Counter-Strike is one of the most popular shooter games in the world, and the best part about it is the option to select from 30 different weapons, all serving different purposes. Each weapon in the game has its own unique characteristics and play styles, forcing players to master them to get good at the game.
In this Counter-Strike Global Offensive weapon guide, we’ll help you understand every weapon in the game and the best way to use them.
Pistols
Pistols are the most basic type of Counter-Strike weapons. They are mainly used during the pistol rounds or in eco rounds where players aim to save as much money as possible.
P2000
The P2000 is one of the two starting pistols on the Counter-Terrorist side, meaning they aren’t too potent but at least you start every round with one of them for free.
This starting pistol is mainly used during the pistol round, which is the first round of the half. Since enemy players are not equipped with head armor, a proper headshot will guarantee you a kill, so make sure to take your time when aiming.
Compared to the USP-S, the P2000 has more bullets, giving you the option to spam through smoke or spray your weapon a little bit more, but it is slightly less accurate.
USP-S
The other starting pistol on the Counter-Terrorist side is the USP-S, and it is hands down much more popular than the P2000. Again, you will get the USP-S for free in every round as long as you have it equipped.
The best part about the USP-S is its silencer, which is used to conceal your shots and make enemies slightly confused as to where they are being shot at. This timing window will allow you to have more time to get a clean headshot and get out.
Though the USP-S has fewer bullets than the P2000, it is much more accurate, so you need to tap instead of spray.
Glock-18
The Glock-18 is the only starting pistol on the Terrorist side. It has a ton of bullets compared to the Counter-Terrorist side pistols.
Overall, the Glock-18’s firepower isn’t too great, but you will have 20 bullets at a time giving you the option to spray the weapon. Additionally, it is best to use the Glock-18 while running during pistol rounds.
Another cool feature about the Glock-18 is the availability of the burst fire mode, allowing you to shoot three bullets at a time at a slower pace. This is most effective in extremely close-range angles.
P250
The P250 is one of the cheapest purchasable pistols in the game, but it has high functionality if used properly.
The P250 will only cost you $300, making it a great option during eco rounds. However, you can also drop one of these bad boys to your armored teammates to make them a force to be reckoned with in the pistol round.
This pistol is pretty decent at range, especially if you are getting headshots with it. You don’t have too many bullets to play with so ensure you are taking your time to aim at the enemy’s head.
Five-SeveN
The Five-SeveN is one of the best pistols for the Counter-Terrorist side, as it has high armor penetration.
The Five-SeveN is quite pricey for a pistol, so it is only recommended to get it during eco rounds and force buy rounds, not during pistol rounds. This pistol has 20 bullets available, giving you a good opportunity to spam your bullets during gunfights.
It might be wise to run and gun with your Five-SeveN during close-range engagements as it is relatively accurate in such distances, but the pistol isn’t the greatest in long-range fights.
Tec-9
The Tec-9 is the alternative to the Five-SeveN as it is only available on the Terrorist side. However, it is one of the best pistols in the entire game.
The Tec-9 is the ultimate run-and-gun pistol. Its kit offers you a handful of bullets, and it is quite accurate while running. These characteristics allow you to rush into bomb sites using the Tec-9 with a high chance of success.
This pistol is perfect for force buy rounds, as players with armored Tec-9s can seriously be tricky for Counter-Terrorists to deal with if they are all rushing in at the same time.
CZ75-Auto
The CZ-75 Auto is a miniature version of a rifle, as it is the only pistol in the game that can be sprayed down.
The CZ-75 allows players to shoot the pistol just like a normal rifle, which may sound overpowered, but the catch is that it only has 12 bullets in the magazine and another 12 in the reserve.
When using the CZ-75, you must use your bullets wisely as they are incredibly limited. You are usually banking on getting a kill and picking up the enemy player’s dropped weapon after.
Dual Berettas
The Dual Berettas allows you to wield two pistols at a time, giving you an incredibly high rate of fire to spam your bullets.
Not too long ago, the Dual Berettas was buffed as its price was decreased from $500 to $300. Now, it is a very viable option to pick up during pistol rounds.
The Dual Berettas are horrible in long-range, but are extremely potent in close-range angles. Make sure to stay close to choke points during pistol rounds, and start running and gunning when multiple enemies show up.
Other than pistol rounds, they aren’t that good against fully armored opponents, so avoid getting them even in eco rounds.
Desert Eagle
The Desert Eagle is the most iconic pistol in the game, and for good reason. It is extremely satisfying to get a headshot kill with this gun.
With the Desert Eagle, you only have 7 bullets in your magazine, so you must be very wise with your shots. You really have to take your time with this pistol and strictly aim for the head, as getting headshots is the most effective way of using this gun.
However, if there is an enemy right in front of you, you can consider spamming body shots as the Desert Eagle does decent damage to the body as well. However, you cannot run and gun with this weapon.
R8 Revolver
The R8 Revolver is pretty much a substitute for the Desert Eagle, though almost nobody uses this pistol.
The R8 Revolver has a very slow rate of fire, meaning you must take even more time to aim your pistol than the Desert Eagle. Still, it is lethal if you get a headshot, but it is very difficult to track moving enemies since it takes so long to shoot.
However, you can hold down your right-click to shoot bullets faster, but these bullets become very inaccurate, so keep that in mind.
Rifles
Rifles are the primary type of Counter-Strike weapons, and the ones you will see most often in an average game of Counter-Strike. Rifles in the game are primarily used for mid-range to long-range fights, and are picked up during full buy rounds.
FAMAS
The FAMAS is the most affordable rifle on the Counter-Terrorist side. It has decent flexibility but isn’t necessarily the best rifle out there.
The FAMAS offers you 25 bullets, which should be enough to work with. It works pretty well when you spray using it, but it isn’t the best in long-range engagements. Try finding mid-range duels and position yourself accordingly to get these fights.
Similar to the Glock-18, the FAMAS also has a burst fire mode that shoots three bullets at a time. However, we do not recommend using this as it is quite useless.
Galil AR
The Galil AR is the budget version of the AK-47, but it is actually pretty decent compared to the FAMAS.
The Galil AR is incredibly affordable, as its price was reduced down to only $1,800. This makes it a great pickup choice after winning the pistol round, or if you can’t afford an AK-47.
This rifle is not lethal to the head, but you at least have 35 bullets to play with, which is more than any rifle in the game. Generally, you are trying to start off with a headshot, and then pull down the spray pattern to finish off your opponent with a body shot.
M4A4
The M4A4 is one of the two primary rifles for the Counter-Terrorist side. It is an incredibly strong weapon, but is relatively expensive.
Compared to the M4A1-S, the M4A4 is equipped with significantly more bullets, having 30 in the magazine and 90 in the reserve. This makes it the perfect weapon if you prefer spamming through the smoke and spraying your weapon.
The M4A4 isn’t lethal with a headshot, so you must play the weapon to spray your opponents down. It is functional in mid-range and long-range engagements, giving you a ton of flexibility.
M4A1-S
The M4A1-S is the second choice of primary rifles on the Counter-Terrorist side, and is known as the laser beam.
The M4A1-S is incredibly accurate, especially in long-range duels. However, you only have 20 bullets to work with, which is very low compared to other rifles. This ensures you must accurately use your weapon when spraying from long-range, but you can bet that you’ll land your shots.
Additionally, the M4A1-S is equipped with a silencer, making you hard to track down when spraying through smokes. Overall, the M4A1-S is generally more preferred than the M4A4 for players with good aim.
AK-47
The AK-47 is probably the most popular weapon in Counter-Strike, and is the primary rifle for the Terrorist side.
The best part about the AK-47 is that every bullet is lethal to the head, no matter the distance. This makes it very satisfying to get a headshot kill using this rifle – it’s the best feeling in the world.
However, the AK-47 is very punishing when it comes to recoil and spray control. You must put in a lot of time and practice to master the spray control for this weapon as it can go all over the place. Make sure to never run and gun with this weapon.
AUG
The AUG is the scoped rifle for the Counter-Terrorist side, and can be a great choice for beginner players.
Overall, the damage and rate of fire of the AUG is nothing to be too surprised about, as it is quite average for a weapon that is more expensive than the M4A1-S and M4A4. However, you do get the option to scope on the weapon, allowing you to aim accurately at long range.
When using the AUG, ensure that you make use of the scope by holding angles from long range to give you an advantage over enemy players. Try avoiding short-range fights since you’ll lose out on firepower.
SG 553
The SG 553 is the scoped rifle for the Terrorist side, and is also a good pickup if you’re new to the game.
Similar to the AUG, the SG 553’s stats and damage aren’t too great, even though it is the most expensive rifle available on the Terrorist side. However, it is amazing for long-range gun fights in locations such as A Long in Dust II.
However, the SG 553 isn’t too popular, as you are mainly the aggressors on the Terrorist side, so you won’t be holding angles from afar too often. We highly recommend the AK-47 over the SG 553, even if it is harder to manage.
Sniper Rifles
Sniper rifles are a subcategory of rifles, and are best used in long-range fights. They are mainly used to hold angles and pick off opponents in an instant, helping the team gain control of the map.
SSG 08
The SSG 08 is known as the “budget AWP,” as it is by far the cheapest sniper rifle in the game.
The SSG 08, or commonly referred to as the “Scout,” will only cost you $1,700, allowing you to pick it up after winning the pistol round, or during force buy rounds as well. Unlike the AWP, body shots with the SSG 08 are not lethal, so you need to aim for the head or get two tags to finish an enemy off.
Additionally, you are somewhat accurate while jumping using the SSG 08, which is why the term “Jump Scout” is quite prevalent in the scene. Don’t hesitate to jump to gather information on your enemies’ positions.
AWP
The AWP is the primary sniper rifle in the game, available for both the Terrorist and Counter-Terrorist side.
The AWP is arguably the most overpowered weapon in the game, as it is a one-shot one-kill weapon if you land your bullet anywhere above the legs. You should hold common angles with the AWP and wait for enemy players to walk into your scope. However, you must also have the ability to flick your crosshair to an enemy player in case they are running or jumping past your scope.
Ideally, you only want to have one AWPer in the team, but some Counter-Terrorist teams like having a “Double-AWP Setup” in certain maps that encourage long-range duels.
SCAR-20
The SCAR-20 is referred to as the “Auto Sniper” for the Counter-Terrorist side.
As its nickname suggests, players can spam bullets on the SCAR-20 without having to un-scope and reset the sniper rifle. This allows more room for error when holding angles, as you can simply shoot another bullet if you missed the first one.
However, shots using the SCAR 20 are not lethal unless it is on the head, giving enemy players time to kill you if you don’t finish them off quickly enough. You can also use the SCAR-20 to spam through smokes since you have a ton of bullets to work with.
G3SG51
The G3SG51 is the “Auto Sniper” for the Terrorist side, and is pretty much the direct substitute for the SCAR-20.
Just like the SCAR-20, you can continue shooting bullets while scoped in with the G3SG51, giving you an opportunity to recover the engagement if you missed your first shot.
Generally, the G3SG51 isn’t the best weapon choice on the Terrorist side since you are going to rush into bomb sites instead of holding angles the entire round. However, it can be a good pickup in the final round of the half in maps like Dust II where you can spam through the Mid Doors and potentially tag enemy players.
SMGs
SMGs, or submachine guns, are cheap weapons that provide valuable firepower for their price. They are best used to counter eco rounds and farm money, since kill rewards are very high.
MP9
The MP9 is one of the most affordable SMGs for the Counter-Terrorist side, and is amazing for close-range engagements.
The MP9 is relatively accurate while running, making it a great weapon for running and gunning at close range. It is also a good pickup during the buy rounds if you’re low on money.
It is best picked up after winning the pistol round, as it only costs $1,200, but most importantly, the kill reward for this weapon is $600. The kill reward gives you the perfect opportunity to farm cash against enemy players who are likely performing an eco round with no armor.
MAC-10
The MAC-10 is the substitute for the MP9 on the Terrorist side. It is also the cheapest SMG you can buy.
Similar to the MP9, the MAC-10 is best picked up after winning the pistol round. It is extremely affordable and has a kill reward of $600 per kill, allowing you to easily farm money against unarmored opponents.
It is the perfect gun if you’re rushing into a bomb site head first, as it is pretty accurate while running. Definitely grab this gun if you’re low on money and plan to be the first man into the bomb site.
PP-Bizon
The PP-Bizon is an SMG weapon that has the highest magazine capacity, but not the best damage and rate of fire.
The PP-Bizon has a massive magazine capacity, with 64 bullets at a time. This allows you to hold down Mouse 1 while running and gunning to kill enemy players. However, it has very low damage and armor penetration, so we don’t recommend getting in when opponents have armor.
Overall, the PP-Bizon is arguably the most unpopular SMG choice due to the reasons mentioned above, and we suggest avoiding it as much as possible.
MP7
The MP7 is a relatively unpopular SMG choice, as it is quite expensive for the value it brings to the table.
It definitely gets the job done for being an SMG weapon, as it allows the player to run and gun, and also provides a handsome kill reward of $600. However, the weapon costs $1,700, which is around $500 more than the other SMG choices in the game.
You will rarely see the MP7 being used in the professional scene, as the weapon is simply too pricey to become a viable option. However, feel free to use it after winning the pistol round if you like it a lot.
UMP-45
The UMP-45 is another great cheap SMG you can purchase after winning the pistol round.
This SMG only costs $1,200, which is similar to the MP9. Additionally, it still rewards you with $600 per kill. It is a very cost effective weapon, however, you must keep in mind that you only have 25 bullets to work with.
You can still run and gun with this weapon, but it isn’t as effective as the MP9 or MAC-10 since it has a slower rate of fire. However, it provides decent armor penetration which is always nice to have.
P90
The P90 is the ultimate “run and gun” weapon, famously known for rushing the B bomb site on most maps.
This SMG weapon provides players with 50 bullets, which is more than enough to mow down a few enemies before having to reload. As briefly stated earlier, the P90 is a great weapon for rushing into areas, as you can overwhelm your opponents with tons of bullets while running.
The best way to utilize the P90 is to continue moving while you are shooting, making yourself a harder target to hit. However, avoid long-range fights at all costs since it is not the weapon for the job.
MP5-SD
The MP5-SD is one of the newer SMGs in the game, but not a lot of people use it.
The SMG costs $1,500, which is pricier than the MAC-10, MP9, and UMP-45, but doesn’t bring too much additional value for the extra money you’ll have to spend for it. It deals average damage and armor penetration, so it’s nothing too special.
The only good thing about the MP5-SD is it has a silencer, similar to the M4A1-S and USP-S, allowing you to conceal your bullets for a short period of time.
Shotguns
Shotguns are primarily used in close-range fights, and are usually one-shot one-kill if aimed properly at the correct distance. However, they are completely useless in long range, so pick your fights wisely.
Nova
The Nova is one of the more affordable shotguns that are available on both the Terrorist and Counter-Terrorist side.
This shotgun is a great choice if you’re looking to farm some cash. It only costs $1,050, and will reward you with $900 for every kill you get with the weapon, which is the highest kill reward in the game excluding knife kills.
Being a shotgun, you want to hold close angles if you’re wielding the Nova. However, make sure not to miss your first shot as this weapon takes a very long time to reset for your next shot.
XM1014
The XM1014 is best known as the “Auto Shotty,” as it is the only shotgun in the game that can be spammed.
The Auto Shotty is quite expensive at $2,000, making it the priciest shotgun in the game. However, you have more room for error as you can immediately fire your next round of bullets without delay.
Though being able to spam it sounds nice, it does release fewer pellets per shot compared to the other shotguns in the game, meaning you will need to land more of them to get a kill.
MAG-7
The MAG-7 is only available to the Counter-Terrorist side, but works quite well for a shotgun.
Costing $1,300, the MAG-7 is an economic choice if you’re lacking funds for a better purchase. Additionally, it rewards you with $900 per kill, just like the Nova. Though you only have 5 bullets to work with, the MAG-7 deals a ton of damage in close range, and is almost a one-shot one-kill assuming the distance is good.
However, it has a very slow reset time, making it quite unpopular in the professional scene. You have to make all your shots count with the MAG-7.
Sawed-Off
The Sawed-Off is only attainable on the Terrorist side, and is hands down the worst shotgun in the game.
This Terrorist-side shotgun is very inaccurate and doesn’t deal the most amount of damage, making it one of the most difficult shotguns to master in the game.
At least it has a low price point at $1,100, but still, we recommend against the Sawed-Off. This is because Terrorists are supposed to rush into bomb sites, and the Sawed-Off is not the weapon for that purpose. Please don’t buy this gun.
Machine Guns
Finally, we have the machine guns. These guns have extremely high bullet counts and are great for holding down incoming rushes. However, they aren’t flexible for other situations.
M249
The M249 is the most expensive weapon in the game, but that doesn’t make it the best.
This machine gun costs a whopping $5,200. For this price, you’ll get a weapon with 100 bullets and 200 in reserve, allowing you to hold down incoming rushes in tight choke points.
However, aside from holding down a bomb site, there isn’t much use for the M249. It is terrible at long range, and is very hard to control. This is why almost nobody picks up the M249 at all.
Negev
Last but not least, we have the Negev, which has turned into a machine gun laser beam.
The Negev used to be almost as expensive as the M249, but Valve scaled its price down to only $1,700. The coolest part about the Negev is all of its bullets shoot straight at where your crosshair is aimed at, meaning you don’t have to control any recoil.
However, it deals lackluster damage and is very heavy, meaning your movement speed is at an all-time low. Overall, most players avoid using machine guns so we don’t recommend the Negev to anybody.