TL;DR
- CT pistols excel at precision while Glock dominates close-quarters combat
- P250 offers best value for eco rounds with balanced performance
- Five-Seven provides unmatched armor penetration for defensive plays
- Desert Eagle remains the ultimate skill-based sidearm
- Weapon choice should match map layout and team strategy

Mastering CSGO’s pistol arsenal can dramatically improve your early-round performance and eco game efficiency. Understanding each weapon’s distinct characteristics transforms random shots into calculated eliminations.
Counter-Strike’s secondary weapons have created legendary moments that define competitive play. Professional highlights like Nikola “niKo” Kovač’s Deagle domination demonstrate how pistol proficiency can single-handedly swing rounds.
This comprehensive breakdown examines every pistol’s tactical applications, helping average players develop the weapon mastery that separates amateurs from experts in pistol and economy rounds.
CSGO default pistols shine in specific tactical scenarios
CT precision weapons contrast with T-side close-range specialists
Every CSGO match begins with players equipped with one of three starting pistols, assuming they haven’t retained a secondary from prior rounds. Counter-Terrorist operators select between P2000 and USP-S during loadout configuration, while attackers exclusively deploy with Glock-18. The defensive advantage stems from engineering focused on accuracy.
CT pistol selection: tactical advantages explained
When analyzing Counter-Terrorist options, the P2000 emerges as an exceptional rush-defense tool compared to the more commonly chosen USP. Its expanded magazine capacity enables defenders to maintain suppressive fire without reloading interruptions. This sustained pressure disrupts attacker timing and provides critical seconds for CT rotations.
The increased bullet count translates to more damage opportunities before requiring reload, creating dynamic engagements between teams. The P2000 also demonstrates marginally superior recoil control versus the alternative CT sidearm.

However, significant tradeoffs exist.
The P2000’s audible report contrasts with USP-S’s suppressed firing, which becomes crucial during site defense when terrorists deploy smoke screens at key choke points. While the P2000 produces distinctive audio signatures, the USP operates nearly silently. The delayed enemy reaction to pinpoint damage sources often determines successful defenses versus failed holds.
P2000 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:13 rounds per magazine, 3 extra magazines, 52 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:352 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 Seconds
USP-S Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:12 rounds per magazine, 2 extra magazines, 36 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:352 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 Seconds
Making the optimal CT pistol choice
Neither P2000 nor USP-S objectively outperforms the other—selection depends on individual playstyle and map requirements. The USP-S remains the favored CT starting weapon for compelling tactical reasons.
Beyond its satisfying headshot audio feedback, the USP exhibits slightly increased recoil but faster accuracy recovery than the P2000. This creates superior responsiveness, particularly when leveraging the weapon’s enhanced long-distance accuracy. The USP’s range superiority enables domination against T-side Glocks, particularly on maps featuring extended sightlines like Mirage’s A site and mid, plus Dust 2’s long A corridor.
The suppressor further complicates terrorist efforts to locate firing positions. Combined with its renowned precision in skilled hands, the USP-S maintains its community favorite status. Observe professional Fnatic specialist Dennis “dennis” Edman’s classic demonstration, showcasing the weapon’s maximum potential.
Glock-18: The terrorist’s close-quarters solution
The Glock presents fundamentally different characteristics compared to defensive starting weapons. While featuring substantial magazine capacity, it suffers from notable limitations.
Effective utilization of this T-exclusive pistol requires mastering volume-of-fire tactics to force defenders into cover. These gained seconds enable distance closure for close-range engagements. This aggressive approach represents a preferred tactical option.

The Glock operates as an aggressive close-quarters weapon. Its rapid fire rate and extended magazine provide decisive advantages over slower CT options in tight spaces. Successful distance closure allows the Glock’s magazine advantage to overcome CT precision weapons. On specific bombsite layouts like Mirage’s B area, the Glock might surpass defensive counterparts due to confined engagement distances.
Glock-18 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:20 rounds per magazine, 5 extra magazines, 120 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM, 1200 RPM during burst fire
- Reload Time:2.27 Seconds
P250: The versatile eco-round specialist

Despite the 2017 balancing adjustments that removed one-shot headshot capability against helmeted opponents, the P250 remains an outstanding sidearm upgrade. Its particular popularity among AWPers stems from affordable pricing and competitive firing rate.
These benefits counterbalance the headshot nerf, though the weapon maintains significant impact during rounds where enemies already sustained damage, as demonstrated in referenced clips.
While the P250 doesn’t match the Five-Seven’s armor penetration, its enhanced damage output and rapid fire establish it as an exceptional economy weapon, especially when coordinated with team flashbang support.
P250 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:13 bullets in the magazine, 2 magazines in reserve, 39 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
CZ-75, Five-Seven, and Tec-9: Specialized tactical tools
Players choose between the CZ-75 and faction-specific alternatives when configuring their fourth pistol slot. The CZ-75 stands as CSGO’s sole fully automatic pistol option.
Before Valve implemented balancing modifications, it represented the default selection for both teams, warranting examination before exploring other premium options.
In current CSGO meta, the CZ-75 retains potential effectiveness, though its performance seems more dependent on circumstance than skill.
While weapons like the Desert Eagle reward precision aiming, the CZ’s inherent inaccuracy and limited magazine capacity complicate stalling for reinforcement arrivals when deployed defensively. On the attacking side, it becomes even less desirable. Since the weapon lacks Deagle’s instant elimination capability, even professional players’ quick target acquisition struggles to compensate for CZ-75’s deficiencies.

Specific scenarios exist where the CZ represents a solid choice. The weapon occasionally succeeds during T-side executes relying on lightning-fast entries incorporating flash-through-smoke tactics to eliminate unprepared defenders. However, typically wiser to select the more economical P250 combined with utility rather than relying on CZ’s inconsistent elimination potential. Considering the CZ’s extended draw time and animation sequences, superior alternatives exist for both factions.
CZ-75 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:12 bullets in the magazine, 1 magazine in reserve, 24 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:600 RPM
- Reload Time:2.83 seconds from an empty magazine
Five-Seven: The definitive armor-piercing sidearm
Among all weapons available in CSGO’s fourth pistol slot, the Five-Seven clearly represents the optimal selection. It delivers exceptional armor penetration for a secondary weapon.
It also stands as the only sidearm besides the powerful Desert Eagle capable of eliminating full-health enemies with single headshots. This capability minimizes the impact of its shortcomings, including lower base accuracy and relatively modest fire rate. If opponents are already eliminated, follow-up volleys become unnecessary.
The Five-Seven performs optimally in headshot-angle positions combined with teammate flash assistance, similar to classic dark positions CTs frequently utilize on Mirage. Understand clearly, this weapon proves devastating when mastered.

Following Valve’s modifications designed to “reward defensive play,” the Five-Seven has evolved into an extremely potent eco weapon, even against fully-equipped terrorist teams. The headshot potential and enhanced accuracy improvements Valve implemented, particularly when the shooter remains stationary, have created an ideal defensive positioning tool. The weapon features 91.15 armor penetration rating, meaning approximately 90% of its base damage bypasses enemy armor entirely, inflicting substantial damage.
Five-Seven Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:20 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 100 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
Tec-9: Post-buff tactical assessment
Historical periods existed where Tec-9 rushes defined terrorist-side aggression. With nearly perfect moving accuracy and single-headshot elimination capability, periods occurred where players selected this exclusive T-side pistol over all alternatives, including CSGO’s renowned AK-47.
However, Valve eventually normalized the Tec-9 relative to other pistols through sequential balance adjustments. While significantly less dominant than its peak performance, it retains situational utility. One or two attackers equipped with Tec-9s can lead eco rushes resulting in round victories against fully-equipped professional teams, as Ninjas in Pyjamas demonstrated against Team Vitality earlier this season.
Note that Vitality experienced a player disconnection during that round, though casual observers can recognize the Tec-9’s potential when entire T-sides commit to rush strategies.
The weapon’s high fire rate creates lethal close-quarters performance, particularly when multiple players concentrate firepower. Since the Tec-9 experiences rapid damage degradation and poor distance accuracy, pairing it with longer-range options like the Desert Eagle maximizes success probability.
While the complete Tec-9 rush succeeded for NiP in the referenced clip, this represents the anomaly rather than standard outcome. Nevertheless, it demonstrates the weapon’s strengths: rapid pressure application, overwhelming force concentration, and chaos creation in confined areas that provided NiP tactical advantage.
Tec-9 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:18 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 90 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:500 RPM
- Reload Time:2.5 seconds
Desert Eagle: Maintaining its budget sniper reputation
While the AWP remains CSGO’s most identifiable firearm, the Desert Eagle claims close second position. Affectionately called “Deagle” by community members, the .50 caliber hand cannon accounts for some of Counter-Strike’s most memorable competitive moments.
Before his landmark transfer to FaZe Clan, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač struggled on a mousesports roster lacking sufficient support for their star performer. Despite insufficient team assistance to elevate mousesports to elite status, he still established his reputation utilizing CSGO’s most powerful pistol with performances like these.
NiKo doesn’t stand alone. Numerous recordings demonstrate the Desert Eagle’s genuine power. However, the weapon’s statistical profile distinguishes it from other CSGO sidearms.
At minimum, the Desert Eagle inflicts 46 damage per direct hit, assuming bullets don’t penetrate surfaces before impact. Beyond establishing it as CSGO’s highest-damage pistol, its 200 rounds-per-minute fire rate enables sufficient spam capability. The Deagle’s damage and ROF combination effectively creates a shotgun-like weapon, enabling close-range spam for confirmed eliminations. Players can also leverage its near-perfect first-shot accuracy as an economical sniper alternative.
When coordinated with another teammate using a Scout, the combination enables two-shot elimination potential that can reverse anti-eco rounds against unprepared teams. While featuring substantial recoil and demanding proper technique, clear reasons explain why the Desert Eagle ranks among CSGO’s most recognized firearms.
The weapon’s primary disadvantage stems from its substantial cost, requiring $700 investment. This creates unattractiveness during pure eco rounds. However, during partial-buy situations, players should anticipate hearing its distinctive report.
Desert Eagle Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:7 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 35 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:200 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds

Ultimately, all CSGO pistols serve specific tactical purposes with the notable exception of the R8 Revolver, particularly within current competitive meta. While every other pistol performs effectively in specific scenarios, the R8 has failed to establish competitive relevance. The revolver currently represents a non-factor in both casual and professional play.
Similar to other aspects of Valve’s Counter-Strike, determining appropriate weapon selection for specific situations comprises half the strategic battle.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s CZ-75 represents a unique tactical choice as the game’s sole fully automatic pistol. This weapon demands precise understanding of its mechanical limitations and situational strengths to achieve consistent performance.
Players face a strategic decision between the CZ-75 and alternative sidearms depending on their team alignment during loadout configuration. The CZ-75 maintains its distinction as CSGO’s only automatic pistol, offering burst damage potential that no other sidearm can match.
Before Valve implemented balancing adjustments, this weapon served as the preferred selection for both Counter-Terrorist and Terrorist factions. Let’s examine this distinctive firearm’s current capabilities before exploring its counterparts.
In contemporary CSGO matches, the CZ-75 retains theoretical power, but its practical effectiveness often depends more on favorable circumstances than player skill expression.
While precision-oriented weapons like the Desert Eagle reward calculated aiming, the CZ’s inherent inaccuracy combined with its constrained magazine capacity creates significant challenges for defenders needing to stall for rotating teammates. On offensive pushes, the weapon becomes even less appealing. Since it cannot deliver instant elimination capability like the Desert Eagle, even professional players with exceptional target acquisition struggle to overcome the CZ-75’s fundamental limitations.

Strategic deployment opportunities exist where the CZ-75 demonstrates value. The weapon occasionally performs effectively during Terrorist executions relying on lightning-fast entries that incorporate flashbang assistance through smoke screens to eliminate unprepared defenders. Nevertheless, most situations favor selecting the more economical P250 combined with additional utility rather than relying on the CZ’s unpredictable elimination potential. Combined with the CZ’s extended draw duration and animation commitment, superior tactical alternatives exist for both attacking and defensive roles.
CZ-75 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:13 bullets in the magazine, 2 magazines in reserve, 39 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:600 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
- Magazine Capacity:12 bullets in the magazine, 1 magazine in reserve, 24 bullets total
- Reload Time:2.83 seconds from an empty magazine
Among all available weapons in CSGO’s fourth pistol loadout position, the Five-Seven consistently emerges as the optimal selection. This sidearm delivers extraordinary armor penetration capabilities for a pistol classification. It also stands as the only secondary weapon besides the formidable Desert Eagle capable of eliminating fully healthy opponents with a single headshot. This capability significantly mitigates the weapon’s drawbacks, particularly its limited baseline accuracy and comparatively modest firing speed. When targets are immediately neutralized, requirements for follow-up engagements diminish substantially.
The Five-Seven achieves peak performance when utilized in headshot-angle positions coordinated with flashbang support from teammates, resembling the classic dark positioning Counter-Terrorists frequently employ on Mirage. Understand clearly, this firearm proves devastating when wielded by skilled operators.

Following Valve’s modifications designed to “incentivize defensive positioning,” the Five-Seven has transformed into an exceptionally potent economy-round weapon, even when confronting fully-equipped Terrorist sides. The headshot elimination potential combined with enhanced accuracy improvements Valve implemented, particularly when the shooter maintains stationary positioning, has established an ideal defensive ambush specialist. The weapon features an armor penetration rating of 91.15, indicating nearly 90% of the pistol’s base damage penetrates enemy armor directly, inflicting substantial damage.
Five-Seven Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:20 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 100 bullets total
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
Historical CSGO meta featured Tec-9 rushes as fundamental components of Terrorist-side aggression. With nearly flawless movement accuracy and single-bullet headshot elimination capability against Counter-Terrorists, periods existed where certain competitors exclusively selected the Terrorist-specific pistol over all alternatives, including CSGO’s renowned AK-47 rifle.
However, Valve eventually realigned the Tec-9 with other pistols through sequential buff and nerf cycles. While the weapon no longer approaches its former dominance levels, it maintains situational utility. One or two attackers equipped with Tec-9s can initiate economy-round assaults and secure round victories against fully-equipped professional squads, as Ninjas in Pyjamas demonstrated against Team Vitality earlier this competitive season.
Observers should note that Vitality experienced a player disconnection during that specific round, but even casual observers recognize the Tec-9’s potential when entire Terrorist sides coordinate rush strategies.
The weapon’s elevated firing rate creates lethal close-quarters engagement capability, particularly when multiple attackers concentrate firepower downrange. Since the Tec-9 experiences rapid damage degradation and inadequate long-range precision, combining it with an extended-range pistol like the Desert Eagle represents the Tec-9’s pathway to success.
While the coordinated Tec-9 rush succeeded for Ninjas in Pyjamas in the referenced clip, such outcomes represent exceptions rather than established patterns. Nevertheless, these demonstrations reveal the weapon’s core strengths: capacity to apply rapid pressure, overwhelming force concentration, and creating chaos in confined spaces that provided NiP their tactical advantage.
Five-Seven Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:18 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 90 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:500 RPM
- Reload Time:2.5 seconds

Unlocking CSGO’s pistol potential requires understanding how each weapon’s design philosophy translates to in-game advantages. These secondary weapons often determine eco round outcomes and can completely shift match momentum when wielded effectively.
Legendary moments like Nikola “niKo” Kovač’s Deagle domination against FaZe Clan demonstrate how pistol proficiency separates elite players from average competitors.
CSGO default pistols are amazing in the right situation
CSGO’s CT pistols win out, but the Glock is dangerous up close
Every CSGO match begins with players equipped from three foundational pistol options. Counter-Terrorists select between P2000 and USP-S during loadout configuration, while Terrorists exclusively deploy with the Glock-18. This asymmetric design creates distinct tactical advantages for each side’s starting arsenal.
Which CT pistol is better?
The P2000 establishes itself as the superior rush-defense weapon through its expanded magazine capacity. With 13 rounds available before reloading versus the USP-S’s 12, defenders maintain continuous pressure against multiple attackers, buying crucial seconds for teammate rotations. The weapon’s marginally reduced recoil pattern further enhances its controllability during sustained engagements.

However, the P2000’s audible firing signature creates tactical disadvantages compared to the USP-S’s suppressed report. When defenders utilize smoke screens at choke points, the USP-S’s stealth characteristics force attackers to spend additional time identifying shooter positions, often determining execution success or failure.
P2000 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:13 rounds per magazine, 3 extra magazines, 52 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:352 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 Seconds
USP-S Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:12 rounds per magazine, 2 extra magazines, 36 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:352 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 Seconds
Which CT Pistol should players choose?
Despite the P2000’s defensive advantages, the USP-S maintains overwhelming popularity for compelling reasons beyond its satisfying headshot audio. The weapon’s faster accuracy reset creates superior responsiveness during precision engagements, particularly advantageous on maps featuring extended sightlines like Mirage’s A site or Dust 2 long corridors.
The USP-S’s superior ranged performance stems from its enhanced distance statistics, allowing consistent dominance against T-side Glocks. Combined with its suppressor’s positional concealment benefits, the weapon delivers legendary performance in skilled hands, as demonstrated by Fnatic specialist Dennis “dennis” Edman’s classic demonstration of its capabilities.
Pro Tip: Rotate between P2000 and USP-S based on map characteristics. Use P2000 for close-quarters bombsite defense and USP-S for long-angle holding positions.
CSGO’s Glock is still a powerful option
The Glock-18 presents a fundamentally different combat approach compared to CT starting weapons. While its oversized magazine contains sufficient ammunition to eliminate both teams multiple times, strategic limitations require specific engagement methodologies.
Effective Glock utilization demands leveraging its 20-round capacity to establish overwhelming suppressive fire, forcing defenders into cover positions. This creates temporary windows for Terrorists to close distance gaps and transition to close-quarters combat where the weapon excels.

This pistol thrives as an aggressive, proximity-based weapon. Its 400 RPM standard fire rate (escalating to 1200 RPM during burst mode) combined with extensive ammunition reserves creates decisive advantages against slower-firing CT alternatives in confined spaces. On specific bombsite configurations like Mirage’s B site, the Glock’s close-range superiority might even surpass defensive counterpart effectiveness.
Glock-18 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:20 rounds per magazine, 5 extra magazines, 120 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM, 1200 RPM during burst fire
- Reload Time:2.27 Seconds
CSGO’s Dual Berettas are just plain bad
The theoretical advantage of dual-wielding firearms rarely translates to practical CSGO success. These akimbo pistols have achieved meme status within the community, with most competitive alternatives offering superior tactical flexibility and engagement effectiveness.
While the Dual Berettas demonstrate situational utility during funneled enemy advances through narrow choke points, their extended accuracy recovery duration and prolonged reload animation render them nearly ineffective against coordinated team pushes.
Retired professional Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella’s attempted Dual Beretta utilization during CS Summit 6 highlighted their limitations, as the dual pistols provided inadequate stopping power before his elimination.

Dual Beretta Statistics
- Magazine Capacity: 30 bullets per reload with fifteen in each weapon, three extra magazines, 120 total bullets
- Rate of Fire:500 RPM
- Reload Time:3.77 Seconds
Ultimately, the Dual Beretta’s combination of extended reload duration, poor baseline accuracy, and significant damage degradation at minimal distances establishes it among Counter-Strike’s least effective secondary weapons.
The P250 is the perfect sidearm in almost all CSGO situations

Despite receiving significant adjustments in 2017, the P250 maintains exceptional versatility across numerous combat scenarios. Its affordability and performance characteristics make it particularly appealing for AWPers seeking reliable close-range protection.
The 2017 rebalancing removed the P250’s capability to deliver single-shot lethal headshots against helmet-protected opponents. Nevertheless, the weapon retains substantial impact potential during rounds featuring previously damaged enemies.
While the P250 doesn’t match the Five-Seven’s armor penetration capabilities, its enhanced damage output and rapid fire rate establish it as an outstanding economic round weapon, especially when coordinated with teammate flashbang support.
Common Mistake: Players often underestimate the P250’s effectiveness against armored opponents. While it won’t one-shot kill, two rapid headshots will eliminate fully armored enemies.
P250 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:13 bullets in the magazine, 2 magazines in reserve, 39 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
The CZ-75, CT Five-Seven, and the T’s Tec-9 as player options
Competitive loadouts feature selection between the fully-automatic CZ-75 and faction-specific alternatives. The CZ-75 remains CSGO’s exclusive automatic pistol option.
Before Valve implemented balancing modifications, the CZ-75 represented the default selection for both teams. In contemporary gameplay, the weapon maintains potential effectiveness, though its performance appears more dependent on statistical variance than player skill.
While precision instruments like the Desert Eagle reward accurate marksmanship, the CZ-75’s inherent inaccuracy combined with restricted magazine capacity creates difficulties in delaying enemy advances until reinforcement arrival when deployed defensively. Offensively, the weapon presents even fewer advantages, as even professional players’ rapid target acquisition struggles to compensate for the CZ-75’s performance deficiencies.

Specific scenarios exist where the CZ-75 demonstrates viability. The weapon occasionally succeeds during Terrorist executions relying on lightning-fast site entries incorporating flashbang-assisted elimination of unprepared defenders. Generally, purchasing the more economical P250 combined with additional utility represents smarter resource allocation than relying on the CZ-75’s inconsistent elimination potential. Considering the weapon’s extended draw animation duration, both attacking and defending sides benefit from selecting more reliable alternatives.
CZ-75 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:12 bullets in the magazine, 1 magazine in reserve, 24 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:600 RPM
- Reload Time:2.83 seconds from an empty magazine
The CT Five-Seven is the ultimate armor shredder
Among all available weapons in CSGO’s fourth pistol slot, the Five-Seven establishes itself as the definitive selection. Its exceptional armor penetration capabilities distinguish it among secondary weapons, complemented by being the exclusive sidearm besides the Desert Eagle capable of delivering single-shot lethal headshots against fully healthy opponents.
This single-shot elimination potential significantly mitigates the weapon’s performance limitations, including reduced baseline accuracy and comparatively slower firing rhythm. When targets are eliminated immediately, requirements for subsequent volleys diminish considerably.
The Five-Seven achieves optimal performance when deployed from headshot-advantageous positions combined with teammate flash assistance, mirroring classic dark positioning strategies Counter-Terrorists frequently employ on Mirage. Without question, this weapon delivers devastating results when operated by competent users.

Following Valve’s modifications designed to “reward defensive play,” the Five-Seven has evolved into an exceptionally powerful economic round weapon, even against fully-equipped Terrorist sides. The enhanced headshot capability and improved stationary accuracy Valve implemented have crafted an ideal defensive ambush weapon. With an armor penetration rating of 91.15, approximately 90% of the pistol’s base damage penetrates enemy armor directly, inflicting substantial health reduction.
Five-Seven Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:20 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 100 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:400 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds
After buffs, the CSGO’s Tec-9 is still not great
Historical CSGO meta featured Tec-9 rushes as fundamental Terrorist aggression tactics. With nearly perfect movement accuracy and single-bullet headshot lethality against Counter-Terrorists, some competitors preferred this faction-exclusive pistol over primary weapons including the legendary AK-47.
Valve eventually normalized the Tec-9’s performance relative to other pistols through sequential adjustments. While the weapon no longer demonstrates its former dominance, it maintains situational utility. One or two Tec-9-equipped attackers can lead economic round assaults resulting in victory against fully-purchased professional squads, as Ninjas in Pyjamas demonstrated against Team Vitality earlier this season.
It’s worth noting that Vitality experienced a player disconnection during that engagement, though casual observers can still recognize the Tec-9’s potential when entire Terrorist teams coordinate rush strategies.
The weapon’s elevated fire rate generates lethal close-quarters performance, particularly when multiple operators deliver simultaneous suppressive fire. Since the Tec-9 experiences rapid damage deterioration and poor long-distance accuracy, combining it with a longer-range pistol like the Desert Eagle represents the key to Tec-9 success.
While the coordinated Tec-9 assault succeeded for Ninjas in Pyjamas in the referenced clip, such outcomes represent exceptions rather than established patterns. Nevertheless, the demonstration reveals the weapon’s core strengths: rapid pressure application, overwhelming force projection, and localized chaos generation that provided NiP their tactical advantage.
Advanced Strategy: Use Tec-9 as a secondary weapon during half-buy rounds, pairing it with a Desert Eagle for versatile engagement coverage.
Tec-9 Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:18 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 90 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:500 RPM
- Reload Time:2.5 seconds
CSGO’s Desert Eagle keeps its budget AWP status
While the AWP maintains its position as CSGO’s most iconic firearm, the Desert Eagle claims a strong secondary position. Affectionately nicknamed “Deagle” by the community, this .50 caliber hand cannon has facilitated some of Counter-Strike’s most memorable competitive moments.
Before his landmark transition to FaZe Clan, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač struggled within a mousesports roster unable to adequately support their star performer. Despite insufficient team assistance to elevate mousesports to premier competitive status, NiKo established his reputation through masterful utilization of CSGO’s most powerful pistol.
NiKo doesn’t stand alone in Desert Eagle mastery. Numerous recordings showcase the weapon’s formidable capabilities, though its statistical attributes truly distinguish it from CSGO’s other secondary options.
The Desert Eagle guarantees minimum 46 damage against enemy combatants with direct impacts, assuming projectiles don’t penetrate environmental surfaces before striking targets. Beyond establishing this weapon as CSGO’s most damaging pistol, its 200 rounds-per-minute firing rhythm enables sufficiently rapid discharge for spam tactics. The combination of Desert Eagle damage output and rate of fire has transformed the weapon into what effectively functions as a shotgun alternative, allowing players to spam at close ranges for confirmed eliminations. Alternatively, they can leverage its near-perfect initial bullet accuracy as an economical sniper rifle substitute.
When coordinated with another teammate operating a Scout, this combination enables potential two-shot eliminations that can completely reverse anti-eco rounds against unprepared teams. While featuring substantial recoil and demanding significant skill for proper utilization, there exists clear justification for the Desert Eagle’s status among CSGO’s most recognized firearms.
The weapon’s primary disadvantage emerges from its substantial economic cost, requiring players to expend $700. This pricing structure can make the weapon unappealing during pure economic rounds. However, during partial purchase rounds, competitors shouldn’t experience surprise upon hearing the weapon’s distinctive acoustic signature.
Desert Eagle Statistics
- Magazine Capacity:7 bullets in the magazine, 4 magazines in reserve, 35 bullets total
- Rate of Fire:200 RPM
- Reload Time:2.2 seconds

Ultimately, all CSGO pistols maintain situational relevance with the notable exception of the R8 Revolver, particularly within CSGO’s current competitive landscape. While every alternative pistol demonstrates effectiveness in specific scenarios, the R8 has failed to establish competitive significance. This revolver currently represents negligible impact across both casual and professional gameplay.
Similar to other aspects of Valve’s Counter-Strike, determining appropriate weapon selection for specific situations constitutes half the strategic battle. For comprehensive tactical development, consult our Weapons Unlock Guide to master your entire arsenal.
Just like the rest of Valve’s Counter-Strike, figuring out which weapon is right for which situation is half the battle.
Action Checklist
- Practice 30 minutes daily in Aim Botz with each pistol to master recoil patterns
- Memorize armor penetration values and damage falloff distances
- Analyze map choke points to determine optimal pistol selection
- Develop team coordination for pistol rounds with specific utility usage
- Practice CZ-75 spray control in short 3-5 round bursts
- Master Five-Seven headshot angles on common defensive positions
- Coordinate Tec-9 rushes with teammate flashbang support
- Analyze team economy before selecting premium pistol options
- Practice weapon switching between Tec-9 and Desert Eagle for ranged coverage
- Test both CT pistols on community servers to determine personal preference based on play style
- Practice Glock burst-fire timing in close-quarters scenarios
- Master P250 double-tap rhythm for armored opponent elimination
- Develop Five-Seven positioning strategies for common defensive holds
- Create economic round loadout templates incorporating Desert Eagle for specific map positions
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