The best weapons to use in GTA Online

GTA Online There is an arsenal of weapons, but not all of them are worth using. Like GTA Online Going into 2026, it is essential that you are equipped with the best guns for PvE and PvP, so that you are always ready to fight against enemy players or fight NPCs and other enemies in robberies or missions.

related to

Initial tips for a great start in GTA Online (2026).

This beginner's guide to GTA Online will ensure you don't get distracted by the bounty of activities in 2026 and beyond.

We have listed The best weapon in GTA Online PvE and PvP throughout 2026 Activities, which attachments you should use, and which are the most effective to use. Check out the weapons below to make sure you have only the best weapons in your weapon cycle.

The best pistols in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Best AP Pistol Loadout

Clip	Extended clip
muzzle	to oppress

The AP pistol will be your primary pistol, used for all engagements from stealth to vehicle combat. The AP pistol features an extremely high rate of fire, impressive ammo capacity, and a suppressor key to your loadout. This gun is not meant for PvP, it will be great in PvE activities that require quick headshots for stealth at any range.

Best Heavy Revolver Mk II Loadout

Type of ammunition	Full metal jacket
scope	small range
muzzle	Compensator

The Heavy Revolver Mk II is going to be another great pistol for your loadout, and great for both PvE and PvP activities. This will be your weapon of choice when going loud, as it can kill multiple enemies with one shot to the chest, and has a range that negates most damage drop-offs. However, the heavy revolver Mk II is quite slow to fire, with rather high recoil. We recommend FMJ rounds, as they can easily pierce bulletproof glass and destroy flying vehicles in a few shots.

Best Assault Rifles in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Best Special Carbine Loadout

Clip	Drum Mag
muzzle	to oppress
grip	grip
scope	Large scope

The base variant of the Special Carbine (not the Mk II upgrade) has a significant advantage due to the drum mag attachments, which can hold 100 rounds waiting to be fired. This, coupled with the special carbine's exceptional recoil, and fast damage output, makes it a great AR to use in PvE activities and even medium-range PvP activities.

Best Machine Guns in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Best Combat MG Mk II loadout

Type of ammunition	Full metal jacket
grip	grip
scopes	Large scope
Muzzles	Split-end muzzle brake
barrels	Heavy barrel

The Combat MG Mk II has a few attached upgrades over the default variant that make it stand out. The base and upgraded models are complete with an extremely high rate of fire, with practically no recoil, allowing you to take down enemies quickly with great damage in both PvE and PvP. Unique ammo types like FMJ make Juggernauts easy to destroy, with the ability to shoot bulletproof glass at Kurumas, Rebels and other PvP vehicles.

Best sniper rifles in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Best Heavy Sniper Mk II loadout

Type of ammunition	Explosive rounds
scopes	Zoom scope
Muzzles	to oppress
barrels	Heavy barrel

The Heavy Sniper Mk II is the best on its own as it has the highest damage sniper rifle. GTA Online. However, the heavy sniper can be upgraded with explosive rounds to make it unstoppable. With Explosive Rounds, helicopters and other vehicles are destroyed in one or two well-aimed shots, and hitting any player, regardless of their armor, will see them fall helplessly to the ground as you aim the kill shot.

Best Marksman Rifle Mk II Loadout

Type of ammunition	Armor piercing rounds
scopes	Holographic view
Muzzles	to oppress
barrels	Heavy barrel
grip	grip

The Marksman Rifle Mk II is specifically for PvP encounters, and this is due to its rapid fire rate and ammo capacity. While it has a drastic damage drop-off compared to other sniper rifles, the fire rate means you can keep shooting and strafing to ensure the mourners have no trouble. With the holographic scope and auto-aim on the controller, no target will be able to survive when you aim at them.

The best shotguns in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Best assault shotgun loadout

Clip	Extended clip
grip	grip
Muzzles	to oppress

The Assault Shotgun excels in PvE drama, giving you a shotgun that has a rate of fire and ammo capacity like no other, especially with the drum mag attachment. The Assault Shotgun has the best DPS in the entire game, and makes interiors and close-range fights an easy blast. However, the damage drops to 5 meters.

Best Pump Shotgun Mk II Loadout

Type of ammunition	Explosive slugs
scopes	medium range
Muzzles	Muzzle brake

The Pump Shotgun Mk II has amazing utility for PvE and PvP, if you have the Explosive Slug ammo type unlocked. With explosive slugs, any vehicle you aim at will explode in one shot. This becomes a close-range boxshot grenade launcher, which comes in handy for nearby players attacking enemy vehicles or from the safety of their cars.

The best explosives in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

Homing Launcher: Great for locking onto vehicles to destroy them, but the lock-on force isn't great.
Minigun / Widowmaker: Both have absurdly high DPS due to their RPM.
Railgun: An accurate rifle that can destroy vehicles and other targets, but the reload is rather long.
Compact Grenade Launcher: Great for motorcycle users who want to fire explosives while driving.
Grenade Launcher: Fast DPS for an array of explosives to fire from behind cover.
RPG: Hard-hitting but slow-firing rockets to take out stationary targets.
Sticky Bombs: Great for dropping traps on quickly approaching players in vehicles, and great for leaving behind corners to detonate incoming players.

No loadouts are required for these explosive weapons, as they are all available from Ammo-Nation and the Gun Van, and they have no attachments.

The best melee weapons in GTA Online for PvE and PvP

The only melee weapon you need for GTA Online is the Stone Hatchet, which gives you Trevor's unique ability to absorb more damage, as long as you keep refreshing the ability bar with more kills from the Stone Hatchet without switching to other weapons. If you need a Stone Hatchet, we have a guide on how to get it: