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Find out what are the most cost-effective and budget-friendly weapons in Escape from Tarkov
Introduction
Weapon modding is a large part of the EfT gameplay. Anextensively modified firearm can give you an advantage overenemy PMCs and Scavs, however, the cost of the so-called "meta" mods is often higher than the cost of the gun and the ammunition for it combined. Luckily, not only the "meta" modifications are worth your while; their cheap counterparts will also do the job (they won't be as effective, but they will not make you go bankrupt either). For a fraction of the price of a meta weapon, you can create a reliable and surprisingly well-handled gun; this guide will show you how - we have prepared a list of budget weapons, complete with our favorite cheap and easily accessible modificationsand ammunition choices. We have focused on firearms, attachments, and ammunitions available from LL1 and LL2 Traders so that even new players can reliably take advantage of this guide.
Note:Please remember that even the best gun in the game will not do its job properly if loaded withwrong ammunition for said job.
EfT Budget Weapon Builds
Important Note: We have tried to make completebuildsusing budget attachments, but even theseadd up to quite a lot of money in the end. If you are on a very tight budget, you can skip things like Optics, Muzzle Brakes, and Mountsto save money without affecting weapon stats by too much (lack of Optics might affect your performance, however; iron sights on some weapons obstruct vision by a lot).
Note:Listed prices might differ a bit from the ones you'll see in-game, this is caused by price changes associated with your trader standings, price adjustments made by Battlestate and some other factors.
Fully Automatic Weapons
AKS-74U | One of the cheapest fully-automatic weapons you can get in Tarkov, and it fires5.45x39 rounds, not some pistol ammunition. Controlling AKS-74U is quite tricky, but it gets the job done in close quarters and is quite reliable at mid ranges if you mount optics on it. When loaded with Armor-Piercing ammunition (which will cost almost as much per magazine as the whole Rifle), this inconspicuous compact weapon can be extremely deadly. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AKS-74U is available from LL1 Prapor for around 28000₽ orfor 2 Horse Figures as a barter trade. If you want to buy it for Rubles, you will have to complete the "Debut" quest first. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 81500₽ in total (~28000₽ for the AKS-74U and ~53500₽ for modifications with Optics). If you decide to go for iron sights and forgo optics, it will cost you ~57000₽ in total. |
AK-74N | At Loyalty Level 2 with Prapor, you gain access to multiple full-size AK-74 versions; AK-74N is one of them. It is much more moddable than the AKS-74U and features a Dovetail Mount which allows you to mount long-range optics. If your budget is a bit higher and you like to modify your weapons, this will be a great choice. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AK-74N is available from LL2 Prapor for around 38000₽orfor 5 Apollon Soyuz Cigarettes as a barter trade. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 73100₽ in total (~38000₽ for the AK-74N and ~35100₽ for modifications with EKP Optics). With a PSO scope, it will cost you ~82000₽ in total. Note:As you can see, cheap parts make this build cost less than a fully-modified budget AKS-74U (mainly thanks to the dovetail mount and the EKP scope). |
AK-74 | AK-74 version without the dovetail mount. It is a bit cheaper than the N variant but you will have to change its dust cover and install a special mount if you want to attach optics to it. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AK-74is available from LL2 Prapor for around 33300₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Note:Regular AK-74 does not have a built-in dovetail mount. This forces us to spend a bit more money on mounts and optics.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 80100₽ in total (~33000₽ for the AK-74 and ~47100₽ for modifications with Optics). If you skip Optics, it will cost you ~58200₽ in total. Note: If you don't like dovetail mounts, you can useTT01 Rearsight Weaver Adapterand optics compatible with it on AK-74N and AKS-74N as well; this will be a bit more expensive, though. |
AKS-74N | Foldable-stock version of the AK-74N. It can be moded in a similar way the AK-74N can, but it does not have access to the PT-1 Stock which leaves you with the default one or much more expensive PT-3. Dovetail Mount is also present on this version which allows you to mount optics without changing the dust cover. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AKS-74N is available from LL2 Prapor for around 36300₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Note: This build is exactly the same as our AK-74N Build as these two weapons share almost all parts and both have a dovetail mount.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 71400₽ in total (~38000₽ for the AK-74N and ~35100₽ for modifications with EKP Optics). With a PSO scope, it will cost you ~80300₽ in total. |
AKM | AKM is a modernized version of the famous Kalashnikov AK-47 Rifle, adopted to replace a standard AK in 1959. Compared to its predecessor, it is lighter, more accurate, features a more ergonomic stock, and has some efficiency-related improvements. Despite this, it is still a weapon from the 60s, and its quite hard to operate without modding. This version does not have a dovetail mount. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AKM is available from LL2 Prapor for around 42000₽. You can also get it fromthe LL1 Prapor barter trade for 3 Tushonkas (Can of Beef Stew). | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: AKM can be modded in a way very similar to 5.45 caliber AK rifles (with some exceptions):
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 87400₽ in total (~42000₽ for the AKM and ~45400₽ for modifications with "Weaver" Optics). Without optics, it will cost you ~65500₽ in total. Note:As you can see, this is a bit more expensive than 5.45x39mm AK builds, but it firesmore powerful 7.62x39 mm rounds. |
AKMS | AKMS is a foldable stock version of the standard AKM, that was designed for airborne troops. Like its standard-issue counterpart, the AKMS fires powerful 7.62x39 ammunition but also shares AKM's weaknesses (a rather low rate of fire and somewhat high recoil). While foldable stock makes it easier to store and carry, it also increases the probability of someone looting the AKMS from you after folding its stock. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: AKMS is available from LL2 Prapor for around 38600₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: AKMS shares most mod optionswith a standard AKM, even the GP-25 Pad fits onto it, despite the large difference instocks' shapes between the two:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 84000₽ in total (~38600₽ for the AKM and ~45400₽ for modifications with "Weaver" Optics). Without optics, it will cost you +/-62100₽. |
PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN | This Russian-made submachinegun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum was developed in 2004 by Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern). It is based on the AK-74 rifle and features design elements known from the PP-19 Bizon. Vityaz-SN is characterized by a high degree of parts compatibility with AK rifle series, which makes it highly moddable and more flexible than other low-level SMG options, like the Kedr. On the other hand, it has a rather low rate of fire of 700RPM, and its stock Ergonomics is quite low for an SMG. The thing that makes the Vityaz great for budget builds, however, is its dovetail mount. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN is available from LL2 Prapor for around 21000₽. You can also get it from 2 Barter trades;LL1 Prapor will give you one for 5 T-Shaped Plugs and LL1 Mechanic will provide you with a heavily-modded version called "PP-19-01 Zenit" for a Roler Gold Wrist Watch. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Being based on the AK-74,PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN can be modded with weapon mods that you would install on an AK build:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 52100₽ in total (~21000₽ for the Vityaz-SN and ~31100₽ for modifications with EKP Optics). |
PP-91 Kedr | PP-91 Kedr is a Russian-made submachinegun chambered in 9x18 Makarov, developed in the '90s by the request of Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is a standard-issue fully-automatic firearm of almost all Russian law enforcement forces. While rounds it fires are not too powerful, its high rate of fire (900rpm), low recoil, and high ergonomics make it deadly in close-quarters combat. Moreover, Kedr is much cheaper than most other fully-automatic weapons available from LL1 and LL2 traders. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: PP-91 Kedr is available from LL1 Prapor for around 21000₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Unlike some other weapons on this list, Kedr does not have a high choice of alternative weapon parts. This makes it both very cheap to run and rather inflexible.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 40900₽ in total (~21000₽ for the Kedr and ~19900₽ for Burris FF3 Optics and the mount). Optics almost double the price in this case, so skipping them might be a good idea (especially if you want to focus on close-quarters combat). |
PP-91-01 Kedr-B | Kedr-B is an integrally-suppressed version of the standard PP-91 Kedr. Because of the suppressor, it is a bit heavier (but still has high ergonomics) and much more expensive (but if we consider the average suppressor prices in Tarkov, it is a bargain). Compared to the standard Kedr, Kedr-B retains the 900rpm rate of fire but loses 4 Ergonomics (66 compared to 70). If you are prepared to spend a bit more money in order to become sneakier, this is a great choice. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: PP-91-01 Kedr-B is available from LL2 Prapor for around 35000₽ (14000₽ more than the standard PP-91 Kedr). | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Note: PP-91-01 Kedr-B has exactly the same mod options as the standard version, which means that it doesn't have any, however, it has an integrated suppressor that makes it attract much less attention.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 54900₽ in total (~35000₽ for the Kedr and ~19900₽ for Burris FF3 Optics and the mount). For a suppressed build, this is an extremely low price (for some weapons, suppressors alone cost more than 50k). |
PP-9 Klin | PP-9 Klin is an upgraded version of the PP-91 Kedr. Its Recoil and Ergonomics stats are exactly the same as ones seen on its predecessor, but PP-9 has 100 RPM higher rate of fire (1000RPM). This substantial firing rate increase makes it extremely deadly at close ranges when appropriate ammunition is loaded. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: PP-9Klin is available from LL2 Prapor for around 23000₽ (just ~2000₽ more than the standard Kedr). | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: PP-9 Klin, being essentially an improved version of the Kedr, shares all parts with it, including magazines.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 42900₽ in total (~23000₽ for the Klin and ~19900₽ for Burris FF3 Optics and the mount). |
SIG MPX | This 9x19 chambered submachine gun, designed and manufactured by SIG Sauer, features some design choices that are rare in SMGs. It is gas-operated and has a closed rotating bolt. Thanks to a Full-sized mount, a wide range of reflex sights, scopes, and other devices can be installed on it. MPX has a high rate of fire of 850RPM, good stock ergonomics of 59, and low recoil values - these features make it very effective, even when completely stock. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: SIG MPX is available from LL2 Peacekeeperfor around 390$.There are also 2 Barter Trades for it; LL2 Peacekeeper will give you a stock MPX for 7x >Lvl 8 Dogtags, and the LL1 Mechanic will exchange a heavily modified MPX for 5 DVDs, 5 UV Lamps and 2 Weapon Parts. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Note: MPX can be extensively modified, as many weapon mods compatible with AR weapon systems are also compatible with MPX. However, our budget build is very minimalistic, because stock MPX stats are already respectable.
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 390$and23700₽ in total (~390$ for the MPX and ~23700₽ for the listed mods with optics). |
B&T MP9 | MP9 is a Swiss-made 9x19 Parabellum submachine gun designed and manufactured by Brügger & Thomet. It is one of the cheapest 9x19 SMGs in the game and features a very respectable 900RPM rate of fire, great stock ergonomics of 75, and easy-to-control recoil values. Thanks to the top and bottom rail mounts, it can be very cheaply fitted with Optics and Handles which makes it great as a budget fully-automatic weapon choice. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: B&T MP9 is available from LL2 Peacekeeperfor around 280$. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 280$and23700₽ in total (~280$ for the MP9 and ~23700₽ for the listed mods with optics). |
PPSH-41 | Shapagin's Submachinegun (Rus.Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина) is a cheap, simplified, and much more reliable version of the PPD-40. This compact and sturdy weapon saw extensive use on the western front of World War II and during the Korean War. Over 6 million of PPSH-41s were manufactured; no wonder that some of them have survived to this very day and found their way to Tarkov. Being a very old design, the PPSH can't be modified to upgrade its statistics, however, its stock stats are pretty respectable and it has a formidable rate of fire of 1000 RPM. Moreover, it has access to high-capacity drum magazines that can hold 71 7.62x25 rounds. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: PPSH-41 is available from LL2 Prapor for around 26000₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: As mentioned earlier, PPSH-41 does not have any alternative parts, except two types of magazines:
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Ammunition Choices:
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The only expensive things about the PPSH-41 are its 71-round magazines, however, you can still make it work with the regular ones if you aim carefully (this is one of the weapons that are great at close ranges but are extremely difficult to spray accurately at mid-to-long distances). |
Semi-Automatic Weapons
Vepr Hunter/VPO-101 | Vepr-Hunter is a semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62x51mm (despite being a Russian design, it uses NATO ammunition), designed primarily for hunting and sports use. Kalashnikov AKM was used as a base for its development, and Hunter's appearance, dimensions, and weight testify for that. Compared to other low-level Semi-automatic weapon choices, Hunter comes with a pre-mounted dovetail mount and uses a more powerful round. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: Vepr Hunter/VPO-101 is available from LL2 Jaeger for around 39000₽ (quite expensive, for a semi-auto gun, but it's worth it). | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods: Despite being based on the AKM,Vepr Hunter/VPO-101 is not nearly as modular as the AKs, which leaves you with the following options:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition and magazines) will cost you around 57800₽ in total (~39000₽ for the Vepr Hunter/VPO-101 and ~18800₽ for the PSO optics). |
OP-SKS (Hunting Variant*) | OP-SKS is a hunting variant of the RussianSamozaryadny Karabin Sistemy Simonova (Rus.Самозарядный карабин системы Симонова), chambered in the 7.62x39mm ammunition and produced by the Molot factory. Original SKS was designed in 1943 and has gained a lot of popularity amongst hunters, not only in ex-eastern block countries but also in the west, over the years (the OP-SKS version is especially popular, thanks to the ability to fit a dovetail mount). For a weapon of its power, it is surprisingly light and well-handled, however, it cannot fire in a fully-automatic mode. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: OP-SKS is available from LL2 Jaeger for around 26000₽. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices: Note: With Semi-Automatic weapons, you generally want to keep your distance and carefully aim at your enemies. This means that, in general, ammunition with enhanced penetration is better than the so-called "leg-meta" ammo.
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*Important1: Pick upSimonov Semi-Automatic Carbine SKS 7.62x39 Hunting Rifle Version as it can take the Dovetail mount that will allow you to mount optics. And "OP" stands for "overpowered" (no it doesn't). This build (without ammunition and magazines) will cost you around 57000₽ in total (~26000₽ for the OP-SKS and ~31000₽ for the listed mods with long-range optics). |
ADAR 2-15 | ADAR 2-15 is a Russian carbine designed for civilian use. It is based on the AR platform and is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Thanks to this, ADAR accepts AR-15 magazines, including 60 and 100-round mags (which are over twice as expensive as the ADAR itself and thus not recommended). It also has access to a plethora of exchangeable stocks and pistol grips, but its quite high stock Ergonomics (59) and semi-automatic nature make most modifications unnecessary. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: ADAR 2-15 is available from LL2 Skier for around 35000₽. You can also barter for it with LL1 Skier if you have a 1 Rechargeable Battery. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 60500₽ in total (~35000₽ for the ADAR 2-15 and ~25500₽ for the listed mods with optics). |
Bolt-action Rifles
Mosin Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle | The 3-line Rifle Model 1891/30 is the upgraded version of a rifle commonly known as Mosin-Nagant. Model 1891/30, unlike the standard Mosin, features a scope mount and a longer-handled bolt (because the scope mount would interfere with the rifle's reload system otherwise and make reloading difficult). This is the rifle that was used by the famousVasily Zaytsev during the battle of Stalingrad. While very rough, bad-handled, and extremely noisy, Mosin is an extremely dangerous weapon in skilled hands. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: Mosin Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle is available from LL2 Prapor for around 17000₽. You can also barter for it with LL1 Prapor if you bring 5 D size Batteries and 8 AA Batteries (Important: Barter version has the PU scope already mounted). | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 41200₽ in total (~17000₽ for the Mosin and ~24200₽ for the listed mods with optics). You can also forgo all mods except the scope, in which case Mosin will cost you only 33500₽. |
Sidearms
FN Five-seveN | FN Five-seveN is a legendary semi-automatic pistol developed and manufactured by the Belgian company FN Herstal. The name of the pistol comes from its ammunition - 5.7x28mm FN rounds. 5-7 is a rather controversial weapon as it is available to civilian shooters despite being extremely effective against body armor if loaded with AP ammunition (which is readily available on the market). In Escape from Tarkov,Five-seveN retains this ability which makes it the best sidearm currently available in the game. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: FN Five-seveN is available from LL3 Peacekeeperfor around 15000₽. You can also barter for it with LL3 Peacekeeper if you provide 1 GP Coin. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 20500₽ in total (~15000₽ for the Five-seveN and ~5500₽ for the NcSTAR laser). |
MP-433 Grach | MP-433 Grach is a standard-issue sidearm in the Russian military. Unlike some other well-known Eastern pistol designs, it is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. While the ammunition that it fires is generally not as strong as the 5-7's, Grach's high-capacity magazine, great handling, and low recoil make it one of the better low-budget sidearm choices. |
Where to Buy/Requirements: MP-433 Grach is available from LL2 Prapor for around 11000₽. You can also barter for it with LL2 Prapor if you provide 1 PC CPU. | |
Recommended Budget Weapon Mods:
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Ammunition Choices:
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This build (without ammunition) will cost you around 16500₽ in total (~11000₽ for the Five-seveN and ~5500₽ for the NcSTAR laser). |
END NOTE
For this guide, we have aimed to make cheap but also effective weapon builds that will increase your chances of survival during a Raid withminimal monetary investment. It is extremely important to remember that, in Escape from Tarkov, ammunition choice is much more important than a weapon. If your limited funds force you to decide between modding a weapon and loading it with good ammunition, ALWAYS go for the ammunition.
We hope that you have found this guide useful and informative.We will be happy to receive constructive criticismthat will help us improve our future workso leave your suggestions in the comments section below.
Pictures used in this article are theintellectual property of theBattlestate Games.
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