Best Weapons In GTA 5

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.

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 guns in GTA 5 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.

Updated on November 26, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: There's no shortage of options when it comes to the availability of weapons in Grand Theft Auto 5. However, so much variety can sometimes be confusing, as the idea of wielding a hatchet or even a broken bottle might sound fun, but in reality, it won't be doing much damage, so players should choose their weapons carefully.

Many of the weapons on this list are ideal for both long-range and close-range combat; however, a few of them, like the RPG, can also pack a strong kick and kill players' characters if they're not careful and fire it into a surface near them. This and other considerations should be in every player's top of mind while making their selection to ensure the highest level of efficiency in their kills.

31 Firework Launcher

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

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. At the end of the day, it's mostly for show, and at the hefty price of $65,000, it better dazzle one or two people.

30 Molotov Cocktail

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

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. Players should be wary when throwing the Molotov Cocktail, as it is one of those weapons that can also harm them if they stand too close. To stay safe from the rogue flames and remain unscathed, players should be at least 9 feet away from their target.

29 Stun Gun

A Unique Non-Deadly Firearm

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.

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. Not to mention that players will sometimes find themselves in a situation where a non-lethal approach is necessary, which makes the Stun Gun an ideal weapon to carry.

28 Marksman Pistol

A Deadly One-Shot Weapon

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.

27 SMG

A Classic GTA Weapon With A High Fire Rate And Decent Damage

Long-time fans of the Grand Theft Auto series are well-aware of the SMG's legacy. This drive-by weapon is available fairly early on in most games in the series, and does decent damage to enemies unlucky enough to stand in the player's way. As one would expect, this weapon is a blast to use in Grand Theft Auto 5 as well and it's available from the very start of the game after players complete "Franklin and Lamar".

It may not be the outright best gun in GTA 5, but the fact that this weapon is quite malleable and serves players well regardless of the scenario they find themselves in makes the SMG one of the most reliable firearms to have in the early game. Players may eventually replace this weapon with other guns that are arguably better, but the SMG will always be a comfort zone for those who want to mow down enemies with the might of an automatic weapon.

26 Heavy Pistol

A Slow But Reliable Firearm

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.

25 Grenade

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

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.

While other advanced throwing weapons 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. That said, as an explosive, the grenade poses a considerable danger to players themselves if they don't take the proper precautions. As with the Molotov Cocktail, players should try to be anywhere between 9 and 18 feet away from their target to avoid sustaining considerable damage from the blast.

24 Shrewsbury MG

A Machine Gun That Pumps Enemies Full Of Lead

Players who want to use one of the best guns in GTA 5 to absolutely mow down their opponents in style will love the Shrewsbury MG. This weapon hits like a truck and will pump most foes full of lead before they have any time to react. The fact that this weapon is unlocked after one of the most cinematic heists in the game makes it even sweeter to acquire.

As one would expect from a fully-automatic machine gun, the Shrewsbury MG will tear through enemies and ammunition in no time. It may not be as powerful as some of the other machine guns in GTA 5, but it still does a great job of letting players enjoy a power fantasy as they use this weapon to make quick work of their foes.

23 Sawed-Off Shotgun

A Blast To Use (Literally)

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. Shotguns are known for being quite terrible at long-range, as their projectiles spread the farther they go, making long-distance accuracy quite difficult to attain. However, it only gets worse with the sawed-off shotgun due to its shorter barrel.

22 Assault SMG

Mow Down Waves Of Enemies With Ease

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.