Highlights

• Strong and capable guns are essential for surviving in Far Cry 5's perilous region of Hope County, Montana.
• The 1911 handgun is stable, accurate, and has a fast reload time, making it a great stealth weapon.
• The Slingshot is a versatile weapon that can fire arrows and rocks, making it useful for silent takedowns and distractions.

In any Far Cry game, a player's trip to a fictional version of any country isn't complete without their trusty travel tools. That doesn't mean backpacks, toiletries, or beef jerky — but strong and capable guns. That's all the players need before they enter Hope County, Montana, in Far Cry 5; since even the clergymen are packing heat in this perilous region.

Hope County's local dialects range from English to lead bullets with a hint of C4 explosions in the accent. That's how players need to communicate in Far Cry 5. In order to speak with the locals, players will need the best tools for the job. So if players want to say pew pew or kaboom in place of "hello," these weapons should make conversations flow smoothly and emphatically.

Updated November 30, by Stephen LaGioia: The great thing about games like Far Cry 5 is that DLC expansions and mods almost always add new weapons, adding to the already vast quantity of fun content.

And with Far Cry 6 making its way to Game Pass, its predecessor is likely to see plenty of increased traffic, with more players looking to lock and load and fight their way through the hostile Hope County, Montana. As such, we thought it was time to revisit and reload this discussion with more of the best weapons players can take advantage of.

The attributes and stats displayed for each weapon assume the default form of each, without upgrades or customizations.

23 1911

Speedy Reloads

Handguns tend to be overlooked in first-person shooters, which is a shame since there are quite a few advantages to using them. The 1911 is incredibly stable, and at short or medium range, it is extremely accurate. The 1911 reloads faster than nearly every weapon in the game, which helps offset its low ammo capacity.

There are a huge number of attachments for 1911. The most important is the suppressor. A 1911 with an attached suppressor is arguably the third-best stealth weapon in Far Cry 5. It is quieter than submachine guns and rifles with suppressors, and its accuracy at medium range is often better than submachine guns.

22 Brass Knuckles

Swift Attacks And Potential One-Hit Melee Kills

One of the best melee weapons in Far Cry 5 is the Brass Knuckles. This upgrade to the player's fist has a fast attack rate and is one of the quietest weapons players can use. The damage increase of the Brass Knuckles over bare fists is insane. With Brass Knuckles, it's possible to one-hit some enemies with a headshot.

There isn't much customization with Brass Knuckles, only color. These cannot be unequipped either, so any challenge that requires using fists only should be done before purchasing Brass Knuckles.

21 Slingshot

Resourceful And Handy In A Pinch

The Slingshot doesn't have any glaring negatives – it is pretty decent in all categories, but not spectacular in any either. This weapon can fire arrows almost as well as the Recurve Bow, but it can also fire rocks as well – the rock ammo is infinite. The rocks aren't that bad either as a headshot can kill weaker enemies. It might not be as flashy as an automatic rifle, but it's still one of the best weapons in Far Cry 5.

This weapon is also useful for distracting enemies by shooting a rock near them. Of course, the Slingshot is a silent weapon – making it a great choice when trying to remain unseen. This can be obtained after completing the "Testy Festy" mission.

20 M-16 (DLC)

Similar To The AR-C But Free

This strong assault rifle is a standout weapon within the Hours of Darkness expansion — and also earns a spot on the Far Cry New Dawn lineup (for good reason). The weapon operates much like the fan-favorite AR-C, though it's a bit more entry-level and can be obtained easily; being free to owners of the added DLC.

While most consider it a weaker version of said weapon, as the AR-C has an extra point in handling, it's still a solid gun in its own right. While lacking in the cosmetic department (no skins currently available), what's more important is its customizable options, and it delivers here. Useful affixes can be applied here, including an extended magazine, suppressor, and optical sight.

19 AR-C

Great DPS Option Early On

The AR-C is one of the first assault rifles most players will find in Far Cry 5. There are better assault rifles in terms of damage, but there are several reasons to hang onto the AR-C. In terms of the rate of fire, the AR-C is king among assault rifles. It also has better handling and better accuracy than the AK-47.

Muzzle drift is a bit of a problem with the AR-C, although this can be countered with attachments, or aiming a bit lower than normal. The fast fire rate will empty magazines in no time. This necessitates the need for extended magazines. The AR-C has numerous skins from which to choose as well.

18 SBS

Solid Damage At Great Range

The SBS is a standard double-barreled shotgun. This gives it a slow rate of fire, but it has enough damage per shot to make close encounters a brief affair. Pinpoint accuracy isn't required, one shot is usually enough, and its range is surprisingly good, at least for a shotgun.

The accuracy and handling of the SBS can be improved with attachments. Believe it or not, adding a Reflex Sight or Red Dot Sight helps with aiming. The Enhanced Ranger scope might seem like overkill on a shotgun, but it works; and again, the range of the SBS is quite far.

17 45/70

Resourceful and Packs A Punch

The 45/70 is a lever-action rifle that fires .45 caliber rounds. A lot of players shun weapons like this due to them not holding many rounds, and because it's not capable of automatic firing. The biggest drawback to using the 45/70 is that it only holds four rounds, but it can be upgraded to hold six.

Rifles like this do quite a bit more damage than an automatic rifle, like the AK-47, and as much as machine guns, like the M60. Plus, having to use the lever to chamber the next round forces the player to aim every shot, helping players make the most of their ammo.

16 RPG-7

An Anti-Air Behemoth

While a bit trickier to pull off shots than, say, the RAT4's guided rockets, this tried-and-true RPG does the job just fine when trying to wipe out aircraft or larger targets. It boasts an absurd amount of sheer power and its rockets can soar to seemingly endless distances. It's a great way to plow through obstacles and generally wreak havoc while claiming more territory.

It also holds the potential to be upgraded with a scope and a variety of sleek skins, which, given its bulky nature, go a long way aesthetically. As an interesting side note — a glitchy version of this weapon can be found at the Lamb of God Church in Holland Valley, which sports a classic design.

15 SVD (DLC)

Reliable Entry-Level Sniper

Players can gain access to this bulky sniper by way of the Hours of Darkness expansion, and it's certainly a standout feature of this content. The weapon proves a good entry-level sniper with its semi-automatic fire, decent handling, and overall solid design.

It's not particularly customizable, but this isn't a huge deal as it's more than capable on its own. The weapon excels in both accuracy and range, making it a well-rounded sniper for medium distances. It's a great choice for players who prefer to vary their tactics, as it's quite versatile.

14 MS16

Great For Crowd Control

Players wanting a reliably good semi-automatic rifle will want to purchase the MS16. The 15-round magazine provides just enough for a fight, but a 20-round extended mag is available. The MS16 is accurate, quick-firing, and powerful. It's also loud. This is not a stealth weapon unless a suppressor is attached.

This weapon is a one-shot kill with fewer enemies. Stronger enemies and aggressive animals (like wolves) will take several shots. A decent scope, like the Enhanced Ranger or Tactical Scope, turns the MS16 into a semi-auto sniper rifle. At middle-to-close range, it's easier to aim without a scope.

The even more potent signature version of this weapon, the Trooper, can also be purchased. It offers many of the same stats and feel of its default variant, but with a bit more solid handling which is better suited for close-quarters combat.

13 M60

Highly Customizable And Great At A Distance

The M60 has been a reliable part of the U.S. arsenal for decades and has been one of Far Cry 5's best weapons since the "Hours of Darkness" DLC expansion. This is the slowest-firing machine gun in the game. However, the rate of fire isn't as important with machine guns. All machine guns have a high rate of fire — damage, handling, and range are more important.

This weapon does more damage than the other two machine guns and is equal in terms of range and handling. The M60 is incredibly customizable too.

12 SA-50

Swift For A Sniper

The SA-50 is a .50 caliber semi-automatic sniper rifle, and definitely one of the best weapons in Far Cry 5. Being semi-automatic allows players to get off a second shot quicker in case the first shot misses. The SA-50 is better than the MBP .50 in every category except accuracy, and in that category, it's only one worse.

The SA-50 can be fitted with a silencer if players wish to be stealthy, but they can engage at such long range with the SA-50 that stealth isn't that important. This rifle kills weaker enemies with one shot; stronger enemies require a headshot for a one-shot kill.

11 SPAS-12

High DPS For A Shotgun

The SPAS-12 has long populated the list of most effective contemporary guns in video games — and in real life. Thus, it's only a matter of experiment that they became the best shotgun in the game. It might not have the highest damage in its weapon class, but it doesn't have the weakness of other shotguns: the firing rate.

What makes the SPAS-12 so deadly at close quarters is that it's semi-automatic. So while it's not as robust as a double-barreled flock buster, it has more tactical value. Also, it lends a certain professional look to the player's otherwise casual-looking character.

10 Magnopulser

Insta-Death Disintegrator

The Magnopulser is a special energy-based weapon obtained after completing the "Out of This World" mission. This weapon might make players think that they're playing a Fallout game for a second. They shouldn't let the 0/10 for Damage fool them, though, as this weapon can disintegrate enemies if used right.

From a medium distance, the Magnopulsar will hurl enemies back. This is extra useful if the target is standing near a ledge. At close range, this weapon completely disintegrates the target. The only thing left of them is the weapon they were carrying. Players can use this effect to dispose of bodies if they're trying to remain undetected.

9 AK-MS

Rapid Damage At A Distance

The funny thing about the AK is that it's usually seen as a symbol of revolution and terrorism. As such, it's usually the go-to weapon of villains in most military shooters. Regardless, it's a good reliable weapon. The fanatics and friendly locals of Hope County don't care much about the symbolic implications of such a weapon.

The AK-47 and its specialized in-game variant, the AK-MS, are both decent weapons in their own right. They're perfect for players looking for capable full-auto weapons that are also highly customizable and work well in any range.

8 MBP .50

Sharp Shooting And Large Bullets

Then again, some players might want to put big holes in an enemy before the enemy even knows they're being hunted. The surest way to do that is with the MBP .50. As the name implies, it fires a highly invasive .50 caliber bullet. It's practically enough to take limbs off targets, but Far Cry 5 needn't be that graphic.

Needless to say, a sniper rifle that fires one of the largest bullets invented in warfare is overkill. In real life, this weapon was actually made for killing targets hiding behind bulletproof vehicles. There aren't many of those vehicles lying around in Hope County, so most targets will take the .50 caliber bullet raw with catastrophic results.

7 M249

Great For Anti-Air Offensives

This fan-favorite M249 has plenty of firepower to spare; almost an overwhelming amount. It's excessively talkative in the language of lead slugs, and can magically turn any target into a block of Swiss cheese. Frankly, most players wouldn't even want to use this potent weapon against enemies on foot. It's quite heavy and unwieldy for that; rifles do that job better.

So what's this weapon for? Those pesky Airplanes. Plenty of enemies in Hope County love to fly by and perform some strafing run volleys. They're too fast to hit with manual-aim rocket launchers, so the M249 is a surprisingly good method of countering them.

6 AR-CL

Potent And Versatile Sniper

With all the weapons and weapon holsters in Far Cry 5, it can be messy to keep the pockets full. Some players might want a weapon that can do many things and fit many roles. The AR-CL is perfect for that job. Think of it as a more multi-purpose version of the AK.

It does considerably less damage than that Russian-made weapon, but it makes up for it with better marginally better accuracy and a higher rate of fire. Moreover, the attachments for the AR-CL are more high-tech and varied. For many players, this is the sniper rifle of choice.

5 M-79 Grenade Launcher

Powerful And Compact

While on the topic of relatively compact weapons that can fulfill many roles, the M-79 is a fan favorite. It was first introduced in Far Cry 2 and has remained a staple of the series due to how fun and intuitive it is to use. It's a handheld grenade launcher, plain and simple.

It's like a double-barreled shotgun, except there will be nothing left of the targets if they're struck by this beast. As expected, the rate of fire is poor but it's usually a one-shot, one-kill affair with this weapon — multiple kills if the wielder's aim is good.

4 D50

High Damage And Complements Rifles

The D50, more popularly known as the Desert Eagle, is an intimidating hand cannon usually seen in the hands of movie villains trying to compensate for something. It's not all for show, however, as the D50 packs a punch.

In Far Cry 5, this weapon uses the same .50 caliber ammunition that the MBP .50 does — meaning players can treat the D50 like an MBP junior. That makes it an effective partner for a low-damage rifle, as long as the player is accurate.