Best weapons to use in GTA Online

Liam Mackay
GTA Online characters landing from a helicopter

While playing Grand Theft Auto Online, you need the best weapons for any situation, so we’ve compiled the best weapons you can use in Los Santos.

Whether playing against other players, or AI in missions, you need a weapon for all situations. Whether you’re doing the Survival Mode or just need some cool gadgets to buy, we’ve put together the best weapons you can include in your GTA Online arsenal, so you’re ready no matter what Los Santos throws at you.

Here are GTA Online’s best weapons and how to unlock them.

GTA Online best weapons, how to buy & cost

AP Pistol

gta online ap pistol

The AP, or Armor-Piercing, Pistol is by the far the best and most versatile weapon you can run in GTA Online. Unlocked at only Level 33, you can purchase this fully-automatic pistol from Ammu-Nation for $5,000.

It’s perfect for getting up-close and personal with your foes, or for pulling off a successful drive-by in true Grand Theft Auto style. No matter your playstyle, the AP Pistol will be essential in your arsenal.

Special Carbine Mk II

gta online special carbine mk ii

For dealing damage at a medium distance, there’s no better option than the Special Carbine Mk II. This fully-automatic rifle can be fitted with a variety of different modifications to improve its performance.

To unlock the Special Carbine Mk II, you’ll need to bring the base Special Carbine to the Weapon Workshop and spend $135,000 to upgrade it. The Mk II has a slightly higher damage profile, making it that little bit better than the base Special Carbine.

This upgraded version of the Special Carbine is easy to control and will be able to easily drop targets at almost any distance.

Assault Shotgun

gta online assault shotgun

If you’re looking for a weapon that decimates at close range, the Assault Shotgun is the weapon for you. This automatic shotgun will effortlessly tear through any enemy up-close.

You can unlock the Assault Shotgun at Level 37 and will set you back only $10,000. It’s especially suited for the indoor combat you’ll often find yourself in during missions, but it will also destroy other players in PvP.

No matter what weapon it comes up against in close-quarters combat, the Assault Shotgun will win.

Heavy Sniper Mk II

While the Assault Shotgun dominates up-close, The Heavy Sniper Mk II will be able to pick-off targets at range with ease.

gta online heavy sniper mk ii

You’ll need to spend some time in GTA Online to unlock this weapon. You need to hit Level 90 to unlock the base version, then spend $165,375 at the weapon workshop to upgrade it to Mk II. While the regular Heavy Sniper does 216 damage, upgrading it will increase its damage to 230 without affecting its fire rate.

The Mk II is still not capable of eliminating a player in one shot to the chest, but aim for the head and you’ll have no problem taking people out no matter how far away they are.

Sticky Bombs

Sticky Bombs can be bought from Ammu-Nation for $600 each, after reaching Level 19, and you should absolutely invest in them.

Aside from the fact that they are handy and convenient to use, they’re just so much fun! Throw them into the road to obliterate an oncoming player, use them to create chaos, and use humans as dartboards.

Railgun

This energy-firing weapon of mass destruction is worth it for appearance alone. Something that looks like it’s been stripped from an alien spaceship, the Railgun can be bought from Ammu-Nation for $250,000 after completing the Minor Turbulence mission in GTA 5.

A punishing weapon if you’re not accurate, but a deadly open if you stay on target. It can annihilate an unarmored vehicle in one go and is a classically crazy weapon to own in GTA.


There are a ton of different weapon options in GTA Online, but using these will help you spend your money wisely so you get the most bang for your buck.

Also, check out how to claim free GTA Online Prime Gaming Rewards in July 2021.

Image Credit: Rockstar Games / GTA Wiki

About The Author

Liam is CharlieIntel's Editor who focuses on Call of Duty but also plays lots of fantasy RPGs or anything else in his massive gaming backlog. After graduating in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University, Liam freelanced in games journalism before joining CharlieIntel in November 2020. You can contact Liam at [email protected].