Highlights

• The SOCOM is a versatile weapon in Metal Gear Solid, capable of killing enemies with just a few shots and even disabling them without causing a fight.
• The M9 is essential for non-lethal playthroughs in Metal Gear Solid 2, as its red-dot sight and ability to knock out enemies without alerting guards make it a valuable tool.
• The Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle can be found in multiple Metal Gear Solid games and is effective for taking out enemies from a distance, despite its lack of a silencer.

While each entry in the Metal Gear Solid series gradually drip-feeds the player new guns to use, some of which are sometimes mandatory to use in order to progress, there are a few that can be bypassed and forgotten about completely.

The thing is, these particular picks are not to be skipped out on, on account of how effective they are in a number of scenarios and boss battles. Instead of simply covering the unlockable super-weapons, these inclusions are standard parts of the games' armories that can really make a lot of difference for returning and new players alike. What are the best MGS weapons?

7 SOCOM

Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, & Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

• Ammo is extremely common.
• Three to five shots are usually enough to kill an enemy.

It’s tricky to actually miss the SOCOM in Metal Gear Solid. The first instance is inside the truck near the heliport. If it is missed, it can be acquired from the second floor of the Open Cargo Area. Otherwise, when players must fend off waves of guards with Meryl, it will be available then. A silencer is available from the Tank Hangar. Pliskin gives Raiden a SOCOM in the sequel, while the Strut F warehouse houses a suppressor.

In the first game, a trio of shots in succession is enough to kill a guard, which is handy for saving ammo in the more challenging VR missions. It takes roughly five shots in the second game, though it can deliver accurate headshots, as well as destroy cameras, ciphers, etc. Plus, if a guard gets unruly after a hold-up, they can be shot in a limb to “persuade” them to not fight back and drop items. Oh, and it can be used to shoot down the Harrier, though it's a time-consuming task and not recommended at all.

6 M9

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

• Ammo is extremely common.
• Knocked-out enemies won’t trigger a Caution if they’re found.

The M9 is an essential find for non-lethal playthroughs, and will really come in handy during the Plant chapter. Snake brings it with him in the first part of the game, but Raiden can find it in a nearby locker on the easier difficulties in the very first room. Alternatively, on Normal difficulties and higher, Strut F warehouse, B1. Climb the stairs, head for the bottom-right corner of the area, and enter the unmarked room.

Ammo is common, its red-dot sight makes long-range shots easy, and it safely knocks out enemies without alerting the guards. While sleeping guards may result in a patrol checking in if the player sticks around for too long, they won’t enter the Caution phase if they wake up the dozing sentry.

5 Mosin-Nagant

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, & Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

• It is a non-lethal sniper rifle.
• Though lacking a silencer, it has an excellent range.

The Mosin-Nagant can be found across three entries in the series. In Snake Eater, defeating the elderly marksman The End will grant it as a reward. It can be purchased from Drebin in Guns of the Patriots, and it is researchable after defeating ‘Tank Battle: T-72U’ in the campaign.

A long-range weapon for knocking out enemies is exceptionally useful in the Metal Gear Solid series. Sure, it’s loud, but it eliminates the need to get up close to safely K.O. them. Peace Walker does offer a lighter frame and even a temporary silencer if more upgrades are unlocked and researched, making it even more useful than ever.

4 Railgun

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots & Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

• It is a rifle that can fire electromagnetic slugs.
• Armored vehicles and bosses are heavily affected by it.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots had players using the Railgun for the first time during a battle against the Suicide Geckos. With three levels of charge, it can take out Geckos with a single shot and is marvelous against the other bosses. Ammo is rare, so it’s best to be used as sparingly as possible.

In Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, it is only usable in CO-OP, and can be unlocked by defeating the Custom Chrysalis with an S-rank. One player wields the weapon, while another charges up a dynamo to make it work. Against the pesky armored vehicle variants, it’s a godsend.

3 AM-MRS-73 NL

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• It is a semi-automatic, non-lethal sniper rifle.
• A shot can pierce thin armor, and it carries many rounds in a clip.

Taking out targets sneakily from afar is a joy in the fifth entry, not to mention an excellent tactic for reaching the best ranks. The AM-MRS-73 NL excels at this, and it can be unlocked by completing the Dispatch Mission "Destroy the New Fighter Aircraft."

It has a large clip size, can penetrate light-armored enemies, and sports a reasonably quick rate of fire. Speaking of which, an under-barrel shotgun or grenade launcher can come in handy for those who are not totally fussed about non-lethal runs, but the fact that it can sport a stun, sleep, and smoke grenade launcher really makes this one shine.

2 HAIL MGR-4

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• It is a semi-automatic grenade launcher.
• It is exceptionally powerful against vehicles and bosses.

Completing the Dispatch Mission "Destroy the Uranium Centrifuges" will offer blueprints for an absolute powerhouse of an explosive weapon: the HAIL MGR-4. The range on this is nothing to scoff at, and it can fire grenades at a fast pace thanks to its semi-automatic capabilities. Its reload speed is quick as well, compared to missile launchers that tend to require a reload after each shot.

An extended scope and a bigger clip aren’t essential, though they will help out greatly when using this. Plus, since it’s effective against armored vehicles, clusters of infantry, and bosses alike, it makes the late-game boss battles a lot easier to replay.

1 S1000 Air-S

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• It is a non-lethal shotgun.
• In close range, it can stun enemies with a single blast.

Shotguns aren’t all that useful in this stealth-action series, but the S1000 Air-S is a brilliant choice for close-range encounters. A shot to the chest is usually enough to knock out enemies without armor, while those who are armored up can be stunned with a shot to the face.

The requirements are big asks, however. Players will need to research the S-1000 a handful of ranks before getting the stun variant as an option, providing a shotgun gunsmith is on the team, the R&D team is at level 71 or higher, and one has well over a million GMP and 20,000 precious metal. This weapon can get a silencer and scope attached, making invading other players’ bases online a cakewalk.