The Blistering Fast Semi-Auto Pistol Rules RDR2‘s Fire Rate Stats

When it comes to sheer rate of fire, no firearm in Red Dead Redemption 2 can unleash bullets faster than the Semi-Automatic Pistol. Thanks to its high-capacity magazine, swift tactical reload, and rapidly cycling action, this sidearm allows players to hose down targets with hot lead at extreme close ranges.

Vital Stats on the Semi-Auto‘s Lightning Fire Rate

The Semi-Auto Pistol boasts impressive rate-of-fire statistics relative to all other weapons in the game:

Note: *Shotgun fire rates are highly variable depending on reload method. Lever-action reload shotguns have slower fire rates.

In real life terms:

• The in-game Semi-Auto Pistol takes inspiration from historical early 20th century pistols like the Mauser C96 and Luger P08. These fired around 300-400 rounds per minute.
• The Semi-Auto Pistol can likely fire at least double or triple the rate of even RDR2‘s quickest repeating or lever-action rifles and shotguns.
• Expert gunslingers skilled at fanning revolver hammers may approach the Semi-Auto‘s rate, but likely fall short over continuous fire.

So why does this little pistol smoke all other firearms for rate of fire? Let‘s analyze how it accomplishes this.

High Capacity and Lightning Reload Speed

Most revolvers in RDR2 hold just 6 shots, which seriously limits their sustained rates of fire. Even swift reload upgrades on revolvers take longer than the Semi-Auto Pistol‘s tactical reload.

With its 8 round capacity magazine, the Semi-Auto Pistol starts with 33% more shots before needing to reload. And its tactical reload completely replaces the magazine tube faster than even the quickest revolver cylinder swap.

This means more time sending lead downrange and less time reloading. And when dual wielded, the 16 round combined capacity allows frightening sustainability for the fire rate.

Smoothest Cycling Action Outside of Fully-Automatic

While not fully automatic, the blowback operated action of the Semi-Auto Pistol allows the firing, extracting, ejecting, and reloading steps to happen automatically after each shot.

This smooth cycling greatly accelerates the rate bullets can be fired compared to manually operated revolvers. The limiting factor becomes more about the shooter‘s trigger finger rather than the weapon‘s mechanism.

So in skilled gunslinger‘s hands, the Semi-Auto Pistol approaches firing as fast as the shooter can physically pull the trigger. And without severe degradation in accuracy suffered by fanning hammer revolvers at top speeds.

Fire Rate Comes at the Cost of Punch

Of course this astronomical firing pace comes with compromises. The main tradeoff is the Semi-Auto Pistol pumps out rounds with very low damage per shot.

At just 22 damage per bullet, it takes 5 shots just to match a single round from many revolvers or repeaters. This means you‘ll need to land a high volume of shots to drop a target.

The rapid-fire also chews through ammo reserves swiftly. So packing plenty of pistol ammo is a must to keep up the pace during shootouts.

Tactics to Leverage Extreme Fire Rate

While the pitiful per-shot damage limits the Semi-Auto Pistol‘s range, within close quarters its extreme fire rate can overwhelm enemies.

The rapid fire both jars aim and continually damages targets, preventing them from firing back accurately or effectively. Against multiple assailants at medium-short range, you can angle the pistol while fanning shots to stagger the group.

Similarly, the high rate of fire makes it ideal for finishing off wounded targets fleeing from medium range. You can rapidly pump shots into their trailing backs before they can get to cover.

When dual wielded, alternating fire between the left and right Semi-Autos virtually eliminates reloading downtime. While one pistol reloads, keep firing with the other.

Boost Fire Rate Further with Upgrades

While already fastest in base form, the Semi-Auto Pistol‘s rate of fire can be boosted even higher through some gun modifications and Ability Card builds:

• The Short Barrel upgrade shaves precious milliseconds off the reload animation, enabling you to start firing again faster after each reload cycle.
• Gunslinger‘s Choice Ability Card passively increases fire rate the more kills you chain in a short window. At 3+ kills, you‘ll empty Semi-Auto magazines in seconds.
• Winning Streak Ability Card boosts damage and fire rate after each kill. At max 3 kill chain, damage rises enough to offset the pistol‘s pitiful per shot damage.

So in the hands of a skilled gunfighter who can chain kills and headshots, the Semi-Auto Pistol becomes an even more fearsome room-clearing monster at extreme close quarters.

When the bullets start flying fast and frequent, no other firearm in Red Dead Redemption 2 can match the Semi-Automatic Pistol for sheer blistering rate of fire. This little pistol smokes all comers in the rate of fire stat.