Guns that have a huge bang for your buck? Check out the best budget weapons in Tarkov this patch!
I remember this one early wipe raid on Ground Zero: scav gear, no meds, and a hundred thousand rubles to my name. I had just unlocked level 2 traders, and my loadouts were scuffed at best. I needed something that could actually kill without bankrupting me. The Flea Market was off-limits, and I had to get creative.
That’s when I started digging into budget weapons in Tarkov. I tested different guns using only what traders offered, which some felt like peashooters, while others genuinely surprised me. If you’re like me, who’s tight on time and tighter on rubles, these five weapons can absolutely carry you through the early and mid-wipe without feeling like complete junk.
Let me walk you through the guns that made me competitive, without draining my stash.
Also Read: Best Weapons in Tarkov: Top 5 Guns in 2025
Best Budget Weapons in Tarkov 2025
1. VSK-94 from Prapor
If I had to crown the king of budget weapons in Tarkov 2025, the VSK-94 from Prapor takes the throne. This suppressed carbine fires the powerful 9x39mm SP5 rounds and brings unexpected performance to budget players.
What sold me was its suppressed automatic fire. I took this into Customs and wiped a duo at Stronghold before clutching a 1v3 at Crack House. The VSK-94 is silent, stable, and surprisingly accurate even with its basic kit. The recoil isn’t bad at all, and the damage? Enough to tear through level 4 armor with good shot placement.
Why It’s Worth It:
- Subsonic 9x39mm SP5 rounds work wonders in close quarters.
- Comes suppressed by default, huge stealth advantage.
- 20-round mags feel short, but manageable with positioning.
- Feels like a budget AS VAL without the price tag.
It overheats quickly, but for around 100k rubles and no need for modding, this gun outperforms its cost. I ranked it #1 because it gave me confidence and control without needing a fancy loadout.
Also Read: Best Snipers in Tarkov – Top Marksman Rifles in 2025
2. MP9 from Peacekeeper
Next up is the MP9 from Peacekeeper, which surprised me more than I expected. This compact SMG is chambered in 9x19mm and has an insanely high fire rate. It’s the kind of gun that deletes players in a blink inside tight spaces.
There was one raid in Dorms where I tore through a Timmy, held off a scav boss squad, and even dunked on what felt like a blatant cheater. I was undergeared and underleveled, but the MP9 made me feel like a PMC-killing machine.
Why I love the MP9:
- Extremely fast fire rate, feels like a laser beam at close range.
- Great mobility and ADS speed, perfect for Dorms or Stronghold.
- Needs good ammo (PST GZH minimum), but performs even with cheap kits.
- Feels more responsive than the MPX in tight fights.
It lacks range and burns ammo like crazy, but if you’re PvPing indoors, it’s unmatched for the cost. I ranked it #2 because it’s the most fun and reactive SMG I’ve used on a budget.
3. Mosin Infantry from Jaeger
The Mosin Infantry from Jaeger is one of those guns that just hits differently. Chambered in 7.62x54R and available early, it delivers raw one-shot kill potential that’s perfect for longer ranges.
I took it to Woods and had one of my cleanest Tarkov raids ever. Picked off two PMCs near the scav bunker, dropped a scav boss guard from a treeline, and even managed an extract sniper kill. All with a gun that cost me less than 100k rubles.
What makes the Mosin stand out:
- 7.62x54R LPS rounds destroy armor and health alike.
- Long-range dominance, perfect for sniping or camping known PMC routes.
- Works well for Tarkov Shooter and other sniper-based quests.
- Classic feel and loud, satisfying shot.
It’s bolt-action, so you’re punished for missed shots, but it trains you to value accuracy. I ranked it #3 for how powerful it feels despite being a budget gun. If you’re into slow, precise plays, this is your go-to.
4. SKS from Prapor
My list of budget weapons in Tarkov 2025 would be complete without the SKS from Prapor. It’s a reliable semi-auto rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, and it’s been carrying broke players through wipes since the beginning.
I like to slap a PU scope on it and take it to Woods or Customs. It’s not flashy, but it works. One time I held down a scav checkpoint solo with it, picked off four scavs, downed a PMC, and walked out with their kit all because my SKS didn’t fail me.
Why the SKS holds up:
- Semi-auto 7.62x39mm, solid penetration and damage.
- Can be scoped and used for mid-range engagements.
- No magazine needed, just load individual rounds.
- Reliable and extremely cost-efficient.
The reload time is its only real downside, especially under pressure. But if you play it smart and aim well, the SKS punches far above its price tag. I ranked it #4 because of its consistency in budget fights.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Assault Rifles in Tarkov 2025
5. MP-18 from Jaeger
Rounding out the list is the MP-18 from Jaeger, a single-shot rifle that punches hard with its 7.62x54R chambering. It even comes with a 2x scope by default, which is insane for the price.
This gun carried me through the Setup quest, and I used it as a makeshift sniper on Ground Zero. Ambushed two players by the construction area, dropped one instantly and tagged the other with a follow-up pistol kill. If you treat each shot like it counts (because it does), the MP-18 rewards you with crazy stopping power.
MP-18 breakdown:
- Fires the same powerful ammo as the Mosin.
- Comes with a scope, huge bonus at level 2 traders.
- Works for shotgun-tagged quests like Setup.
- Great for slow, deliberate gameplay.
Reloading one bullet at a time is nerve-wracking in PvP, but it teaches you to shoot smarter. I ranked it #5 because it’s situational but undeniably effective for those who like to ambush or play stealthily.
Conclusion
Even with low rubles, no Flea access, and scuffed gear, you can still dominate PvP with the right mindset and loadout. These five picks for budget weapons in Tarkov 2025 helped me survive and thrive during tough stretches. Don’t underestimate budget gear. Learn to play smart, pick your fights, and trust these guns to get the job done.
