Combat isn’t the number one priority of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater—stealth is. It doesn’t imply, however, that Snake has no arsenal of guns. There are 28 weapons in the game, ranging from pistols and machine guns to experimental devices like the Cigarette Gas Spray. Some are designed for non-lethal missions, while others pack enough punch to cut through armored enemies.
This guide covers every weapon in the game, when and where to find it, and how to unlock a few that require special conditions. Keep in mind that any weapons collected during the Virtuous Mission do not carry over into Operation Snake Eater. You’ll need to reacquire them once the true story begins.
Starting Weapons
You begin the game with a few essentials that you’ll always have at your disposal:
Survival Knife – Always equipped by default. Use for close combat, slash through brush, and hunt wildlife.
- Mk22 Tranquilizer Pistol – Your primary nonlethal weapon. Silenced, all-purpose, and perfect for covert operations.
- M1911A1 Handgun – Unlocked early via story progression. Good lethal sidearm.
Sniper Rifles
SVD Dragunov
- The SVD sniper rifle is one of the initial long-distance weapons to be unlocked.
- Virtuous Mission (Dremuchij North): Found after your initial guard fight. Walk straight into an open alcove to see it.
- Operation Snake Eater (Ponizovje West): After you defeat The Pain, head left down the river to a warehouse with guns.
Mosin-Nagant
This is The End’s mythic tranquilliser sniper rifle.
- Location: Won only when you beat The End non-lethally at Sokrovenno. This is required if you wish to have a non-lethal sniper.
Assault Rifles and Machine Guns
AK-47
A standard gun with great firepower, but loud and not very good for sneaking.
- Rassvet: At the top of the metal stairs.
- Bolshaya Past Base: A copy can be found in the weapons storage.
XM16E1
An older version of the M16 offers a compromise between accuracy and quick fire.
- Virtuous Mission (Dolinovodno): Under the rope bridge in a hidden alcove.
- Operation Snake Eater (Graniny Gorki Exterior: Inside Walls): Check the storeroom holding the guns on the building’s right-hand side.
M63 Light Machine Gun
A lethal belt-firing machine gun with ample ammo capacity.
- Location: Svyatogornyj East, in the middle of a storage room.
RPG-7 Rocket Launcher
Your armor-fighting fall-back.
- Location: Found in a shed near the entrance where you encounter EVA for the first time at Krasnogorje Mountainside.
- Location: Groznyj Grad Weapons Lab, East Wing. Locked door—drag a guard to it or impersonate Raikov to unlock it.
Shotguns and Close-Combat Weapons
M37 Shotgun
A powerful but loud option, useful against clusters or armored foes.
- Virtuous Mission (Rassvet): Outside crates at ruined brick walls.
- Operation Snake Eater (Chyornaya Peschera Cave): Along the right path deeper in the cave.
Torch
Not exactly a weapon, but handy in a bind.
- Location: Chyornaya Peschera Cave Branch, near the waterfalls.
Fork
An improvised “weapon” bought automatically with story progress. Used mainly for comedy and not combat strength.
Survival Knife (Default)
As mentioned above, always equipped—with for CQC, cutting, or hunting.
Special Gadgets
Snake’s arsenal is not limited to guns. You can also take up special spy gadgets that fit into the Cold War environment.
Cigarette Gas Spray
- Location: Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West, in an office. Releases knockout gas when inhaled.
Handkerchief
- Location: Also in Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West, in a locker beside a TV. It’s tranquilizer-spiked.
Book (Girly Mag)
- Location: Graniny Gorki South, beside a tripwire trap. Utilized as a diversion device.
Mousetrap
- Location: Bolshaya Past Base, under a bed and in the pantry area. Also useful for catching the elusive Tsuchinoko.
Explosives
- Claymores: First found in Bolshaya Past South by creeping behind planted mines.
- TNT: In Bolshaya Past Base in the northeastern weapons depot.
- Grenades (Standard, WP, Stun, Chaff, Smoke): Found throughout the game and by holding up guards.
Endgame and Bonus Weapons
Some weapons are only accessible after completing specific milestones or the entire game:
- Patriot: Unlocked automatically following the story. Inexpensive ammo with infinite supply.
- Single Action Army: Ocelot’s personal revolver. Reached through story progress and permanently unlocked on completing the game.
- EZ Gun: Received for harvesting all plants and animals (Markhor title). Also defaulted unlocked on Very Easy difficulty.
