Resident Evil 4/Weapons and upgrades

Handgun
This is the gun Leon begins his mission equipped with. While it holds its own in the earliest sections of the game, it won't be long before bigger, bolder and all-round better guns start calling and this pea-shooter is sold and replaced. It's worth noting that regardless of the handgun you are equipped with, Leon will always be seen holding this gun in cutscenes where he is armed. The handgun takes up 3 X 2 spaces of Leon's inventory.



Red9
Modelled after the famous Mauser C-96, the Red9 is a large and powerful handgun. It takes up more inventory space than any other standard 9mm handgun in the game (4 X 2 spaces), but is well worth it due to its reliability, efficient use of ammunition and, of course, impressive firepower (when fully upgraded, it packs more of a punch than the regular Shotgun!) However, recoil calls its accuracy into question, requiring an attachable stock to be used properly, and it has the smallest magazine capacity and longest reload time of all the handguns.



Punisher
A simple upgrade from the first Handgun Leon uses, it must be earned by destroying 10 of the blue medallions dotted around the farm and the church perimeter and reporting back to the mysterious Merchant. It is marginally more powerful than the Handgun, but its main feature is that it can penetrate bodies - meaning that shooting a Ganado will also damage another if they are lined up. Not much to go crazy over, but hey - it costs you nothing. Shoot down all 15 of the medallions before claiming your prize and you also get a free firepower upgrade.

This is also the gun Ada Wong uses in the Assignment Ada scenario.



Blacktail
The last of the standard semi-auto handguns to appear, the Blacktail's best feature is its incredible rate of fire (particularly when upgraded). This firearm is best suited to those who like to 'run-and-gun', and its quick reload speed and good ammo capacity make it handy for the cabin scene with Luis. A fully-upgraded Blacktail is deadly in the right hands.

In the main game, Ada carries this pistol with her at all times (despite not using it in Assignment Ada).



Matilda
Only available from the Merchant after the game has been completed once, the Matilda takes on the form of a HK VP70 with attached stock (used previously by Leon in Resident Evil 2). While it hardly makes for an essential purchase, the Matilda has the ability to fire off three 9mm rounds at once - meaning that your enemies can be felled in a third of the time. However, some gamers find that it really does nothing but eat up ammunition three times as fast.



Shotgun


Riot Gun


Striker


Rifle


Rifle (Semi-auto)


Broken Butterfly
The Broken Butterfly is a hugely powerful .45-calibre revolver. Despite a small ammo capacity and a painfully slow reload time, this gun makes bosses come crashing to their knees with alarming ease - particularly when upgraded. However, ammunition is scarce throughout the game, so it's best saved for the bigger, badder enemies who cross Leon's path. If you don't fancy shelling out for an early Broken Butterfly from the Merchant, a free one can be found in the castle - but you'll need a little help from Ashley to get at it.



Killer7
Named after another then-forthcoming Capcom title, the Killer7 is probably more suited to gamers who prefer speed over firepower (chances are that these are the same gamers who chose the Blacktail over the Red9). With a detachable magazine, the poor reload speeds of the Broken Butterfly are done away with - but firepower is compromised. Unlike most of the weapons in Resident Evil 4, the Killer7 has no 'exclusive' upgrade available.



Handcannon
Using the super-rare .50 Action Express ammunition, the Handcannon will kill almost anything it hits with a single hit. To unlock it, you must get 5-star rankings on all four maps in The Mercenaries with all five characters. Quite a feat, to be sure! Only once upgraded does the Handcannon really come into use - its exclusive upgrade allowing the player infinite ammo. Enjoy!



TMP
