As a member of Special Weapons and Tactics, or S.W.A.T. for short, you are the last hope for innocent hostages. Even if arrests are preferred, your equipment is crucial to the team’s success. In our Ready or Not Best Weapons Guide, we show you which gear is best suited for each mission.
Table of Contents
The Best Assault Rifles
Assault rifles are the standard tool for a SWAT shooter. They are effective for both medium-range and close-quarters combat, making them a good choice in confined spaces or narrow hallways. They have higher muzzle velocity than submachine guns and, with accurate shots, exhibit well-controlled recoil.
Since they can penetrate doors and walls, they can be used to neutralize suspects hiding behind cover. If your enemies are wearing body armor, assault rifles are more effective than pistols. An assault rifle provides a tactical advantage, especially when you’re moving through uncertain cover.
SA‑58
The SA-58 in Ready or Not fires a 7.62 × 51 mm caliber round and has tremendous penetrating power. Its force is so strong that you need to be cautious to avoid collateral damage when using it. Its magazine only holds 20 rounds, so each shot must count. It is built for precision at close range and can be upgraded with various attachments thanks to its mounting rails.

MICROT2, M5B, or SRS increase your aiming speed, and SDR 1-4X decreases vertical recoil. The ATAK-R 1-12X attachment can slow down your ADS speed. Additionally, the Holosight XPS3 and muzzle attachments are available. The SOCOM silencer not only reduces recoil but also hides the muzzle flash.
GA416
Our second choice for assault rifles in Ready or Not is the GA416. Made in Germany, it is used by the US Navy and SEAL Team Six and is known for its dependability. With a 30-round magazine, it holds more than the SA-58’s magazine. However, its caliber is only 5.56 x 45 mm.

Besides optics and telescopic sights, you can enhance the rifle with underbarrel attachments to reduce horizontal recoil and improve aiming speed. Options include a laser pointer, muzzle attachments, an M600V flashlight, and a PEQ-15 IR laser, which is visible only to users with night-vision devices.
The Best Submachine Guns
The second category in our Ready or Not Best Weapons Guide covers submachine guns. Compared to assault rifles, they are lighter and easier to maneuver. They let you move swiftly through stairs and hallways. This makes them perfect for point men or breachers.
SMGs boast a high rate of fire, enabling you to rapidly clear rooms with multiple enemies. The hit probability when firing from the hip is higher than with other weapon types.
Submachine guns are especially useful in quick operations or when every second matters. They help reduce collateral damage. However, they are less effective against armor and have a shorter effective range. You should avoid using them for outdoor missions.
MP7
Because of its compact design, the MP7 is very popular among police forces. The German weapon was originally created for Cold War use. Its magazine carries 40 rounds, and the 4.6 x 30 mm caliber can even penetrate bulletproof vests. The MP7 is based on the MP7A2 and includes mounting rails for attachments under the barrel.

Optics and telescopic sights can boost aiming speed, and the MP7 silencer lessens both horizontal and vertical recoil. It hides the muzzle flash, reduces noise, and improves weapon accuracy. Extra attachments, such as lasers, lights, or combat grips, can be mounted on both the lower and upper barrels.
P90
The P90 is a direct competitor of the MP7 in Ready or Not. Featuring a bullpup design, this self-defense weapon has a unique look and was also created during the Cold War. The magazine, positioned above the barrel, holds 50 rounds, and the P90’s caliber is 5.7 x 28 mm.

You can choose between the Tundra Silencer and the Harvester Suppressor as muzzle attachments. The Tundra Silencer decreases vertical and horizontal recoil, improves accuracy, and reduces noise. The Harvester Suppressor also helps conceal muzzle flash.
Ready or Not Best Weapons: The Best Shotguns
With a shotgun, you have complete dominance at close range in Ready or Not. The damage is very high, and when opening doors, you don’t need explosive items; you can breach them directly with your shotgun. Hip fire remains highly accurate thanks to the spread effect. It takes little time and effort to aim, and depending on the ammunition, you gain various tactical advantages.
Depending on your role in the team, you can use frangible breachers, buckshots, or slugs. The psychological impact shouldn’t be overlooked. The loud shots and high damage increase the likelihood of enemies giving up and leaving the room for you.
At long range, the advantages of the shotgun are naturally diminished. Additionally, the shotgun has high recoil and a relatively slow rate of fire. The magazine capacity is very limited, and because of the spread effect, you need to be careful not to hit hostages or your teammates.
M1014
The M1014 is a gas-operated shotgun that many players consider to be the best of its kind. The magazine holds 8 rounds and is 12-gauge caliber. Its semi-automatic operation makes it a popular choice among police stations.

With RMR DOT and SRO DOT, you can boost your aiming speed, and 12GA Break reduces vertical recoil. Install a Spread Choke to reduce horizontal recoil, reduce muzzle flash, and improve accuracy. You can also attach a laser pointer and a flashlight, if you like. However, keep in mind that the laser pointer only functions at very short distances. If the target is too far away, you won’t be able to see the small dot.
B1301
The B1301 is an Italian semi-automatic shotgun with a unique breech design that reduces muzzle rise. It features a 9-round magazine and is a 12-gauge. The weapon is based on the real-life Beretta 1301 Tactical, and its design is exclusive to the Ready or Not game.

In terms of optics and scopes, it can be upgraded with the RMR DOT, SRO DOT, and MICROT2. Like the M1014, it can also be equipped with the 12GA Break and Spread Choke attachments. You can use the M600V as a flashlight. The optional laser pointer is the same as on the M1014.
The Best Pistols
Our Ready or Not Best Weapons Guide isn’t just about primary weapons but also covers your secondary equipment. Pistols are a reliable backup you should always bring on your mission. They have a quick draw and deployment time, helping you in an emergency if your primary weapon’s magazine is empty or faulty.
Pistols in Ready or Not are portable and lightweight, making them ideal for minimizing collateral damage. They are easy to handle, quick to reload, and provide accurate headshot zones in tight spaces. Depending on the type of ammunition, they can also be used for non-lethal purposes.
USP45
The USP45 offers good ergonomics and sights. As its name indicates, it uses a .45 ACP caliber. Its magazine capacity is 12 rounds, surpassing that of similar handguns with the same penetration power. Made in Germany, this pistol is especially popular with police and has a high damage potential.

Improve your aiming speed with SRO DOT and RMR DOT. The silencer minimizes vertical recoil and hides the muzzle flash. Along with a flashlight and laser pointer, you can also add an IR laser, giving you a tactical edge when used with night vision goggles.
.357 Magnum
The .357 Magnum is a notably powerful revolver. Although it only holds six rounds, its penetration capability is significant. The firearm was especially popular with police in earlier times. Because of its relatively high recoil, it’s advisable to practice with it before heading on a mission.

The Magnum can be upgraded with a snub nose attachment in Ready or Not, which reduces muzzle flash and minimizes both vertical and horizontal recoil. For a second attachment, we suggest using a laser pointer. Keep in mind an important feature when reloading: since remaining bullets in the cylinder magazine are lost, you should only refill when the magazine is empty.
The Best Non-Lethal Weapons
As stated earlier, the main goal in Ready or Not is to make arrests. If there are no other options, you can, of course, kill. However, you’ll earn the highest score if you manage to rescue both the hostages and the hostage-takers alive. To do this, consider using non-lethal weapons.

This reduces collateral damage, enhances tactical flexibility, and fosters team synergy. Roles within the group can be assigned and adjusted more effectively, and switching them during a mission is straightforward. However, keep in mind that in some situations in Ready or Not, even a supposedly non-lethal weapon can be deadly (for example, at very close ranges or with individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions).
Here is a list of gadgets in Ready or Not and their respective advantages:
- Beanbag (rubber cartridges) to convert shotguns into non-lethal weapons
- Taser to stun the target or cause sensor failure
- Plastic bullets for a more extended range than rubber cartridges
- CS gas for a widespread irritant effect
- Flashbang grenades to temporarily disorient the enemy
The Best All-Rounder
Finally, we want to introduce you to a versatile option that combines the best features of all weapon types. It’s a great choice in Ready or Not if you’re unsure whether to pick a submachine gun, an assault rifle, or a shotgun.

Although the MK-18 is primarily classified as an assault rifle, its designers prioritized practical handling over raw firepower. It’s a highly versatile short firearm with a magazine capacity of 30 rounds. Its caliber is 5.56 x 45 mm. The LSPD’s S.W.A.T. teams particularly favor using it.
For upgrades, you can attach the HOLOSIGHT XPS3, MICROT2, M5B, and SRS to increase aiming speed, as well as the ASR Brake, SFMB Brake, or SOCOM Silencer to reduce recoil and muzzle flash. Additionally, various under- and upper handguards are available.
Enhance Your Weapon Arsenal with PLITCH!
With our Ready or Not Best Weapons Guide, you’ll know exactly which combat equipment to bring for each scenario. Thanks to the Ready or Not cheats from PLITCH, you can personalize your missions even more. Deactivate recoil to land fast, accurate shots even with a shotgun or .357 Magnum, or never run out of bullets in your magazines with just a click.
Injuries and bleeding can also be turned off. The single-player trainer lets you give both your player character and the entire squad unlimited health. This way, you’ll survive every enemy encounter.
Check out this blog to learn more about PLITCH, as well as our Ready or Not Trainer Showcase on YouTubeto see our cheats in action!
Happy Gaming!
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