GTA: San Andreas' arsenal is massive, with 30 weapons in total across nine categories. The game also introduced several new ideas to the series.
These included a practical automatic aiming system, as well as proficiency levels in the handling of each category of weapon. Increasing these levels would grant improved maneuverability.
Having the best on hand is undoubtedly a big help in a big shootout, so we've put together a weapons guide that lists all of the arms available, where to find them, and tips on how to use them.
General Info & Tips
There are three skill ranks for each weapon: Poor, Gangster and Hitman. These improve as you become more proficient in aiming precisely.
You can only have one weapon of each category with you at any given time.
Don't get too attached to weapons. You'll lose your guns if you are busted by the police. Also, as an important spoiler: Carl, the protagonist, loses all his weapons on two occasions as the story progresses.
Four formidable weapons can be obtained easily at fixed positions by collecting the 50 Horseshoes hidden in-game. These weapons are the SMG, Satchel Charges, Spaz 12 semi-automatic shotgun, and the M4 assault rifle.
Cheat codes can also be used to obtain them. Follow the links below for your platform.
- GTA: San Andreas PlayStation 4/5 cheat codes
- GTA: San Andreas Xbox One / Series X|S cheat codes
- GTA: San Andreas Nintendo Switch cheat codes
- GTA: San Andreas PC cheat codes
Here is a non-exhaustive list of weapons in San Andreas, along with maps showing where you can find them.
Unarmed
- Fists You were born with them.
- Brass Knuckles: In the driveway next to Roboi's Food Mart in Los Santos.
Melee Weapons
Knife: Found everywhere.
Nightstick: In police stations, or dropped by police.
Pool Cue: In bars in San Andreas after a game of pool, or by killing a pool player.
Golf Club: Taxi drivers, when provoked, sometimes use this weapon. There are also some on the golf course. Getting into a Caddy gives you one.
Baseball Bat: This classic can be found near any stadium, or in the hands of some disgruntled drivers.
Shovel: The first is found in the backyard of Ryder's house. There are quite a few others in play, such as in cemeteries, next to improvised graves, and in quarries.
Katana: There's one found in Los Santos, behind the 24/7, and at 8-Ball Autos in El Corona.
Chainsaw: Search behind the stairs at the bridge south of Ocean Docks. You can find others in yards and on some farms.
Handguns
9mm: The most basic firearm in the game, available from Ammu-Nation for $200 after the Doberman mission. You can also obtain them by killing gangsters, drug dealers, and some pedestrians and prostitutes.
Silenced 9mm: You can find one at the top of the steps in the southeast corner of the Los Santos Conference Center, and you buy it for $600 from Ammu-Nation after completing the Madd Dogg's Rhymes mission.
Desert Eagle: Purchased for $1,200 from Ammu-Nation after completing the Black Project mission. In Los Santos, go south from East Beach, towards Playa Del Seville. Look for the corner of the fence that separates the beach from the docks.
Shotguns
Sawnoff Shotgun: On the roof of The Pig Pen in Los Santos.
Shotgun: In police stations, as well as in the hands of the police when you have Wanted Level 3. Also given when entering a four-star police car. Available from Ammu-Nation for $600 after the Doberman mission.
Spaz 12: There's one in the bushes northeast of the Sumo Building, in the Las Venturas Goods Depot. You can buy one for $1,000 from Ammu-Nation after completing the You've Had Your Chips mission.
Submachine Guns
Tec9: Fairly widespread, this weapon can be found on the roof of Sweet's house, although reaching it is not easy. Otherwise, you can find one under one of the gateways at Los Santos International Airport.
Micro SMG: Found under the bridge that connects Ganton and East Lost Santos. Available from Ammu-Nation for $500 after the Doberman mission.
SMG: On the roof of the Jefferson Motel, or on a pontoon in Las Colinas, both in Los Santos. Available from Ammu-Nation for $200 after the Doberman mission. You can also simply pick it up from enemy gangsters during gang warfare, as well as FBI agents.
Assault Rifles
AK47: Found in quite a few places, including the Mulholland district in Los Santos, behind Roboi's Food Mart. Available at Ammu-Nation for $3,500 after the Lure mission.
M4: Found at the end of the airstrip at the International Airport, between the ramps. All soldiers are equipped with this weapon, and are found at Area 69 or at high Wanted Level.
Sniper Rifles
Rifle: Next to the pool at the back of the house west of the hideout in Mulholland. Available from Ammu-Nation for $100 after the Body Harvest mission.
Sniper Rifle: The easiest to find is probably on top of the scaffolding behind InterGlobal Studios in the Vinewood neighborhood of Los Santos. Look for the Interglobal Television or Stage 25 sign. There's also one on the balcony of a house in Mulholland. Available from Ammu-Nation for $5,000 after the Pier 69 mission.
Heavy Weapons
Flamethrower: Go to Flint County and search the woods behind the cabins near the rails.
Minigun: At the end of the underground car park of Roca Escalante in Los Santos, in front of the ramp. There's also one at Mike Toreno's ranch after completing the Vertical Bird mission.
Rocket Launcher: There is one that's difficult to access on the roof of the building with the large radio antenna in downtown Los Santos, but you will need a flying vehicle to reach it. There's another one on the helipad at the San Fierro Police Station, which can be obtained during the Toreno's Last Flight mission. There's also one at Mike Toreno's ranch after completing the Vertical Bird mission.
Heat-Seeking Rocket Launcher: You can find this one between the fuel cans at Easter Bay Airport in San Fierro. Like other heavy weapons, there is also one in Mike Toreno's ranch after completing the Vertical Bird mission.
Thrown Weapons
Tear Gas: In Los Santos, at the Mulholland intersection, on the steps of the building west of the parking lot. Otherwise, beside some crates in an Ocean Docks warehouse.
Molotov Cocktail: In Vinewood, west of the 24/7, as well as in an alley near the East Los Santos recycling center.
Grenade: Behind a burnt-out cabin in Las Colinas, or on the balcony of a motel in Idlewood. Also available from Ammu-Nation.
Satchel Charges: Between the Red County Inside Track in Montgomery and the building next door. Available from Ammu-Nation for $2,000 after completing the Against All Odds mission.
Obtaining hidden Horseshoes will earn you bonuses, weapons and money in GTA: San Andreas, as well as setting you on the path to a 100% completion. Here's where to find all 50 Horseshoes.
