Top 7 Best Budget Weapons in Escape From Tarkov (2026 Guide)
Whether you’re a fresh PMC still grinding early levels and tasks or just trying to save rubles between raids, going cheap doesn’t mean going weak in Escape From Tarkov. The right budget weapons can still win fights, secure loot, and help you improve your gameplay without draining your stash. This 2026 guide breaks down the 7 best budget‑friendly guns that punch above their price.
Why Budget Weapons Matter
Tarkov’s economy is brutal — you lose your gear when you die. Running expensive guns early and often means losing more when things go south. Budget weapons keep risk low and fun high while you learn recoil patterns, positioning, and map flow. These are also weapons you might commonly get your hands on as a Scav and so being familiar with them means you will always have something you know how to use.
Top 7 Best Budget Weapons (2026)
1. SKS (Simonov Semi‑Auto Carbine)
The SKS is one of Tarkov’s most iconic budget rifles. Chambered in 7.62×39mm, it deals solid damage and retains good penetration for its cost, making it versatile for mid‑range engagements and beginner PvP. It’s semi‑automatic, easy to handle, and doesn’t demand pricey mods or ammo. You can even get a magazine that is twice the size of the default one for a low price. Hit your shots with this and you can do some great damage.
Why It’s Great
Solid damage and decent pen for the price
Works well on maps like Woods and Customs
No magazine reload (top‑loading) saves space and cost. No need to buy several magazines
2. MP‑153 / MP‑155 Shotguns
Shotguns like the MP‑153 and MP‑155 are brutal in close quarters. Cheap to buy and run, they shred unarmored targets and make Factory or close‑quarters fights manageable without fancy gear. Opt for buckshot (at least 7mm is ideal) or flechette ammo for maximum stopping power and cheap per‑round cost. There are also some cheap slugs out there that do great damage and can hit at medium ranges.
Why It’s Great
Devastating at close range
Ammo is inexpensive and easy to find
No need for heavy mods to perform well
3. PPSh‑41 (7.62×25mm High ROF SMG)
The PPSh‑41 is a classic World War II SMG that still holds up in Tarkov’s budget scene. It fires the affordable 7.62×25mm round with a very high rate of fire, making it lethal in tight indoor fights and factory runs. Aim for the legs or head and you can absolutely shred someone with this.
Why It’s Great
Extremely high rate of fire
Cheap ammo and parts
Great for tight corridors and surprise engagements
4. Mosin Nagant Infantry (7.62×54R)
If you want cheap long‑range power, the Mosin Nagant Infantry is hard to beat. Its bolt‑action nature means slower fire, but that single 7.62×54R shot often feels devastatingly powerful — especially against unarmored foes. It’s a classic choice for budget sniping and picking off targets at range. Even the iron sights can be deadly, and it’s easy to insure and then drop under a rock for another raid once you find something better. Just like with the SKS you don’t need to bring a rig or a ton of mags to use this either.
Why It’s Great
Massive damage and penetration
Cheap rifle with classic stopping power
Good for long‑range maps like Woods
5. VPO-136 Vepr-KM (AKM Style)
The VEPR KM and its variants (e.g., VPO‑136) are semi‑automatic rifles built on the 7.62×39mm platform. They hit hard, are very forgiving to use, and often share ammo and parts with other budget 7.62 rifles like the SKS. It’s basically a budget AKM that doesn’t shoot automatically, but is still quite solid.
Why It’s Great
Hard‑hitting semi‑auto rifle
Excellent ammo compatibility
Easy to control recoil compared to full auto guns
6. Saiga‑9 / PP‑19‑01 Vityaz (9×19mm SMGs)
For players who like fast, flexible close‑to‑mid range options, Saiga‑9 and PP‑19‑01 Vityaz SMGs are fantastic budget picks. They use affordable 9×19mm rounds, keep recoil manageable, and are great on Factory, Interchange, or Dorms. They’re like pistols on steroids.
Why It’s Great
Low recoil and burst potential
Ammo is cheap and plentiful
Good handling for new players
7. AKS‑74U (Short Barrel 5.45×39mm)
The compact AKS‑74U offers excellent mobility and firepower for its price. Chambered in 5.45×39mm, this little carbine is a staple budget pick that still performs well when modded lightly. It’s especially effective in tight fights and urban maps. Honestly if you’re willing to bring a basic budget kit that includes mags and spare rounds, you can’t go wrong with the AKS-74U. Like a lot of these budget weapons it is available at loyalty level 1 Prapor, but this one is really easy to go full auto with and perform really well against a variety of targets, even at longer ranges.
Out of all of the best budget weapons in Escape From Tarkov the AKS-74U is the king of all of them. It’s small, light, slaps hard, goes automatic, and is available for cheap from prapor loyalty level 1. Get that bank robber rig from Ragman, a couple spare mags, and some US ammo, and you can do a lot of damage with this little thing even right after you unlock Prapor (which you should do as quickly as possible by doing the “Tour” missions).
Why It’s Great
Excellent handling and mobility
Affordable ammo and parts
Works well in both close and mid‑range fights
Upgrade opportunities
Fully Automatic
Slaps
How to Build a Full Budget Loadout
A cheap weapon is just one piece of the puzzle. Pair your gun with:
Basic rigs and bags (bank robber and T-bag from ragman) for some storage space.
Low‑cost meds (AI-2 cheese kits, tourniquets, bandages, and pain killers)
This way you stay light, cheap, and when you’re getting better at the game you’ll have a lot of chances to fail and still get back up. Though doing some good scavving also helps a lot.
Tips for Budget Play Success
Play smart: Avoid wide open spaces without a solid plan
Use terrain and cover: Outsmart better‑geared foes
Practice recoil and burst control: Makes budget guns feel more lethal
You don’t need top‑tier gear to be effective in Escape From Tarkov. With the right choices — like the SKS, PPSh‑41, and Saiga‑9 — you can dominate raids, learn the game, and keep your stash intact. Enjoy surviving Tarkov on a budget and come out smarter and richer each time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can budget weapons kill geared players?
Yes — with smart ammo choices and positioning, even cheap guns can outperform expensive loadouts.
Q2: Which budget rifle is best for mid‑range fights?
The SKS and VEPR KM are excellent mid‑range budget options.
Q3: What shotgun is best for close quarters on a budget?
MP‑153 and MP‑155 are powerful and cheap for close‑range fights.
Q4: Is the AKS‑74U worth using on a budget?
Yes — it offers mobility, decent ammo, and solid performance for its cost.
Q5: Should I focus on weapon mods or ammo?
Ammo quality usually has more impact on performance than mods, especially on budget guns.
