What to Expect From Pistols in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
At launch, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War only features three different pistols available for use by players. (Unlike other categories, like assault rifles.) However, each of those three offers a totally different style of gunplay, providing a well-rounded roster; one that’s guaranteed to eventually expand as Treyarch adds new content post-launch.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Pistols
Pistols are one of the five different “Secondary” Weapon categories, alongside Shotguns, Launchers, Melee, and Special weapons. In that group, the Black Ops Cold War Pistols are the lightest, fastest, and arguably most versatile. “Much like an SMG,” writes Activision; “which chambers similar-sized ammunition, a pistol’s effective range usually spans out to about 20 meters, and has a high rate of fire compared to other weaponry.”
- 1911 (Pistol – Alpha): The first of the three Black Ops Cold War Pistols might be the most ubiquitous handgun in history; the 1911. This semi-automatic pistol has a default 8-round magazine with more impressive damage than you might assume. Its small size affords the 1911 a very formidable handling speed, and its low recoil makes it both stable and accurate. As such, it’s an ideal backup sidearm for both beginners and more experienced players.
- Magnum (Pistol – Bravo): Unlocked at Level 31, the Magnum is far more powerful than the 1911, packing an incredible punch with each shot. Indeed, the Magnum can even be a threat against some vehicles. However, this power comes at the cost of a lower fire rate and higher recoil, making it less forgiving. Skilled pistol marksmen may well prefer the Magnum to the 1911, but generalists may find the 1911 a more well-rounded option.
- Diamatti (Pistol – Charlie): The final pistol in the current Cold War armoury, the Diamatti is unlocked at Level 49. This weapon fires in a 3-round burst, giving it the best fire rate of any handgun. Although it has fairly short range, it can put out a lot of damage very quickly up close.