Pistols

• You can carry a single pistol-class weapon in addition to your pair of primary two-handed weapons.
• Pistols tend to be weapons of last resort, used only after all ammunition for other, more powerful weapons is consumed.
• There are only three pistol-class weapons, but the modified Pistol SMG blurs the line between pistol and assault rifle.
• Pistols are the only weapons you can use when you carry a meatshield or Boomshield, so make sure you always have some ammo available.

Snub Pistol

Weapon Stats

The Snub Pistol is part of every COG soldier’s standard issue. Though it lacks power and range, the Snub Pistol has a satisfactory firing rate and you can rely on it in a pinch. The Snub Pistol won’t ever be the first weapon you reach for, but it’s always good to know it’s there in case your other weapons run dry. You can also use the Snub Pistol with a meatshield or Boomshield. The Snub Pistol is semi-automatic, meaning that it fires as fast as you can repeatedly squeeze the trigger.

Damage Statistics

Active Reload increases the damage dealt by 20%.

Field Notes

Long Range: The Snub Pistol isn’t accurate enough to be used at long range. Though you may wound your enemy at this range, the likelihood of inflicting lethal damage is quite small.

Medium Range: This particular pistol is best at medium range, where its rate of fire and accuracy don’t hinder its performance. Click the Right Thumbstick to toggle the weapon’s minor zoom feature to better sight your enemy.

Close Range: The Snub Pistol is adequate at close range when you have the Boomshield or a meatshield. Even then, you should consider pistol-whipping your foe. Resist the urge to zoom in at this range. Instead, simply point the pistol at the enemy’s torso and fire as fast as you can.

Boltok Pistol

Weapon Stats

The Boltok Pistol is nearly three times as powerful as the Snub Pistol, but has a much slower firing rate. This classic revolver packs considerable punch and, with the help of its slight zoom, it can score headshot kills not unlike the Hammerburst. The Boltok Pistol pairs well with meatshields and the Boomshield.

Damage Statistics

Active Reload increases the firing rate, but damage dealt is unchanged.

Field Notes

Long Range: The Boltok Pistol isn’t the ideal long-range weapon—it is a pistol after all. However, it’s better than you might expect. The weapon’s mild zoom feature makes it easier to line up long-distance shots, and its impressive headshot bonus damage allows you to pop enemy noggins from long range. The Boltok can’t replace the Longshot as a sniping weapon, but it gets the job done in a pinch!

Medium Range: The Boltok Pistol is very effective at medium range, provided you can overcome the weapon’s limited firing rate. A single headshot from this range can explode most lesser Locust’s heads, and it should take only one or two body shots to down them, thus giving you a chance to run in and score a meatshield.

Close Range: We don’t recommend using the Boltok at close range unless you’re behind a meatshield or Boomshield. The weapon’s firing rate is simply too slow to fend off a well-equipped enemy at this range. If all else fails, fire a shot at the enemy’s body, and then quickly melee the foe in hopes of downing it. Take the victim hostage as a meatshield.

Gorgon SMG

Weapon Stats

The Gorgon SMG is a modified version of the Locust’s former Gorgon Pistol. The Locust jettisoned the weapon’s famed burst-fire mode, as they did with the Hammerburst. They decided to make it a fully automatic submachine gun. Those who shied away from the Gorgon in previous Gears of War games are encouraged to give this new model a try. The gun packs more punch per bullet than the Lancer, and it has a much faster firing rate. As is so often the case with a fully-automatic handheld weapon, accuracy is an issue.

You encounter the Gorgon SMG wherever a Kantus or Armored Kantus roams. Be extra careful when you appraoch the latter, as they dual-wield the Gorgon SMG.

Damage Statistics

Active Reload increases the damage dealt by roughly 30%.

Field Notes

Long Range: You shouldn’t use the Gorgon SMG at long range. It’s simply too inaccurate to do more than waste ammo.

Medium Range: The combination of power and speed makes the Gorgon SMG very effective at medium range, with or without a shield. The Gorgon SMG can very quickly down an enemy, even while blind firing from behind cover.

Close Range: The Gorgon SMG’s new fully-automatic firing mode greatly increases the weapon’s usefulness at close range. Fire without using the Aim Weapon button to better track fast-moving enemies, and shoot for the largest part of the body.