There’s no doubt that weapons are one of the most exciting aspects of playing GTA 5 Online.
With dozens of options across different categories, players can tailor their arsenal to fit any playstyle.
In this loadout guide, we’ll break down the best weapon in every class and recommend the ultimate loadouts for heists, PvP, and free-roam chaos.
Why class-based loadouts matter?
Guide is based on a several sources of analysis: community tests, where players compare weapons by stats such as time-to-kill and damage; patch notes, which are sometimes introduced by developers to check the game’s balance; and the most important – in-game performance. After all, the best weapon is the one which proves itself in action.
Class-by-class breakdown
There are eight weapon classes in GTA 5 Online, and to make the choice easier, we’ve prepared a ranking of the best weapons from each category.
Assault Rifle
- Top weapon: Advanced Rifle – It has one of the highest damage per shot, precise and lightweight, characterized by versatility and huge range. It’s used in all types of combat, especially medium and long-range encounters and PvP battles. You can unlock it at rank 70; available at Ammu-Nation.
Handgun
- Top weapon: Heavy Revolver – It causes very high damage, great for destroying enemies and vehicles, highly effective against armor. Best used in short and medium PvP combat, also in PvE missions, or when fast takedown is needed. It can be unlocked at rank 90 in Ammu-Nation.
Heavy
- Top weapon: Minigun – Highly destructive, capable of quickly eliminating both players and NPCs. It offers a large ammo capacity and a high rate of fire. Best used in heists for defense, or PvE missions against waves of enemies. It can be unlocked at Ammu-Nation at Rank 120.
Machine Gun
- Top weapon: Assault SMG – Compact and lightweight, this weapon offers excellent mobility, while still dealing strong damage. It also holds more rounds than many heavier weapons, making it ideal for PvP encounters free-roam scenerios. It can be unlocked at rank 29.
Shotgun
- Top weapon: Assault Shotgun – It’s characterized by a very high ammo capacity and a very high fire rate,ideal for eliminating enemies in close encounters. It’s also fully automatic, giving players a huge advantage. Great for both PvP and PvE missions, unlocked at rank 37.
Sniper Rifle
- Top weapon: Heavy Sniper – Long-range and powerful, capable of taking down targets with just one shot well-placed shots. Effective in damaging vehicles. It’s stopping power makes it perfect for PvP duels at distance and PvE missions. It unlocks at rank 90.
Thrown
- Top weapon: Sticky Bomb – Versatile explosives that can be thrown or placed on vehicles and surfaces, then detonated remotely. They’re highly effective in heists for ambushes, or in free-roam for surprising opponents. Available early in the game at Rank 19.
Melee
- Top weapon: Machete – Melee weapons don’t play a major role in GTA Online combat, but the Machete is one of the stronger picks. It’s simple, brutal, and can be useful in very close encounters or roleplay scenarios. You can purchase it at Ammu-Nation from the very start at 10,000 GTA$.
Comparison table
We prepared a table, making it easier for you to compare all top picks from each class.
| Weapon Class | Basic Weapon GTA V | Best Weapon for Heists (GTA Online) | Description & Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault Rifle | Assault Rifle | Advanced Rifle / Carbine Rifle Mk II | The Advanced Rifle offers high damage per shot and excellent precision. The Mk II upgrade provides superior accuracy, range, and customization options — perfect for heist missions where versatility and stopping power matter. |
| Handgun | Pistol | Heavy Revolver / AP Pistol | Heavy Revolver deals massive single-shot damage, ideal for quick takedowns and armored targets. The AP Pistol, on the other hand, is fully automatic and perfect for driving sequences during heists. |
| Heavy | RPG | Minigun / Homing Launcher | The Minigun is unmatched in defense phases of heists — it shreds through enemies and vehicles. The Homing Launcher adds utility for taking down helicopters or cars during getaway sequences. |
| Machine Gun | MG | Assault SMG / Combat MG Mk II | The Assault SMG combines high mobility with solid damage — great for close to medium encounters. The Combat MG Mk II variant offers higher accuracy and power for sustained fights during large heists. |
| Shotgun | Pump Shotgun | Assault Shotgun / Combat Shotgun | Fully automatic, fast-firing, and devastating at close range. The Assault Shotgun shines in indoor missions or setups with tight spaces and multiple NPCs. |
| Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle | Heavy Sniper Mk II (Explosive Rounds) | The Heavy Sniper Mk II is the go-to weapon for long-range eliminations. Its explosive rounds can destroy vehicles, enemy cover, and even multiple targets perfect for defending objectives during heists. |
| Thrown | Grenade | Sticky Bomb / Proximity Mine | Sticky Bombs offer versatility — they can be pre-placed or thrown for ambushes and quick detonations. Perfect for blocking enemy vehicles or securing exits during heists. |
| Melee | Knife | Machete / Hatchet | The Machete is brutal and reliable in close encounters. Though rarely used in heists, it fits roleplay or stealth missions where silent takedowns are needed. |
Best loadouts scenarios
As mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to choose your loadout depending on the situation. For PvE heists, it’s best to take powerful weapon such as assault rifles, grenades and shotguns, as well as sticky bombs for eliminating vehicles. For PvP, where distance advantage is important, fast pistols and sniper rifles allow you to dominate the lobby.
If you’re just starting, basics such as grenades, pistols and Micro SMG should be enough for earning some money and survive first missions.
It’s worth to upgrade the weapon to the Mk II version. The Carbine Mk II with a scope and silencer aims more accurately and deals more damage. Another useful upgrade is Heavy Sniper Mk II with Explosive Rounds as well as Assault Rifle Mk II with improved sights. With these upgrades, your kit becomes more effective than your character’s rank alone, allowing you to better cope with more difficult missions.
Final thoughts
Don’t stick to one weapon permanently, but change your loadouts depending on the situation and your playstyle. Cheap weapons will help you survive the early missions, while more powerful loadouts will give you an advantage later in the game. It’s also worth checking for updates regularly and adjust your equipment to the meta, as the developers often balance the weapons.