GTA Online Best Weapons in 2025

In Los Santos, the difference between victory and total wipeout often comes down to your choice of weapon. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the GTA Online best weapons 2025, helping you stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving battlefield. With balance updates and shifting strategies, knowing what to bring into a firefight can make or break your success.

Whether you're pulling off daring Heists, clashing in chaotic Freemode shootouts, or just handling business, the best guns in GTA Online will vary depending on your situation. With over a hundred weapons available—ranging from pinpoint-accurate rifles to high-powered explosives—there’s something for every kind of player.

To simplify your choices, we’ve created a comprehensive GTA Online Weapon tier list. But instead of tiers, you get the good old numbered list of top-10 guns. There’s no need to make any tiers if there’s like one or two weapons per tier. Besides, tier lists are overrated.

Before we jump into the action and break down all the good guns in GTA Online, here’s a quick tip: check out PlayHub—the new go-to marketplace where gamers buy and sell in-game services, from game currency and high-end weapons to rare items and GTA 5 accounts. Whether you're looking to gear up fast or earn by selling your loot, PlayHub connects you to the community that makes it all happen.

TOP 10 Best Weapons in GTA 5 Online 2025

Your ideal loadout in GTA Online will always depend on what kind of chaos you’re diving into—Heists, PvP lobbies, or PvE missions. Still, some weapons consistently outperform others, no matter the scenario. Below, we’ve handpicked what we consider the best GTA 5 Online weapons in 2025 based on raw power, versatility, and effectiveness:

• Heavy Sniper Mk II

• Combat MG Mk II

• Special Carbine Mk II

• AP Pistol

• Tactical SMG

• Assault Shotgun

• Railgun

• Minigun / Widowmaker

• Homing Launcher

• Up-n-Atomizer

Stick with us as we break down each of these top-tier weapons. We'll cover their category, cost, and where each one shines (or falls short), so you know exactly what to equip and when.

But before we get into all that, here’s a quick tip: check out PlayHub. It’s the latest player-driven marketplace where you can buy or sell GTA Online services—whether it’s cash boosts, rare weapons, or hard-to-find items. Skip the grind and jump straight into the action with everything you need, instantly and securely.

Heavy Sniper Mk II

Weapon Class: Sniper Rifles
Price: $165,375 (Conversion Cost)

When asking what is the best gun in GTA Online, the Heavy Sniper Mk II is always in the conversation. This thing hits like a truck, especially if you load it with explosive rounds. It’s perfect for blowing up cars, choppers, or anything with armor from way off. Sure, it’s not the fastest shooter out there, but throw on a Thermal Scope and a suppressor, and you’ve got a deadly silent sniper that’s built for taking out targets without setting off alarms. Upgrade it from the base version for $165,375.

Combat MG Mk II

Weapon Class: Light Machine Guns
Price: $119,000 (Conversion Cost)

The Combat MG Mk II is a beast when it comes to wiping out groups or holding your ground against waves of enemies. With a huge mag and solid fire rate, it holds up great in missions and chaotic Freemode fights. And for $119K to upgrade, it’s honestly one of the best bang-for-your-buck weapon upgrades out there.

Special Carbine Mk II

Weapon Class: Assault Rifles
Price: $135,000 (Conversion Cost)

The Special Carbine Mk II is one of those rifles that just gets the job done. It’s super accurate, hits hard, and spits bullets fast—perfect whether you're clearing out NPCs or going toe-to-toe with other players. Throw on some Armor-Piercing rounds and a grip, and it goes from solid to seriously deadly. As one Reddit user put it: “Special Carbine Mk II is still considered the best... never not used mine in any situation.” – Redditor.

AP Pistol

Weapon Class: Handguns
Price: $5,000

Fully automatic and usable from any car seat, the AP Pistol is a must-have for players who spend time in vehicles. It offers rapid fire, tight spread, and great mobility—perfect for drive-bys or defensive getaways. For $5,000, it's a small price to pay for big utility.

Tactical SMG

Weapon Class: Submachine Guns
Price: $409,500 (Gun Van exclusive)

As a newcomer to the GTA Online weapons meta, the Tactical SMG has quickly replaced older SMGs thanks to its excellent damage, rapid rate of fire, and high accuracy. Especially useful on motorcycles or while sprinting, it’s a top-tier pick for agile players. It’s available through the Gun Van for $409,500.

Assault Shotgun

Weapon Class: Shotguns
Price: $10,000

The Assault Shotgun is ideal for close-quarters chaos. With a 32-shell drum and full-auto firing, it can clear out rooms or hold off waves of enemies without a hitch. Reloads are quick, and handling is solid, making it a staple in most players' loadouts.

Railgun

Weapon Class: Special Weapons
Price: $730,000 (Gun Van exclusive)

Single-shot, high-impact, and devastating—there’s no mistaking the Railgun’s raw power. It can obliterate vehicles and heavily armored enemies in one hit, though it's balanced by a slow reload and high price tag. If you're looking for a heavy hitter, this is it.

Minigun / Widowmaker

Weapon Class: Heavy Weapons
Price: $47,000 (Minigun) / $499,000 (Widowmaker)

Both the Minigun and Widowmaker offer overwhelming firepower. While the Minigun is a more traditional rotary cannon, the Widowmaker brings alien flair with similar functionality. Either one can lay down constant pressure in Freemode fights or missions gone wrong.

Homing Launcher

Weapon Class: Explosives
Price: $75,000

When aerial threats like jets or Oppressors appear, the Homing Launcher is your best countermeasure. With lock-on functionality and strong splash damage, it’s ideal for taking down fast-moving targets with minimal aim effort. Get it at Ammu-Nation for $75,000.

Up-n-Atomizer

Weapon Class: Special Weapons
Price: $399,000

The Up-n-Atomizer shines in utility. It’s great for flipping cars, moving stuck vehicles, or knocking enemies out of cover. Its unique blast and infinite ammo make it a handy tool in and out of combat, and a fan favorite across many GTA Online weapons ranked discussions.

Best Weapons for Heists

Now that we’ve covered the top guns overall, it’s time to focus on the GTA Online best weapons for Heists—the ones you’ll want by your side when things get loud, messy, or dangerously quiet. Heist missions in GTA Online often involve clearing waves of enemies, storming rooms, and surviving aggressive law enforcement, so having the right gear is essential. Here are the standout weapons specifically optimized for Heist gameplay:

• Special Carbine Mk II

• Combat MG Mk II

• Assault Shotgun

• AP Pistol

• Heavy Sniper Mk II

• Up-n-Atomizer

• Sticky Bomb

Each of these choices plays a unique role. The Special Carbine Mk II gives you pinpoint accuracy for fast-paced takedowns in narrow corridors. If you’re holding off swarming enemies or defending an area, the Combat MG Mk II with its massive drum mag is second to none. For vault breaches and room clearing, the Assault Shotgun shreds enemies in seconds—especially in close quarters.

Don’t underestimate the AP Pistol, either. The AP Pistol’s your best bet when you’re behind the wheel or just need something fast while your main’s out of ammo. As for the Heavy Sniper Mk II, slap on a suppressor and a thermal scope, and you’ve got the perfect weapon for quiet takedowns, sniping guards from a distance, or dropping a chopper during your getaway.

The Up-n-Atomizer might not hit hard, but it’s super useful—flip your stuck car, pop open jammed doors, or knock a juggernaut off balance. And yeah, Sticky Bombs? Still unbeatable. Blow up vehicles, set traps, or clear a path when things get messy.

Put all this together and you’ve got a setup that’s ready for anything a heist throws at you, whether you're sneaking in or going out guns blazing.

Best Weapons for PvE

When it comes to taking on PvE content in GTA Online—be it contact missions, Heists, business defenses, or survival modes—success often depends on more than just firepower. Positioning, armor, and quick reactions all matter, but having the right loadout gives you a huge advantage. With that in mind, here are the GTA Online best weapons for PvE right now:

• Combat MG Mk II

• Special Carbine Mk II

• Assault Shotgun

• Heavy Sniper Mk II

• AP Pistol

• Railgun

• Homing Launcher

• Up-n-Atomizer

• Sticky Bomb

• Compact EMP Launcher

This loadout gives you a solid mix of damage, control, and versatility—everything you need to handle big enemy waves, defend objectives, or get through tougher missions without getting overwhelmed. The Combat MG Mk II and Special Carbine Mk II are perfect for most mid-to-long-range fights, while the Assault Shotgun absolutely wrecks anything up close. If you need to take out a vehicle or a heavily armed target from far away, the Heavy Sniper Mk II and Railgun have you covered.

For on-the-move situations, the AP Pistol is your best friend, especially when driving. And the Up-n-Atomizer is great for those weird moments when your car flips or you need to move something stuck in the way. On the explosive side, Sticky Bombs and the Homing Launcher are still go-to picks, while the Compact EMP Launcher is handy if you need to disable a vehicle without blowing it up.

Don’t worry if your favorite weapon isn’t listed—this isn’t a one-size-fits-all list. These are just the go-to tools that most experienced players rely on when handling PvE content all over Los Santos.

Best Weapons to Upgrade

With dozens of firearms eligible for Mk II conversion at the Weapon Workshop, it’s tempting to upgrade everything—but that can get expensive fast. Instead, focus your money on the GTA Online best weapons to upgrade first. These are the most effective, versatile, and frequently used Mk II options right now:

• Special Carbine

• Combat MG

• Heavy Sniper

• Assault Shotgun

These four weapons see the biggest improvements from their Mk I versions. The Special Carbine Mk II gains access to Armor-Piercing and Incendiary rounds, turning it into a mid-range beast perfect for Heists and Freemode fights. The Combat MG Mk II gets better recoil control, higher damage, and drum mags that make it ideal for PvE and crowd control.

Upgrading the Heavy Sniper gives you access to explosive rounds, Thermal Scopes, and suppressors, making it incredibly powerful against vehicles and players alike. And the Assault Shotgun becomes even more devastating with tighter spread and more ammo capacity—great for close-range encounters and room-clearing.

Of course, your personal playstyle and priorities matter. If you lean on different weapons for Freemode or PvP, you may want to upgrade those instead. But if you're looking for the strongest overall return on your investment, these are undeniably the GTA Online best weapons to invest in. Once these are fully modded, you can explore upgrading others that suit your specific needs.

Best Weapons for Beginners

If you’re just setting foot in Los Santos, getting kitted out quickly—and cheaply—makes every mission easier. The picks below represent the GTA Online best weapons for beginners in 2025: they unlock early, cost relatively little, and remain useful well into higher ranks.

All five are available straight from Ammu-Nation (the Homing Launcher appears once you reach rank 21), so you can build this load-out without grinding for exotic unlocks. Spend a little time practicing each weapon’s strengths—especially the Special Carbine’s head-shot potential and the AP Pistol’s vehicle utility—and you’ll be ready for just about anything Los Santos throws at you.

Conclusion

There are lots of weapons in the game. Some of them are too quirky, some are too expensive, but there’s a good range of weapons that can obliterate anything in your way. If you’re just starting out, there are a few decent choices to help you grind money in PvE or PvP activities. Some of these options will still be valid when you’re swimming in dough.

The all-time best weapons don’t really change year after year. Those are your regular assault rifles, machine guns, and SMGs. That’s basically anything with a lot of ammo in a magazine and a high rate of fire. You might already have the best weapon in your inventory without realizing it. In any case, now you know!