How to Buy Ammo in GTA 5: Complete Guide
GTA 5 gives you several ways to restock ammunition, and the options available depend on which mode you're playing. Story Mode keeps things simple with Ammu-Nation as the only purchasing option, while GTA Online expands on that with methods that let you buy ammo remotely without ever stepping into a store.
Some methods can save you both time and money, since some options come with a convenience fee while others stick to standard pricing. In this article, we'll explore how to buy ammo in GTA 5 across all available methods, covering both Story Mode and GTA Online.
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Article Summary
In Story Mode, Ammu-Nation is the only way to buy ammo. All stores carry the same stock at the same prices, so just visit the nearest one.
Some weapons won't appear in Ammu-Nation until you've unlocked them through story progression.
GTA Online keeps Ammu-Nation but adds three extra methods: the Interaction Menu, Merryweather Ammo Drop, and Franklin's Supply Stash.
The Interaction Menu is the fastest option and works anywhere on the map, including mid-mission, but comes with a slight price increase.
The Merryweather Ammo Drop costs $1,000, unlocks at Rank 12, and only restocks the weapon you currently have equipped.
Franklin's Supply Stash is the most expensive option but restores health and armor alongside ammo, making it useful when you need everything topped up at once.
How to Buy Ammo in GTA 5 Story Mode
Story Mode has only one way to buy ammo, which is visiting an Ammu-Nation store. These stores are spread across Los Santos and Blaine County, marked on the map with a pistol icon. All locations carry the same stock at the same prices, so just head to the nearest one.
Once you're inside, follow these steps:
Approach the main counter.
Press the prompted button to open the store menu.
Select the weapon you want to restock.
Click the Rounds option to add ammo. Each click adds a set amount.
To fill the weapon to its maximum capacity in one go, press the Toggle button shown in the bottom right of the screen.
Keep in mind that some weapons won't be available in the store until you've unlocked them through story progression. If a weapon is missing from the menu, you likely haven't reached the mission that unlocks it yet.
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How to Buy Ammo in GTA Online
GTA Online keeps the Ammu-Nation option from Story Mode but adds several other methods on top of it. Each one suits a different situation depending on how urgently you need to restock.
1. Interaction Menu
This is the fastest method and works from anywhere on the map, including mid-mission. Open the Interaction Menu by pressing M on PC, holding the touchpad on PlayStation, or pressing and holding the View button on Xbox. From there, go to Inventory, then Ammo, and purchase rounds for whichever weapons you need.
For each weapon, you can buy 24 rounds at a time or select Full Ammo to fill it to maximum capacity. Note that ammo bought through the Interaction Menu costs slightly more than Ammu-Nation prices due to a convenience fee.
2. Merryweather Ammo Drop
This option unlocks at Rank 12. Open the Interaction Menu, navigate to Merryweather Services, and select Ammo Drop. The service costs $1,000 and sends a crate to your location. To collect it, have the weapon you want to restock equipped and walk over the crate. The drop only restocks the weapon you're currently holding, not your full weapon collection.
Also Read: How to Restart GTA 5 Story Mode: Step-by-Step Guide
3. Franklin's Supply Stash
This restores your health and armor and drops a fixed supply of ammo near your location, marked on the map. It's the most expensive option, but useful when you need health, armor, and ammo topped up at once. It's the most expensive option, but useful when you need both ammo and armor topped up quickly.
Final Words
Buying ammo in GTA 5 comes down to where you are and what you need. In Story Mode, Ammu-Nation is your only stop. In GTA Online, the Interaction Menu is the most flexible option since it works anywhere, though the slight price markup is worth noting. The Merryweather Ammo Drop and Franklin's Supply Stash fill more specific roles, so keep them in mind for the right situations.
“ Mustafa Atteya has been writing about gaming and esports since 2023, specializing in competitive game content and player improvement guides. At 24, he brings both hands-on gaming experience and professional SEO writing expertise to the GameBoost team.”
