GTA Online · QUICK ANSWER
Must-have guns for a practical GTA Online loadout
Our starter shortlist is Special Carbine, Assault Shotgun and AP Pistol, with a long-range rifle. With a Weapon Workshop, add Combat MG Mk II for sustained fire and Heavy Sniper Mk II for long-range work. Keep regular ammunition in your everyday guns while learning their handling.
These are role-based recommendations, not a measured fastest-kill ranking. Start with health supplies, Shooting skill and available control attachments. The guide explains each category, specialist ammo and every Bunker research project.
Sources
- Special Carbine — components and access (opens in a new tab)GTA Online acquisition and customization: standard weapon, grip and extended magazine; Mk II workshop not needed for standard version.
- Assault Shotgun — components and access (opens in a new tab)GTA Online: fully automatic, 32-round extended clip and grip; rank 37 purchase / rank 38 magazine / rank 39 grip. Story prices excluded.
- AP Pistol — components and access (opens in a new tab)GTA Online: automatic sidearm, rank 33 purchase, rank 34 36-round magazine; standard ammo. No assumption that its name grants Mk II Armor Piercing rounds.
- Combat MG Mk II — components and access (opens in a new tab)Customization: 200-round regular extended clip versus 80-round special clips, grip, direct-purchase muzzle brakes, research Heavy Barrel and conversion.
- Heavy Sniper Mk II — components and access (opens in a new tab)Customization: conversion, 8-round regular extended clip versus 4-round special clips, scopes, brakes and research-gated Heavy Barrel. HUD bars and one-shot thresholds excluded.
- GTA Online Shooting skill (opens in a new tab)Shooting subsection: accuracy, recoil, reload, capacity and Shooting Range challenges. No measured percentage or skill-grinding exploit.