weapon class than the pistols.

Pistol

The classic Pistol was amongst the first weapons added in Fortnite Battle Royale. Being such a classic weapon it’s impressive the Pistol still holds up as the best of the pistol class in Fortnite.

The Pistol packs a consistent high damage at long ranges that would make the Bolt Action Sniper Rifle jealous.

• Damage Per Second - 195.7
• Damage - 29
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 6.75
• Magazine Size - 16
• Reload Time - 1.26s

The damage per second of the Legendary Pistol puts even the Rocket Launcher to shame. Even lower rarities like the Epic Pistol or even Uncommon Pistol will eliminate Fortnite players in just a handful of shots.

Primal Pistol

The Primal Pistol is the only burst firing pistol in Fortnite Battle Royale. Another unique feature is the Primal Pistol fires Medium Bullets instead of the traditional Mini Bullets that most pistols fire.

Unfortunately, the Primal Pistol has a similar problem to the Six Shooter, too small of a clip. This means you’ll have to manage an almost 2 second reload in battle, or swap to a Pump Shotgun.

• Damage Per Second - 103.8
• Damage - 42
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 2.47
• Magazine Size - 8
• Reload Time - 1.8s

The Primal Pistol can be a viable weapon if paired with a decent swap weapon like the Pump Shotgun or Suppressed Assault Rifle. Otherwise, you should stick to the other pistols from this list.

Six Shooter

The Six Shooter is an accuracy dependent weapon in Fortnite Battle Royale. The Epic Six Shooter can deal an insane damage per second, but because of a six shot clip the Six Shooter will often leave you as an eliminated player.

The Six Shooter has a different rate of fire when hip firing and aiming down sights. The fire rate displayed here is for hip firing the Six Shooter.

• Damage Per Second - 190
• Damage - 38
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 5
• Magazine Size - 6
• Reload Time - 2.2s

If you’re good at aiming for heads you should consider snagging the Exotic Marksman Six Shooter.

This Exotic variation has almost identical stats except for a 4x headshot multiplier, with a multiplier like that it’s pretty much a sniper rifle. As a bonus you can purchase the Marksman Six Shooter in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1.

Revolver

The Revolver acts similarly to the Hand Cannon, but in my opinion has a cooler aesthetic. The modern Revolver look gives the Revolver the crown for best weapon design in Fortnite Battle Royale.

However, looks aren’t everything. When we dig into the stats we’ll see that the Revolver falls short to the Hand Cannon statistically.

• Damage Per Second - 99
• Damage - 66
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 1.5
• Magazine Size - 6
• Reload Time - 1.8s

The Revolver can’t deal 150+ damage with a headshot like the Hand Cannon. When you’re using a slow firing pistol like these a one shot elim on players is a vital part of the equation for the best weapon formula.

Hand Cannon

The Hand Cannon is among the most fun Fortnite weapons for players to use in Epic Games’ Fortnite Battle Royale. Hand Cannon’s fire one fast high powered shot to eliminate opposing players.

Where the Hand Cannon lacks is versatility. This is a tough Fortnite weapon to use in close range. Comparing the Hand Cannon to the versatility of other pistols displays this is not the best weapon.

• Damage Per Second - 62.4
• Damage - 78
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 0.8
• Magazine Size - 7
• Reload Time - 1.98s

The Hand Cannon has not made an appearance in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1 yet. If it does it will be interesting to see how it competes with the Bolt Action Sniper and MK Seven Assault Rifle for the best long range weapon in Fortnite Chapter 3 Fortnite Season 1.

Dual Pistols

The Dual Pistols are an exceptionally powerful weapon in Fortnite Battle Royale. The Dual Pistols output high damage at close range, but a lack of ADS will have you struggling at mid range against the Suppressed Assault Rifle.

Dual Pistols are best used against submachine guns or the Tactical Shotgun.

• Damage Per Second - 170.28
• Damage - 43
• Headshot Multiplier - 1.65x
• Fire Rate - 3.96
• Magazine Size - 18
• Reload Time - 2.7s

In close range battles the Dual Pistols are a top tier spray weapon, and will beat out other spray submachine guns, or spray shotguns like the Tactical Shotgun.

Suppressed Pistol

The Suppressed Pistol is another semi automatic fast shooting pistol like the previous examples in this list. The Suppressed Pistol is a solid weapon in Battle Royale, and I would even prefer it to a Suppressed Assault Rifle.

Unfortunately, when we dig into the stats it does not compare to the classic Rare Pistol or Combat Pistol. There is no legendary variation of the Suppressed Pistol so these stats are from the Epic Suppressed Pistol.

• Damage Per Second - 175.5
• Damage - 26
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 6.75
• Magazine Size - 12
• Reload Time - 1.3s

The Suppressed Pistol is a solid weapon with the potential to beat out a Pump Shotgun at close range, and a Bolt Action Sniper Rifle at long range. If you’re after an Exotic variation of the Suppressed Pistol check out the Shadow Tracker.

The Shadow Tracker has a higher damage and larger clip than the Suppressed Pistol. On top of the damage buff, when you land a hit on opposing players their location will be tracked by a red diamond for a short period

Combat Pistol

The Combat Pistol is nearly identical to the classic Pistol. This is an all around powerful weapon that can carry you to a Victory Royale in Fortnite Battle Royale.

The Combat Pistol can compete with the Pump Shotgun up close, the Suppressed Assault Rifle at mid range, and even out spray a submachine gun like the rapid fire SMG.

• Damage Per Second - 195.75
• Damage - 29
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 6.75
• Magazine Size - 15
• Reload Time - 1.26s

The Combat Pistol, Sidearm Pistol, and classic Legendary Pistol are all solid choices to add to your inventory to snag a Victory Royale from opposing players.

Sidearm Pistol

The Sidearm Pistol is the Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1 variation of the classic Legendary Pistol. While it’s not quite as powerful as the classic Rare Pistol, the Sidearm Pistol is the most viable all around weapon in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1.

These two pistols are nearly identical in stats.

• Damage Per Second - 209.25
• Damage - 31
• Headshot Multiplier - 2x
• Fire Rate - 6.75
• Magazine Size - 15
• Reload Time - 1.26s

The reason the Sidearm Pistol ranks slightly lower is because it has one less shot in the clip. You’ll be surprised how often one more shot can be the difference between eliminating Fortnite players or being eliminated yourself.

Before capping off this article I want to add a note to the best pistol in Fortnite. The classic Pistol is the best weapon of the pistol category. However, the Sidearm Pistol and Combat Pistol are both viable substitutes, so don’t be afraid to pick up the Sidearm Pistol in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1. Now that you know what the best rare pistols to carry in your inventory are, I'm sure you’ll be on a path to some pistol-only Victory Royales. If you need a baller skin to pair with your pistol only inventory check out The Best 50 Skins For You To Stand Out In Fortnite.