Of Battlefield 6s 45 launch weapons, only four are sidearms, giving players a fairly limited selection of weapons for their “emergency use” tray. The P18 starter pistol is what you'd expect, as it's not really something to pull out unless players are out of ammo in their primary or stuck in a very close range scenario. ES 5.7 is actually slightly worse from a damage standpoint but has a better rate of fire, meaning it falls under the same umbrella overall. As such, the last two guns players unlock are arguably the best. These are the M45A1 (level 39) and the M44 revolver (level 48), with the latter arguably being the best option – but I just can't resist using the second best Battlefield 6 side arm instead.
While the M44's guaranteed two-shot death means it's the best gun for players to switch to and actually use regularly in moment-to-moment combat, my love for the M45A1 runs deep. For those unfamiliar with the M45A1, it is a modernized version of the Colt M1911, a weapon that has appeared in many games over the years. My affiliation with the M1911 began in Call of Duty: World at Warfor which it was the starting weapon Cod Zombies, retain that role in a few Black Ops also titles. Considering how much I love Treyarch's survival mode (my playtime is about 100 real days across the various iterations of it, not to mention all the extra Cod zombie media I consumed), that would probably be enough to make me stick to the gun. However, the connection does not end there.
While the Battlelog has been taken down in the many years that have passed since then Battlefield 3i remember using the site often to keep an eye on my stats. This included regularly checking how many M1911 kills I had, as I recall the number was over 10,000. If I didn't have the most M1911 kills of anyone playing BF3I was really in the top 5, because I was constantly in situations where I had to use the gun. When I play Battlefield games, there is nothing I love more than sniping, but I also stick to it BattlefieldPTFO mantra. This saw me needing to arm my fair share of M-COMs or help capture flags, which meant I needed to pull out my sidearm as often as I found myself sniping, and this led to the piles of M1911 kills. So while most players should use the M44 once they get it in the latest game, those who love the look and sound of the M1911, like myself, should consider loading the M45A1.
Battlefield 6's M44 Revolver is a real powerhouse
The only reason M44 didn't show up in the earlier days Battlefield 6s meta is that it is such a high level unlock, since most players are currently starting to reach 48. However, players who completed “Road to Battlefield 6” pass into BF 2042 gained access to the Western Front weapon pack for this gun when it was released, giving it a Battlefieldorange camo theme along with standard attachments. Even with basic accessories, it became clear to these dedicated players just how deadly this revolver is, as it fires quite quickly considering its massive 66 DMG per shot damage output.
Accessories are limited for this gun, but with the few options available, this is an ideal M44 loadout:
- Extent: BF-2M 2.50X (10 points)
- Ammunition: Hollow Point (20 points)
- Barrel: 5.12” compact (15 points)
- Journal: 6th Speedloader (5 points)
The range is up to personal preference, but I suggested a longer range option as the barrel improves hipfire accuracy, as this way players can use it at close and mid range effectively. With headshots normally doing 99 damage, there's a chance a target at full health will survive one, so the Hollow Point rounds are a must to guarantee those satisfying 1-shot headshots.
Battlefield 6's M45A1 is second best, and for me that's enough
While the M44 is highly recommended to anyone who is good at aiming for the head or controlling the recoil for the two-shot kill on the body, anyone like me who loves the M1911 (or those who just want a more easy-to-use pistol) should look at the M45A1. With the right accessories, its small stomach size can be counteracted while its accuracy can be honed.
The following setup can give the M45A1 a big boost, making it a memorable weapon in Battlefield 6:
- Extent: Iron Sight (5 points)
- Ammunition: Standard (5 points)
- Journal: 11th paper (25 points)
- Barrel: 5” pencil (20 points)
This build uses the 60 points available to members of Battlefield 6 community that likes to ADS. For hipfire enthusiasts, the barrel should be replaced with the Laser/Light Combo Green Underbarrel.
While I can't deny that the power of the M44 will likely win me more one-on-one duels in multiplayer matches, I don't mind the added challenge of using the M45A1 in gunfights. It's still a fast and reliable sidearm that can easily pick up a few kills for players with the 11th mag equipped, and I'm just too nostalgic for its predecessor to not settle for the weapon's slightly longer TTK in Battlefield 6.
- Released
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10 October 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-App Purchases, User Interaction
- Developer
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Battlefield Studios
