GTA Online Guns: How the Weapon System Actually Works

GTA Online guns span a huge catalogue by now, and most of it isn't worth learning at once — a handful of categories cover almost every situation you'll actually face.

Where you buy them

Ammu-Nation, in-store or through the phone app once you've visited one in person. Weapons bought once are yours permanently, with ammo as the only recurring cost.

The categories that matter

• Pistols and SMGs — everyday sidearm and close-range option
• Shotguns — short range, high damage, useless past a few metres
• Assault rifles — the default answer for freemode and most missions
• Sniper rifles — long-range and PvP-specific
• Heavy weapons — RPGs, miniguns; situational and expensive to run

MK II upgrades

Several weapons have an MK II variant with extra attachments and ammo types, unlocked through the Gunrunning bunker. It's a meaningful upgrade over the base weapon, not just a reskin.

What to actually buy first

An assault rifle and a decent pistol cover most early freemode situations. Everything else is worth adding once a specific mission or PvP habit demands it, rather than buying the whole catalogue up front.