EFT Weapons: A Task, Ammunition and Budget Tier List

The best weapon in Escape from Tarkov is one you can support with suitable ammunition, a working build and a raid plan. A rifle at the top of someone else's ranking can be a poor purchase if it leaves no money for magazines and further attempts. This guide organises choices around tasks rather than promising one universal meta.

First establish your mode and profile: ordinary PvP/PvE, seasonal conditions and special modifiers must not be mixed when assessing availability. Then compare kits using equivalent ammunition and the same task. The conditional priorities below are an editorial purchasing framework, not the result of testing every weapon in the current client.

The guide contains 29 detailed profiles, an extended catalogue of alternatives, beginner options and eight scenarios. A calibre name does not establish the effects of every cartridge within it: inspect the exact round, compatibility and completed weapon before deploying. Check trader levels, prices and stock on your own profile before buying.

Reading the tier list and comparing builds

The conditional first priority is a gun that already fulfils the task with ammunition you can obtain. The second is a more expensive replacement with a specific advantage you can name: a more usable sight, a suitable firing tempo or a helpful configuration. The third is a specialist tool for a limited scenario. These are not permanent S-F classes: one model can move between priorities when ammunition, route and budget change.

Check purchases in this order: cartridge and compatibility; working weapon condition; magazines and reloading arrangements; sight and mounts; weight and dimensions; the price of a complete raid and its replacement. Comparing a cheap bare receiver with an expensive finished build does not establish savings. A secondary pistol should also have a defined purpose.

Following the attachment changes in update 1.0.4.5, old recoil screenshots are particularly unreliable. The developers revised the roles of barrels, handguards, suppressors and stocks, as well as the handling of several weapon families. Compare the completed build's current parameters, then check usability: the lowest recoil number does not establish target visibility or your ability to land follow-up hits.

Official HK G36 render, July 2022. Its appearance does not establish current recoil statistics or build availability.

Eight scenarios: where to start comparing

29 weapon profiles

AUG A3 - 5.56×45

The AUG A3 is a candidate for a main rifle on routes combining interiors with exposed crossings. Compare complete builds rather than bare receivers: length, sight, weight and spare magazines all matter. If your preferred ammunition only fills one magazine, an expensive platform does not solve the next fight. Secure a usable ammunition reserve before paying for upgrades.

MDR 7.62 - 7.62×51

The rifle-calibre MDR should be evaluated separately from the 5.56 version. It is a candidate for players who want different firing tempos within one build. Deliberate single shots help time an accurate hit, while automatic fire demands its own control. Do not extrapolate a brief test to an entire burst or treat expensive ammunition as permission to fire without aiming.

Mk47 Mutant - 7.62×39

Choose the Mk47 when you already have suitable magazines and ammunition and want to build your main kit around this platform. Compare it with an available AKM using the same ammunition: the difference in complete cost may matter more than the name. Avoid purchasing an expensive bare gun if it forces cuts to ammunition, medical supplies and your next raid.

SA-58 - 7.62×51

Evaluate the SA-58 as a separate alternative to the MDR rather than a promise of a two-hit kill. For distant contacts, a readable sight and the ability to repeat an accurate shot take priority. At close range, test the burst control of your actual build. Weight, spare magazines and their loaded cost belong in the decision alongside the gun's price.

SIG MCX .300 - .300 Blackout

Select the MCX .300 only after checking supply for its own calibre. Do not confuse it with the SPEAR or assume a suppressor makes you inaudible. On a route dominated by short contacts, compare the complete kit with a familiar rifle. If switching requires buying every magazine and a new ammunition reserve, include that transition cost rather than just the MCX's price.

HK 416A5 - 5.56×45

The HK 416A5 is an option for a deliberate build, not a compulsory entry ticket to PvP. Pick a sight that lets you acquire targets quickly before comparing other attachments. A prolonged burst consumes your reserve faster than a sequence of controlled engagements. If you keep losing the target after the opening shots, improving firing tempo helps more than another expensive attachment.

SR-1MP - 9×21

Treat the SR-1MP as a compact secondary or the basis of a deliberately light raid. Before buying it, check the ammunition and spare magazines specifically required for it. A pistol does not replace a rifle in every task: a distant, exposed crossing demands a different engagement plan. Its place in a kit follows budget and route constraints, not universal superiority over submachine guns.

AUG A1 - 5.56×45

Compare the AUG A1 with the A3 through the actual configuration available to you and the usability of its sight. If the available version already lets you see targets confidently, paying for a different name may not improve your raid. Check how it feels when transitioning from a close target to a distant one. The practical criteria remain sight usability, adequate ammunition and acceptable complete cost.

SIG MCX SPEAR - 6.8×51 (.277 Fury)

The SPEAR uses a different supply chain from the MCX .300. Choose it when you can rebuild the kit, rather than merely afford the gun once. Before deploying, confirm that every magazine contains the correct cartridge. A costly build does not guarantee success against armour or replace checking target visibility, range and escape routes.

FN40GL Mk2 - 40×46

The FN40GL is a specialist grenade launcher rather than a conventional primary. Define its task and the exact round before deciding whether the weight and expense are justified. Do not import the rules of another grenade system merely because both are launchers. Check arming distance and danger area for the selected round; teammates and your own cover remain part of the calculation.

M32A1 - 40×46

The M32A1 is a revolving grenade launcher with six chambers for several prepared rounds. Before the raid, check every chamber and the selected grenade type; six chambers do not mean that all of them are already loaded. That capacity is useful only when you understand the selected rounds and the geometry of your position. The ability to continue firing does not make a room near teammates safe. Before the raid, decide how you will handle ordinary gunfights after using the grenades. For routine questing, a simpler kit often leaves more money for repeated attempts.

ADAR 2-15 - 5.56×45

The ADAR suits a plan built around deliberate single shots. It lets you focus on spotting targets and reacquiring aim, but do not enter a room expecting sustained automatic fire. Avoid turning a budget base into an expensive project without comparing alternatives. A usable sight, working magazines and adequate ammunition matter more than visual similarity to someone else's build.

TX-15 DML - 5.56×45

Compare the TX-15 with the ADAR within the same role: accurate semi-automatic engagements along your chosen route. Evaluate the entire set of available parts rather than an attractive finished preset alone. If the extra expense does not help you see the target or sustain accurate hits, keep that money in reserve. For close fighting, plan the entry angle and an alternative exit beforehand.

SKS - 7.62×39

The SKS is a candidate for an inexpensive route prioritising single fire. Check the particular weapon's configuration: loading method, fitted magazine and available sight must match your plan. Do not buy an optic before checking its mount. The main limitation of this economy appears in an unexpected close engagement, so use cover and avoid a route that depends on sustained automatic fire.

OP-SKS - 7.62×39

The OP-SKS is distinguished by its side-mounted dovetail arrangement, which supports an optic-oriented build for watching open ground. Check the entire chain: the fitted side mount, a compatible sight or adapter for your chosen optic, then the optic itself. A similar wooden stock does not establish that this is the required variant with a complete set of parts. This arrangement suits deliberate single fire; it does not turn the carbine into an automatic rifle or remove the need for cover between engagements. Compare the completed build with an ordinary SKS before paying for additional parts.

ASh-12 - 12.7×55

The ASh-12 requires advance planning for ammunition supply and the load you will carry. Do not buy it because of a promise that one cartridge defeats every armour. Compare available ammunition with your intended use through inspection, then assess total weight and spare-magazine needs. On a money-making raid where avoiding combat is preferable, an expensive specialist build may add unnecessary risk.

Saiga-12 - 12g

Treat the Saiga-12 as a shotgun for a deliberately chosen short-range role. Check the exact variant: news about an automatic version does not mean an ordinary example gained that firing mode. Choosing buckshot or a slug changes its intended use, so gun names alone are insufficient for comparison. On a route with long sightlines, plan to bypass engagements or select another primary.

MP7A1 - 4.6×30

The MP7A1 makes sense alongside an available reserve of its ammunition, rather than as an isolated expensive purchase. During a short engagement, watch magazine consumption and whether you can reload safely. Do not assign one cartridge's properties to every option in the calibre. The MP7A1 has a folding foregrip; the MP7A2 replaces it with a Picatinny rail for mounting foregrips. Compare actual A1 and A2 builds and compatibility instead of assuming that a later number automatically produces a better result.

Kel-Tec RFB - 7.62×51

The RFB suits a plan based on semi-automatic rifle fire. It is a bullpup with forward case ejection: its layout differs from a conventional long rifle, so assess the comfort of the particular build and optic placement. Compare it with the M1A and other available platforms using the complete cost of optics and mounts. A restricted choice of some attachments does not mean there is no customisation. Before a long-range raid, confirm that the chosen optic is readable in the expected conditions and that your ammunition reserve covers the route.

AKM - 7.62×39

The AKM is a useful reference when comparing other platforms in its calibre. If you already own one, check the cost of making it raid-ready before buying a replacement. Do not confuse visually similar magazines and .366 TKM weapons with compatible ammunition. An available, familiar build may be a more sensible choice than a costlier one you have not practised with.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Treat the M1911A1 as a pistol for a limited task rather than a cheap equivalent of a full rifle. Check spare magazines and decide in advance what happens after the opening shots. Such a kit may match the accepted risk of a single-item run. For a long route with compulsory fighting, consider whether taking a primary immediately would be more economical.

FN Five-seveN - 5.7×28

Five-seveN and the FN 5-7 label refer to the same model in this comparison. It is a candidate for a secondary pistol if you genuinely plan to use it. Carrying another weapon increases kit cost but does not guarantee survival during an unexpected reload. Check the available cartridge rather than borrowing the reputation of another round in the same calibre.

HK UMP - .45 ACP

Compare the UMP with other available submachine guns using the price of a fully loaded kit. It may suit a short route without removing the limitations of distant engagements. Do not declare it useless because of an old tier letter. If you control a particular build well and can replace it, that has practical value.

MDR 5.56 - 5.56×45

The 5.56 MDR is a separate variant that cannot be judged through the ammunition and results of the 7.62 version. First compare it with other available 5.56 rifles using equivalent ammunition reserves. Assess the usefulness of its compact configuration on your own route rather than through a universal-meta claim. When switching calibre, include new magazines and ammunition in the budget.

MP-153 - 12g

The MP-153 is a candidate for an inexpensive shotgun kit. The MP-153 is semi-automatic, while the MP-133 is pump-action: when comparing follow-up shooting tempo, account for cycling the MP-133 with its fore-end. Select the cartridge type for your task rather than a promise of guaranteed effectiveness against every target. Identify exposed stretches where you do not want to start a fight. When comparing it with the MP-133, consider follow-up shooting and your familiarity with the gun; the lowest price alone does not make a successful kit.

PPSh-41 - 7.62×25 TT

Evaluate the PPSh-41 as a specific short-engagement plan with sufficient ammunition. Do not repeat an old fire-rate figure without checking it or judge a cartridge solely by its low price. Prepare magazines and a safe place to replenish them. If the task crosses open terrain, being able to pass up a fight matters more than proving one weapon works everywhere.

KS-23M - 23×75

The KS-23M uses its own 23×75 calibre and cannot be equipped like an ordinary 12g shotgun. Its special rounds include Zvezda, a flashbang cartridge. Consider it a tool for disrupting visibility and supporting movement rather than ordinary buckshot for the same damage plan. Some protective glasses and face shields affect blindness duration, so do not assume the same effect against every target. Prepare what happens after the shot: repositioning, withdrawal or continuing the fight with a suitable damaging round. An ordinary budget task does not always call for this specialisation.

RD-704 - 7.62×39

Compare the RD-704 with the AKM and Mk47 using the same ammunition and comparable complete builds. Buying a platform without accounting for magazines and attachments distorts the budget. If its advantage for your route remains unclear, test the control of an available kit first. Old recoil ratings do not replace that check after changes to weapon handling and attachment roles.

VPO-215 - .366 TKM

The VPO-215 is an option for deliberate bolt-action shooting. Do not select it because of a promise of a guaranteed chest kill at a particular distance. Check the exact cartridge and optic, then plan cover while preparing the next shot. A compact secondary may make sense on a confined route, but its full cost belongs in the budget.

Extended catalogue: alternatives by role

The table consolidates short and full names: repeated labels are not additional guns or separate tier positions. For example, FN 5-7 and Five-seveN are one model, while the two MDR calibres are separate variants. The groups below are a comparison index, not a recommendation to buy every listed platform.

Beginner choices and keeping costs under control

Start with a gun you can lose without destroying the next kit. For learning a mixed route, compare an owned AKM with the VPO-136: they belong to a visually familiar family, but your firing-tempo plan must match the particular model. The SKS and OP-SKS suit deliberate single-shot engagements; check the magazine and sight mount beforehand. The ADAR helps build a similar plan around 5.56.

For confined routes, compare the MP-153 and MP-133; among submachine guns, consider the UMP, PPSh-41 and MP5. These are candidates, not a promise of low prices on every profile. Calculate ammunition and magazine reserves before buying. Do not choose a shotgun solely because it is cheaper if a compulsory part of the task requires watching a distant position.

The SR-1MP is one option for a limited pistol budget. It cannot automatically be called the cheapest gun or available from the start of a profile: your stock and ammunition decide. Compare a complete raid's cost with an inexpensive primary. For a pistol run, choose a short route, a task and the circumstances in which you will decline a fight beforehand.

A practical budget includes the gun, sight and mounts, magazines, ammunition, protection, medical supplies and transport if needed. Keep a replacement reserve. Improve one weakness at a time: first the ability to see and hit the target, then convenience. Found weapons also have preparation costs and potential sale value; calling one free does not remove those costs.

Frequently asked questions

Which weapon is best in EFT?

For a mixed route, start by comparing the AUG A3, MDR 7.62 and Mk47 if you can supply their ammunition. Your complete build and task determine the winner; this guide does not establish one overall first place for every condition.

What kills fastest?

A TTK answer is invalid without equivalent ammunition, armour, distance, hit location and test conditions. Do not buy a Mk47 or MCX because of a promise of one or two chest hits. Assess the available cartridge and your ability to land follow-up shots.

Which assault rifle should I choose?

The AUG A3 is one candidate for an all-purpose build; the HK 416A5, MDR and 7.62×39 platforms provide alternatives. Establish your ammunition and magazine budget before comparing sights, dimensions and control.

Which models are worth comparing now?

Compare available complete kits by role: AUG/MDR/Mk47 for a mixed route, SKS/ADAR for single fire, and MP-153/UMP for short contacts. Old letter rankings do not account for your current ammunition and profile restrictions.

What should I take into early raids?

A working kit you can replace. The AKM, SKS, VPO-136 and ADAR are candidates if you have suitable ammunition. A pistol option requires a more limited plan rather than confidence in defeating any protection.

Can I survive with a budget weapon?

Yes, a budget plan is compatible with survival, but does not guarantee it. Match the route to the weapon's range and tempo, use cover and decline unnecessary fights. Savings should leave you ammunition and medical supplies, not just a cheap receiver.

Which gun is easiest to find or craft?

That depends on your profile, traders, current stock and recipes. Check the particular offer or craft rather than assuming every budget-listed model can be manufactured. Include complete preparation cost when buying and materials and time when crafting.

Which pistol should I choose?

Compare the SR-1MP, M1911A1 and Five-seveN through available ammunition, magazines and task. For a secondary, consider whether you will actually use it. The most expensive model does not automatically become the best addition.

Why can a powerful gun have low priority?

A kit may cost too much, be difficult to supply or fail to suit the route. That is a reason to postpone a purchase under your conditions rather than declare the model permanently weak. Its assessment changes when available ammunition or the task changes.