Counter-Strike 2 weapon specifications
| Property | CS2 value |
|---|---|
| Buy price | $600 |
| Damage | 86 per shot |
| Cylinder / reserve | 8 / 16 rounds |
| Cartridge | .50 Action Express |
| Primary fire | Semi-automatic; double-action hammer pull |
| Secondary fire | Fanning; single-action |
| Fire rate | 85 RPM primary · 150 RPM secondary |
| Accurate range | 18.9 m primary · 2 m secondary |
| Reload time | 2.3 seconds |
| Running speed | 220 units/s; 180 while primary hammer is drawn |
| Armor penetration | 93.2% |
| Penetration power | 200% |
| Competitive / Casual kill reward | $300 / $150 |
| Entity | weapon_revolver |
| Available to | Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists |
| Counterpart | Desert Eagle |
Damage by hitbox (CS2 values)
| Hitbox | Unarmored | Armored |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 343 | 319 |
| Chest and arms | 85 | 79 |
| Abdomen and pelvis | 107 | 99 |
| Legs | 64 | 64 |
Hitbox damage (CS2 and Global Offensive)
| Hitbox | Unarmored | Armored |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 343 | 319 |
| Chest and arms | 85 | 79 |
| Abdomen and pelvis | 107 | 99 |
| Legs | 64 | 64 |
CS2 availability & record
The CS2 weapon record lists a $600 price, eight rounds in the cylinder and 16 reserve rounds. It deals 86 base damage, with primary fire rated at 85 rounds per minute and secondary fire at 150. The listed reload takes 2.3 seconds. Both Counter-Terrorists and Terrorists can buy it, so team access is not a limiting factor.
The R8 is a heavy pistol with high armor penetration and strong surface penetration. Its damage potential makes each accurate shot consequential, but the small cylinder limits how many attempts are available before reloading. It fills a different role from a conventional quick-tap sidearm and should be evaluated alongside the Desert Eagle, its listed counterpart.
Primary & secondary fire
Primary fire draws back the hammer and then fires after a delay of about 0.2 seconds. During the cocking action the revolver becomes more accurate, but movement speed drops; the movement and the audible cocking cue can expose the shot timing to a nearby opponent. Releasing the input before the delay ends returns the hammer without firing. The listed primary cadence is slow, so prepare the shot before an opponent enters the sightline.
Secondary fire uses a fanning action. It has no comparable firing delay and can repeat while held, reaching a higher listed rate of 150 rounds per minute. That speed comes with a large accuracy tradeoff: the Wiki gives an accurate range of about two metres for this action. Treat it as an emergency close-range option rather than a substitute for deliberate primary shots.
Positioning & ammunition
The revolver is most manageable when the player can anticipate a target and choose the timing of the primary shot. Pre-aim a likely route, allow the hammer action to complete, and account for the sound that may reveal the attempt. The slow primary cadence makes it poorly suited to facing several opponents in succession; prioritize a lone target or coordinate with teammates instead of relying on repeated shots.
Keep track of the eight-round cylinder and 16-round reserve. Reloading takes time, so use cover and consider the remaining rounds before beginning the animation. The weapon is heavy, and primary fire further reduces movement speed while the hammer is drawn back; avoid depending on it for an unplanned chase or fast reposition. A teammate or utility such as an HE Grenade can help deal with an opponent who survives a shot, while the Economy and Buy Menu explain the cost of choosing this $600 sidearm over armor or other equipment.
Version scope & changes
This entry describes the Counter-Strike 2 record. The Wiki also lists a September 25, 2025 CS2 model and animation update. Do not carry over the Global Offensive reserve count or dated matchmaking restrictions: the current CS2 weapon record specifies 16 reserve rounds and purchase availability for both teams.
Barrel rotation correction (August 14, 2024)
The August 14, 2024 CS2 update fixed a case where the R8 Revolver barrel rotated erroneously. The note identifies a weapon-model presentation issue but does not state that the cylinder, firing sequence, trigger delay, ammunition or damage changed. It is recorded as a visual correction to the revolver rather than a gameplay rebalance.
Appearance improvement (June 7, 2023)
The June 7, 2023 Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test update included the R8 Revolver in a list of weapons with visual improvements. The patch does not identify which model details changed; no firing or damage adjustment is documented in this note.