Escape From Tarkov: Best Early Game Weapons

No matter how you play Escape From Tarkov, most players quickly find themselves broke and struggling at the beginning of each wipe. After using up your initial gear, you’re limited to basic traders and can’t even use the Flea Market yet.

Things might seem bad right now, but it’s not a hopeless situation. Luckily, the initial supplies available to traders offer a decent, though limited, range of weapons and upgrades. These will be enough to help you get through the challenging beginning of the game.

To keep things fair, I’m only considering weapons you can buy with money from traders as soon as you start the game. That means no weapons obtained through trading items or finding them during raids. When it comes to assault rifles and carbines, they need to have large magazines – at least 20 rounds – to be included. I really like the AUG, but using it with small, 10-round magazines is practically the same as going into a raid with no weapon at all.

11. PL-15

Prapor’s Finest

People don’t often realize how useful pistols can be until you get the Stirrup quest from Skier. But I’ve lost track of how many successful raids have been turned around by quickly grabbing a trusty 9mm.

The PL-15 is slightly better than the MP-443 because you can easily attach lights and lasers without needing any extra parts. Plus, if you get the threaded barrel from Prapor, you can also add a suppressor.

The basic 9x19mm bullets aren’t amazing, but they’ll get the job done against common enemies.

10. Glock 17

The Sidearm of the Free World

If you talk to someone who really knows guns, they’ll probably recommend a Glock – though you might find one person who’s always going on about the M1911. But generally, they’d be right to suggest a Glock.

The Glock 17 is known for being lightweight, dependable, and easily customized. Beyond standard attachments like lights and lasers, you can add suppressors, red dot sights, muzzle brakes, comfortable grips, and even a stock to turn it into a small carbine.

This gun is remarkably accurate even without any attachments, and you might occasionally find high-capacity magazines during raids, which is a real bonus.

9. VPO-209

Ceci N’est Pas Un AK

Interestingly, Russian law classifies the VPO-209 as a semi-automatic shotgun because of its smooth barrel. In the game Tarkov, it’s known as a budget-friendly alternative to the Kalashnikov, firing powerful .366 TKM cartridges. While the standard bullets can penetrate level 2 body armor and perform decently against level 3 vests, the gun suffers from slow bullet speed, strong recoil, and poor long-range accuracy.

The VPO-209 works with most attachments designed for standard Kalashnikov rifles. Plus, thanks to Skier, you can immediately purchase a suppressor and a receiver with Picatinny rails. It’s also not a very popular choice among players, meaning if you get insurance, you’ll almost always get it back after a raid.

To get ammo for this gun, you’ll need to complete the Introduction quest from the Mechanic in the Woods. That’s because Jaeger is the only trader who sells .366 TKM rounds.

8. PP-19-01 Vityaz

Small Kalashnikov, Smaller Rounds

Modern military equipment like body armor and powerful rifles have made submachine guns less useful in most armies, but they can still be effective weapons in the game Tarkov.

The Vityaz isn’t as powerful as high-end SMGs like the MP7 or P90, but it’s a good choice early in the game. Most enemies near Ground Zero don’t have armor, so it can still get the job done.

This firearm is affordable, holds 30 rounds, and uses inexpensive, readily available ammunition. It also features a dovetail rail for attaching sights like red dots or scopes, and has very manageable recoil – it’s barely noticeable.

7. SKS

The Surplus Warrior

Although the SKS rifle wasn’t used for long by the Soviet military, it quickly became very popular among civilians. In the game Tarkov, it’s a great choice for players who are just starting out or don’t have a lot of money. It’s an affordable rifle, and while you can’t upgrade it extensively, its small size makes it perfect for quick, low-risk raids where inventory space is at a premium.

I really like the SKS because of its unique reloading. Instead of swapping out a whole magazine, you load bullets one by one, which takes a bit longer, sure. But the big win is it only takes up one inventory slot for 60 rounds! That frees up a ton of space for all the good stuff I find while playing.

You can add accessories like scopes, larger magazines, and silencers—even AK-100-compatible ones with an adapter—but the SKS is really good as it is. It performs well without any changes.

6. 9A-91

The Chechen Special

Someone made a great call selling the 9A-91 to beginner traders – I completely agree with the decision. It was initially created as a lightweight, small weapon for special forces, using quiet, subsonic bullets. In Escape from Tarkov, it’s a surprisingly effective weapon that levels the playing field for new players.

Okay, so the 9A-91 is basically a cheaper version of the AS VAL, and honestly, it doesn’t feel as good to use. It kicks a bit more too. But don’t let that fool you – it’s still a really strong weapon. The best part is the rail on top lets you add all sorts of scopes and accessories, which is awesome.

I’m a big fan of the VPO-209, and it seems you need to unlock the Jaeger to get your hands on good ammo for the 9A-91. Luckily, 9x39mm rounds aren’t too hard to find. The downside? They’re pretty pricey – each one costs about twice as much as the more common 7.62x39mm or 5.45x39mm rounds.

5. Mossberg 590A1

Pump It Up

Everyone always goes for the automatic shotguns in Tarkov, and honestly, I think the classic Mossberg 590 gets overlooked. I’m here to tell you why that’s a mistake!

This 12-gauge shotgun doesn’t have many customization choices, but it holds 8 shells, which is more than some other shotguns that only hold 6 or 4. It also has a very comfortable rear sight, though you can add a longer rail if you prefer.

Shotguns aren’t very effective against armor, but they instantly destroy any unprotected part of the body. If you’re aggressive and aim well, you can quickly eliminate any enemy operator and loot their gear with just two shots.

4. Mosin-Nagant (Infantry)

Grandpa’s Problem Solver

Anyone who dismisses the Mosin-Nagant rifle does so at their own peril. This rifle has seen over a hundred years of battle and can still be incredibly effective, with available ammunition capable of penetrating even level 4 armor.

The Woods rats favor the Mosin rifle, often seen with steel helmets but little other protection. They’re patient hunters, and while the rifle isn’t ideal for close combat, a single shot to the chest is enough to take down a professional mercenary, so it’s a dangerous weapon to ignore.

Not having a scope doesn’t hurt this rifle—the 7.62x54mmR round is accurate up to 200 meters. Just aim with the iron sights, fire, and you’ll hit your target.

Okay, so this gun, like the SKS, lets you load bullets directly into the chamber. That’s awesome because I can just carry a bunch of rounds and not worry about reloading mags constantly during a raid. It’s way more efficient!

3. ADAR 2-15

AR-15 With An Accent

Have you ever wondered why someone would build a rifle with specific, unusual parts? I haven’t, but someone did – and that’s how the ADAR came to be.

Skier sells this Russian-made, semi-automatic AR-15 rifle for civilian use. While it’s not as advanced as a standard American military M4, it’s a reliable weapon and compatible with all the common AR-15 upgrades. You can find reasonably priced 5.56x45mm ammunition at Lighthouse if you’re willing to go there. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with the less desirable RRLP and HP rounds.

The ADAR 2-15 upper receiver is different from others because it already includes rails, meaning you can easily attach sights without needing to buy extra accessories. I personally like to combine it with Colt parts from Peacekeeper to build a compact M4-style rifle.

2. VPO-136 Vepr-KM

Bargain Bin AKM

If the VPO-209 is too expensive but you still want something better than basic, the VPO-136 is a good option. It’s a semi-automatic rifle based on the reliable AKM design.

The VPO-136 uses the common 7.62x39mm bullet and can use the same accessories as the AKM rifle. While it doesn’t have the standard mounting rail found on some AK variants, you can purchase a replacement dust cover with Picatinny rails from Skier. This gun is reliable whether you’re new to raids or a veteran player. Though it’s semi-automatic, you can fire quickly with a fast trigger pull, and even the basic 20-round magazines from Skier provide plenty of sustained fire.

The VPO-136 is a good, easy-to-handle weapon, and with a few parts from the Workbench, you can modify it into a fully automatic AKM. You’ll need a set of files and an AKM slant muzzle, both of which are available for purchase from Prapor.

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2025-11-06 23:43