How to Equip the USP-S in CS2: A Complete 2025 Guide

Staring at your Counter-Strike 2 loadout, frustrated that the iconic silenced USP-S pistol is nowhere to be found? You’re not alone. Many players find the process of customizing their starting equipment unintuitive, leading to a common search: how to equip usps in cs2. Unlike its unsilenced counterpart, the P2000, the USP-S offers a unique tactical advantage with its integrated suppressor, making it a favorite for stealthy plays and precise shots. This guide will not only walk you through the exact steps to equip the USP-S but will also delve into its strategic benefits, how to customize it with skins, and troubleshoot common issues preventing you from making the swap.

What is the USP-S and Why Equip It?

The USP-S | Business Class is a silenced, semi-automatic pistol exclusive to the Counter-Terrorist (CT) side. It serves as one of the two default starting pistols, the other being the P2000. The key difference lies in its design: the USP-S features a detachable silencer that significantly reduces weapon report, muzzle flash, and recoil. Choosing to equip the USP-S over the P2000 is a strategic decision that impacts your gameplay style. Its suppressed rounds allow for more discreet engagements, making it harder for enemies to pinpoint your location based on sound or visual cues. This stealth advantage is crucial for holding off-angles and executing silent flanks.

How to Equip the USP-S in CS2: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process to swap your starting pistol is straightforward once you know where to look. Unlike previous versions of Counter-Strike, you cannot make this change during an active game. You must access the main menu. Follow these steps:

1. From the CS2 main screen, navigate to the “Play” section.
2. On the left-hand side, click on “Loadout.” This is your inventory management hub for all your weapons.
3. You will see a grid of all available weapon slots. Locate and click on the “Pistols” category.
4. Find the slot labeled “CT Starting Pistol.” By default, this will likely be filled with the P2000.
5. Click on this slot. A new window will pop up, presenting you with the two available options: the P2000 and the USP-S.
6. Simply click on the USP-S to select it. The change is saved automatically.
7. Exit the menu. You have now successfully configured your CT side to equip the USP-S as your starting pistol for every new round.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting: Why You Might Have “No Option”

Many players report a frustrating scenario: they follow the steps but see no option to select the USP-S. If this happens, do not panic. The issue is almost certainly one of two things:

• You Are a Terrorist (T Side): The USP-S is exclusively a Counter-Terrorist weapon. You cannot equip it while on the T side. The T side’s equivalent starting pistol choice is between the Glock-18 and the P2000 (if you have it equipped from your CT loadout, but you will always spawn with a Glock on T side).
• You Are Trying to Change It Mid-Game: As mentioned, the loadout is locked once you are in a match. You cannot replace your P2000 with a USP-S during a live game. You must make the change from the main menu between matches.

No bug or glitch permanently removes the USP-S equip option from a legitimate copy of CS2. If you are on the CT side in your main menu loadout and still do not see it, ensure your game is fully updated and validated through Steam.

USP-S vs. P2000: Which CT Pistol Should You Choose?

The choice between the USP-S and P2000 is a classic debate and ultimately comes down to personal preference and playstyle. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which to equip:

• USP-S Advantages: The primary benefit is the silencer, which allows for stealth and reduces recoil, aiding in accuracy for follow-up shots. Many players also prefer its precision and feel on the first bullet accuracy.
• P2000 Advantages: The P2000 has a larger clip size (13/52 compared to the USP-S’s 12/24) and a faster rate of fire. It is better suited for spamming and engaging multiple targets in close quarters.

Expert Recommendation: If you value strategic positioning, holding angles, and picking off enemies without revealing your location, equip the USP-S. If you prefer a more aggressive, spam-heavy pistol round style, the P2000 might be your better choice. 

Customizing Your USP-S: Skins and the Drag and Drop Interface

A key part of CS2’s identity is weapon customization. Applying a skin to your USP-S is done in the same loadout screen.

1. In your Loadout, click on the USP-S slot.
2. At the bottom of the pop-up window, you will see your available USP-S skins.
3. To equip a skin, simply click and drag it from your inventory list onto the weapon model, or click on the skin and select “Equip.”
4. You can also use the search bar to quickly find a specific skin by name if you have a large inventory.

This drag and drop system makes managing your cosmetic items intuitive and visual. A well-chosen skin doesn’t just look good; it can also improve your personal connection and feel for the weapon. For more on how a skin’s appearance is determined, you can learn about the CS2 float value system.

Mastering the USP-S: Tips for Gameplay

Once you’ve learned how to equip it, mastering the USP-S is the next step. Its effectiveness is tied to its precision.

• Practice Precision: The USP-S rewards accurate aiming. Aim for the head; a single well-placed shot is lethal against unarmored opponents.
• Use the Silencer: The stealth benefit is negated if you fire wildly. Use controlled, deliberate shots to maintain your hidden position.
• You Can Detach the Silencer: By using the secondary fire key (default is right mouse button), you can detach silencer. This slightly alters the weapon’s handling and sound profile, though it is rarely done for tactical reasons and is more of a personal preference.

Integrating the USP-S into your strategy can significantly enhance your CT-side pistol rounds. For more advanced techniques that can be applied to all weapons, including movement to gain an edge, understanding CS2 peeker’s advantage is crucial.

Conclusion: equip Your USP-S with Confidence

Equipping the USP-S in CS2 is a simple yet vital customization option for any serious Counter-Terrorist player. By navigating to your Loadout menu, selecting the CT starting pistol slot, and choosing the USP-S, you unlock a weapon built for accuracy, precision, and tactical stealth. Remember, this change cannot be made mid-game and is specific to the CT side. Whether you stick with the USP-S or prefer the P2000’s larger magazine, the power of choice is yours. Experiment with both, find what suits your style, and dominate the pistol rounds.

Ready to fine-tune the rest of your game? Explore our guides on the best CS2 buy binds for faster purchases or discover how to copy the settings of pros like ZywOo CS2 settings to elevate your performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: I followed the steps, but I still don’t have the USP-S option. What’s wrong? 

This is almost always because you are looking at your loadout while on the Terrorist team. The USP-S is a CT-only weapon. Ensure you have selected the Counter-Terrorist side in your loadout screen to see and equip it.

Q2: Can I have the USP-S on T side? 

No, you cannot. The Terrorist side’s default starting pistol is the Glock-18. The USP-S is exclusively available to the Counter-Terrorist team.

Q3: Can I switch between the USP-S and P2000 during a match? 

No. Your starting pistol is determined by your loadout configuration set in the main menu before queuing for a match. You cannot change it between rounds or during a game.

Q4: Does the USP-S do more damage than the P2000?

 No, both weapons have identical damage statistics. The differences are in magazine size, recoil patterns, and the USP-S’s silencer, which affects sound and visual feedback.

Q5: How do I remove the silencer from the USP-S? 

Press the secondary fire key (default is right-click) to detach the silencer. You can press it again to reattach it. This is a cosmetic and auditory change with minimal gameplay impact.