There are more than a hundred weapons in Payday 2. For new players, that is an overwhelming number of options in each class. Thankfully, the game has been out for almost a decade, which has given the player base a lot of time to experiment. In each class, there are a few guns that stand out above the rest.
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There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a weapon. These factors include damage, rate of fire, accuracy, stability, and mod potential. Players will feel unstoppable with the best guns in Payday 2, which have each of these attributes.
UPDATE: 2023/06/19 17:34 EST BY JAKE FILLERY
Updated on June 25, 2023, by Joe Grantham:
With the recent offer of Payday 2 for free on the Epic Games store, even more players across the world are enjoying the fine selection of weapons the game has to offer. Whether players prefer to go in loud or via stealth, everyone should be able to pull off heists in style with the weapons of their choice.
When it comes to the best weapons in Payday 2 though, these are constantly changing due to the multiple expansions the game has received on top of more regular patches and balance updates.
15 Hailstorm Mk 5
One of the more recent additions to Payday 2's arsenal is the Hailstorm Mk 5, however, it is only available to players who own the McShay Weapons Pack 2 paid DLC. Other than now ranking among the best weapons in the game, it is also one of the most unique and as such is classed as Special.
Primarily, the Hailstorm is used as a fully automatic weapon with a staggering RPM of 2000, however, it also possesses an alternative fire mode known as Volley Shot. Volley Shot acts somewhat like a shotgun, firing off armor-piercing pellets. The versatility of this weapon makes it ideal for pulling off heists of all different varieties. The fact that the Hailstorm already comes equipped with a laser sight and an optical sight further cement it as one of the best.
14 Akimbo CR 508b
Five different SMGs dominate in Payday 2, and CR 508b is among them. With the Akimbo setup, these guns inflict 99+ damage with high accuracy. They can even one-hit-kill Heavys! With attachments, the weapons will have high stability too.
Sadly, a modest fire rate limits the potential of the weapon and there are a couple of SMGs with faster fire rates and similar stats. Still, the Akimbo CR melts through most enemies with style.
13 KSP
While people will have to pay for the KSP, it is far more versatile than the free KSP 58. Base stats between the two guns are almost identical, but the KSP 58 has slightly higher base accuracy. On the other hand, the KSP will reload an entire second faster.
With plenty of mods available, a small accuracy reduction is not a problem for the KSP. Once gamers mod it, the LMG will have better accuracy and reload time than the KSP 58.
12 Mark 10
The Mark 10 or Mac 10 is a blast to use in Payday 2. It has decent base damage and a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute. Accuracy and stability can be boosted high enough with attachments to make this gun a viable primary in any mode.
This SMG is very easy to conceal and with a Speed Pull Magazine, gamers can reload in just over a second. It is one of the most enjoyable weapons to use, with great stats across the board.
11 Arbiter
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The Arbiter is still a great weapon, but a damaged Nerf has made it less impressive. Many players choose this launcher over any other because of how fast it fires and how accurate it is. With just 480 damage, users are going to have to fire more than one shot for it to be effective.
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The launcher has a magazine of 5 and 15 rockets in total. A high rate of fire and a 40% pickup percentage make up for the damage reduction slightly. All in all, it is a great weapon in the class, but not as overpowered as it once was.
10 GL 40
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Players that like to make the biggest explosion possible will love using this launcher, which was ported over from the original game. It deals a massive 1,300 damage per shot with a very modest pickup percentage.
Gamers wielding this weapon will only have a total of six shots at their disposal. Using each round intelligently will be important, as users will only get one round for every four ammo pickups.
9 Akimbo Stryk 18c
These fully automatic pistols have the rate of fire and accuracy to delete armored enemies at close range. Like the Mark 10, the Stryk 18cs are a lot of fun to use because of a 900+ RPM fire rate. With the right skills, the fire rate can surpass 1,300 RPM.
Having a base mag of 40 is a huge luxury as well. That large magazine is important when emptying thousands of rounds at such a rapid pace, especially on longer heists or in situations where players have to defend hotspots from the authorities.
8 AK5
Consistency is important in Payday 2, and the AK5 is one of the most reliable weapons in the game. While it has a slow fire rate, the AR's damage, accuracy, and magazine size make the AK a top-tier choice. With attachments, people can get an accuracy of 100 and stability well into the 90s. Guns with slow fire rates are less forgiving, but players will not be missing many shots with the AK5.
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Additionally, the stock 30-round mag will last a lot longer than with guns like the Valkyria. As long as players are equipped with the best perk decks in Payday 2, the AK5 will serve them well in almost any situation.
7 China Puff
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This interestingly named launcher is an homage to the China Lake from the first game. The launcher has good damage at 960 and a small magazine of just 3. This behemoth will only be used in situations where players need to clear entire rooms or hallways with one explosion.
The main issue with the weapon will be a low ammo pickup rate, so people will want to fire each of those shots sparingly. With a splash radius of 3.5 meters, the China Puff will take down several enemies at a time.
6 Compact 40
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Despite its size, the Compact 40 inflicts the same damage as the GL 40. The two launchers are very similar, but the Compact 40 has a few notable advantages. Notably, it has two times the pickup percentage of the GL.
It also benefits from being a secondary weapon, making concealment less of an issue. The Compact 40 reloads slightly faster too. Considering these differences, it would not make much sense to choose the slower GL over the Compact. For a ridiculous kill feed, people will want to be using the Compact 40.
5 Akimbo Goliaths
There are a lot of viable shotguns in Payday 2. Because many of the shotguns have similar stats and uses, this list will just include the top option, the Akimbo Goliaths. The Grimms are very good as well, but the accuracy of the Goliaths puts them into the top tier.
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The Akimbo Goliaths have a base damage of 84 and a very good fire rate. Combine those stats with very high accuracy and stability with mods, and the Goliaths are simply unfair up close. These shotguns are foolproof and excel in close-quarters engagements.
4 Akimbo Krinkovs
These weapons have all of the benefits of the CR 508bs but with none of the downsides. The Krinkovs have a better fire rate of 822 RPM and a more efficient pickup rate. In any close-range situation, players can rely on the Krinkovs.
It should also be noted that the Akimbo setup is one of the most user-friendly builds in the game. Simply aim near a target and the Krinkovs will do the rest. This makes them ideal for new players who are just finding their feet in Payday 2.
3 Pistol Crossbow
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The Pistol Crossbow is unquestionably one of the best weapons in Payday 2. It is one of the classic guns from the original title, and nothing compares in the category. With just one well-played arrow, the weapon will erase any enemy from the map.
Gamers have the option to equip either explosive or poison bolts for a different experience. Pistol Crossbows are highly concealable and have a fast enough fire rate to compete with any weapon. As a secondary, the Pistol Crossbow opens the door to several different builds. It is an awesome weapon and fun to use.
2 Buzzsaw
Payday 2's MG42 is the best DPS weapon in the game. From close to medium range, the Buzzsaw can dish out more damage per magazine than any weapon available. The weapon's lightning-fast time to kill is a result of the insane 1,200 RPM fire rate combined with a base damage of 80. Accuracy and stability will fall short of the 90s, even with mods.
Despite less-than-ideal accuracy and stability, the Buzzsaw's large magazine and fire rate make it the undisputed best LMG in the game and a community favorite.
1 Union 5.56
The Union 5.56 is widely regarded as the best assault rifle in Payday 2. Many of the Union's stats mirror the AK, except it has a way faster fire rate. The Union combines the fast fire of the Valkyria with the accuracy and stability of the AK5. If there is a downside to the Union, it is the base magazine size of 30.
Still, the ultra-quick reload of the gun will make the small magazine seem insignificant. Gamers will be able to pick up 9 ammo per box as well. Unfortunately, this is a PC-only DLC weapon at the moment. Console players can settle for the AK5 or Valkyria instead.
Payday 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Switch.
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