Black Ops 2 Pistol & Secondary Guide - Best Sidearms Ranked

Introduction

Secondary weapons in Black Ops 2 are far more than an afterthought. A well-chosen sidearm can save your life when your primary runs dry, provide a mobility boost for flag runs, or serve as a primary weapon in its own right for skilled players. The B23R and KAP-40 in particular are so powerful that some competitive players build entire classes around them.

This guide ranks every secondary weapon in Black Ops 2, from pistols to launchers, with detailed stats and recommendations for when to use each one.

Pistol Tier List

| Rank | Weapon | Tier | Damage | Fire Rate | Best Feature | |------|--------|------|--------|-----------|-------------| | 1 | KAP-40 | S | 45-25 | Full-auto | SMG-level TTK in a pistol | | 2 | B23R | S | 45-33 | 3-round burst | Reliable 1-burst kills | | 3 | Tac-45 | A | 55-40 | Semi-auto | 2-shot kill potential | | 4 | Five-Seven | B | 35-25 | Semi-auto | Large magazine, low recoil | | 5 | Executioner | C | 40-15 | Revolver | Shotgun-pistol hybrid |

S-Tier: KAP-40

The KAP-40 is a fully automatic machine pistol that rivals primary SMGs in time-to-kill. With 45 damage per shot up close, it kills in 3 bullets before significant drop-off. The 15-round magazine is the only weakness — without Extended Clip, you get about 2 kills per magazine.

Optimal Attachments: Extended Clip (increases to 20 rounds). The KAP-40 does not need other attachments — its iron sights are clean and its handling is already fast.

Best Used When: You want a secondary that can function as a primary. Overkill classes, sniper backups, and flag-runner builds all benefit from the KAP-40.

S-Tier: B23R

The B23R is a 3-round burst pistol that kills in one burst at close range with upper chest shots. Its accuracy, range, and burst fire rate make it competitive with many primary weapons at close-to-medium distance. Many competitive players prefer the B23R over the KAP-40 for its ammo efficiency and consistency.

Optimal Attachments: No attachments needed. The B23R's iron sights are excellent, and its burst spread is tight by default.

Comparison: KAP-40 vs B23R

| Attribute | KAP-40 | B23R | |-----------|--------|------| | Best Range | 0-10m | 0-20m | | TTK | Faster up close | More consistent at range | | Ammo Efficiency | Poor (mag dump) | Excellent (burst discipline) | | Skill Floor | Low | Medium | | Best For | Aggressive backup | Precision backup |

A-Tier: Tac-45

The Tac-45 is a high-damage semi-automatic pistol that kills in 2 shots at close range. It rewards players with good trigger fingers who can fire rapidly while staying on target. The 10-round magazine limits multi-kill potential, but for 1v1 backup situations, the Tac-45 is deadly.

Launchers & Special Weapons

FHJ-18 AA

The FHJ-18 AA is a lock-on launcher that destroys enemy air streaks in one hit. Essential for anti-streak classes. It can lock onto UAVs, Stealth Choppers, Escort Drones, and all player-controlled streaks. It cannot free-fire at enemies, making it purely a support weapon.

Best Perk Pairing: Blind Eye (Perk 1) + Cold Blooded (Perk 2) create a dedicated anti-streak class with the FHJ-18.

RPG

The RPG is a free-fire rocket launcher effective against both infantry and ground streaks. It excels at clearing hardpoints, destroying Sentry Guns and Guardians, and getting multi-kills on grouped enemies. The slow reload and single rocket capacity require careful shot placement.

Combat Knife

The Combat Knife is a high-mobility option that grants the fastest movement speed in the game. Paired with Lightweight, Extreme Conditioning, and Marathon, a knifing class can cross maps in seconds. The generous lunge range in BO2 makes melee kills surprisingly reliable.

When to Use Each Secondary

| Situation | Recommended Secondary | |-----------|----------------------| | Sniper backup | KAP-40 or B23R | | Flag runner (CTF) | Combat Knife (movement) | | Anti-streak support | FHJ-18 AA | | Shotgun backup (range) | B23R or Tac-45 | | Stealth class backup | Suppressed KAP-40 |

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a pistol as my primary weapon?

Yes! The B23R and KAP-40 are strong enough to use as primaries. Many skilled players run pistol-only classes to save Pick 10 points for extra perks and equipment. The B23R in particular is a favorite for Search & Destroy econ rounds.

Is the Executioner worth using?

The Executioner is a novelty weapon. It fires a shotgun-like spread from a revolver frame, giving it the worst traits of both weapon classes. It is fun in casual play but not competitive.

Should I always carry a secondary?

Not necessarily. The Pick 10 system lets you skip the secondary and spend that point elsewhere. If you rarely run out of primary ammo, consider dropping the secondary for an extra perk or attachment.

Conclusion

Secondary weapons in Black Ops 2 are tools, not afterthoughts. The KAP-40 and B23R are genuinely competitive weapons that can win gunfights against primaries in the right situations. The FHJ-18 and RPG provide crucial team support against enemy streaks. Choose your secondary based on what your primary lacks — range, fire rate, ammo capacity, or anti-streak capability — and treat it as an integral part of your loadout, not an afterthought.