Payday 3 is a first-person shooter where you can use a limited number of weapons, but you have a lot of options to customize them and create the best gun. Whether you like to be loud and bold or prefer to stay stealthy, the best weapons in Payday 3 are the ones that help you get the most reward from your heist.
We’ve picked out some introductory and ready-made weapon choices in Payday 3 that we believe are largely adaptable and will enhance your experience with the game’s improved gunplay features.
Additionally, we’ve added an honorable mention for each weapon in our list, providing an alternative option in case our top recommendation doesn’t suit your preferences.
Here are the top guns in Payday 3:
- Assault rifle: Car-4 Monument
- Pistol: Signature 403
- Marksman rifle: SA A144
- Shotgun: Porch King
Car-4 Monument
First, let’s talk about the most important weapon in your loadout: the assault rifle. When you begin playing Payday 3, you’ll have the basic Car-4 rifle. It’s a decent starting option, but the ultimate choice for the best assault rifle in Payday 3 is the Car-4 Monument.
At infamy level 100, you can unlock the Monument by purchasing it with C-Stacks. Unlocking it may take some time, but it’s definitely worth the effort. The Monument has very little recoil, making it easier to score headshots.
While it doesn’t deal extremely high damage, it’s important to remember that in Payday 3, assault rifles prioritize a high rate of fire over damage. The Monument excels at making each shot count, making it the ideal weapon for the job.
Our special mention goes to the VF-75, which you can unlock at level 77 in Payday 3. This SCAR rifle in the game deals a lot of damage and is really accurate, but it has a downside with its smaller magazine capacity.
Signature 403
Our top choice for the best pistol in Payday 3 is the Signature 403. While there are some good pre-made options in the game, having control over your pistol’s attachments can make a big difference, especially for stealth missions.
At level 59, invest all your money in the Sig firearm and upgrade it to unlock its attachments. It’s a reliable weapon when you run out of primary ammo, dealing good damage, although it has limited range and manageable recoil.
We’re giving a special mention to the SP M11 Hard Cough as the best pistol, which you can unlock at infamy level 86. It comes with a built-in silencer.
SA A144
SA A144 is the top marksman rifle in Payday 3. At first, it might not look very impressive, but when you add attachments, it becomes incredibly versatile. In the beginning heists of Payday 3, you won’t often need a marksman rifle, but if you’re confident in your ability to land critical hits, you can be a valuable team member. You can unlock the SA A144 at infamy level 15.
Our top pick for the best marksman rifle is the A114 Sentinel, which becomes available at infamy level 49. It’s a ready-to-use version of the same firearm designed for precision, and it still packs a punch even when equipped with a silencer.
Porch King
The Porch King shotgun in Payday 3 is a real powerhouse. It’s all about blasting away with style, making shells dance through the air. This pump-action beauty is the top shotgun in the game, perfect for those who prefer action over stealth. It’s designed to halt the police in their tracks with manageable recoil and remarkable stability.
Once you reach infamy level 93, you’ll gain access to this powerful tool. It might take some time to unlock, but once you do, its effectiveness against heavily armored foes like dozers becomes clear. Even if shotguns aren’t your preferred choice, having a teammate equipped with this high-damage weapon can be a game-changer.
All you need to get the best Payday 3 weapons is here. Now that Payday 3 is out, let’s check out the system requirements to make sure your PC can run it smoothly.