Grand Theft Auto V is an immense game that gives you the power to do pretty much whatever you please in the city of Los Santos and its neighboring Blaine County. That said, you’re bound to run into some opposition that aren’t too thrilled with your antics, whether it’s gang bangers defending their turf or the police trying to spoil your fun.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do everything with fists in this world. You have access to a number of weapons that can get the job done for you, from the smallest, more convenient tools to the “big toys” that really do a lot of damage.
Below, we’ve got some tips on some of the best weapons to use in the game, as well as some helpful advice on which ones are best for the job. Remember, the bigger the bang, the more trouble you might draw to yourself. Use caution – but don’t forget to have fun.
Noise Levels
No matter which weapon you end up using, they make noises that can attract the wrong kind of attention. When you’re firing your weapon, keep a close eye on where you stand on the map. You’ll see a red circle surrounding your character that shows who’s within earshot of it. The bigger the weapon, the louder it is, and the bigger the range it creates.
This could be a problem if police are nearby, as you’ll raise a star on the “wanted” meter as you get their attention. You could also attract rivals if you’re in their “turf,” forced to defend yourself or flee, depending on what you want to do. Your best bet is to prepare yourself for opposition. In some cases, that may be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re looking to wipe out several enemies with a blast from a rocket launcher or another explosive weapon.
Who Needs a Gun?
Melee combat works fine in Grand Theft Auto V, unless you’re going up against adversaries that are better armed than you with a machine gun or something more powerful. If you’re close to an enemy, though, a good melee weapon will do the trick.
Your fist combat is effective, but it may take you a few punches and kicks to knock someone down. If you’re in a hurry, it’s best to have a weapon. A golf club is ideal, and has good range for knocking someone over; in addition, the classic baseball bat is back, and works just as good it ever has. Other good range weapons include the large wrench, which you can swing with two hands, and the nightstick, which can be found on most downed police officers.
If you purchased the special or collector’s edition of GTA V, you’ll have access to a hammer that can put down an enemy easily. As you take on thugs, you’ll get your hands on sharper weapons as well, including machetes and knives. These are great for wounding and finishing off enemies.
No matter what you use, make sure you don’t bring these weapons to a gunfight. The battle will be over sooner rather than later.
Small, But Sufficient
When it comes to pistols, you’ll start with the P99 before moving on to more deluxe models – at your choosing, of course – like the Beretta 92FS and the Desert Eagle. Though pistols have a low ammunition count, they’re good for quick head shots.
As for sub-machine guns, the Micro SMG is your best bet, though you can also gain access to the Assault SMG and HK53. These carry a better amount of ammunition than pistols, but fire at a burst rate – so time your shots carefully or you could run out.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot(gun)
Shotguns aren’t great on range, but they deliver a very effective blast, shredding anyone unfortunate enough to be in their range. The pump shotgun is the first one you’ll have access to, though the sawed-off shotgun is a sweet little number you can pick up, as well as the Assault Shotgun. If you bought a special edition of the game, you can also get access to the Bullpup Shotgun, which is quite stylish looking compared to regular models. NOTE: for those that bought the regular edition of the game, this will be available for purchase soon, so relax.
Riflin’ It Up
Yes, assault rifles are usually your best bet when it comes to executing heists or taking on enemies, mainly because of how many bullets they can carry. Accuracy works great as well, especially using two hands to aim and shoot.
The general assault rifle is usually your best bet, but you’ll have access to higher-end models in gun shops, including the slick Carbine Rifle and the Advanced Rifle, which looks very similar to the Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21, for you gun nuts out there.
If you prefer a machine gun, stick with the Advanced MG, which made a killing – literally – in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony. There’s also a sweet little Type-88 MG you can pick up in gun shops. They work just as well as the assault rifles.
Finally, if you prefer killing folks from a distance, the L115 AWM sniper rifle is great when it comes to accuracy and effectiveness, and the Barrett M82A1 is equally impressive if you have the cash for it.
And Now, the Wonderful Toys
Finally, we saved the best for last. If you really want to create a mess in Los Santos, you’ll want to use either the RPG or grenade launcher.
As it’s done in previous games, the RPG comes with limited rockets – you can always stock up on ammunition at a gun store – but delivers a mighty big bang. Use this when you want to create a massive explosion or prefer to wipe out a group of enemies in a hurry.
Likewise, the grenade launcher is pretty good. The explosions are delayed a few seconds after you deploy the shots, but they’re well worth it once they do go off. Try to time your shots for enemies that are running into them, or any oncoming traffic you feel like wiping out.
More Where That Came From
This is just a general amount of weapons you can find in the world of Grand Theft Auto V. There are a number of hidden and secret ones about, as well as accessories that you can add to them, such as laser sights, scopes and a sound suppressor, in case you feel like being quiet.
Other makeshift weapons are available as well, including grenades and Molotov cocktails – useful for getting out of a pinch when you don’t immediately have a gun in hand to dispatch enemies.
Search around the city, you might be surprised by what you come across. We’ll let you know of any additional discoveries as we continue to play through the game.
Grand Theft Auto V is available now for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Be sure to check out our Free Guide for complete coverage on the game!
