Instead of just “rushing B” and picking random weapons in Valve’s tactical, team-based first-person shooter, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), we’ll help you find the perfect arsenal to practice with. How will we accomplish this feat? By discussing the most used CS2 weapons, both by pro players and regular gamers.
Join us as we outline every weapon in CS2, along with the best guns and viable alternatives for both the Terrorists (Ts) and Counter-Terrorists (CTs).
What Weapons Are In CS2?
Before we get to the most-used weapons in CS2, let’s take a look at all of the guns. Below, you’ll find a list of all weapons, organized by category and side availability (Ts or CTs), including nicknames for some guns you may not recognize by their real names.
Sniper Rifles in CS2
- AWP (T & CT), also known as “Big Green.”
- SSG 08 (T & CT), also known as “Scout.”
- SCAR-20 (CT) auto sniper rifle
- G3SG1 (T) auto sniper rifle
Rifles in CS2
- AK-47 (T)
- M4A1 (CT)
- M4A1-S (CT) with a silencer
- Galil AR (T)
- FAMAS (CT)
- AUG (CT)
- SG 553 (T), also known as “Krieg.”
Submachine Guns (SMGs) in CS2
- MP7 (T & CT)
- UMP-45 (T & CT)
- P90 (T & CT)
- PP-Bizon (T & CT)
- MAC-10 (T)
- MP9 (CT)
- MP5-SD (T & CT)
Pistols in CS2
- Glock-18 (T)
- USP-S (CT)
- P2000 (CT)
- Tec-9 (T)
- Five-SeveN (CT)
- P250 (T & CT)
- CZ75-Auto (T & CT)
- Dual Berettas (T & CT), also known as “Dualies” or “Elites.”
- R8 Revolver (T & CT)
- Desert Eagle (T & CT), also known as “Deagle.”
Shotguns in CS2
- Nova (T & CT)
- XM1014 (T & CT), also known as “Auto Shotgun.”
- MAG-7 (CT), also known as “Riot.”
- Sawed-Off (T)
Machine Guns (MGs) in CS2
- M249 (T & CT)
- Negev (T & CT), also known as IDF Firestorm
Gamers are spoiled for choice in CS2—there are 34 guns available via the in-game buy menu. These weapons are available on all CS2 maps, too.
Note: We did not count the Zeus x27 stun gun, a special equipment weapon. It is, however, available on both the CT and T sides in all game modes, from Deathmatch to CS Premier.
Any New Guns In CS2?
You’ll notice that Counter-Strike 2 has the same weapons as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). At the time of writing (late November 2025), there’s no indication that Valve will add new guns to CS2 soon. The developer could take years to add a brand-new gun or a different weapon type, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated whenever that happens.
Most Used CS2 Weapons in Current Meta
Some weapons have been widely preferred by professional Counter-Strike players since CS 1.6. Unsurprisingly, the most popular guns in CS2 remain the same.
You’ll find the most-used CS2 guns for both the Ts and CTs in the current meta below, viable mid-tier alternatives, the best sniper rifle, and the best pistols.
Most Used CS2 Weapon For Ts
The latest statistics show that the AK-47 remains the most-used weapon for the T side.
If you are looking for something different, try the Galil AR and SG 553. While these weapons are less effective than the AK-47, they can still cause significant damage to CTs and are worth practicing with.
Most Used CS2 Weapon For CTs
By far, the most-used guns in a full buy for the CTs are the M4A1-S and M4A1.
Solid alternative rifles for the CT side include the AUG and the FAMAS. We recommend practicing with both these weapons in case you pick one up, purchase one by accident, or don’t have enough money for the M4A1-S.
Best CS2 Sniper Rifle
If you’ve watched any top-tier CS2 esports action, for example, the Thunderpick World Cup, you’ll know that the AWP is the best sniper rifle in CS2. The “Big Green” can be heard across a map and is the embodiment of “one bullet, one kill,” unless you hit an enemy in the toes or possibly through a wall.
The AWP remains the most-used and best sniper rifle in all of CS2, and there’s no indication of this fact changing in the foreseeable future.
Viable Mid-Tier CS2 Weapons
The mid-tier weapons in CS2’s current meta provide great alternatives for players who want to shake things up and test something new or save some cash between rounds. For example, the Galil only costs Terrorists $1,800, and the AK-47 sets you back $2,700.
- MAC-10 (SMG)
- MP9 (SMG)
- P90 (SMG)
- Galil AR (Rifle)
- SG 553 (AR)
- FAMAS (Rifle)
- AUG (AR)
- XM1014 (Shotgun)
It is essential to continually experiment with different weapons in CS2, rather than sticking to the meta picks. Choose the guns with the recoil patterns you feel most comfortable with and practice, practice, practice. All weapons in CS2 can kill your enemies quickly with the correct gameplay style and execution.
We also recommend keeping track of each weapon’s price. The mid-tier alternatives to the best CS2 weapons are generally cheaper, so consider using them if you die often.
Remember, you may not always have the in-game cash to buy the best weapons in every round of CS2. Ask a teammate to drop one for you if they are flushed with cash.
What’s The Best CS2 Starting Pistol?
The CT side has access to the USP-S (with a silencer) and the P2000, while the T side has the Glock-18 as their starting pistol. The best starter pistol in CS2 is a matter of personal preference, and they perform better in different circumstances.
- The Glock-18 is best at close range.
- A bigger ammo count on the P2000 makes it perfect for drawn-out firefights.
- The USP-S is excellent at medium range and shooting while moving.
You’ll often see the Terrorist side swap their Glock for a USP-S if dropped by an enemy player. If we had to choose one starting pistol as the best option, the USP-S narrowly comes out on top for specific maps such as Mirage and Inferno.
Most Used CS2 Pistols
While the starting pistols can do the job just fine, when you get to high-value buy rounds, the situation changes.
The most widely used CS2 pistol, which isn’t a starter, is the Desert Eagle. It’s the go-to pistol that can deal devastating damage during eco rounds, with only a couple of bullets required for a kill. With precise aiming, the Desert Eagle can net you a couple of kills per round, and it’s only $700.
Solid alternatives are the CZ75-Auto and Five-SeveN on the CT side. On the T side, pro players have been using the Dual Berettas (Dualies) more frequently, especially during pistol or eco rounds.
CS2 Weapon FAQs
To cross all the ts and dot the is, we’ve got some frequently asked questions and answers about weapons in CS2 to share.
When Will Valve Release A New CS2 Weapon?
The odds are stacked against Valve releasing any type of new CS2 weapon in the foreseeable future.
Do Weapon Skins Impact Gameplay In Any Way?
No, weapon skins have no impact on gameplay. They’re all purely cosmetic. However, some players may feel more confident when using some of the best CS2 skins.
What’s The Worst Pistol In CS2?
While everyone has their preferences, the worst pistol (and the one most players avoid) is the R8 Revolver.
What’s The Worst Primary Gun In CS2?
Our pick for the worst primary gun in all of CS2 is the M249 machine gun. It feels absolutely useless given its $5,200 price tag. Pick up a Negev for $1,700 instead!
What’s The Best CS2 Loadout To Use?
Check out our guide to the best CS2 loadouts for both the CT and T sides.
The Future Of CS2’s Meta & Balance Changes
Valve rarely makes significant balance changes to Counter-Strike weapons. Since the game’s full launch on Sept. 27, 2023, Valve has only made a few changes that might seem minor to most gamers. For example, a change in October 2025 affected all sniper rifles, preventing scoping during C4 defusing. While this change might have seemed minor, it did impact the effectiveness of plays using the AWP in a post-plant situation on the CT side.
Despite some changes to weapons over the years, the CS2 gun meta hasn’t seen any significant shifts. The AK-47 and M4A1-S remain the most popular rifles, and it’s difficult to imagine a world where the AWP isn’t the best sniper, and the Desert Eagle isn’t the best pistol.
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