Highlights

  • Not all GTA 5 weapons are equally effective, so players should research the best options.
  • The Firework Launcher, Molotov Cocktail, and Stun Gun are unique but have limited impact.
  • Experienced players can strategize to maximize weapon effectiveness and overcome gameplay challenges.

It goes without saying that Grand Theft Auto 5 is a super fun game, but anyone who has played it will know it's not easy to finish matches or go up against other players without the best GTA 5 weapons. Not all weapons are created equal, and players don't want to waste any of their hard-earned money on a weapon that isn't great.

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As a result, most players would want to do proper research when it comes to the most effective weapons in the game. Some firearms can take some time to down enemies, while others are so powerful that most enemies won't even stand a chance before their life is snuffed out in seconds. There are so many weapons in the game that making this decision can be tough, but it'll take a bit of experience playing this game before players find it second nature to pick the strongest weapon in their arsenal and rain hellfire upon their foes.

Most of these weapons can be found in Ammu-nation after completing certain missions.

Updated on March 18, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest video games ever made. The sheer amount of detail present in the open world coupled with an excellent story and fun gameplay made for a winning combination. Players didn't think that Rockstar could improve on this formula, only for GTA Online to change Rockstar's trajectory for good and turn this game into a cash-printing machine that shows no signs of stopping even now. There are many great weapons that players can find in the world of GTA 5, with some being more effective than others.

28 Firework Launcher

A Limited-Time Novelty Weapon That's Better For Lighting Up The Los Santos Sky Than Attacking Enemies

Firework Launcher in GTA 5

Ammo Capacity

20

Price

$65,000

Unlocked After

Franklin and Lamar

The Fireworks Launcher is one of the most unique weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5. Most people would assume that any contraption that looks like an RPG would be damaging, but the fact that this heavy weapon shoots fireworks instead of rockets is a notable change to keep in mind.

This means that most enemies wouldn't even be incapacitated unless they are directly hit with the full force of a firework. Without any major explosives to speak of, most vehicles will be safe from any damage if this weapon is aimed at them. The residual fire is the only thing that can accomplish this, which isn't something players can rely on in a dangerous situation. If players want to bamboozle their enemies, then the Fireworks Launcher is a good way to go, but no one should expect anything more from this weird weapon.

27 Molotov Cocktail

A Fiery Concoction Of Death That Is Deadly With The Proper Aim

Molotov Cocktail in GTA 5

Ammo Capacity

25

Price

Can't be purchased, only found in certain locations

Unlocked After

Present from the very start of the game

The Molotov Cocktail is not something to be trifled with. This throwable weapon takes no prisoners and will easily burn most enemies to a crisp who are unlucky enough to be hit with the full force of this fiery concoction. However, this item is only usable against human enemies, with most vehicles and the lot being largely unaffected if a Molotov is chucked at them with reckless abandon.

The Molotov Cocktail is one of the few weapons that can't be stocked at Ammu-Nation. Instead, players must find this throwable weapon in various corners of the game map, slowly stocking up in the hopes of using it against a group of enemies that need to be taught a lesson.

26 Stun Gun

A Unique Non-Deadly Firearm

The Stun Gun in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

Unlimited

Price

$100

Unlocked After

Monkey Business or Civil Border Patrol

Most people would be surprised at the idea of seeing the Stun Gun on this list. It deals no damage whatsoever and can only incapacitate enemies at short range, which isn't great given the wealth of better short-range weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5.

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However, the Stun Gun is a great weapon to take down enemies in a single shot. It takes a while to recharge, so players should make sure that their aim is good with this weapon.

25 Marksman Pistol

A Deadly One-Shot Weapon

Marksman Pistol in GTA 5

Ammo Capacity

1

Price

$4,350

Unlocked After

Mr. Richards

Most of the pistols in Grand Theft Auto 5 are way more effective than most people would expect, with the Marksman Pistol being a great example of the same. Sure, the fire rate may be slow, but players who are prudent about getting to cover and measure their shots can take out enemies in a single hit with this weapon.

The retro look of this weapon makes it pretty fun to wield, even if some people will understandably not be impressed by its weaker aspects. The Marksman Pistol is a powerful weapon in the right hands, but may not sit well with players who love to spray and pray instead of measuring their shots.

24 Heavy Pistol

A Slow But Reliable Firearm

Heavy Pistol in GTA 5

Ammo Capacity

18

Price

$3,750

Unlocked After

Dead Man Walking

While most people may just pull out bigger weapons that pack more of a punch in combat, the effectiveness of a pistol like this should never be underestimated. This is especially true in the case of a Heavy Pistol, which hits like a truck and can be used to mow down waves of enemies with relative ease.

The high damage of this weapon makes it pretty fun to use in combat, even if players may feel that the pistol's fire rate is a bit too slow to warrant a full-frontal assault. Still, picking off enemies at mid-range from cover is pretty engaging in its own right.

23 Grenade

A Classic Throwable Explosive That Players Can Use To Dish Out Some Serious Damage

Grenade in GTA 5

Ammo Capacity

25

Price

$150

Unlocked After

Franklin and Lamar

A classic throwable weapon that needs no introduction, it's easy to see why a grenade will be such a huge help in battle. If a group of enemies is giving players a tough time, then all they need to do is aim a grenade and watch the bodies fly away as their foes are squashed in no time. The grenade hits like a truck and takes no prisoners, ensuring that enemies are punished for trying to gang up against the player. A good aim is necessary to ensure that this explosive's effectiveness is maximized.

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While there are other advanced throwing weapons that give players more control over what they're doing, the simple allure of a grenade is something that deserves praise. It's a classic that players can always rely on if they're low on funds and want to blow things up with reckless abandon.

22 Sawed-Off Shotgun

A Blast To Use...Literally

Sawed-Off Shotgun in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

8

Price

$300

Unlocked After

Mr. Philips

The Sawed-Off Shotgun is one of the most fun weapons to use in the game. Blasting enemies at close range never fails to be entertaining with this weapon.

The weapon doesn't have many drawbacks...although there are so many better shotguns in the game that this variant becomes obsolete over time. However, until players have access to better weapons in the game, they'll have to make do with this weapon instead.

21 Assault SMG

Mow Down Waves Of Enemies With Ease

Assault SMG in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

30

Price

$12,550

Unlocked After

Signing up to the Social Club

The Assault SMG is easily one of the best long-range weapons in the game. With good aim, players will be able to take down most enemies with a few shots.

That being said, the weapon does suffer from being an SMG that can't be used in drive-bys due to its bulky nature. It's a shame...but this is a small price that players will be willing to pay to enjoy the immense power of this weapon.

20 Carbine Rifle

Strike Fear In The Hearts Of Any Enemy

The Carbine Rifle in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

30

Price

$2,100

Unlocked After

The Jewel Store Job

The Carbine Rifle is one of the best weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5 by a country mile. The stopping power and accuracy of this gun are in a class of their own, with its fire rate being amazing.

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That being said, some players might have so much fun spraying this weapon on their enemies that their ammo clip will dwindle before they even realize it. This less-than-ideal ammo capacity is the only drawback in an otherwise amazing weapon.

19 Combat PDW

Rewards Players Who Aim Carefully

Combat PDW in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

30

Price

$11,750

Unlocked After

Military Hardware

Out of all the light machine guns in Grand Theft Auto 5, the Combat PDW has the lowest fire rate of the bunch. As a result, it becomes hard to use this weapon in extremely intense firefights due to its low damage output.

However, players who aim their weapons carefully will have a great time with this weapon. That being said, switching out to a different LMG later on in the game is highly recommended.

18 Micro SMG

A Trustworthy Weapon That Can Also Be Used While Driving

GTA V WEAPONS - Micro SMG

Ammo Capacity

50

Price

$850

Unlocked After

Franklin and Lamar

The Micro SMG is a submachine gun that has been in the Grand Theft Auto series for several games now and is a popular game for people to carry with them. With the extended magazine purchased, the Micro SMG can hold 30 rounds, which is a step up from the 16 rounds that it could hold when it was initially purchased.

Even though the Micro SMG has one of the lowest magazine capacities when the player first picks it up, the fact that the extended magazine doubles makes it a lot easier to manage without having to worry about constantly reloading. This is the only SMG available for use while driving, making it a pretty good choice for when players are on the go.

17 Marksman Rifle

An Incredibly High Rate Of Fire And Low Recoil

GTA V WEAPONS - Marksman Rifle

Ammo Capacity

8

Price

$15,750

Unlocked After

The Paleto Score

While the damage of the Vom Feuer Marksman Rifle doesn't hold up to some of the other rifles in GTA 5, the incredibly high rate of fire and light recoil more than make up for the need to put a few extra bullets in a player's target to take them out.

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The Marksman Rifle is available fairly early in the game at Ammu-Nation for only $15,750, and Red Dead Online introduced the upgraded Marksman Rifle Mk II that upped the damage to further improve the ranking of the weapon.

16 Rocket Launcher

As Powerful As They Come

Rocket Launcher in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

1

Price

$6,500

Unlocked After

Blitz Play

Sometimes, the simplest weapons are the ones that end up being the most effective. Such is the case with the rocket launcher, which gets the job done in style if players want to destroy a group of enemies or a particularly annoying vehicle.

That being said, players should be aware of the fact that this weapon isn't the most powerful demolition firearm around. While it may be spectacular in its own way, the rocket launcher can be a bit too rudimentary for most people's tastes... especially when they check out some of the more engaging explosive firearms in the game.

15 Grenade Launcher

Blasts Most Enemies To Smithereens

The Grenade Launcher in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

10

Price

$8,100

Unlocked After

Trevor Philips Industries

The grenade launcher is another example of a weapon that doesn't need to be complicated, given how much fun it is to use. The explosives lobbed from this weapon can decimate enemies in a flash, and it helps that the weapon can hold a bunch of grenades that can be shot out rapidly before it needs to be reloaded.

There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a grenade arc perfectly before hitting the target and taking it out in a satisfying manner. Shooting in this game is genuinely a ton of fun, and it's easy to see why so many players love messing around with one of the best weapons in GTA 5.

14 Proximity Mine

A Player's Best Friend

Proximity Mine in Grand Theft Auto 5

Ammo Capacity

5

Price

$1,000

Unlocked After

Friends Reunited

The proximity mine had the potential to be one of the best explosive weapons in the game. Not only does it allow players to set traps, but it also lets them get away safely from the explosion and see the satisfying fireworks that ensue.

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However, the worst part about this weapon is that players can only carry five explosives at a time, severely limiting its use cases. Given how chaotic firefights can become in Grand Theft Auto 5, it's easy to see why many people feel that five explosives simply don't cut it.

13 Compact Grenade Launcher

The Quick Reload Makes It Very Valuable

GTA V WEAPONS - Compact Grenade Launcher

Ammo Capacity

1

Price

$45,000

Unlocked After

Nothing (Online Only)

The Compact Grenade Launcher is a weapon in Grand Theft Auto Online that was added as part of the game's Bikers update. Even though this weapon only holds a single grenade, meaning that it has to be reloaded after every single shot, it actually reloads quickly. That means that it's not going to take too long between shots, and this weapon is powerful enough to take out more intense enemies like armored cars.

The Compact Grenade Launcher may not be the weapon for every job that players are going to be on when they hit the streets of Los Santos, but the fact that it's powerful enough to take out vehicles or large groups of enemies in a single shot makes it a good choice for many tasks.

12 Heavy Revolver Mk II

Powerful, Fast, And Can Shoot Different Ammunition

GTA V WEAPONS - Heavy Revolver Mark II

Ammo Capacity

6

Price

$99,000

Unlocked After

Nothing (Online Only)

The Heavy Revolver Mk II is a weapon that was introduced into Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Doomsday Heist update. This weapon will set the player back a total of $99,000 as a conversion at the Weapon Workshop, but it's well worth the slightly hefty price tag.

This weapon does more damage than the regular Heavy Revolver, and it's able to shoot faster than that one as well, meaning that it's a step up from the Heavy Revolver. Another bonus for this weapon is the fact that it's able to use several types of ammo like incendiary rounds, tracer rounds, and hollow-point rounds, just to name just a few.

11 Advanced Rifle

Does Some Of The Most Damage Per Shot Of Any Rifle

GTA V WEAPONS - Advanced Rifle

Ammo Capacity

30

Price

$3,500

Unlocked After

The Big Score

The Advanced Rifle is a gun that has a pretty low price considering how powerful this weapon is. When purchased in GTA 5's single-player, it will set the player back $3,500. Meanwhile, if players get this gun online, it will cost the player $14,250. Like other great weapons in GTA 5, this Advanced Rifle has several upgrades that can be purchased to make it even handier.

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The Advanced Rifle is among the weapons that do the most damage per shot in the assault rifle class. While that's pretty impressive, the fact that this weapon doesn't have a higher accuracy rating is what stopped this weapon from being placed a little higher up on this list.

10 Assault Shotgun

The Street Sweeper Is Known For Its Full-Auto Mayhem

GTA V WEAPONS - Assault Shotgun

Ammo Capacity

8

Price

$1,500

Unlocked After

Blitz Play

There is something inherently powerful about using a shotgun in GTA 5 that has nothing to do with stats or price. Sometimes, it can just be the most effective tool for the job when plowing through gang members and FIB agents alike.

While not quite as viscerally satisfying as the pump shotgun, the Vom Feuer Assault Shotgun is an automatic version of the powerful weapon with a high fire rate and a stellar design. It is also known as the Street Sweeper for reasons that will be made clear fairly quickly after a player equips this weapon in GTA 5.

9 Special Carbine

Heavily Upgradeable And Has High Damage And Accuracy

GTA V WEAPONS - Special Carbine

Ammo Capacity

30

Price

$14,750

Unlocked After

The Jewel Store Job

The Special Carbine is a weapon that is available in GTA 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online for $14,750 at Ammu-Nation. This assault rifle has several upgrades that can be purchased like extended magazines and a scope to make it an even better choice for many jobs.

This weapon has a higher damage per shot rating than many weapons in its class and it has a pretty high accuracy rating, meaning that those shots are going to land in the enemies even if players are trying to take them down while on the run, though it doesn't have the best range.