The Bantam is a lightweight double-action revolver in ARC Raiders that mimics the firing mechanics of classic western firearms. Players can shoot continuously from the hip for broad coverage, or aim down sights for more precise shots. While its compact appearance might seem unassuming, skilled opponents wielding this weapon can prove dangerous in topside combat. Understanding how to obtain and effectively use the Bantam requires knowledge of its mechanics, stat progression, and ideal loadout combinations.
Obtaining the Bantam Weapon
The Bantam can be acquired through multiple methods in ARC Raiders. Players have a 55% chance of looting it directly from Weapon Crates, where it has replaced the Anvil as the most frequently available small weapon. The revolver also drops from standard Containers scattered throughout maps. Additionally, players can obtain the Bantam by discovering its blueprint and crafting it themselves, or by reaching the 4th level reward tier in the Raider Pass.
The blueprint drops most frequently on the Pendola Pass map, particularly during Night Raids. The Commissary Supermarket and Old Town areas are prime locations for blueprint discovery. The containers found in Old Town Alleys show an especially high drop rate for blueprints, making that zone a reliable farming location for players seeking to craft the weapon. Since ARC Raiders operates on an RNG-based extraction system, the Bantam can theoretically appear almost anywhere on the map, so thorough exploration increases chances of finding one.
Weapon Characteristics and Limitations
The Bantam's defining strength lies in its ability to fire continuously from the hip, providing excellent coverage against larger targets at the cost of accuracy. This hip-fire capability makes it particularly suited for close-range engagements where spread is less punishing. However, the weapon shows significantly reduced effectiveness against other Raiders in PvP scenarios. A critical limitation is the complete lack of customization options—the Bantam cannot be modified and features no attachment slots, meaning players cannot equip silencers, specialized ammunition, or additional magazines.
The weapon's ammunition consumption rate exceeds that of the Anvil, requiring careful resource management during extended engagements. At medium and long ranges, the Bantam struggles unless players switch to aimed fire, which dramatically improves accuracy but reduces the weapon's close-range advantage. Hip-fire reliability without upgrades remains questionable, making weapon progression essential for consistent performance.
Upgrade Path and Stat Improvements
Upgrading the Bantam transforms it into a more dependable weapon. A fully upgraded Bantam IV achieves a 44.1% reduction in reload time, an 18.75% increase in dispersion recovery speed, and a 24% reduction in spread dispersion. These improvements grant the upgraded version a controlled conical spread pattern with minimal recoil when firing from the hip. Video analysis shows the Bantam IV maintains excellent stability during hip-fire sequences, making it viable for aggressive close-quarters play.
Despite these enhancements, the Bantam IV cannot destroy Medium or Heavy shields with a single reload cycle, limiting its effectiveness against heavily armored opponents. The weapon remains best suited for eliminating lightly armored targets or softening up tougher enemies before switching to a dedicated shield-breaker.
Strategic Loadout Recommendations
For PvP engagements, the Bantam shines when paired with the Combat Mk. 3 (Flanking) augment, which accelerates the draw speed of stowed or unequipped pistols and hand cannons by 33%. This augment is crucial for winning duels against enemy Raiders, as drawing speed directly impacts survival in quick encounters. Players should prioritize being the first to draw and maintain a secondary sidearm such as the Canto, Bobcat, or Buretta to handle situations where the Bantam's magazine empties.
A close-range combination of the Buretta and Bantam can eliminate even Heavy Shielded Raiders when executed properly. This two-weapon strategy leverages each weapon's strengths while compensating for individual weaknesses. In PvE scenarios, the Bantam proves effective against weaker enemies when using aimed fire. However, hip-firing an entire eight-round magazine at close range against high-threat targets like Shredders introduces significant risk, as the sustained fire may trigger dangerous enemy responses.
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