Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Official Box Art Release Date: 2004 Developer: Rockstar North Publisher: 2K Games Series: Grand Theft Auto Platforms: Playstation 2 Xbox PC Xbox 360 Genre: Third-Person Shooter

The following weapons appear in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Pistols

Colt M1911A1

This weapon was originally going to be a Glock 17, but for some reason Rockstar forgot to render it as such. However, the Glock 17 can be seen in numerous cut scenes. Instead they left in the old M1911A1 render from Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City. Called the "9mm" it is used by all members of the San Andreas Law Enforcement community and by many criminals in-game. Unrealistically, this weapon carries 17 rounds in a magazine (like the Glock it was supposed to be), and isn't very powerful. When the player reaches the "Hitman" skill level, CJ can wield two of these pistols at once (as does every AmmuNation vendor should the player decide to provoke him). A suppressed version is also available for use in the game. It does more damage but uses a different ammunition type than the regular "9mm" and cannot be dual-wielded.

Ingame AmmuNation gun stores sell the standard M1911A1 and/or 30 rounds for $200, while the suppressed M1911A1 retails at a much pricier $600 for either the suppressed handgun and/or 30 rounds, possibly making this game title the first where a handgun's suppressor is worth more than the handgun itself. The standard M1911A1 becomes available at Ammu-Nation after the Doberman mission, while the suppressed version also requires that the Gray Imports mission be completed.

Black Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

"Take it, hold it, love it."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "9mm".

Carl fires the pistol early in the game.

At the "Hitman" skill level, he gets the opportunity to discharge dual M1911s.

In contrast to most in-game characters, police officers and casino guards fire the M1911 with two hands. This is reflected at the left of this screencap, where a motorcycle cop fires at CJ, at the expense of getting shot in the back by a GSF member.

"The choice of the professional."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "Silenced 9mm".

- "Where'd you get that?"
- "Same place I buy my pants, holmes. This is America!"

IMI/Magnum Desert Eagle

The Desert Eagle appears under its real name and is, fittingly, the most powerful handgun in the game, possessing a true-to-life seven round magazine capacity. Catalina (the main antagonist of Grand Theft Auto III, who makes an appearance as a friendly but annoying character in this title) uses one in some missions given by her to CJ, and one of this game's major antagonists, Officer Eddie Pulaski (voiced by Chris Penn), carries one during the mission High Noon. CJ is seen holding one after Officer Frank Tenpenny (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) is killed. Cesar Vialpando uses one in one mission during the Los Santos riots (the ingame version of the real-life 1992 Los Angeles riots), as does CJ's brother Sweet. The Grove Street Families gang members can also obtain these, complete with a knife, instead of their standard M1911A1 if the player finds and sprays the Grove Street Families logo onto 100 hidden graffiti gang tags in the game world.

The Desert Eagle's base price at AmmuNation is $1200 for the gun and/or 15 rounds of ammunition, and is unlocked after the mission You've Had Your Chips. This game would also mark the Desert Eagle's first appearance in the GTA series as a whole, but this title turned out to be the last time the gun would appear in the series under its real name.

IMI Desert Eagle Mark VII - .357 Magnum. This is the most commonly seen Desert Eagle pistol in films before 1999. The re-designed safety lever and slide release, clearly visible in this picture, are the main visual differences between this variant and the earlier Mark I.

"Hope you kick some ass."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a Desert Eagle.

Sweet racks the slide of a Desert Eagle during the cutscene just before game's final mission, End of the Line.

Shotguns

Ithaca 37

Simply called the "Shotgun" ingame, the Ithaca 37 with shorter barrel makes a return from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and is the basic shotgun carried by some cops and many gang members and enemies in the game. CJ and Catalina each use one of these weapons during the Small Town Bank mission.

As with other pump-action shotguns in the 3D universe of GTA games, the Ithaca 37 is treated as being single-shot, with the pump animation counting as a reload animation, which means CJ never loads new shells into the tube magazine (likely due to engine limitations carried over from Grand Theft Auto III). As is typical for this firearm type in video games, the Ithaca 37 has a slow rate of fire, but is fairly effective at close quarters. The Ithaca 37 is also incorrectly depicted as ejecting a spent shell as it fires rather than after it's pumped, due to the pumping animation being treated by the game engine as a reload animation.

The Ithaca 37 can be purchased at AmmuNation for a base price of $600, for the shotgun and/or 15 shells, and is unlocked for purchase there after completion of the Doberman mission.

Ithaca 37 Deer Slayer Police Special (note the rifle sights and riot-length barrel) - 12 gauge

Ithaca 37 "Stakeout", blued finish with wooden forearm - 20 gauge, for comparision.

The Ithaca 37's in-game model.

"Try out your purchase in our firing range."
The AmmuNation vendor takes a moment to remind the player about the firing range minigame after selling CJ a "Shotgun." According to a continuously looping commercial playing on the store's P.A. system, AmmuNation's firing ranges feature the "faces of famous commie pinkos" that are nevertheless not actually present on those ranges.

Sawn-off Double Barreled Shotgun

Called the "Sawnoff Shotgun" ingame, this gun fires more quickly than the Ithaca 37, and when the "Hitman" skill level is reached, CJ can use two of these weapons at once. But its range is limited and it's limited to two shots per shotgun. On the other hand, this is the only ingame shotgun with a realistic reload animation, at least until CJ can dual-wield them.

This shotgun becomes available for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores at a base price of $800 for the gun and/or 12 shells, and requires that both the Doberman and Just Business missions be completed to be unlocked.

Sawn-off Double Barreled Shotgun - 12 gauge

The Sawn-off Double Barreled Shotgun's ingame model.

"I have a piece for every occasion."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "Sawnoff Shotgun".

Franchi SPAS-12

The Franchi SPAS-12 is called the "Combat Shotgun," and is the quickest-firing shotgun in the game due to its semiautomatic nature. Its tube magazine capacity is seven shells, one less than its real-life counterpart, but rather unrealistically, CJ can fully reload the gun by seemingly stuffing one shell into its right side. Officer Tenpenny (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), a crooked cop and the game's main antagonist, holds one during the last mission of the game.

The SPAS-12 can be bought at AmmuNation at a base price of $1000 for the gun and/or 10 shells, and is unlocked for purchase there after completing the You've Had Your Chips mission.

Franchi SPAS-12 with stock folded and butt-hook removed - 12 gauge

Franchi SPAS-12

"Works well in a crowded area."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "Combat Shotgun."

Tenpenny holds Carl at gunpoint with a grossly undersized SPAS-12 during the final moments of the game.

Submachine Guns

Note: All weapons in this category can be used one-handed in a drive-by shooting. The TEC-9 and the Micro Uzi are categorized in-game as "Micro SMGs" when in reality they would be classified as machine pistols. They are treated as being generally inaccurate and relying on volume of fire to hit targets in this game.

Intratec TEC-9

Appearing in this game as the "Tec9," Intratec TEC-9s are uncommonly used by Grove Street Families gangbangers and assorted criminals in the game, with a magazine capacity of 50 rounds. Sweet, Ryder, and Big Smoke are seen using these weapons as well during missions when they are performing drive-by shootings. Once CJ reaches the "Hitman" skill level, he can use two TEC-9s at once.

The TEC-9 is the cheapest automatic weapon in the game at a base price of $300 for the gun and/or 60 rounds of ammunition, and is unlocked for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores once the Doberman mission is completed.

Intratec TEC-9 - 9x19mm

The Intratec TEC-9's in game model, with a 30-round magazine that is supposed to hold 50 rounds.

"If the cops ask, you didn't get it here, okay?"
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "Tec9."

IMI Micro Uzi

The Micro Uzi appears in the game as the "Micro-SMG", and is used by some gang members and SWAT, with slightly better range than the TEC-9 and a similar magazine capacity of 50 rounds. It is always shown with jungle-style taped magazines in the game (which may explain its high capacity, although CJ, of course, never switches the magazines). Like the TEC-9, the Micro Uzi can be dual-wielded once CJ reaches the "Hitman" skill level.

The icon for the weapon shows a MAC-10 with what looks like a left-side charging handle for some unknown reason. Another interesting detail is that the same icon subsequently used for the MAC-10 in LCS and VCS. Apparently, the MAC-10 was excluded from the game at an early stage of development, along with a number of other Vice City weapons.

The Micro Uzi sells for a base price of $500 for the gun and/or 60 rounds of ammunition, and can be purchased from AmmuNation gun stores once the Doberman mission is completed.

Micro Uzi with 20 round magazine - 9x19mm

The ingame model of the Micro Uzi, with two taped-together 20-round magazines that somehow hold 50 rounds.

"Love your country? Buy a gun."
The AmmuNation vendor presents a "Micro SMG."

Heckler & Koch HK94A3

Simply called "SMG" ingame, the HK94A3 is more accurate than either of the ingame Machine Pistols while doing slightly more damage per bullet, and sports a realistic 30-round magazine capacity. The converted Heckler & Koch HK94A3 is used by Russians and Mafia thugs alike, random gang members, FBI Agents, and also the Grove Street Families gang members if the player has found and sprayed over the 100 hidden graffiti tags. Some LSPD SWAT Officers are seen carrying them as well. Like the other fully-automatic long guns in the game, a single reload animation is used that has no regard for the need to lock back and then release the charging handle when reloading from an empty magazine for real MP5s. Furthermore, no users of the ingame HK94A3 extend the retractable buttstock, but still brace it against their shoulders while it's still fully retracted, which in real life would make the gun awkward to handle and likely preclude use of the gun's ironsights due to leaving no place for a proper cheek weld.

The HK94A3 retails for a base price of $2000 for the gun and/or 90 rounds of ammunition, and requires that both the Doberman and Robbing Uncle Sam missions be completed before becoming available for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores. The gun is also unique in that it is the only firearm with its own unique sales category, that being "SMGs."

The Heckler & Koch HK94A3 converted to full auto fire, shortened barrel, and added third firing position on trigger pack, a very common stand-in for real MP5s in movies. - 9x19mm

"A gun is the only true friend you'll ever need."
The AmmuNation vendor presents an "SMG." As can be seen in this screenshot, the handguard appears to have accessory rails on it, which would have been anachronistic for the game's 1992 time period.

Assault Rifles

Norinco Type 56

The Norinco Type 56 appears as the "AK47", with its true identity evidenced by its hooded front sight (which differs from that of the AK-47/AKM). It is uncommonly used by gang members in the game. A rusty old one is also used by CJ during a first-person rail-shooting segment in the Reuniting the Families mission. Sweet also uses it in two of the missions. Due to the fact that the Type 56 uses the same reload animation as the Colt Model 733, CJ is shown to pull a nonexistent charging handle along the top of the weapon (when in fact the handle is on the real-life weapon's right side). On a side note, the Type 56 is unrealistically depicted as being 2/3rds long as CJ is tall, and also for some reason does only slightly more damage than the ingame HK94A3, which is an SMG rather than an assault rifle. A rifle also appears with a longer barrel, resembling the 'Target' variant of the Norinco Type 84S.

The Norinco Type 56 can be bought for a base price of $3500 for the gun and/or 120 rounds of ammunition. Completion of the Lure mission is needed to unlock it for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores.

Norinco Type 56 - 7.62x39mm

For comparision: Norinco Type 84S "Target" Rifle - 5.56x45mm

The Norinco Type 56's ingame model.

"It's all fresh out of the crates."
The AmmuNation vendor presents the "AK47".

Colt Model 733

Making a return from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the Colt Model 733 is once again called an "M4," which it is not thanks to the weapon's shortened barrel. As was the case in Vice City, the name "M4" is anachronistic, since the game is set in 1992. Although early prototypes of the M4 existed as far back as 1986, the weapon did not enter large-scale production until 1994. The Model 733 has a magazine capacity of 50 rounds despite being modelled with a 30-round STANAG magazine, and is used by the San Andreas National Guard, as well as some of Big Smoke's thugs when CJ attacks his crack fortress. The Model 733 is more accurate and does the same damage as the Type 56 along with sharing the same ammo pool, which is unrealistic since the real-life weapons use very different ammunition. Another error this weapon inherited from Vice City is that the front sight is modelled on backwards.

The Colt Model 733 can be purchased for a base price of $4500 for the gun and/or 150 rounds of ammunition, and is unlocked for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores after the Yay-Ka-Boom-Boom mission is completed.

Colt Model 733 - 5.56x45mm NATO

The Colt Model 733's ingame model, with a backwards front sight and a 30-round STANAG that somehow holds 50 rounds.

"They all lost their serial numbers."
The AmmuNation vendor presents the "M4."

Sniper Rifles

Note: The rifles in this section are unique in that they do not have a Weapon Skill stat, so no amount of practice will make using them easier for CJ. Likely due to engine limitations inherited from Grand Theft Auto III regarding manually-operated weapons, these rifles also do not have animations showing users loading the next round by working the action, never show users loading new ammunition into the guns, and are treated as drawing from a single ammunition pool with a short delay and sound between shots, which represents the user working the action.

Marlin Model 336

Called the "Rifle" or "Country Rifle" in the game, the Marlin Model 336 has no scope and fires slowly, but is very accurate, does more damage per shot than the ingame assault rifles can, and benefits from a moderate amount of zoom when aimed, although the zoom is not as useful as the actual sniper rifle's scope. Its cumbersome nature is reflected by how the Model 336 is the cheapest rifle ingame, selling for a base price of only $1000 for the gun and/or 20 rounds of ammunition. It is first seen in the Body Harvest mission, in the hands of violently isolationist survivalists working on a farm CJ has to steal a combine harvester from, and completing the same mission also unlocks the rifle for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores.

Marlin Model 336 - .30-30

The ingame model of the Marlin Model 336.

"Some deer take 30 rounds to bring down."
The AmmuNation vendor presents the "Rifle," while obliquely referring to its possible non-hunting uses with a wink and a grin.

Remington 700

The Remington 700 is simply called "Sniper Rifle" in the game, does nearly twice as much damage as the Marlin Model 336, and has an actual sniper scope. The Remington 700 retails for a shocking base price of $5000 for the gun itself and/or 10 rounds of ammunition, making it the most expensive firearm in the game. It is first given to CJ so he can cover allies with sniper fire during the mission Pier 69, and also becomes available for purchase at AmmuNation gun stores after completing that same mission.

Remington 700 BDL - .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm)

The ingame model of the Remington 700, showing the complete lack of a bolt.

"Perfect for killing, pure and simple."
The AmmuNation vendor presents the "Sniper Rifle." In reality, a price of $6000, let alone $5000, for this rifle is a truly absurd figure given how the Remington 700 is one of the most common entry-level hunting rifles in America and often retails for less than $1000.

CJ holds the rifle as if it had a pistol grip, while doing his best to ignore the Loco Syndicate member performing a one-handed straddle split behind him. Note how the HUD icon shows a Heckler & Koch PSG-1 instead of a Remington 700.

Heavy Weapons

Handheld GE M134

The most powerful weapon in the game, this weapon is used 3 times by CJ - First when protecting Zero's (David Cross) store from Berkley's planes, again while attacking the container ship in San Fierro Bay, and then again to take out two National Guard Hunter Helicopters in the "Up, Up, and Away" level. It can also be found in Mike Toreno's (James Woods) ranch house after the mission "Vertical Bird".

Airsoft handheld M134 Minigun with 'Chainsaw grip' to handle the recoil force. This variant was seen in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. This is an airsoft version which retains the half-circle attachment point for the M60 foregrip from Predator; the real T2 minigun did not have this - (fake) 7.62x51mm NATO

CJ aims near an M134 Minigun.

Carl hefts a Minigun while assaulting the massive crack palace that makes up the game's last set piece.

RPG-7

The RPG-7 is the basic rocket launcher in the game, and CJ uses one several times in the game, notably in "Are You Going To San Fierro?" to shoot down a police chopper, and in "Toreno's Last Flight".

RPG-7 - 40mm

RPG-7

SA-7 Grail

Called the "Heat Seeking Rocket Launcher" in the game, this weapon can lock onto enemy vehicles (including, strangely, pedal bicycles), making this weapon more effective than the Rocket Launcher at shooting down helicopters. It resembles an SA-7 Grail.

SA-7 Grail - 72mm

The unrealistically short "Heat Seeking Rocket Launcher".

Flamethrower

A fictional handheld flamethrower that scorches anyone in front of it. It has a short range and can carry a maximum of 300 "units" of napalm with 50 "units" per "magazine," but has no reload animation, implying that the developers forgot to make the weapon use a single ammunition pool instead. The flamethrower's first and most memorable appearance is in the mission Are You Going to San Fierro? where CJ must help the Truth, a hippie conspiracy theorist, burn down his marijuana fields to destroy evidence, but doing so makes Carl intoxicated by inhaling the smoke from the burning marijuana plants.

Flamethrower

Thrown Weapons

M67

The standard hand grenade in the game is the M67. They can be bought at AmmuNation gun stores for the unbelievable base price of $300 for a five-pack, and are unlocked for purchase after the Doberman mission is completed.

M67 fragmentation grenade.

The ingame model of the "Grenade."

M7 CS Gas Grenade

The M7 CS gas grenade appears in the game, where it is called simply "Tear Gas".

M7 CS gas grenade

In-game model of the M7. Markings can clearly be read.

Molotov Cocktail

One of the types of thrown weapons in the game. Very effective weapon.

In-game model of the Molotov Cocktail.

Satchel Charges

Satchel Charges are a remote-detonated explosive, and are called "Remote Explosives" in the game. When satchel charges are planted, the player gains a detonator in an additional weapon slot; by triggering the detonator, the charges explode. Satchel charges can be detonated from any distance, and with any time delay, assuming they still exist. They are first used by CJ in the Against All Odds mission. They are available for purchase at the AmmuNation after completing that mission, for a base price of $2000 each.

In-game model of the Satchel Charge.

Other

Glock 17

Not an in-game weapon, but the 1st generation Glock 17 is used in various cutscenes, including but not limited to the beginning cutscene of the game and the the ending cutscene of the final mission. Glock pistol also is seen in the game in the holster of the all police officiers, including Tenpenny, Pulaski and Hernandez. The policeman's costume, which can be obtained in the game, also includes holstered Glock. It is also seen in "The Introduction" (a short film using the game's engine, explaining what happened before CJ came back to Los Santos), where it is used by CJ himself to rob a pedestrian in Liberty City, by Salvatore Leone (Frank Vincent) to threaten Ken Rosenberg (William Fichtner), and by Officer Jimmy Hernandez to kill Officer Ralph Pendelbury on the orders of Tenpenny.

The Glock's existence in certain cutscenes may explain, why the M1911 called '9mm Pistol' in the game, as the game gun must be were changed from a M1911 to an Glock during development, but it was not done, as with the pistols in certain cutscenes. The player can use the Glock if he modifies the game's files. The Glock 17 finally will appear as the main handgun in the next entry in the GTA series, Liberty City Stories (although another model will be used there).

While the Glock is modeled on the earlier 1st and 2nd Generation models, the texture is taken from a 3rd Generation model as the thumb reliefs are visible. A similar error is also later found in Grand Theft Auto IV where the Pistol is based on a Glock 17 with 17 rounds of 9mm ammo, but has the texture of a Glock 22.

Glock 17 (1st Generation) - 9x19mm

Glock 17 (3rd Generation) - 9x19mm.

Glock 17

Mike Toreno (voiced by James Woods) holds a Glock on CJ during one of Jizzy B's missions.

Much later in the game, CJ proceeds to return the favor.

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec M1911A1

One of the loading screens shows Tenpenny armed with what appears to be a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec M1911A1.

Springfield M1911-A1 Mil-Spec Stainless Steel version with black grips - .45 ACP

Tenpenny with the pistol.

Colt Python

The Colt Python from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has been rescaled and appears as a sign above the AmmuNation shop in Los Santos.

Colt Python Stainless Steel variant with 6" Barrel - .357 Magnum

Ammu-Nation in Market, Los Santos.

What appear to be short-barreled Colt Python revolvers can also be seen printed on some ammunition boxes.

IMI Uzi

In the final mission "End of the Line", a statue of Big Smoke can be seen holding an Uzi submachine gun. The Uzi was replaced (apparently on Micro Uzi) before its release along with the early appearance for Big Smoke.

IMI Uzi - 9x19mm

Beta image of Grove St. gang members with Uzis.

A statue of Big Smoke holding an Uzi along with an Ithaca 37.

Colt Commando

During the mission Stowaway, a CIA agent is seen holding a more detailed and camouflaged Colt Commando fitted with an M16-style fixed stock and a 20-round magazine, rather than the Model 733 used in gameplay. This is the same rifle model from Manhunt games, only with another texture. It is however impossible to be obtained, unless the players modifies the game's files.

Colt Model 639 (commercial/export variant of the XM177E2) - 5.56x45mm NATO

A secret agent with his camo Colt Commando.

Browning M2HB

An unusable Browning M2HB is seen mounted on the rear of the "Launch", a military patrol boat.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG

The M2HB in the mission "Vertical Bird".

Hughes M230 Chain Gun and AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM (AH-64 Apache mounted)

San Andreas, like Vice City, features a version of the Hughes AH-64 Apache, known as the "Hunter." It has an M230 chain gun in a chin mount, and wing mounts containing eight AGM-114 Hellfire missiles in two packs of four, as well as two non-functional Hydra 70 rocket pods. It is used in a few missions during flying school. When all flying school missions are completed with gold medals, the Hunter spawns at Verdant Meadows Airfield and inside Easter Basin Naval Station. You can also use this for vigilante missions, although these missions are called "Brown Thunder" instead (a spoof on the film, Blue Thunder).

Hughes M230 chain gun - 30mm

Apache weapon wing - 4x AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM on the left, 19-cell Hydra 70mm FFAR pod on the right.

Hunter attack helicopter in San Andreas. A major difference from Vice City [and the real Apache] is the Hunter in SA is a single-seat helicopter.

Guns inside AmmuNation

Guns on the shelves/racks in AmmuNation are: Steyr AUG, Galil 7.62, Charter Arms AR-7 Explorer, Galil AR, various revolvers, Calico M950, MAC-10, Spectre M4, IMI Mini Uzi, Heckler & Koch MP5K, IMI Uzi, Calico M110, Intratec TEC-9, Norinco Type 56, FAMAS F1, Thompson (M1921AC or M1928), and Heckler & Koch SR9(T).

P.A. System Voice: "Welcome to AmmuNation! You've made the smartest decision of your life. You've come to a gun shop! We hope you get everything you need to feel real manly and patriotic!"
Anytime the player visits an AmmuNation store, their ears will be constantly assaulted by a highly satirical looping pro-gun commercial that, among other things, says the store will accept "a wad of American currency, conflict diamonds, or your daughter" in lieu of a background check. The store also requires only a ten-minute waiting period between the purchase and the actual physical transfer of a firearm from seller to buyer.

Here we see additional Type 56s and Uzis, as well as the Norinco Type 56-1, Colt M16A1, Heckler & Koch G3A3, Colt Model 733 carbines without their barrels, Walther MPL, and Heckler & Koch HK94A3.

The Z-M LR 300 can be seen printed on some ammunition boxes. This is an anachronism, since the LR 300 was developed in 2000.