Summary
- Ready or Not features 4 weapon categories - Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. Players must choose their loadout carefully to survive missions.
- The VKS and Beanbag Shotgun are non-lethal weapons that can help players detain enemies instead of killing them.
- The MPX is a fast-reloading SMG that allows players to unload bullets quickly without worrying about running out of ammo.
Ready or Not features 4 categories of weapons, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, SMGs, and Pistols. These categories all have their own advantages, but players can only bring one primary weapon and one secondary weapon into every Ready or Not mission, so players are going to have to spend some time in the arsenal to figure out what the correct loadout would be to survive every encounter and gain that elusive S Rank.
Ready Or Not: Best Assault Rifles, Ranked
Ready or Not features 13 assault rifles in the 1.0 release, but which of them is the best?
The best weapons in Ready or Not will certainly help players in hostile situations, but a level of skill is still required, as players will need to be like John Wick if they are supposed to survive one of the hardest but best tactical shooters of 2025. Ready or Not’s best weapons feature both lethal and non-lethal choices for all.
Updated on November 15, 2025, by Jake Fillery: Ready or Not has a hefty arsenal of weapons, and there's no dedicated meta to its design. This means that players can practically run any gun that they deem worthy of using, as it's all about personal preference. However, if players want a weapon that looks cool, feels reliable, and shoots hostiles dead, then we've got a varied selection of shotguns, rifles, pistols, and submachine guns for you to pick from. Check out some of our favorite weapons so you can decide on the best gun to use in Ready or Not!
25 UMP-9
An Extremely Fast-Firing SMG to Tear Through Tissue and Armor
If you're in a mission where enemies are heavily armored, then maybe it's time to say goodbye to non-lethal and bring out the big guns. Or, in this case, a small gun with JHP bullets. JHP bullets are used to be extremely effective against heavy armor, and these bullets complement the UMP-9 very well. The UMP-9 is extremely fast-firing when in full auto, and even with such a laser beam-like fire mode, the recoil is moderate and controllable. With a high magazine count, players are going to unload death into the area of hostiles without breaking a sweat.
It's a smaller SMG than most, but that just means it's more mobile and portable, allowing you to swiftly clear rooms and engage with hostiles without worrying about ammunition, but distance might be a tad difficult to work with. It's best to use this gun at close range, and no armor is enough to stop the penetrating power of this gun.
24 GA51
A Battle Rifle with Short Range for Decent Recoil and Intense Fire
The GA51 is a powerhouse of a gun, in which players will be blessed with something that is going to tear through opponents and their armor, so long as you're not looking to play on non-lethal. The GA51 hits hard, and the smaller frame of the gun, along with its shortened barrel, makes it ideal for close-range combat in missions where players are expected to be in some pretty tight spots.
With plenty of ammo in each magazine, players will never have to fear running empty on bullets by the time they're finished putting holes in hostiles. Just don't use this weapon for non-lethal runs, and you'll be alright, as the recoil is very manageable, and the mixture of close-range and medium-range gunplay makes this a worthy weapon.
23 LVAR
A Carbine Rifle With a Built-in Suppressor
The LVAR is one of the best guns in the game for a few reasons. Firstly, it's one of the most well-designed weapons, and it's always nice to run into battle with a gun that looks as good as it feels to fire. On the topic of firing, it's going to be a quiet delight due to its built-in suppressor.
With most guns looking better than they feel, the LVAR certainly stands out, and the fact that a suppressor is added to it automatically makes it one of the better weapons, and its attachments are rather freeing for more personalized use.
22 MCX
A Popular and Modern Assault Rifle for Performance and Customization
There's a good reason why the MCX is a popular choice among law enforcement who jump into the game ready for action. It's a smaller carbine rifle, one that provides a brilliant performance with a great option for customization.
The MCX has a myriad of potential with its recoil control and magazine capacity, and it functions as one of the best assault rifles that will certainly aid players across their combat experiences. With its stopping power, most engagements will end with one shot.
21 SLR47
An AK-Based Assault Rifle With Reliable Control
The AK47 is a classically designed weapon that features in practically every modern shooter, and the SLR47 brings forth that trend with some tactical realism. The appearance itself is great for those who simply adore this weapon, even if its shorter and stubbier design could warrant that of an AKS-74U.
Performance-wise, it's a competent choice, a weapon that can mostly 2-tap enemies, which helps drop them fast and quick, even those armored to the teeth. Its appearance is fun, and its recoil doesn't provide greatness in heavy engagements, so try to keep shooting accurately to see the true benefits of this gun.
20 Tactical Shield
Protect Against Direct Fire With This Tactical
The Tactical Shield is something that all players can equip as their tactical addition, but it's also something that can only be used with sidearms. As such, it's not wise to run in with just a Tactical Shield, as players might have an incredible defense, but they will also have nothing to return fire with, thus leaving them in a pretty vulnerable spot. Armed with a sidearm, players can navigate dangerous areas and take direct fire to the face, thanks to the safety and competent durability of the Tactical Shield. Be warned; it can shatter, and it's not wise to stay out in the open with this slow-moving support weapon.
19 M14S-16
A Battle Rifle For Sharpshooters
Not many players prefer to play with a rifle in single-fire mode, and that's why the M14S-16 also offers an auto mode as well. However, that is not the recommended fire mode as the recoil is really difficult to control, especially knowing that no vertical grip can be installed on the weapon.
That being said, M14S-16 does feel powerful when used as a single-fire marksman rifle. That is where this weapon excels. Giving the sharpshooters a joyful feel of what a decades-old weapon is capable of doing in modern chaotic engagements.
18 F90
A Compact Bullpup Rifle Ideal For Close Quarters And Long Ranges
The F90 is a great Assault Rifle choice for those who want something that retains its roots with an SMG twist. The F90 is a compact weapon, and it truly shines when it comes to maneuverability and adapting to tight corners and small rooms. This makes the F90 a decent choice for combat, as it can deal with enemies quickly thanks to its responsive fire rate and recoil, and the longer barrel allows it to be used at further distances than a shotgun or SMG just wouldn't be able to hit.
17 MP5SD6
A Reliable SMG With A Built-In Silencer
Inheriting the same base as MP5, the MP5SD6 is a special build that comes with a silencer equipped by default, which is the reason why it is pretty quiet, even when compared to other weapons with a suppressor on their muzzle. So, it is indeed the best option for anyone thinking of a solo run and does need to fight quietly.
Aside from being quite silent, the weapon also comes with a very slight and quite controllable vertical recoil, which is just what every MP5 is known for. So, this weapon is actually suitable for using with magnified scopes, though that might not be every player's preference.
16 MP5A3
A Modern Marvel SMG With Incredible Recoil
Some players might want something a little more agile to bring into the field. For those players, it's best to look at the MP5A3 SMG, which comes as a more modern version of the MP5, with major improvements to its design and handling. The MP5A3 is lightweight, allowing players to move faster, and its lack of recoil makes it so easy to use, as players will be aiming at targets and unleashing bullets of fury with little kick to stop their accuracy. The MP5A3 can fire fast and accurately with little resistance, making it a competent pick.
Ready Or Not: Best Mods To Try Out
Ready or Not featured hundreds of mods, some which can add new layers of fun to the game upon its 1.0 release.