GTA 5 weapons guide

Rockstar Games offers 57 weapons in the latest single-player Grand Theft Auto title and this GTA 5 weapons guide will help you get the best weapons. Gunfight is an important part of the Grand Theft Auto series and the developer has always focused on providing the best weapons for the games. The weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 are also top-notch in relation to the gameplay.

However, it goes without saying that some of the weapons are better than others. This GTA 5 weapons guide will shortlist some of the best guns and throwables that Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips should use.

Note: Some parts of this GTA 5 weapons guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions.

GTA 5 weapons guide: An overview of the entire weaponry

The GTA 5 weapons guide will help you choose the best weapons for your gameplay (Image via Rockstar Games)

The 57 weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode are divided into the following eight categories:

Handguns
Shotguns
Machine Guns
Assault Rifles
Sniper Rifles
Heavy Weapons
Throwable Weapons
Melee Weapons

There are eight slots in the weapon wheel and the weapons are divided among them. The classifications are as follows:

Handguns (9)

AP Pistol
Combat Pistol
Heavy Pistol
Marksman Pistol
Pistol
Pistol .50
SNS Pistol
Stun Gun
Vintage Pistol

Shotguns (6)

Assault Shotgun
Bullpup Shotgun
Heavy Shotgun
Musket
Pump Shotgun
Sawed-Off Shotgun

Machine Guns (8)

Assault SMG
Combat MG
Combat PDW
Gusenberg Sweeper
Machine Pistol
MG
Micro SMG
SMG

Assault Rifles (5)

Advanced Rifle
Assault Rifle
Bullpup Rifle
Carbine Rifle
Special Carbine

Sniper Rifles (3)

Heavy Sniper
Marksman Rifle
Sniper Rifle

Heavy Weapons (6)

Firework Launcher
Grenade Launcher
Homing Launcher
Minigun
Railgun
Rocket Launcher

Throwable Weapons (8)

Ball
BZ Gas
Grenade
Jerry Can
Molotov Cocktail
Proximity Mine
Sticky Bomb
Tear Gas

Melee Weapons (12)

Antique Cavalry Dagger]
Baseball Bat
Broken Bottle
Crowbar
Fist
Golf Club
Hammer
Hatchet
Knife
Knuckledusters
Machete
Nightstick

The GTA 5 weapons guide will now discuss the best weapons from each category so that you can improve your combat skills.

Also read: GTA 5 strategy guide

List of all the best Handguns in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers should keep their handguns ready for emergencies (Image via Rockstar Games)

Handguns are among the earliest weapons that you acquire in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode. These are compact weapons that can be used in short-range combat and to kill enemies without breaking stealth. While Rockstar Games offers nine handguns, the GTA 5 weapons guide advises you to acquire the following ones:

AP Pistol - $1,000
Heavy Pistol - $1,475
Pistol - $350
Stun Gun - $100

Except for the Stun Gun, the aforementioned pistols function the same with slight variations in their damage and firing rate.

The Stun Gun is a unique weapon that you can use on special occasions. As the name implies, this gun can be used to stun people temporarily. It throws an electric shock to the target that makes them fall to the ground shaking. Although the damage rate of the Stun Gun is low, the GTA 5 weapons guide readers must not spam it on a target if they don’t want to kill them.

The pistols can be used while on foot, inside a vehicle, and on a motorcycle as well. You can also acquire the base version of the weapon(s) from NPCs. However, the GTA 5 weapons guide advises readers to upgrade the weapon(s) and equip at least one of the pistols with the Suppressor to use during stealth missions.

Also read: GTA 5 Business Guide

List of all the best Shotguns in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers can kill multiple targets with shotguns (Image via Rockstar Games)

There is a very niche category of Grand Theft Auto 5 players who use shotguns as their primary weapons, as they have both their upsides and downsides. The upside is that it can shoot multiple targets at once in close proximity. However, the biggest downside is that you will need to reload the shotguns very frequently compared to other weapons.

Nonetheless, the GTA 5 weapons guide suggests the following shotguns out of the eight offered by Rockstar Games:

Assault Shotgun - $1,500
Pump Shotgun - $550

Unlike other weapons that fire single bullets in a row, the shotgun’s bullets get spread and hit multiple targets that are within its range. If you are pro at gunfights, you can use the Assault Shotgun as a primary weapon in many situations.

On the other hand, if you are feeling a little patriotic, you can also try the Musket. The weapon can be purchased from Ammu-Nation for $21,400. However, the GTA 5 weapons guide readers should note that the Musket has a very strong recoil force and needs to be reloaded after every shot. The reload animation is also lengthy.

Nonetheless, the best use of the shotguns can be seen during The Long Stretch mission.

Also read: GTA 5 parents guide

List of all the best Machine Guns in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must keep their machine guns ready for drive-by shootings (Image via Rockstar Games)

The machine guns play an important role in the Grand Theft Auto 5 gameplay, especially in drive-by shootings. These weapons come in both compact and large sizes, allowing you to use them on multiple occasions. While there are eight total machine guns in story mode, the GTA 5 weapons guide advises you to acquire the following:

Combat MG - $3,700
MG - $3,000
Micro SMG - $850
SMG - $1,300

The Combat MG and MG are big weapons with high damage rates and firepower. You can use these to fight large swarms of enemies. However, take proper cover during their reloading as the process takes time.

The Micro SMG and the SMG are compact weapons that are great for drive-by shootings. You can also use them on foot. But, there are better on-foot weapons than these two.

Also read: GTA 5 Downtown Cab Co. guide

List of all the best Assault Rifles in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers should select their assault rifles carefully (Image via Rockstar Games)

Assault rifles are without a doubt one of the most important weapons that you will need in the 2013 title. These are multi-purpose weapons that you can use in various situations. Be it fighting with the enemies, killing someone in stealth, or taking down a relatively distant target, the assault rifles are going to be your best companion in the game.

While Rockstar Games provides five assault rifles, the GTA 5 weapons guide advises you to acquire the following:

Assault Rifle - $1,400
Bullpup Rifle - $14,500
Carbine Rifle - $2,100
Special Carbine - $14,750

The base version of the Assault Rifle (based on the real-life AK 47) can be easily acquired from enemy NPCs. However, players should try to get the Special Carbine as soon as possible and upgrade it to the fullest to unlock its full damage potential.

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers should also equip at least one of the assault rifles with a Suppressor modification so that it can be used to kill enemies in stealth. This category of weapons is also best to fight with the police.

Also read: GTA Online PvP guide

List of all the best Sniper Rifles in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must own a sniper rifle (Image via Rockstar Games)

Sniper rifles are among the least-used weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5. But, they play an important role and you should not go without them. Rockstar Games offers three sniper rifles, and you should acquire one of the following two:

Heavy Sniper - $9,500
Sniper Rifle - $5,000

The GTA 5 weapons guide advises you to get the Heavy Sniper as soon as possible as it is better than the regular one. You can kill most of the enemies with one shot. However, the best use of sniper rifles is to take down enemies that are too far away and cannot be reached by regular weapons.

With enough practice, you can also take down pilots of planes and helicopters in Grand Theft Auto 5 by using a sniper. This skill comes in handy when you get a five-star wanted level or while being chased by police helicopters.

Also read: GTA 5 collectibles guide

List of all the best Heavy Weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must use the heavy weapons carefully (Image via Rockstar Games)

The heavy weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 come in handy when things go out of control during a gunfight and you want a quick solution. These are big weapons that can take out multiple enemies and vehicles as well. Rockstar Games offers six heavy weapons and we suggest you get the following:

Grenade Launcher - $8,100
Homing Launcher - $165,000
Minigun - $15,000
(RPG) Rocket Launcher - $6,500

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers should note that except for the Minigun, the rest are explosive weapons and should not be fired at proximity targets. Otherwise, the blast will kill you as well. The Minigun is also great for dealing with large swarms of enemies and taking down vehicles. As a matter of fact, it gives you more control and precise targeting.

You can also acquire the Railgun for $250,000 from Ammu-Nation. While it does more damage, its usage is not reliable.

Also read: GTA 5 Achievement guide

List of all the best Throwable Weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must keep some throwable weapons handy (Image via Rockstar Games)

While the throwable weapons are the smallest in Grand Theft Auto 5, they can deal heavy damage if used properly, Most of the throwable weapons are explosive that can come in handy in intense combat situations. Rockstar Games offers seven throwable weapons and GTA 5 weapons guide readers should stock up on the following ones:

Grenade - $150 each
Jerry Can - $25
Molotov Cocktail - Must be found in freeroam
Proximity Mine - $1,000 each
Sticky Bomb - $400 each

Except for the Jerry Can, the other weapons should be used from a distance as they make explosive damage. The Proximity Mines and Sticky Bombs work the same. However, the former triggers automatically when someone or something comes nearby, and the latter has to be detonated by you.

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers are advised to stock multiple units of grenades, Molotov Cocktails, Proximity Mines, and Sticky Bombs. The Molotov Cocktails cannot be purchased from Ammu-Nation, and you must find them in the freeroam.

Also read: GTA 5 Gold Medal Guide

List of all the best Melee Weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must keep the baseball bat in their inventory (Image via Rockstar Games)

The melee weapons are great in those situations when you don’t want to start a huge gunfight and trigger the cops. These are small weapons primarily used in hand-to-hand combats. Rockstar Games offers 12 melee weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 story mode and you should acquire the following:

Baseball Bat - Must be found in freeroam
Hatchet - $750
Knife - $100
Knuckledusters - $7,500

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers should note that the Baseball Bat and the Knfie can be found in freeroam. These are mainly carried by various gang members. Therefore, whenever you fight with them, don’t forget to acquire the weapon(s).

The Knuckledusters is also an improvement to the general fistfight. Wearing them slightly increases the damage rate, and you will be able to knock down the enemy sooner.

List of important upgrades for weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5

The GTA 5 weapons guide readers must upgrade their eligible weapons (Image via Rockstar Games)

While it is a personal choice, the GTA 5 weapons guide advises players to upgrade their weapons to increase damage. Each category of weapons has different types of upgrades. But, in general, you should acquire the following upgrades: