If you’re standing in front of the Merchant in the Resident Evil 4 remake, staring at the Resident Evil 4 Blacktail and wondering if you should sell your upgraded SG-09 R, you aren’t alone. It's a tough call. This gun looks like a Springfield Armory XD, and it handles like a dream, but in a game where every peseta counts, making the switch is a massive financial commitment. Honestly, most players just stick with the starting pistol because they’re afraid of "waste." But they’re missing out on the best handling in the game.
The Blacktail is weird. It’s small. It takes up less inventory space than almost any other firearm. It fires fast. It reloads in a blink. Yet, it lacks the "cool factor" of the Red9’s massive damage or the Punisher’s piercing rounds. People call it the "jack of all trades," but that’s actually a bit of a disservice. It’s the king of efficiency.
The Raw Reality of the Blacktail Stats
Let's look at the numbers because the remake changed things from the 2005 original. In the classic game, the Blacktail was the undisputed king of fire rate. In the remake, it’s still fast, but the way it fits into your inventory is the real selling point. It occupies a tiny 2x2 square. That’s it. In a game where you’re constantly playing Tetris with fish, grenades, and herbs, that extra space is a godsend.
The power is nothing to scoff at either. Fully upgraded, it hits a 2.40 power rating. For comparison, the Red9—the heavy hitter—reaches 4.05 with its exclusive upgrade. Yeah, the Red9 hits harder per bullet, but the Resident Evil 4 Blacktail has a significantly higher rate of fire. If you’ve got a fast trigger finger, your "Damage Per Second" (DPS) is actually quite competitive. You’re trading raw stopping power for the ability to put three rounds into a Ganado's face before he can even finish his swing.
Recoil is where this gun shines. Some guns feel like they're trying to jump out of Leon's hands. Not this one. It stays centered. You can spam shots at a distance and actually hit what you’re aiming at. It’s basically the "professional's tool."
Why Most Players Get the Blacktail Wrong
There is a common misconception that the Blacktail is just a "late-game luxury." People think you only buy it if you have too much money. Wrong. You buy it because of the bloom.
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In the RE4 Remake, "bloom" refers to how the reticle expands when you move or fire rapidly. The Resident Evil 4 Blacktail has some of the best reticle recovery in the entire handgun category. If you’re playing on Professional difficulty, where enemies sprint at you like they’ve had ten espressos, you don't have time to wait for the Red9’s aiming circle to shrink. You need to snap-aim and fire.
The Blacktail is the only gun that feels like it’s keeping up with the pace of the remake’s combat.
The Exclusive Upgrade Dilemma
When you get to the Castle and finally have access to the Exclusive Upgrade (either by paying 100,000 pesetas or using a Merchant Medal), the Blacktail gets a 1.5x power boost. This brings its final damage to that 2.40 mark. Is it worth it?
It depends on your playstyle. If you rely on handguns for boss fights, maybe stick to something else. But if your handgun is your "clean-up" tool—used to stagger enemies so you can follow up with a melee kick—then the Blacktail is perfect. It’s fast enough to trigger a stagger state in a split second.
- Pros: Smallest footprint, incredibly fast reload, high fire rate, great reticle focus.
- Cons: No laser sight compatibility (this is the big one), lower damage per shot than the Red9, expensive to fully kit out.
The lack of a laser sight is the "dealbreaker" for many. In the remake, only the SG-09 R and the Punisher can use the laser sight. Without it, you’re relying on the crosshairs. If you hate the crosshair bloom mechanic, the Blacktail might frustrate you, even though its bloom is better than most.
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Resident Evil 4 Blacktail vs. Red9: The Eternal Rivalry
This is the Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola of the Resident Evil community.
The Red9 is the "Mauser" lookalike that requires a stock to be truly effective. With the stock, it takes up a massive amount of space. It’s slow. It’s clunky. But it kills things dead.
The Resident Evil 4 Blacktail is for the player who values mobility. It doesn't need a stock. It doesn't need a laser sight to be decent. It just works. Honestly, after three playthroughs, I’ve found that the Blacktail is much better for the "Chaos" of the late-game Island sections. When you have multiple JJ's and Shield soldiers pushing you, the ability to reload in 1.2 seconds is life-saving. You can't do that with a Red9.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Don't just buy it and leave it at level one. This gun scales exponentially.
Focus on the reload speed and fire rate first. Why? Because the Blacktail’s identity is speed. If you wanted power, you’d have kept the shotgun out. By leaning into its fire rate, you turn Leon into a gunslinger.
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Another tip: since the Blacktail takes up so little space, use that extra room for more heavy grenades or a backup tactical vest. The utility of having four extra slots in your briefcase cannot be overstated. It’s the difference between leaving a First Aid Spray behind or being able to carry it into the next boss fight.
Final Verdict on the Blacktail's Place in the Meta
The Resident Evil 4 Blacktail isn't the "best" gun if you're looking at a single stat like damage. But games aren't played on a spreadsheet. They're played in the moment-to-moment panic of a village mob surrounding you.
In those moments, the Blacktail is the most reliable companion. It’s snappy. It’s modern. It’s efficient. It represents a shift in how you play Resident Evil—from a slow, methodical shooter to a high-speed action game. If you have the cash, sell the starter pistol. Buy the Blacktail. Don't look back. You'll feel the difference the first time you headshot three Ganados in under two seconds.
Strategic Next Steps for Your Run
If you’re currently at the Merchant and considering the swap, do this:
- Check your inventory: If you are constantly discarding items to make room, buy the Blacktail immediately for the 2x2 space advantage.
- Assess your aiming style: If you struggle with the moving reticle, stick to a laser-sight pistol. If you're comfortable with traditional crosshairs, the Blacktail is an upgrade.
- Invest in the Exclusive: Don't let the Blacktail sit at base power. Save your Merchant Medals for the 1.5x power boost to make it viable for the final chapters.
- Pair it with the Riot Gun: The Blacktail handles the close-to-mid-range staggers, while the Riot Gun handles the crowds. This is the most efficient "Pro-Run" combo in the game.