You’re in the middle of a heated match on Babylon. Your primary mag clicks empty. You swap to your pistol, panic-firing, only to get melted by a guy sliding past you at Mach 1. It’s frustrating. Most people treat black ops 6 pistols as an afterthought—something you pull out only when you’re desperate. But honestly? If you aren't building your secondary with the same care as your main AR, you’re basically leaving free kills on the table.
With the way Omnimovement works in this game, your sidearm isn't just a backup. It’s a mobility tool.
The Current State of the Pistol Meta
The meta has shifted quite a bit since launch. Early on, everyone was obsessed with the 9mm PM because it’s what you start with. It’s reliable, sure. But as players hit higher levels and started unlocking things like the Grekhova and the GS45, the power dynamic changed.
Right now, the Grekhova is arguably the king of the hill if you want raw fire rate. It’s a full-auto machine that feels more like a pocket SMG than a handgun. You’ve probably seen high-skill players running it with a suppressor and extended mags, just shredding people in close quarters. On the flip side, if you actually care about landing meatier shots, the GS45 is your best friend. It’s got that heavy-hitting .45 ACP feel that rewards precision.
Breaking Down the Roster
Let’s look at what we’re actually working with. You’ve got a handful of options, and each one fits a very specific vibe:
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- 9mm PM: The "Old Reliable." It’s unlocked immediately. Great recoil, but the damage drop-off is real. If you aren't hitting headshots, you're going to lose to an SMG every single time.
- Grekhova: Unlocks at Level 13. This is the one you want for aggressive play. It's basically a Stechkin. High fire rate, but it kicks like a mule if you don't slap a compensator on it.
- GS45: Unlocks at Level 28. It’s essentially a USP .45. If you have a decent trigger finger, this thing is a monster. It’s got a very satisfying "thud" to it.
- Stryder .22: Unlocks at Level 40. This one is weird. It’s a 3-round burst (with the right fire mod) or a high-capacity spammer. In Hardcore, it’s actually terrifying. In Core? It takes a bit more finesse.
Why the GS45 Is Better Than You Think
A lot of people sleep on the GS45 because it’s semi-auto and requires a bit of Level 28 grinding. But honestly, the damage profile is where it shines. While the Grekhova is busy spray-and-praying, a well-placed GS45 shot to the upper chest does massive work.
The secret sauce for this gun is the Rapid Fire mod. Once you unlock that at Level 19 (for the weapon itself), the TTK (Time to Kill) drops significantly. Pair that with a Reinforced Barrel for better range, and you’ve got a gun that can actually contest people at mid-range if you're stuck in a pinch.
I’ve seen some players try to run it with the Gunfighter Wildcard. Is it overkill? Maybe. But having eight attachments on a pistol makes it feel like a primary weapon. You can stack a laser for hip-fire accuracy, an ergonomic grip for fast ADS, and still have room for a red dot.
The Grekhova: Pocket SMG or Recoil Trap?
If you're a "run and gun" type of player, the Grekhova is probably already in your loadout. It’s the only full-auto pistol in the base game, and it benefits heavily from the new movement mechanics.
The biggest mistake people make with the Grekhova? Not using a Weighted Stock.
Because it fires so fast, the horizontal bounce is unpredictable. You want to build this thing for stability. Most "pro" builds you’ll see on Reddit or Twitter focus on the Compensator and the Assault Grip. This allows you to sprint, slide, and start firing almost instantly.
One thing to keep in mind: the Grekhova eats through ammo. If you aren't running Extended Mag I, you’re going to find yourself reloading right as the second enemy rounds the corner. It’s a classic Call of Duty trap.
Hidden Gems and Hardcore Legends
We have to talk about the Stryder .22. In standard multiplayer, it can feel like you’re shooting peas. It’s a .22 caliber, after all. But the mobility is off the charts. You move faster with this gun than almost anything else in the game.
In Hardcore modes, the Stryder is a different beast entirely. Since health is lower, the high fire rate and zero recoil mean you can map people across the screen. It’s sort of the "troll" weapon that actually turns out to be top-tier in the right hands.
Building the Perfect Sidearm
When you're looking at black ops 6 pistols, don't just look at the damage bar. Look at the handling stats. Specifically, look at your Sprint-to-Fire time.
The whole point of a pistol is that it’s faster than your primary. If you put too many heavy attachments on it, you lose that edge. I usually suggest the following "all-rounder" build for most pistols:
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator (helps with that initial kick).
- Barrel: Long Barrel (pistols need all the range help they can get).
- Magazine: Fast Mag (because you’ll be swapping to this in a panic).
- Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip (essential for the swap speed).
- Fire Mod: Rapid Fire (if available).
This setup keeps the gun snappy while ensuring it actually kills the person in front of you.
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The Mastery Grind: Is it Worth It?
If you're going for Dark Matter, you’re going to spend a lot of time with these handguns. My advice? Head over to Face Off 6v6. The maps are tiny, the engagements are constant, and you’ll get those headshots way faster than playing on something like Red Card or Scud.
Getting the pistols gold isn't as bad as it used to be in previous years. The challenges are fairly straightforward, mostly focusing on kills and specific attachment setups. Just remember that for the Grekhova, you really need to control your bursts even though it's full-auto. Aim for the neck and let the recoil carry you up to the head.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Match
Stop using your pistol as a "last resort." Instead, try these three things to actually get better with them:
- Slide into the Swap: Practice sliding behind cover and swapping to your pistol mid-motion. By the time you come out the other side, you’re ready to fire with a high-mobility weapon.
- Check Your Laser: If you hip-fire a lot, use a Steady Aim Laser. It makes a world of difference on the 9mm PM and Grekhova.
- Don't Fear the Trigger: For semi-auto guns like the GS45, don't just mash the button. Find a rhythm. Over-sampling the trigger can actually make your shots less accurate because of the "trigger delay" some controllers have.
Take the GS45 into a private match, practice the recoil pattern for five minutes, and then go into a public lobby. You'll be surprised how many SMG players you can out-duel simply because you have better strafe speed and a faster draw time.
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Focus on your Weapon XP during double XP weekends to get those high-level attachments like Rapid Fire. That's when these guns truly transform from backups into powerhouses.