Struggling to figure out how to equip the USP-S or P2000 in CS2? You’re not alone. Many players find the new loadout system confusing, leading to the common complaint: “I can’t change my starting pistol.” This guide is your definitive solution. We’ll not only walk you through the exact steps to change your starting pistol in CS2 but also explain the new system, troubleshoot persistent issues, and help you choose the best pistol for your playstyle. By the end, you’ll have complete control over your CT pistol and T pistol, ensuring you start every round on the right foot.
Let’s dive into the first thing you need to know: understanding the new framework Valve has built.
Understanding CS2’s New Loadout System
Before you can successfully change your starting pistol in CS2, you need to grasp the fundamental shift from CS:GO. Gone are the days of selecting weapons on a per-map basis. Counter-Strike 2 introduces a unified, global loadout system. This means you configure your preferred weapons once, and that selection applies across all official game modes and maps. It’s a “set it and forget it” approach, but it requires knowing where to look.
Loadout vs. In-Game Buy Menu
This is a critical distinction that causes significant confusion. Your starting pistol is part of your permanent loadout, not something you purchase during a round.
- The Loadout Menu: This is where you equip your starting pistol. It’s accessed from the main menu before you even join a game. Here, you permanently assign the USP-S or P2000 to your Counter-Terrorist side.
- The In-Game Buy Menu: This is the radial menu you open with B or a keybind during a buy period. It’s for purchasing weapons, armor, and utilities for that specific round. You cannot change your default starting pistol here.
Mixing up these two menus is a primary reason players think they can’t change their CT pistol. Remember: loadout for default gear, buy menu for round-specific purchases. For a deeper look at managing your in-game finances for those purchases, check out our CS2 Economy Guide: When to Save or Force.
Pistol Choices by Team (CT vs. T)
Another point of frustration is understanding which choices are available. The ability to change your starting pistol is team-specific.
- Counter-Terrorists (CT): You have a choice between two weapons: the USP-S and the P2000. This is the decision this guide focuses on.
- Terrorists (T): You are locked into using the Glock-18. There is no option to change this primary T pistol. Any attempt to find an alternative is futile, as the choice simply doesn’t exist in the game files.
Knowing this saves you the headache of searching for a non-existent option on the Terrorist side. Your energy is better spent mastering the Glock or optimizing your CT-side choice, which we’ll cover next.
Now that you understand the “where” and the “why,” let’s get to the practical part and walk through the exact steps to equip the USP-S or P2000 in your loadout.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your CT Starting Pistol
Now for the main event. Let’s walk through the simple process of how to equip your preferred CT starting pistol. The entire process takes less than a minute once you know where to look. Follow these steps precisely to ensure your new selection sticks.
- From the CS2 Main Menu, look along the top navigation bar. Click on the “Loadout” tab (it looks like a shield icon).
- In the Loadout screen, you’ll see a visual representation of your agent and their weapons. On the right-hand side, locate and click the “Pistols” category.
- You will now see the two choices: the USP-S and the P2000. Simply click on the pistol you wish to use as your default.
- A checkmark will appear on your selected pistol. This confirms it is now actively equipped in your CS2 loadout. There is no separate “save” button; the selection is automatic.
How to Equip the USP-S
To equip the USP-S in CS2, follow the steps above and select the USP-S from your pistol loadout. The USP-S is favored for its superior accuracy and integrated silencer, which hides tracers and reduces recoil. Once selected, you will spawn with this weapon every time you play on the Counter-Terrorist side. For a dedicated guide on this specific pistol, see our article on How to Equip USP-S in CS2: A Complete 2025 Guide.
How to Equip the P2000
To equip the P2000 in CS2, the process is identical. Navigate to your Loadout > Pistols and click on the P2000. This pistol offers a larger magazine and ammo reserve compared to the USP-S, making it a reliable choice for sustained engagements. The checkmark will switch to it, confirming your selection.
Skin Selection vs. Weapon Selection
It’s crucial to distinguish between changing the weapon model and applying a cosmetic skin. The step above changes the core weapon you spawn with. Once you have either the USP-S or P2000 equipped, you can further customize it with skins from your inventory. This is done in the same Loadout menu by clicking on the weapon and selecting from your available skins. Remember, skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect the core stats of your starting pistol. To understand how skin condition is measured, you can learn more about the CS2 Float Value Explained: How Skin Wear & Condition Work.
You’ve now successfully configured your loadout. But with a choice between two pistols, how do you decide? The decision between the USP-S and P2000 is more than cosmetic; it’s a strategic one that can impact your first-round success.
USP-S vs. P2000: Which CT Pistol is Right For You?
Choosing between the USP-S and the P2000 is one of the classic decisions in Counter-Strike. This isn’t just a cosmetic preference; it’s a strategic choice that defines your playstyle in the pistol round. Your starting pistol is your most critical weapon when every shot counts. Let’s break down the data and the feel of each weapon to help you decide which CT pistol belongs in your CS2 loadout.
| Stat | USP-S | P2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Magazine Capacity | 12 | 13 |
| Reserve Ammo | 24 | 52 |
| Damage | 35 | 35 |
| Fire Rate | 352 RPM | 352 RPM |
| Kill Reward | $300 | $300 |
| Special Trait | Silencer | Larger Ammo Pool |
USP-S: The Silent Precision Tool
The USP-S is the weapon of choice for players who value precision and stealth. Its integrated silencer provides tangible tactical advantages.
- Accuracy & Stealth: The silencer reduces recoil and completely removes bullet tracers and the directional damage indicator for enemies at a distance. This makes it incredibly difficult for opponents to pinpoint your location when you’re firing.
- Playstyle: It rewards careful, deliberate aiming for headshots. It’s perfect for holding long, narrow angles (like A Long on Dust II) where you can pick off approaching Terrorists without immediately revealing your position.
- The Trade-off: The major drawback is its limited ammo. With only 12 bullets in the magazine and 24 in reserve, spam firing or missing your shots will leave you vulnerable quickly.
P2000: The Reliable Workhorse
The P2000 is the dependable, high-capacity alternative built for sustained engagements and economic play.
- Ammo Economy: With 13 bullets in the mag and a massive 52 in reserve, the P2000 allows for more spam through smoke, pre-firing common angles, and generally less conservative ammo management. You can afford to miss a few shots without panicking.
- Playstyle: It suits aggressive players who push for map control and those who favor a more spam-heavy, close-to-mid-range engagement style. It feels more forgiving in chaotic pistol rounds.
- The Trade-off: You lose the stealth benefits of the silencer. Your shots are loud, and enemies will easily trace your location based on sound and tracers.
The Strategic Impact of Your Starting Pistol
Your choice between these two starting pistols directly influences your team’s strategy in the first round. A team with several USP-S users might play a more passive, angle-holding defensive game, leveraging their stealth. A team favoring the P2000 could be more inclined to aggressively challenge for map control, using their ammo pool to their advantage. Mastering your chosen pistol is a key part of improving your overall game. For a broader look at how to dominate matches, explore our How to Get Better at CS2: Complete Mastery Guide.
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to make an informed choice, let’s tackle the most common problem: what to do when the game simply won’t let your selection save.
Troubleshooting: What to Do When You Can’t Change Your Pistol
So you’ve followed the steps, but your CS2 loadout just won’t update. The checkmark appears, but you still spawn with the wrong gun. This “can’t change starting pistol” bug is a well-known source of frustration in the CS2 community. Before you resign yourself to a weapon you don’t want, run through these proven troubleshooting steps. One of these solutions is almost always the fix.
Fix 1: Ensure You’re in the “Loadout” Tab
It sounds simple, but double-check you are in the correct menu. As we established earlier, the in-game buy menu (opened with B) does not allow you to change your default pistol. You must be in the main menu Loadout section. Navigate out of any ongoing game or lobby and return to the main menu to access the true loadout screen. This is the most common user error.
Fix 2: Restart Your Game and Steam
A classic fix for a reason. Sometimes, game clients suffer from minor memory or cache issues that prevent settings from saving correctly.
- Fully exit Counter-Strike 2.
- Completely close the Steam client.
- Reopen Steam and launch CS2.
- Navigate back to your Loadout and try to equip the USP-S or P2000 again.
This refreshes the connection and often resolves the “loadout not saving” glitch.
Fix 3: Verify the Integrity of Game Files
If a restart doesn’t work, the core game files responsible for your settings might be corrupted. Steam has a built-in tool to check and repair them.
- Right-click Counter-Strike 2 in your Steam Library.
- Select Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
- Wait for the process to complete. Steam will replace any missing or corrupted files.
- Launch the game and attempt to change your pistol again.
Fix 4: Check for CS2 Updates
Valve frequently releases updates that fix known bugs. Your issue might have already been patched.
- Ensure Steam is set to keep CS2 updated automatically.
- Sometimes, restarting Steam will trigger a pending update.
- Stay informed about the latest patches, as a fix for a persistent loadout bug could be included at any time. Keeping your game updated is crucial for a smooth experience, much like optimizing your Best CS2 Audio Settings Guide in 2025 for competitive play.
By following this structured approach, you should be able to resolve the issue and finally get the pistol you want equipped. Let’s wrap up by answering the most frequent questions players have about this entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Even with a detailed guide, specific questions can pop up. Here are clear, concise answers to the most common queries players have about changing their starting pistol in CS2, directly addressing the “People Also Ask” questions from our research.
Q1: Why can’t I change my starting pistol in CS2? This is usually due to one of three reasons: you’re in the in-game buy menu instead of the main menu Loadout, a temporary game bug that requires a restart, or corrupted game files that need verification. Follow the troubleshooting steps in this guide to resolve it.
Q2: How do I equip the USP-S in CS2? Navigate to the main menu, click “Loadout,” select the “Pistols” category, and click on the USP-S. A checkmark will confirm it’s equipped. For a dedicated walkthrough, see our guide on How to Equip USP-S in CS2: A Complete 2025 Guide.
Q3: How do I get the P2000 in CS2? The process is identical to equipping the USP-S. Go to Loadout > Pistols and select the P2000. It will then become your default CT-side starting pistol.
Q4: Is the Glock the only T starting pistol? Yes. Terrorists are permanently locked to the Glock-18. There is no option to change the T pistol in CS2.
Q5: Can you change your starting pistol in CS2? Yes, but only on the Counter-Terrorist side. CTs can choose between the USP-S and the P2000. Terrorists cannot change their Glock.
Q6: My CS2 loadout won’t save, what do I do? This is a common bug. The most effective fixes are to fully restart your game and Steam, or use the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” feature in Steam. See the troubleshooting section above for detailed steps.
Q7: What’s the difference between the USP-S and P2000? The USP-S has a silencer (which hides tracers and reduces recoil) but less ammo. The P2000 has a much larger ammo pool but is loud and has more visual recoil. The choice depends on your preferred playstyle.
Q8: Which is better, USP-S or P2000? There is no objective “best.” The USP-S is better for precise, stealthy play, while the P2000 is better for spam-heavy, aggressive play. It comes down to personal preference and your role on the team.
Q9: Does my pistol skin affect performance? No. Skins are purely cosmetic and do not change the damage, accuracy, or any other stat of your starting pistol.
Q10: Where is the loadout menu in CS2? It’s on the main menu screen at the top, represented by a shield icon next to the “Play” button.
