Battlefield 6’s Strongest Sidearm is Perfect For Everyone — But Me

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Out of the 45 weapons available when Battlefield 6 launched, only four are pistols, which doesn’t give players many options for their backup weapon slot. The starting pistol, the P18, is pretty standard – you’d only use it if you run out of ammo with your main weapon or find yourself in a very close-quarters fight. The ES 5.7 has a faster firing rate but does less damage, so it’s similar in usefulness. The best pistols are unlocked later: the M45A1 (level 39) and the M44 revolver (level 48). The revolver is definitely the better of the two, but I personally prefer using the M45A1 instead.

Although the M44 is arguably the most practical weapon for quick, reliable kills in combat, I have a strong personal preference for the M45A1. The M45A1 is an updated version of the classic Colt M1911, a gun that’s appeared in many video games. My fondness for the M1911 started with *Call of Duty: World at War*, where it was the initial weapon in *CoD* Zombies. It remained the starting weapon for several *Black Ops* games as well. Given how much time I’ve spent playing Treyarch’s Zombies mode—around 100 days total, plus all the related content I’ve enjoyed—that alone would explain my attachment. But my connection to the gun goes even deeper than that.

I used to spend a lot of time on Battlelog, the website for *Battlefield 3*, checking my player stats. I especially remember tracking my M1911 kills – I think I had over 10,000! I was either the top player, or definitely in the top five, when it came to eliminating enemies with that pistol, because I used it constantly. In *Battlefield* games, I prefer sniping, but I always follow the ‘PTFO’ (Play To Fight On) philosophy. That meant I often had to defend M-COM stations or capture flags, which required quick use of my sidearm. That’s how I racked up so many M1911 kills. While most players should switch to the M44 as soon as they unlock it in the newest game, if you appreciate the M1911 like I do, you might want to build a loadout around the M45A1 instead.

Battlefield 6’s M44 Revolver is a True Powerhouse

The M44 revolver wasn’t popular at the start of *Battlefield 6* because it’s unlocked at a high rank—most players are only now reaching level 48. However, players who completed the “Road to Battlefield 6” pass in *BF 2042* received the Western Front weapon package, giving them early access to the M44 with a unique orange camo and some starting attachments. Those players quickly discovered how powerful this revolver is—it does a lot of damage (66 per shot) and fires surprisingly quickly.

This gun doesn’t have many attachment options, but here’s a great setup using what’s available for the M44.

  • Scope: BF-2M 2.50X (10 points)
  • Ammunition: Hollow Point (20 points)
  • Barrel: 5.12” Compact (15 points)
  • Magazine: 6rnd Speedloader (5 points)

How far you want to use the weapon is up to you, but I recommend a longer range because the barrel makes aiming easier when shooting from the hip. This lets you be effective at both close and medium distances. Since headshots don’t always instantly kill, especially against players with full health, using Hollow Point rounds is essential to ensure those one-hit-kill headshots feel reliable.

Battlefield 6’s M45A1 is Second-Best, and For Me That’s Enough

If you’re skilled at headshots or recoil control and prefer taking down enemies with two body shots, the M44 is a great choice. However, if you like the M1911 or simply want a more user-friendly pistol, the M45A1 is better. You can minimize its small magazine size with attachments and improve its accuracy with the right upgrades.

Here’s a way to significantly improve the M45A1, potentially making it a standout weapon in Battlefield 6.

  • Scope: Iron sights (5 points)
  • Ammuntion: Standard (5 points)
  • Magazine: 11rnd Magazine (25 points)
  • Barrel: 5” Pencil (20 points)

This setup is designed for players of *Battlefield 6* who prefer aiming down sights (ADS) and utilizes all 60 available attachment points. If you prefer shooting from the hip, consider replacing the barrel with the Green Laser/Light Combo underbarrel attachment.

Although the M44 is probably better for winning direct fights in multiplayer, I actually enjoy the challenge of using the M45A1. It’s still a quick and dependable pistol – especially with the 11-round magazine – and I prefer it because it reminds me of an older version of the gun. I’m willing to accept that it takes a little longer to kill enemies with the M45A1 in *Battlefield 6*.

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2025-10-17 00:26