Best CS2 Close-Range Weapons for CT-Side & T-Side
There is no room for discussion about what weapon is the best in Counter-Strike throughout its more than 20-year history — it’s the AK-47. This assault rifle solely accounts for over one-third of weapon usage in the game because of its price, one-shot & overall power, and accuracy. But what will be the leaders in the specific rating of the best CS2 close-range weapons? The popularity of the question is unsurprising, given the number of maps with narrow passages in CS2.
First, let’s determine what characteristics are crucial for the best CS2 short-range weapon and rely on this free-to-view table with diverse stats for Counter-Strike guns. Thus, we will look at the following:
- Damage;
- Armor Penetration;
- Fire Rate (RPM);
- Magazine Size;
- Running Accuracy (or Inaccuracy).
The latter parameter isn’t needed for standing spray at close range but can be especially important if running, so your bullets won’t fly away.
Among the general requirements for the best short-range weapons in CS2 will be the ability to deliver close-distance shots precisely and deadly, combined with the price of the gun. Still, for the CT side, the emphasis will be placed on the opportunity to kill more than one opponent in the shortest possible time to repel rushes. For Terrorists, it will be the ability to deliver a precise first shot (Running accuracy) and the weight of the weapons for faster movement.
Best CS2 Short-Range Weapons for Counter-Terrorists
When we discuss the best short-range weapons in Counter-Strike 2 for CTs, the first thought that comes to mind is the possibility of holding T-rushes. Thus, the best Counter-Terrorist guns should have enough bullets in the magazine, have a solid fire rate, and cause enough damage to deliver at least a few kills. The standing or running accuracy is of secondary importance in those cases.
Out of Contest: M4A4 & M4A1-S
One thing is clear: both M4s (and AK on the T-side) should be out of the contest in this rating, as they are universal rifles that are great at any distance and deliver the most damage. No pistol or SMG can be compared to M4A1-S and M4A4 in how they can hold Ts pushing the position and why players count their money to hold one of the main guns in the game. At the same time, it would be unfair to say that M4s are the only options for CTs as the top short-range CS2 weapons because the economy simply denies them in every round.
Dual Berettas
Being a pretty doubtful choice for the best CS2 weapon loadouts, many Pro teams use the Dualis in the first rounds as its firing rate (500) and magazine size (30) are too great to ignore against T-rushes.
Interestingly, the damage parameter of Dual Berettas is even higher than the one of AK-47 (38 vs. 36), but the armor penetration of only 57.5% (AK has 77%) makes it better only if compared against Glock-18 and both CT default pistols. A pretty weak accuracy at the middle and long-range distance makes Dual Berettas only suitable for pistol rounds, where it can be deadly in the right hands.
CZ75-Auto
Did you know that the CZ75-Auto is the only pistol in CS2 that doesn’t require pulling the trigger every time you want to shoot from it? That is why it is called the ‘small rifle’ and can be one of the best weapons for a short distance in CS2.
Alongside incredible RPM (600), its armor penetration (77.65%) is also on the level of the AK-47. However, CZ75’s owner should be a precise shooter — only 12 bullets in the magazine and 12 in reserve can be shot too quickly. Things become even worse at the moderate and long ranges, where poor accuracy will decrease the efficiency of the pistol even more.
MP9
SMGs got a new breath in CS2 and became much more effective with the new game version, and even the cheapest ones are now often used with better efficiency. When choosing the best from the list of MP9, PP Bizon, MP7, MP5-SD, P90, and UMP-45, the first one is the best in terms of fire rate (impressive 857 points). As for the price, despite UMP-45 being $50 cheaper than MP9 ($1,250), the latter has a better firing speed and five more bullets in the magazine. Those who can cope with its spay pattern (which is relatively easy) can be deadly for Ts at both close and even middle ranges.
FAMAS
FAMAS is probably one of the most underrated weapons for CTs, especially if they are looking for the best close-range guns in CS2. Thus, it is only slightly worse than M4s in terms of damage (30 vs. 33 & 38) but has the same armor penetration (70%) and fire rate (667) parameters. Of course, FAMAS has worse accuracy and 5 bullets less than M4A4 (5 more than M4A1-S) in the magazine. However, it is not so critical for short-distance shooting, while it costs ‘only’ $2,050, being closer to SMGs than rifles in terms of price.
Bonus: Zeus x27
Maybe you’ve missed the fact that Zeus x27 became a much more usable weapon after the CS2 update on February 7th, as a dozen other game changes arrived at the same time. A 200-dollar investment now looks more attractive due to the first-ever skin for Zeus x27 and because it became rechargeable. So, those who like to play at extremely close-range angles and spots can now buy a one-shot gun that doesn’t require a headshot precision and can be used multiple times.
Best CS2 Short-Range Weapons for T-Side
While CTs usually need the best CS2 short-range weapons to hold rushes, Terrorists require a quite different set of parameters for effective duels in close-distance battles. In this regard, a considerable fire rate and damage are welcomed for both sides, while the magazine size can be sacrificed for a better running accuracy, which is vital for Ts.
Out of Contest: AK-47
The primary feature of the AK-47 as the best of the best Counter-Strike 2 weapons for short distances is its headshot damage for opponents with helmets. So, it could be enough with only this fact in the hands to call AK the greatest rifle for close-range duels, but it also has nice damage, armor penetration, and accuracy as well. All these put it out of the discussed contest because of a lack of reasonable counterarguments, except price.
Tec-9
If someone asks the logical question, where are Dual Berettas and CZ75-Auto, the answer is pretty simple. While both of the regarded guns are OK for close range, they are mostly used for holding purposes, while the need to rush and execute close corners advantages Tec-9. The latter has more than 2.5 times lower running inaccuracy (10 vs. 26.85), which puts it head and shoulders above the ones acceptable for the CT side. Moreover, Tec-9 also has better armor penetration and can be deadly on force-buy rounds, even against rifles.
MAC-10
Mac-10 looks a bit overpowered and is surely one of the best CS2 short-range guns that can be taken in the game. For the funny price of only 1,050 bucks, one receives a gun with pretty nice running and jumping accuracy, allowing a T to deliver two straight bullets into the head even on the go. Terrorists usually have to make a tough choice on eco rounds sometimes, between a powerful but slow Desert Eagle and perfect for rushes MAC-10.
P90
The price of P90 ($2,350) was the main argument on why this gun should be absent in this list of effective close-range weapons in CS2. Thus, a cheaper Galil AR also has better damage (30 vs. 26) and armor penetration (77.5%), and it looks like a done deal in the discussion.
However, as we explained earlier, one of the key parameters for the T-side weapon is to have lower running inaccuracy, and 46 points for P90 is much better than Galil’s 133. Also, P90’s armor penetration is the best in the SMG department (69%), which is a deadly combo with 50 bullets in the magazine. Yes, it looks quite specific compared to Galil, but if money allows you to choose the weapon for fast rushes, the P90 is the dominant gun for the job.
Galil AR
With plenty of the Galil’s stats in the previous paragraph, there are not many questions as to why this rifle is one of the best for close distances in Counter-Strike. Galil AR is often compared to M4s in terms of its power and efficiency, as 35 bullets in the magazine and armor penetration are even better than prime CT rifles. Its price is closer to SMGs ($1,800), while shooting power is comparable with major rifles in the game.
Last Thoughts
Choosing the most effective CS2 short-range weapons is challenging, as it will always find opposition from gamers who simply don’t love some guns. However, we tried to rely on the statistical numbers and particular parameters of the pistols, SMGs, and rifles mentioned in the list. Maybe you even review your attitude to some weapons or understand why opponents choose them.
