Hunt: Showdown 1896 – 15 Best Weapons

Summary

• LeMat revolver's shotgun surprise adds variety and damage in close encounters.
• The Dolch pistol's semi-automatic, clip-fed design offers ease of use and high rate of fire.
• The Nitro Express rifle delivers high damage per shot, but limited ammo and severe recoil require precision.

Whether you're shooting down other hunters or trying to fend off the horrible monsters, you'll need some good weapons to survive Hunt: Showdown 1896. This dark Southern-inspired team survival shooter has quite a learning curve to master.

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One way to get better is by thinking about what weapons you run. Weapons are a valuable part of your loadout, and knowing what to equip is a great way to prepare for any engagement you think you might run into. From the boss you're hunting, to the other hunters you're facing, and even the play style you want, all of this weighs into your weaponry. So, knowing what horrors you'll face in the bayou, let's look at the best weapons in Hunt: Showdown 1896.

Updated September 5, 2024, by Zackary Wiggs: With the new 1896 update, there are all new ways to enjoy Hunt: Showdown. A new map, new enemies, and you better believe new weapons as well. This list has been updated to reflect most of the new meta, and it also doesn't hurt to look at some of the new weapons based on how fun they are as well. No matter your playstyle, there's something here for you to enjoy. So, good luck and happy hunting.

15 LeMat Revolver

It's Got A Secret

There are plenty of handguns in Hunt: Showdown 1896, and revolvers rank highly among them. One such revolver stands out from the rest, especially thanks to its ammo type. The LeMat revolver may seem like your everyday six-shooter, but it has a nasty surprise to it: it carries a second barrel that you can load a shotgun shell into.

That means when things get up close and personal, you can cock back the other hammer and give your opponent a face full of buckshot. This adds a little bit of variety to your handgun, and more damage to boot.

14 Conversion Chain Pistol (Caldwell)

Why Reload?

Speaking of revolvers, one of the major drawbacks is that they run out of ammo rather quickly. The Caldwell Conversion Chain Pistol seeks to solve that problem.

A further modified version of the Caldwell Conversion that has been chambered for rifle ammo, this pistol carries a massive 17-shot chain instead of a six-shot cylinder. That means you can be a little less picky with your shots. Combined with the fanning trait or a second Chain Pistol and you can really throw lead at whatever is standing in front of you.

13 Katana

A Bayou Samurai

Melee weapons can be overlooked by some players, while others know of the impressive damage they can do in such a short time. While there is no short supply of melee weapons in Hunt, the Katana has become a cult classic.

The style this weapon brings with it is one thing, but the damage it does with its fast strikes is also impressive. It isn't as slow to swing as the Baseball Bat or the Railroad Hammer, so you can easily attack on the run.

Plus, the Martialist trait makes the heavy attack of the Katana even more powerful, able to cut down certain foes in one strike.

12 Sparks

Long Range Killer

A breech-loading rifle that makes long-range engagements a little bit easier. Like most of the other breech-loading rifles, the Sparks packs quite a punch.

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If aimed right, you can do some severe damage to anything you hit. The drawback is that the go-to iron sights are a little bit hard to get used to, and you have only one shot before you need to reload. So, make sure you're picking your timing right, and not running headfirst.

11 Avtomat

Go Full Auto

With most of the weapons in Hunt: Showdown 1896 being lever action, pump action, or simply single-shot, a fully automatic weapon is quite something to behold. This is exactly the niche the Avtomat hopes to fill.

The Avtomat is a heavily modified version of the usual bolt action Mosin Nagant rifle. The large magazine means you can spray at enemies with a little more ease, but the gun still doesn't handle it well where accuracy is concerned. It takes some getting used to, but it is a spectacle at close range.

10 Crossbow

The Ye Olde Answer

A near-silent option for taking out enemies, the crossbow should not be overlooked for options with more gunpowder behind them. This is a great option for those who want a more stealthy approach to the game, which isn't a bad idea with all the things that want you dead.

The added benefit of this weapon is the variety of bolt types that one can load into the crossbow, from the typical kind to explosive, and even one with a shotgun shell tip. This adds a great amount of versatility, if you prepare properly.

9 Martini Henry

A Mid-Range Goliath

There are a few different one-shot rifles out there to equip, each has its own pros and cons, but the Martini Henry has won over quite a few people in its time. So don't be surprised if you hear or see one of these wielded in your direction.

It sort of bridges the gap between the Springfield and the Nitro Express in terms of damage quality. It has fairly reliable damage output and accuracy at longer ranges, so the scoped alternatives aren't a waste, but it stands as a reliable alternative if you want to branch out from the other one-shot rifles.

8 Dolch 96

No Six-Shooter Here

A pistol that, for quite a time, was the height of the meta. The Dolch pistol is an oddity in Hunt: Showdown for being semi-automatic and clip-fed. Where it is outweighed in damage, it makes up for in ease of use and rate of fire.

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A pair of these makes for quite an experience, especially if you're on the receiving end of one in the hands of someone with good aim. Just because it doesn't hit as hard, doesn't mean it should be left alone.

7 Officer Carbine (Nagant)

A Pistol Rifle?

A weird weapon for sure, but what else would you expect from Hunt? This revolver-turned-carbine is a must-have for those who want to master the mid- to long-range encounter.The low recoil and somewhat quick follow-up shot make this a great choice for those who don't love some of the breech-loading or bolt-action options.

The lower damage per shot and six-shot cylinder mean you will need to aim carefully or have someone distract your enemy while you take the occasional reload, but in the hands of someone well-accustomed to this weapon, it can be an absolute boon to the team.

6 Nitro Express

Hit Em Once

An absolute beast of a rifle. The Nitro Express has some of the highest damage output per hit of any weapon in the game. Most players can recall every time they've been laid out by this weapon by just how quick it was.

The recoil on the Nitro is severe, but a lot of times you shouldn't need a follow-up shot or, if you do just a shot from a handgun is enough. It is only a double barrel and on top of that you can't carry that much ammo in total either, so you really want to save your shots for when you absolutely need them.