Can’t Change Starting Pistol in CS2? Here’s What to Do

CS2 is out, and there are many things players need to know about it. However, many players might find that they aren't able to change their starting pistol, the P2000, from their loadout. While some might assume that Valve has simply added this as a new feature, that couldn't be any further from the truth as this is a typical bug in the game.

If you experience the bug that stops you from changing the starting pistol in CS2 then there are two things you can try. The first and most common fix is to take advantage of the drag and drop function to change your starting pistol. If that doesn't work then you might have to check your game for any corrupt files. If both of these fixes don't work then the only thing you can do is contact Valve customer support.

By the end of this article, we guarantee you'll be able to change your starting pistol to be whatever you want.

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Not Being Able to Change Starting Pistol in CS2: Feature or Bug?

As we mentioned above, many players assume that Valve has simply implemented a feature where players aren't able to change their starting pistol in CS2. They assume that's the reason they don't see any option to remove or replace their starting pistol. After all, it's a new game so changes are to be expected, right?

Well, that isn't the case. If you aren't able to change your starting pistol in CS2 then you're experiencing a bug. This is actually a really common bug so no need to panic or instantly uninstall the game.

Fix #1: Drag and Drop

The easiest and most likely fix for this bug is to use the drag and drop feature. When on your loadout, you'll see all the different weapon types you can adjust. When you click on the starting pistol slot, while you'll see all the starting pistols at the bottom of the screen, you won't get the option to remove the P2000 and will only be able to inspect it.

So, what do you do? You simply click and hold the weapon you want to replace your current starting pistol with and then drag it to the starting pistol slot near the top of the screen. Drop it when your cursor is at the starting pistol slot and voila! You will have successfully changed your starting pistol.

Similar to this issue, if you don't get the option to change any other weapon type from your loadout then you can use this same fix to get around the bug. With that being said, we fully expect Valve to fix this bug in due time.

Fix #2: Verify File Integrity

If the first fix didn't work for you then you might be experiencing something that isn't a minor bug like we thought. Maybe you can start panicking a little now, but not enough to uninstall and reinstall the game. We say this because you can achieve the same thing you would if you uninstalled and reinstalled the game by simply verifying the file integrity of your CS2 game.

It's very likely that some of your files are corrupt, which can lead to several issues like this one. Luckily, tackling those pesky corrupted game files in CS2 is a fairly straightforward deal. Steam, the go-to platform for most CS2 players, comes with a handy built-in feature that lets you give your game files a good once-over to make sure everything's in tip-top shape. 

How to Verify CS2 File Integrity

Here's how you can verify your CS2 file integrity:

1. First off, fire up the Steam client on your trusty computer. It's your gateway to the CS2 universe, after all.
2. Next, navigate to the "Library" tab perched snugly at the top of the Steam window. Give it a click, and you'll be treated to a neat list of all your games, including the beloved CS2.
3. Now, the fun part! Scroll through that library of yours until you spot the unmistakable "Counter-Strike 2." Once you've locked onto it, do a right-click dance to conjure up a nifty context menu.
4. In this menu, hunt down the "Properties" option and give it a click and a new window will materialize on your screen.
5. Within this window, you'll see a range of tabs, but we're only interested in the "Local Files" tab. It's where the magic happens. Click on it, and you'll be presented with several tantalizing options, one of which is our ticket to game file salvation: "Verify Integrity of Game Files."
6. Now, go ahead and give that "Verify Integrity of Game Files" button a satisfying click. This is where Steam rolls up its virtual sleeves and gets down to business, scrutinizing every nook and cranny of your CS2 installation for any signs of corruption or missing files.

As Steam works its digital detective magic, it'll carefully cross-reference your CS2 files with a mental checklist of how things should be. Any inconsistencies, missing files, or data that's taken a wrong turn will be sniffed out and, if need be, patched up or replaced. And just like that, your CS2 game files should be as good as new.