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How this pistol ranking works
The order below is a practical framework, not a developer ranking. It weighs the combat role suggested by each weapon’s identity, potential fit for stealth or loud play, and the sort of build investment a player may want to make. Reliable current comparisons of weapon stats, post-update behavior, and acquisition routes are not established here, so the placements should be read as recommendations to investigate, not a definitive present-day power ranking.
The list covers pistols, not revolvers. A catalog snippet says pistols share handgun ammunition with revolvers and submachine guns, but shared ammunition does not make those weapons the same category. Cyberpunk Wiki’s weapon catalog and pistol category are secondary references; their pages were not fully verified for this ranking.
The 10 best pistols to consider
1. Pride
Pride is a strong candidate for players who want a high-profile iconic pistol to build around. Its reputation puts it on any serious shortlist, but current comparative damage, exact behavior, and the timing of its acquisition are not verified here. Treat it as a late-game or route-dependent target until you confirm its availability in your playthrough.
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2. Her Majesty
Her Majesty is the stealth-oriented contender in this group. It is a natural pick to investigate if your approach depends on quiet, deliberate shots rather than sustained fire. Its precise post-update performance and acquisition conditions are not established here, so do not assume it is automatically best for every stealth build.
3. Lizzie
Lizzie earns a place for players drawn to a distinctive pistol that can reward a more specialized firing style. It is worth considering for a build that favors aggressive, close-range encounters, but the evidence available does not support a current damage ranking or a claim that it outperforms other pistols in that role.
4. Skippy
Skippy is a recognizable choice for players who value a pistol with an unusual identity over a conventional sidearm. Its appeal is as much about its distinctive character as raw efficiency; whether that suits your combat habits matters more than an unsupported claim of universal superiority.
Rank #2
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5. Kongou
Kongou is a contender for players seeking an iconic pistol for direct combat. Consider it when you want a named weapon to anchor a handgun-focused loadout, but verify its present behavior and when it becomes obtainable before planning a build around it.
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La Chingona Dorada is a worthwhile iconic option for players who want a pistol with a strong identity and are willing to pursue its particular acquisition route. Current accessibility and comparative performance are not verified here, so it may be a better collection or role-play pick than an early-game recommendation for some players.
7. Apparition
Apparition belongs on the list for players interested in a pistol tied to a more specialized style of play. Its value depends on whether its conditions and behavior fit your build; detailed requirements and current post-update mechanics are not established in the available evidence.
Rank #3
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8. Death and Taxes
Death and Taxes is a notable named pistol and a candidate for players willing to follow a specific quest or acquisition path. A secondary search result references an earlier acquisition plan, but that is not enough to verify a current route. Check a current item guide before deciding when or whether to pursue it.
9. Genjiroh
Genjiroh rounds out the list as an iconic pistol worth comparing against the more familiar picks. It may suit players looking for a distinct weapon rather than a generic sidearm, but no reliable current stat comparison or confirmed acquisition guidance is established here.
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Johnny’s Malorian is an obvious choice for players who prize character and presentation alongside combat utility. It is a strong thematic pick, though that alone does not prove it is the most effective pistol for a particular build or difficulty.
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Which pistol should you choose?
Start with your playstyle, then check the weapon’s current item description and acquisition route in your version of the game. A stealth player should investigate Her Majesty first; a player drawn to an iconic, direct-combat sidearm can compare Pride, Kongou, or Johnny’s Malorian; and a player who values an unusual weapon identity may prefer Skippy. These are role-based starting points, not verified claims that one weapon wins on damage.
- For stealth: investigate Her Majesty and confirm its current behavior before committing.
- For an iconic centerpiece: compare Pride, Kongou, and Johnny’s Malorian by availability and handling in your own build.
- For an unusual option: look into Skippy, Lizzie, Apparition, or Death and Taxes, checking any special conditions first.
- For an easier pickup: do not assume a weapon is available early just because it appears on a general best-of list; verify its quest or progression requirements.
What the latest verified update context can—and cannot—tell you
CD Projekt RED’s official Update 2.3 Patch Notes, dated July 16, 2025, describe new vehicles, AutoDrive and self-driving Delamain cabs, Photo Mode, accessibility, gameplay fixes, and platform updates. The material reviewed does not identify a pistol-specific balance change. That is not proof that no later patch changed weapons: the latest game version after Update 2.3 and any subsequent pistol balance changes have not been verified here.
A December 1, 2023 creator ranking helped surface several candidates, but it predates the Update 2.3 notes and cannot establish a current order. That ranking is best treated as historical candidate discovery rather than a present-day authority. A separate guide result describes a Patch 2.31 Phantom Liberty iconic-weapon catalog, but it is not a validated pistol ranking. Its scope is Phantom Liberty iconic weapons, which is a different question from which pistols are best overall.
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Quick Recap
How to make the ranking useful in your playthrough
- Decide whether your build is stealth-first or combat-first. The best handgun for quiet takedowns may not be the one you prefer when fights become loud.
- Confirm the weapon’s category and current item details. Pistols and revolvers can share ammunition, but this list excludes revolvers.
- Check the acquisition route before planning around a weapon. Some named contenders may depend on quests or progression; current routes are not confirmed here.
- Compare the weapon in your own build. Handling, firing behavior, and synergy with your chosen perks matter more than an unverified universal ranking.
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