GTA 5 Weapon Tier List: Best Guns for PvP and Heists

Here's an expert‑level weapon tier list for GTA V Online, focused on top‑performing guns in PvP and heists, based on the 2025 meta and community consensus.

S‑Tier: Go‑To PvP & Heist Weapons

• Special Carbine Mk II
  All‑round assault rifle delivering superb accuracy, damage, and magazine capacity—versatile for both mid‑range combat and fast breaks from cover.
• Combat MG Mk II
  With massive ammo capacity, incredible DPS, and good range, this LMG can shred armored targets and control crowds in free‑roam or heist missions.
• Marksman Rifle Mk II
  Stellar precision, fast follow‑up shots, and effective up close with holo‑sights—perfect for long‑distance engagements and one‑tap kills.

If you're aiming to dominate heists and PvP in GTA V, unlocking top-tier weapons like the Special Carbine Mk II, Combat MG Mk II, and Marksman Rifle Mk II is essential. These guns offer elite performance across all combat scenarios. To gain immediate access to high-level gear and skip the early grind, consider starting fresh with a high-rank character—buy GTA V PS4 account options that come pre-loaded with money, unlocks, and weapon upgrades.

A‑Tier: Power & Utility You Should Carry

• Heavy Sniper Mk II (with explosive rounds)
  Instantly drops most players with headshots—even armored players and vehicles—with the explosive payload adding crowd control power.
• Assault Shotgun
  Full auto, fast reload, and excellent close‑quarters performance. Extended mag version holds 32 shells. Can neutralize vehicles and rival players in tight spaces.
• Service Carbine
  A high‑rate‑of‑fire assault rifle that is extremely effective in open PvP or heist combat. Expensive but reliable—some players even consider it S‑Tier depending on playstyle.

B‑Tier: Niche Use, Still Strong

• AP Pistol
  Automatic sidearm great for drive‑bys and close encounters. Fully auto, silencer‑capable, and easy to handle on vehicle versus player combat. Highly recommended for mission flexibility.
• RPG
  Massive explosive power. Though slower and without lock‑on, one direct hit can eliminate vehicles or multiple players. A solid escalation tool in heists or busy lobbies.

C‑Tier: Specialized Tools with Limits

• Pump Shotgun Mk II
  Devastating with explosive rounds, but slow fire rate and heavier reload times. Requires bunker weapon‑research to unlock, making it situational for high‑end users.
• Heavy Revolver Mk II
  Huge single‑shot damage and hollow‑point rounds make it lethal—but very slow reload and limited mag size. Usable as a stealth or drive‑by option.
• Mini‑Gun (Widowmaker equivalent)
  Endless fire and high DPS, ideal for vehicle assaults. But slow to activate and heavy. Later unlock ranks required—some players downgrade it due to visibility cost.

D‑Tier: Below Meta

• Tactical SMG
  While usable for drive‑bys and bike combat, it lacks the punch or utility of better SMG/Pistol options and doesn't scale well in ranked PvP.

Recommended Loadout Templates

For PvP dominance:

• Primary: Special Carbine Mk II
• Backup: AP Pistol
• Sniper: Heavy Sniper Mk II (explosive rounds)
• SMG/LMG: Combat MG Mk II
• Close-range: Assault Shotgun
• Throwables: Sticky Bombs; for anti-aircraft or chaos, use Homing Launcher or RPG

For heists or stealth missions:

• Silence-ready Special Carbine
• AP Pistol for suppressed kills and drive‑bys
• Marksman Rifle Mk II if you need precision from afar
• Sticky Bombs and RPG for crowd control and getaway tools

Summary