There are a lot of weapons at your fingertips for completing the single player missions inGrand Theft Auto V. Each weapon is intended to be used for specific encounters and some are much better at their jobs than others.
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In fact there are certainpowerful weaponsthat are so effective that the game becomes inherently easier once they’re in your possession. Some are obtained later in the game and a few can be obtained right away, but you’ll notice a distinct drop in difficulty once you’re holding one of these weapons.
10Minigun
The Minigun saw a significant buff from previous titles and now no longer requires a reload. As long as you have enough bullets you can fire a maximum of 9,999 with a maxed out shooting skill and enough ammunition in your inventory.
This baby will let you mow down armored individuals, groups, vehicles, planes, pretty much anything you need to take down quickly. It’s unlocked after the Paleto Score a little over halfway through the game and costs a painful $15 thousand at Ammu-Nation. You will be exposed using this weapon which is why it ranks so low, but you’ll find groups and most vehicles will be minor threats when you own this gun.
9Marksman Rifle
The best way to look at the Marksman Rifle is that it’s a sniper rifle for when you’re under fire or taking down groups of enemies. Its scope isn’t the greatest, but you’re able to move around while aiming and its fire rate is high allowing you to stay mobile and put down enemies with a few body shots.
Like the Minigun it’s also unlocked after the Paleto Score mission which is halfway into the game. It’s similarly expensive at $15,750 from Ammu-Nation. If you need to snipe incoming targets while on the run this is your weapon.
8Heavy Sniper
As far as sniper rifles go, the Heavy Sniper is king. It deals immense damage capable of bringing down enemies with a single body shot and can knock out a helicopter rotor with two shots. In fact it’s classified as an Anti-Materiel rifle meant to bring down vehicles. The only downside is that a suppressor can’t be equipped, but your target and the vehicle it’s in will be dead anyway so it hardly matters.
If you want this powerful sniper rifle in your arsenal you’ll unlock it after completing Three’s Company a third of the way into the story. It can be bought at Ammu-Nation for $9,500.
7AP Pistol
The AP Pistol has been a favorite among players and for good reason. It has a great fire rate, it packs a punch, it has high accuracy with low recoil, the magazine can be extended to hold 36 rounds and the ammo is the most common in the game. This is arguably the best weapon for drive-bys.
You’ll unlock it after beating the mission Three’s Company a third of the way into the game. It can be bought at Ammu-Nation for $1 thousand, another awesome perk to this already great weapon.
6Combat MG
The Combat MG is a great weapon for a variety of scenarios thanks to a 200 round extended magazine, light recoil, and decent range. It is a bit cumbersome to wield making it a problem when on foot, but this is negated by the fact that it’s meant to be fired from helicopters, truck beds, or when hanging onto vehicles. It can also be tailored for your needs and playstyle via attachments.
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It’s unlocked halfway into the game after the mission Blitz Play. It’ll cost $3,700 at Ammu-Nation.
5Rocket Launcher
A subtle, but welcome change to the design of this weapon from previous titles is the ability to strafe while firing and it can be used while behind cover. It deals the most damage out of any weapon in the game and will obliterate anything it’s shot at in one hit.
You will have to hit your target though which can be tough without practice and it takes a while to reload, the splash damage has been known to kill players too close to detonation as well. The Rocket Launcher is unlocked after completing the mission Blitz Play halfway through the story. It will then cost $6,500 at Ammu-Nation.
4Homing Launcher
Prior to this weapon aircraft are a significant threat, afterward they’re not much more than a nuisance. The Homing Launcher has incredible range and can lock onto aircraft and ground vehicles increasing the chances of a hit. With enough practice you can lock on, fire, and then run away while it chases the target. You’ll only get 10 rockets, but it takes afast planeto avoid a shot from this weapon.
If you want one you have to complete the mission Minor Turbulence which is about halfway through the story. It costs a whopping $16 thousand from Ammu-Nation, but it’s worth every penny.
3Pump Shotgun
The Pump Shotgun is brutal for close quarters combat as it can kill a fully armored opponent in one close shot. Once you obtain this weapon heists, raids, and indoor gunfights are fun and bloody affairs. The one downside is that it takes just under two seconds to pump a new round in, but odds are the first blast did the job.
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The other benefit is that you get it early by completing The Long Stretch, the sixth mission of the storyline. It’s then purchasable at Ammu-Nation for a cheap $550.
2Sticky Bombs
Sticky Bombs are incredibly useful when completing missions as they can be adopted for many purposes. They can stick to other cars when thrown allowing you to take down pursuing vehicles, they can be placed in key areas to ambush the enemy, be used as traps, and any other creative uses you’re able to think of. You can place 20 of them at a time so go crazy.
They’re unlocked about a third of the way into the game after you complete the mission Friends Reunited and can be bought from Ammu-Nation for $400 each.
1Special Carbine
This is arguably the weapon that makes the majority of missions easier because it’s the most versatile. It’s accuracy is high, damage is great, it’s suited for mid-range and it’s 60 round magazine will ensure few enemies are left standing. Obviously you want a weapon that’s best for each scenario, but you want this one with you for situations you don’t anticipate likerandom encountersor if your ideal weapons run out of ammo.
If playing an earlier version of the game it’s unlocked after the second mission Franklin and Lamar. If you have the PS4 version it unlocks after The Jewel Store Job a third of the way in. In either case it costs $14,750 at Ammu-Nation and will be one of your best investments.
