Want to dominate Los Santos in GTA 5 Online? Having the right weapon makes all the difference. Instead of sifting through every weapon available, we’ve already done the hard work for you. In this guide, you’ll find the top weapons across all gun classes in GTA 5 Online and story mode. We’ve also included where you can find them and when they unlock, so you can plan your next heist or PVP face-off with ease.
Best Guns in GTA 5 Online (by Class)
GTA 5 and GTA Online include eight different weapon classes, each offering a wide variety of guns. Choosing the perfect weapon often gets overwhelming, so we handpicked the top guns from every class. Below is a quick overview of the best weapons in GTA 5 Online that you should definitely consider:
- Assault Rifle – Advanced Rifle
- Handgun – Marksman Pistol
- Heavy – Minigun
- Machine Gun – Assault SMG
- Sniper Rifle – Heavy Sniper
- Shotgun – Assault Shotgun
- Throwable – Sticky Bombs
- Melee – Machete
Finding the gun is the easy part. The challenge lies in understanding each weapon before making a purchase, especially considering how quickly you can run out of cash in GTA Online. While many weapons are available at standard locations, some can only be accessed through the Gun Van, which changes its location daily. Below, we provide detailed info about each top-tier weapon, including where to get it and alternative options in its category.
1. Advanced Rifle
- Price: $14,250 (GTA Online) / $3,500 (GTA 5)
- Class: Assault Rifle
- Unlocks After: Rank 70 (Online) / “The Big Score” mission (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
Assault rifles are a go-to for most players thanks to their fast firing rates. While some rifles perform poorly, the Advanced Rifle offers solid value and performance. It’s cheap and effective, making it worth unlocking at rank 70.
2. Marksman Pistol
- Price: $4,350 (GTA Online & Enhanced)
- Class: Handgun
- Unlocks After: Rank 1 (Online) / “Mr. Richards” mission (Story Mode Enhanced)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
Though most handguns act as secondary options, the Marksman Pistol stands out. This compact beast inflicts serious damage if you can deal with the single-shot capacity. For shootouts while driving, the AP Pistol is a great alternative.
3. Minigun
- Price: $50,000 (GTA Online) / $15,000 (GTA 5)
- Class: Heavy Weapon
- Unlocks After: Rank 120 (Online) / “The Paleto Score” mission (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
The Minigun is a powerhouse with 9999 bullets and the ability to obliterate anything in its path. Though it takes time to unlock, it’s well worth the grind if you love carnage and complete domination.
4. Assault SMG
- Price: $12,550 (GTA Online) / Free (GTA 5)
- Class: Machine Gun
- Unlocks After: Rank 29 (Online) / Rockstar Social Club (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
Running low on cash? Link your Rockstar Social Club account to get the Assault SMG for free. It offers good accuracy and control. If you crave faster fire rates, try the Micro SMG or Combat PDW instead.
5. Heavy Sniper
- Price: $38,150 (GTA Online) / $9,500 (GTA 5)
- Class: Sniper Rifle
- Unlocks After: Rank 90 (Online) / “Three’s Company” mission (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
Sniping fans will love the Heavy Sniper. It combines high damage with exceptional range, making it ideal for PVP and missions. It’s budget-friendly too, giving you long-term value in both game modes.
6. Assault Shotgun
- Price: $10,000 (GTA Online) / $1,500 (GTA 5)
- Class: Shotgun
- Unlocks After: Rank 37 (Online) / “Blitz Play” mission (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
Prefer close-range firefights? The Assault Shotgun is perfect. It might not offer the classic pump-action experience, but its high firing speed and solid damage output make it the best pick for close combat.
7. Sticky Bombs
- Price: $600 (GTA Online) / $400 (GTA 5)
- Class: Throwable
- Unlocks After: Rank 19 (Online) / “Friends Reunited” mission (Story Mode)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
First introduced in GTA IV DLC “The Ballad of Gay Tony,” Sticky Bombs have since become iconic. Players often use them to create controlled chaos. For instant-action fans, Grenades or Molotovs work better in PVP battles.
8. Machete
- Price: $8,900 (GTA Online & GTA 5)
- Class: Melee
- Unlocks After: “Nervous Ron” mission (Story Mode Enhanced)
- Locations: Ammu-Nation, Agency Armory, Gun Van
The Machete brings back old-school Vice City nostalgia. If you’ve completed “Nervous Ron,” you can get your hands on this brutal melee weapon and bring that raw, up-close action into GTA Online.
Best Guns in GTA 5 Story Mode
While most GTA Online weapons are available in Story Mode, some are mission-locked. Best Story Mode guns: unlocks, prices, and locations included.
- AP Pistol: Unlocked after “Three’s Company,” $1,000 at Ammu-Nation.
- Grenade Launcher: Unlocked after “Trevor Philips Industries”; costs $8,100
- Special Carbine: Unlocked after “Jewel Store Job,” costs $14,750.
- Minigun: Unlocked after “The Paleto Score”; costs $15,000
- Rocket Launcher: Unlocked after “Blitz Play”; costs $6,500
- Stun gun: $100, pre-“Monkey Business”
That wraps up our ultimate list of the best guns in GTA 5 Online and Story Mode. What’s your go-to weapon for causing chaos in Los Santos? Share your loadout with us in the comments below!
