There are five rare firearms in Red Dead Redemption 1, which are late game unlocks. You will require a significant amount of money to purchase them at Gunsmith stores once the requirements to access them are completed. This RDR1 guide will list each of the rare weapons and the criteria to acquire them.
Carcano Rifle
Fast-firing scoped rifle with a five round magazine. This firearm’s rounds are higher velocity than other rifles, requiring less leading on moving targets, making it very effective for hunting prey.
In single player, the Carcano Rifle retails for $1100 at the Blackwater Gunsmith. With high honor, the price drops to $550, and then to $225 while wearing the Savvy Merchant outfit. The price jumps to $1600 with low honor. Requires the completion of the mission “An Appointed Time”.
In multiplayer, attaining a player rank of 28 unlocks the Carcano Rifle and associated challenges to turn it golden. It can be found in a chest in the Nosalida gang hideout, as well as taken off of Americus Roe at the Tumbleweed gang hideout. Other players wielding it can be killed for the firearm.
Evans Repeater
The unique Evans Repeater has the largest magazine of any firearm in the game, and the fastest fire rate among repeaters. It can be reloaded two rounds at a time to match its massive magazine capacity.
In single player, the Evans Repeater costs $1000 flat at the Blackwater Gunsmith. High honor reduces the price to $500, and then $250 with the Savvy Merchant outfit on. Requires the completion of the mission “An Appointed Time”.
In multiplayer, the Evans Repeater and its challenges to turn it golden are unlocked at rank 43. A crate in a tent at Pike’s Basin contains the Evans Repeater. It can also be taken off of players, soldiers in the Mexican Army, and rarely Lawmen on duty in Armadillo.
LeMat Revolver
This nine round revolver holds three more bullets than standard revolvers in the game. It is a one-shot to the chest or head for human enemies, as well as some large predators such as wolves.
In single player, the LeMat Revolver can be purchased from the Escalera Gunsmith for a base price of $1250. This can be halved to $625 with high honor, and halved again to $313 if also wearing the Savvy Merchant outfit. Requires the completion of the mission “An Appointed Time”.
In multiplayer, the LeMat Revolver and linked challenges to turn it golden are unlocked upon attaining rank 46, as well as by taking it off another player that was killed while using it. It can also be discovered in Fort Mercer.
Mauser Pistol
The Mauser Pistol is one of the few pistols in the game, thus making it one of a handful of firearms with a very high rate of fire as well as a very high reload speed. The fifteen round stripper clip places it quite high in terms of ammunition capacity too.
In single player, the Mauser Pistol is sold for $800 at the Blackwater Gunsmith, or $400 with high honor. It can be had for as low as $200 if high honor is combined with the Savvy Merchant outfit. The price jumps up all the way to $1200 with low honor. Requires the completion of the mission “An Appointed Time”.
In multiplayer, the Mauser Pistol and the related challenges to turn it golden unlock at the penultimate player rank of 49, making it difficult to pick up off of other players. It can be found in the Twin Rocks gang hideout.
Semi-auto Shotgun
The massively powerful Semi-auto Shotgun has very low range, but a high rate of fire to go with a five round capacity. At close range, the wide spread can one-shot headshot and even torso shot almost all opponents including large predators.
In single player, the Semi-auto Shotgun goes for $1000 at the Escalera Gunsmith, $500 with high honor, and $250 with the Savvy Merchant outfit on. It has no mission completion requirement.
In multiplayer, the Semi-auto Shotgun and its golden gun challenges are unlocked at rank 26, making it quite possible to be picked up off of other slain players. A crate in Las Hermanas holds one, and both the Bollard Twins gang, and Walton’s gang members wield them.
And those are all five rare weapon locations in both single and multiplayer Red Dead Redemption 1.