The relentless replay value of Apex Legends is largely thanks to its vast array of game-altering characters and its impressive weapon catalog. Sometimes, such a wide selection of weapons can be daunting for new players. Plus, with constant patches and updates regularly shaking things up, ranking said weapons is a difficult, and often contentious, task. However, difficult does not mean impossible.
In an effort to present the fairest ranking, guns are rated based on their base performance without any attachments. Weapons currently in the care package will also not be weighed in. That being said, here is how every weapon in Apex Legends performs.
S-Tier
R99
The R-99 is one of the most widely used guns in Apex Legends, and for good reason. Its recoil, though intense, is predictable, and it hardly compensates for having the fastest fire rate in the game, along with the third highest DPS. When used correctly, this SMG has the capability to down a fully-shielded enemy in less than 3 seconds.
Peacekeeper
The Peacekeeper is by far the best shotgun currently available as ground-loot. Its ability to kill any enemy with 2 well-placed shots makes it a go-to weapon for most Apex pros. It is deadly in close quarters, and its choke even gives it some utility at small to medium distances. However, be warned, as this gun can be rather technical, and missing shots will come at a price.
R-301
The R-301 is perhaps the best all-rounder in the game. It melts at both close and mid-range and is even deadly long-range in the proper hands. The R-301 has some of the lowest recoils in the game, meaning even players of lower levels will be able to perform fantastically with the gun. Combining both a high rate of fire and damage, this is definitely not a weapon to sleep on.
CAR
Truthfully, the CAR performs very similarly to the R-99. However, this is not a negative, and the gun is an absolute powerhouse. Plus, its unique ability to use both light and heavy ammo allows its user to carry around less ammo in their backpack, as the odds of finding more after their next fight is high.
A-Tier
EVA-8
The EVA-8 had an astonishingly large buff in season 14, earning it the Apex "most improved gun" award. Almost every aspect of this powerhouse of a shotgun has been improved. A word of advice, aiming down sights on the EVA-8 doesn't alter pellet spread, and instead only obscures vision. Hip-fire as much as possible with this weapon!
Spitfire
Perhaps the greatest benefit of the Spitfire is its ability to wipe out entire squads with a single clip. The gun is extremely easy to use, and is one of the best examples in Apex of "spray-and-pray." For this reason, it is one of the most terrifying guns to go up against, and will often send enemies into a panic.
Wingman
Since Apex first launched, the Wingman has been a consistent fan favorite. The gun boasts an extremely high damage-per-shot, which greatly benefits skilled players. Unfortunately, the Wingman has been the target of several nerfs over the years, but when used correctly, it is absolutely devastating.
Hemlock
While it is arguably one of the most underrated guns in the game, the Hemlock possesses the highest DPS of any assault rifle in Apex. It has the ability to annihilate enemies at mid-range and is still viable even at close range if its hip fire is properly utilized. Of course, burst fire weapons are not everyone's thing, but using the Hemlock is never a bad idea.
Prowler
The prowler's odd burst fire makes it better suited for short to mid-range fights. Similarly to the Hemlock, it can be difficult to learn, but it can do an astonishing amount of damage for an SMG. The Prowler's extremely accurate hip-fire is something that should never go un-used in a close-range fight.
Flatline
Another classic fan favorite is the Flatline. The Flatline has hardly changed since the game's launch, but hey, don't mess with perfection. This hard-hitter makes it an excellent choice for that classic assault rifle feel that most gamers know and love.
Alternator
What the Alternator lacks in rate-of-fire, it makes up for in damage. Its slow fire rate and low recoil actually make it an excellent mid-range weapon, despite it being an SMG. When landing headshots, it is jaw-dropping how fast the Alternator can down an enemy.
Volt
The Volt is probably the most user-friendly out of every gun in the SMG class. Its recoil is mild, and its rate of fire falls right in between the R99 and the Alternator. Not to mention it has absolutely stellar iron sights. It is refreshing to see this beast of a gun finally out of the care package!
B-Tier
30-30 Repeater
The 30-30 is a difficult weapon to use, but it is extremely satisfying to get kills with. Unfortunately, it is really only effective at mid-range fights, but its unique charge-up capabilities make it a blast to play with. Just remember to account for bullet drops!
G7-Scout
Another marksman rifle, the G7-Scout, is undoubtedly a fun gun to use. That being said, however, it feels almost like a beefed-up P2020. Similar to the 30-30 Repeater, it is pretty much only effective in mid-range fights. One thing to keep in mind: its relatively fast fire rate for a marksman rifle gives it high utility for keeping far-away enemies from pushing closer.
Charge Rifle
The Charge Rifle is effectively an Evo-shield upgrader. Because the gun is essentially a laser, there is no need to account for bullet drop or velocity. At long range, there really isn't a much better gun to choose. It is just a shame that there are very few long-range fights in the game.
Havoc
With a turbocharger, the havoc drastically improves, but on its own, there isn't really much reason to choose it over any of the other assault rifles. It does have an incredibly high DPS once at peak efficiency, but its long wind-up time makes it a tough sell in a game where the majority of fights are close-quarters.
Sentinel
The Sentinel is another weapon that is actually quite deadly, but rarely sees a chance to perform in the environment it was made for. The Sentinel possesses a unique mechanic in which precious shield cells can be traded in to receive a temporary damage boost, which makes for extremely exciting moments when you land that amped-up headshot. Just be aware that the Sentinel is very unforgiving, and missing a shot is a lot of wasted time.
Longbow
The Longbow is the most forgiving of the snipers, boasting a relatively fast fire rate and large mag size. For newer players, the Longbow is probably the best sniper option. One thing to keep in mind however is that the Longbow does, unfortunately, have quite a severe bullet drop.
C-Tier
Triple Take
Sadly, the Triple Take has been subject to many nerfs over the seasons, making it one of the least viable long-range weapons in the game. Funnily enough, its interesting shotgun-like spray pattern can actually make it semi-useful at close range. Generally, though, it is a better idea to choose another marksman rifle.
Devotion
The Devotion is underwhelming in almost every aspect a gun can have. Extremely long wind-up time, relatively low damage, and awful hip fire make it a hard sell. Not to mention its terrible iron sights. The Devotion can still get kills, but it just feels like the devotion needs a lot more work at the moment.
L-Star
Another gun that has faced countless nerfs, the L-Star is now the worst LMG in the game. Even after the L-Star's season 14 buff, the gun has a wild, hard-to-learn recoil pattern making it only really viable at close range for those not on PC. The gun also rapidly uses up ammo supply in an era where energy ammo is already difficult to find.
Mozambique
The Mozambique is surprisingly usable now for a gun that used to be the laughing stock of Apex. While it does have decent damage-per-shot and an okay range, it is still a sidearm, and it feels like one. The Mozambique can be a lot of fun to mess around with, but it definitely isn't a gun to use legitimately.
RE-45
The RE-45 is another sidearm that is surprisingly usable. The gun's main drawback is its extremely small mag size, which makes it very difficult to get a kill in less than 2 full clips. It is also wildly inaccurate, but at close range, it can get the job done. Typically though, any SMG will be a much better option.
D-Tier
P2020
The P2020 is almost universally agreed upon as the worst gun in Apex Legends, but that is on purpose. It has always been a gun that the developers intended to be something that is immediately thrown away at the discovery of literally anything else. So while the P2020 will always hold a soft spot in our hearts, it takes the crown as being the lowest-ranked gun in the game.