GTA 6 Weapons — What We Know So Far

Grand Theft Auto VI's combat has been visible in both trailers — extended shooting sequences in Trailer 2 particularly show a lot of hardware. Rockstar hasn't formally published a weapons roster, so here's the full picture of what we know, what the footage implies, and what the open questions are.

What Trailer Footage Confirms

Pistol / sidearm — likely returning. Every GTA since GTA III has had a default handgun. Both trailers show characters drawing and using sidearms. The visual design in Trailer 2 shows what appears to be a standard polymer-frame pistol (reminiscent of a Glock 19 pattern) in close-quarters combat sequences.

Submachine gun (SMG) class — strongly implied. The extended firefight sequence in Trailer 2 (at the 2:04 mark) shows automatic-fire weapons being used by both Lucia and Jason. Every modern GTA has shipped at least one SMG class, so expect one — likely multiple variants — at launch.

Shotgun — likely. Rockstar has shipped a shotgun class in every GTA since GTA III. Expect at least one pump-action or semi-auto shotgun at launch.

Rifle class — probable. Trailer 2's combat sequences include what appear to be carbine-length rifles with optics. Given Rockstar's tradition of at least one assault rifle / carbine variant (the Advanced MG from GTA V, the Carbine Rifle from GTA IV), expect at least one rifle in the class.

Melee and unarmed — likely expanded. GTA VI's focus on two protagonists may mean expanded hand-to-hand options. Trailer 1 shows a convenience store confrontation where Lucia's interaction suggests she's engaging physically with an unarmed NPC — not drawing a weapon. Rockstar has been building out the melee system with each title.

What's Leaked or Rumored

Specific weapon models from the game files have surfaced in Reddit and datamine communities. The most-cited names include:

• Pistol: a standard 9mm sidearm (expected at launch)
• SMG: an integrally-suppressed submachine gun (rumored)
• Shotgun: a pump-action, possibly the "Combat Shotgun" name returning from GTA Online
• Rifle: an AR-pattern carbine with rail-mounted optic

These leaks are unverified and Rockstar has not confirmed any specific weapon model. Treat them as credible but not confirmed.

Customization system. GTA V introduced weapon customization (barrels, scopes, grips, paints). Bloomberg's previewer described GTA VI's combat as "more nuanced" than GTA V — and the footage shows characters using weapons in varied scenarios. Expect the customization system to return and likely expand.

Grenades and explosives. Every GTA has had grenades and sticky bombs. Trailer 2 shows what appears to be an explosive device being thrown (at 1:47 mark in a chase sequence). Rockets, grenades, and Molotovs are near-certain at launch.

What's Still Unknown

Vehicle weapons. GTA has traditionally included mounted weapons on vehicles (insurgent turrets, helicopter guns, boat cannons). Whether vehicle-mounted weapons are available to the player in free-roam or only in specific missions is not confirmed.

Weapon wheel vs. radial menu. Rockstar has used both systems in different titles. The weapon selection interface in GTA VI has not been shown clearly in pre-launch footage.

Throwable variety. Beyond grenades and Molotovs, Rockstar has introduced new throwable categories in past titles (nails, fireworks, grenades). The full throwable roster for GTA VI is not yet public.

Weaponized drones. DJI's Matrice 4 enterprise drone (released January 2025) is the kind of real-world hardware the rumor may be drawing on — but that's a DJI product, not a Rockstar one. Whether player-accessible weaponized drones exist in GTA VI is unconfirmed.

Likely Weapon Classes at Launch

Pulling the trailer evidence and GTA precedent together, the safe expectation for the launch arsenal is a default pistol, at least one SMG, a shotgun, at least one carbine/rifle, grenades and Molotovs, and an expanded melee system. Exact models and counts are unconfirmed until launch.

Rumored: weapon wheel sub-wheel system

Leaker Tez2 (a long-running GTA leaker with a strong record on Rockstar internal builds) surfaced a developer build with a nested sub-wheel on the radial weapon selector — a possible departure from GTA V's bottomless inventory toward a loadout system. Status: leaked. See Weapon Wheel Reworked — Tez2 Surfaces a Sub-Wheel Loadout System for the full breakdown.

Full weapon stats and database entries will be live within 12 hours of launch. Watch the countdown and subscribe to the RSS feed for day-one drops.