Every Mk II Weapon Upgrade in GTA Online 2025: Research & Costs

    Published: January 2, 2026. Author: GTA Online Database.

    Complete Mk II Weapon Research & Upgrade Guide

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    Every Mk II Weapon Upgrade in GTA Online 2025: Research & Costs

    January 2, 202613 min read
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    Complete guide to all Mk II weapon upgrades. Learn every research unlock, ammunition type, and optimal loadout configuration.

    Complete Mk II Weapon Research & Upgrade Guide

    This definitive guide covers every Mk II weapon, their upgrades, research requirements, and optimal configurations for both PvE and PvP.

    Mk II Weapon List

    Pistols: - Pistol Mk II - SNS Pistol Mk II - Heavy Revolver Mk II

    SMGs: - SMG Mk II

    Assault Rifles: - Assault Rifle Mk II - Carbine Rifle Mk II - Special Carbine Mk II - Bullpup Rifle Mk II

    Machine Guns: - Combat MG Mk II

    Shotguns: - Pump Shotgun Mk II

    Snipers: - Heavy Sniper Mk II - Marksman Rifle Mk II

    Research Requirements

    Bunker Research Unlocks (Random Order): Each research item costs $225,000 to fast track: - Explosive Rounds unlock for Heavy Sniper Mk II - Extended Clip unlocks for Combat MG Mk II - Hollowpoint Rounds unlock for Pistol Mk II - Incendiary Rounds unlock for various weapons - Thermal Scope unlocks for snipers and rifles - Various Parts unlock for all Mk II weapons

    Total Research: 51 items Total Fast Track Cost: ~$11.5 million

    All Ammunition Types

    #### Heavy Sniper Mk II Ammo

    • Standard deals normal damage, holds 48 rounds at $280
    • Armor Piercing ignores armor, holds 48 rounds at $580
    • Incendiary causes fire damage over time, holds 48 rounds at $460
    • Explosive damages vehicles, holds 40 rounds at $950 per 4 (best choice)
    • Full Metal Jacket penetrates cover, holds 48 rounds at $460

    #### Combat MG Mk II Ammo

    • Standard deals normal damage with 200 capacity
    • Armor Piercing adds extra armor damage with 200 capacity
    • Tracer shows visible bullet path with 200 capacity
    • Incendiary causes fire damage over time with 200 capacity
    • Full Metal Jacket penetrates cover with 200 capacity

    #### Pump Shotgun Mk II Ammo

    • Standard fires buckshot (default option)
    • Flechette has armor-piercing spread for anti-armor use
    • Incendiary causes fire at close range
    • Explosive creates mini explosions (best choice)
    • Steel Buckshot adds extra damage for general use

    Component Upgrades

    Universal Components: - Extended Clip adds ammo capacity for $27,000 or more - Grip reduces recoil for $21,000 or more - Barrel increases damage and range for $32,000 or more - Muzzle provides various effects for $25,000 or more - Scope adds zoom options for $38,000 or more

    Scope Options: - Holographic provides low zoom, best for close quarters - Large offers medium zoom for general use - Advanced has high zoom for sniping - Thermal varies by weapon, detects heat signatures - Night Vision helps in low-light and dark areas

    Optimal Builds

    #### Heavy Sniper Mk II (Anti-Vehicle) Use heavy barrel, zoom scope (or thermal), explosive ammo, and extended clip. This build one-shots helicopters, damages Oppressors, and works great as anti-materiel.

    #### Heavy Sniper Mk II (PvP) Use heavy barrel, thermal scope, standard or armor-piercing ammo, and extended clip. This build excels at long-range player kills and thermal hunting.

    #### Combat MG Mk II (All-Purpose) Use heavy barrel, optional suppressor, grip, holographic scope, standard ammo, and extended clip for 200 rounds. This is your primary automatic weapon.

    #### Carbine Rifle Mk II (PvP) Use heavy barrel, holographic scope, grip, armor-piercing ammo, and extended clip. This is an accurate assault weapon for player combat.

    #### Pump Shotgun Mk II (Utility) Use default barrel, holographic scope, explosive slug ammo, and extended clip. This is essentially a pocket explosive launcher.

    Research Priority Order

    Must-Have (Do First): 1. Heavy Sniper Mk II Explosive Rounds 2. Combat MG Mk II Extended Clip 3. Thermal Scope (any) 4. Oppressor Mk II Missiles

    Nice to Have: 5. Carbine Rifle Mk II components 6. Shotgun Explosive Slugs 7. Armor Piercing rounds 8. Various liveries

    Low Priority: - Most vehicle upgrades - Cosmetic options - Specialized ammo types

    Fast Track vs. Natural Research

    Fast Track: - $225,000 per item - Instant unlock - Expensive total ($11.5M)

    Natural Research: - Free (just supplies) - Takes 5-10 hours per item - 51 items total = 250+ hours

    Recommendation: Fast track priority items (explosive rounds, key mods) while letting others research naturally with leftover supplies.

    Workshop Locations Comparison

    Workshop options for weapon upgrades: - MOC costs $245,000, is mobile but needs to be called - Terrorbyte costs $495,000, also upgrades the Oppressor but is expensive - Avenger costs $245,000, can fly but controls are clunky - Kosatka costs $240,000, always accessible but only in the sub - Agency costs $380,000, convenient but in a fixed location

    Conclusion

    Focus research on explosive rounds for Heavy Sniper Mk II first. It's major. The Combat MG Mk II extended clip is second priority. Most other upgrades are quality-of-life improvements rather than essentials.

    Items Mentioned in This Article

    Vapid Bullet vehicle screenshot - GTA Online

    Vapid Bullet

    An American supercar based on the Ford GT.

    $155,000
    Speed88
    Acceleration82
    Handling78
    Pegassi Oppressor Mk II vehicle screenshot - GTA Online
    Weaponized
    Trade Price

    Pegassi Oppressor Mk II

    A flying motorcycle with homing missiles. One of the most versatile vehicles.

    $8,000,000
    $6,000,000
    Speed70
    Acceleration75
    Handling90
    Benefactor Terrorbyte vehicle screenshot - GTA Online
    Weaponized

    Benefactor Terrorbyte

    A mobile operations center for the Oppressor Mk II.

    $1,375,000
    Speed50
    Acceleration45
    Handling55
    Warstock Mobile Operations Center vehicle screenshot - GTA Online
    Weaponized

    Warstock Mobile Operations Center

    A heavily armored trailer with weapons workshop.

    $1,225,000
    Speed40
    Acceleration30
    Handling35

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