How to Holster a Weapon in Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most anticipated games of the decade prior to its release on December 10th, 2020. Ever since the Polish game studio, CD Projekt, announced the game back in 2012, there was constant online chatter about even the slightest piece of info regarding the project.

Now that the game is finally here, it’s time to immerse yourself in California’s Night City. Thanks to a wide variety of weapons, the game’s protagonist, a person named simply V, is not someone to be taken lightly. But if V decides to go for a stroll through the city, it would be wise to holster that long-range sniper in order to fully enjoy the experience.

Why Do You Have to Holster Your Weapon in Cyberpunk 2077?

Aiming to create a vibrant megalopolis that feels as realistic as possible, CD Projekt added a bunch of details you can find in everyday life. Piles of trash lining the streets, steaming manholes on every corner, and a warm glow emanating from the neon signs. All of this really paints a dystopian picture of this future world. Much like the movie Blade Runner did back in 1982, you’ll also witness many a crime happening in real-time around you.

Living in such a harsh environment, you might feel the need to be on the lookout at all times. To make sure you’re safe, the first instinct would be to keep your weapon tightly in your hands, loaded and ready. Unfortunately, if you walk up to a food stand, the cook might see you as an imminent threat and duck for cover. Just like in real life.

And if the police see you doing that, they’ll immediately spring to action. Never mind getting locked up, the NCPD officers usually shoot first and ask questions later. If you try to escape, they’ll send armed drones after you. And even if you evade them, another police patrol is probably waiting around the corner getting ready to take you down.

And if you manage to escape somehow, the citizens around you will be sure to flee, as far away as possible. And that’s where you’ll fail to listen in on casual conversations, preventing you from gathering additional info on the tasks you might have in your journal.

Once realizing the benefits of keeping your weapons holstered, you’ll definitely want to do know how it’s done. Since the developers didn’t bother to explain this action in detail while guiding you through the game, we’ll reveal all in the sections below.

How to Holster a Weapon in Cyberpunk 2077 on PC?

When playing Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, you can use the left Alt key on your keyboard to control the arsenal you carry with you. Depending on the way how you tap the key, you’ll have different options available.

To holster the weapon you’re currently holding in your hands, simply double-tap the left Alt key – and that’s it. Now you’re unarmed and free to roam the streets without any repercussions.

To pull out the weapon you just had in your hands a moment ago, tap left Alt again. If you tap it once more, you’ll switch to the next weapon you’re carrying. Since there are three weapon slots in your inventory, you can, for example, carry an automatic rifle in the first, a shotgun in the second, and a katana in the third slot. Tapping left Alt once will switch from the rifle to the shotgun. Another tap will switch from the shotgun to your katana, with the next tap switching back from katana to your rifle.

Another way to holster your weapon is through the weapons quick menu. You can call it up by long-tapping the left Alt key. This menu shows your current weapon setup. It includes three weapon slots, a fist icon for unarmed combat, a grenade slot, a quick item slot that usually holds a healing aid, and finally the holster weapon slot.

To holster your weapon, simply click the holster icon. The icon looks like a red pistol with a red line across it and you can find it in the right portion of the weapons menu.

How to Holster a Weapon in Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox One?

Just like when playing Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, the Xbox One version also allows you to holster any weapon you may carry. To do so, double-tap the Y button on the controller.

Similar to the PC commands, single tapping the Y on your controller will switch to the weapon in the next slot. To bring up the weapons menu, tap and hold the Y button. Of course, you can also select the holster command from this menu as well. You’ll find the icon in the right portion of the menu, looking like a red pistol with a red line across it. It basically says “no weapon.”

Please be aware that pressing the fist icon doesn’t provide for a holster action. Instead, your character will switch from a weapon they were holding to a fighting stance, fists up. Although it’s not technically a weapon the character is holding, clenched fists are still an act of aggression in Night City.

How to Holster a Weapon in Cyberpunk 2077 on PlayStation 4?

Aiming to provide a universal gaming experience regardless of the platform you’re using, Cyberpunk 2077 developers made the command system pretty much the same for both consoles and PC computers.

Following the logic on PC and Xbox One, PlayStation 4 players need only to double-tap the Triangle button on their controller to holster their weapon. Of course, the long tap on the Triangle brings up the weapons quick menu from where you can select the holster action as well. It’s the red gun icon to the right.

Beware of Automatic Holstering

It’s worth mentioning that your character, V, automatically holsters their weapon after some time. Although this may save you from any unwanted attention in Night City, it might prove to be detrimental in certain situations.

For example, you might want to tactically take out a bunch of thugs guarding a building you want to access. If you decide to sneak around and not draw any attention, that may take some time. So, you might spot a lone thug whom you can take out from behind. Regardless of your plan, you’re approaching the guy with the katana firmly in your hands. It’s just a precaution in case he suddenly turns around to attack you.

Since crouching and sneaking will take some time, your character, V, might automatically holster the katana at some point as you sneak. Since sneaking can be a tense action and V keeps the katana low, it’s possible for you to miss the moment when V holsters the blade.

So, you’re approaching the thug believing the katana is in your hands. Unfortunately, the thug turns around at the last moment and starts bringing up his shotgun to your face. You tap to slice him with the katana, but your weapon is holstered and it will take a moment for V to pull it out. This causes you to miss the precious moment of landing the first strike. Since the thug shoots his powerful shotgun inches from your face, you’re definitely ending up on the floor in this scenario.

Weapon Holstered

Hopefully, this article has shown you how to holster a weapon when walking around Night City. Now that you know how to behave, the police officers won’t jump you for carrying your rifle, gun, or even katana through the crowded city streets. Another benefit you can gain from this kind of good behavior is to listen in on various conversations people have all around the city. These provide for a deeper immersion into this future world and help you gain additional intel for pending missions.

Have you managed to holster one of the many in-game weapons? Which platform are you playing Cyberpunk 2077 on? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.