Is the Pump Shotgun Mk II worth it in 2026?

Yes. Explosive Slugs make it the cheapest explosive weapon in GTA Online at about $235,000 all in, roughly half the cost of a maxed Heavy Sniper Mk II with explosive rounds.

How much does the Pump Shotgun Mk II cost in total?

$86,000 for the gun and conversion ($3,500 + $82,500). Explosive Slugs add $145,850 for about $235,000 total; Dragon's Breath shells instead bring it to roughly $151,000, as of July 2026.

What is the best ammo for the Pump Shotgun Mk II?

Explosive Slugs for pure power - they one-shot NPCs and damage vehicles. Dragon's Breath is the cheaper crowd-control option that sets enemies on fire.

Does the Pump Shotgun Mk II need research to unlock?

The conversion just needs a Weapon Workshop. The special shells, including Explosive Slugs and Steel Buckshot, require Bunker research or a fast-track payment.

GTA Online

Pump Shotgun Mk II

The Pump Shotgun Mk II is the cheapest route to explosive ammo in GTA Online - an $82,500 conversion, about $235,000 with Explosive Slugs, and worth it for that trick alone.

Key facts

Cost	$82,500 (Mk II conversion at a Weapon Workshop)
Mk II conversion cost	$82,500 (base Pump Shotgun is $3,500)
Total cost to max	About $235,000 with Explosive Slugs, or about $151,000 with Dragon's Breath shells
Worth it verdict	Yes - the cheapest explosive-ammo weapon in the game and a top-5 Mk II buy
Best ammo type	Explosive Slugs ($145,850, research required); Dragon's Breath ($65,200) is the budget pick
How to unlock	Own a Pump Shotgun + any Weapon Workshop; special shells need Bunker research
Damage	32 per pellet, 8 pellets per shell (up from 29 per pellet)

The Pump Shotgun Mk II is the Weapon Workshop upgrade of the Pump Shotgun, raising damage per pellet from 29 to 32 across its 8-pellet spread. Its real selling point is the exclusive shell menu: Dragon's Breath incendiary shells, Steel Buckshot armor piercing shells, Flechette shells, and above all Explosive Slugs, which turn a $3,500 shotgun into a pocket grenade launcher.

Costs, as of July 2026: the base Pump Shotgun is $3,500 and the conversion is $82,500, so $86,000 for the gun - the second cheapest Mk II conversion in the game. Explosive Slugs cost $145,850 to unlock (Bunker research required), bringing the headline build to about $235,000. Dragon's Breath is a cheaper alternative at $65,200 for roughly $151,000 total.

Is it worth it? Yes, and it is the sleeper pick of the Mk II line. Explosive Slugs give you an explosive weapon that fires faster than the RPG, can be used indoors carefully, and one-shots NPCs while destroying unarmored vehicles in a few hits. In close-quarters heist finales and business defense it is brutal, and unlike the Heavy Sniper Mk II you get the explosive trick for barely half the total cost.

The recommended loadout is Explosive Slugs for utility work and Dragon's Breath as the fun swap - targets hit by Dragon's Breath panic and burn, which trivializes melee rushers. Note explosive shells drop capacity and splash can kill you at point blank, so respect the blast radius.

For money making, it accelerates any close-range grind: club and warehouse defense missions, Cayo Perico compound fights, and survival-style setups all go noticeably faster with slugs.

Tips

Explosive Slugs are the whole reason to buy this - prioritize that research project or fast-track it.
Mind the splash damage: firing slugs at a wall next to you will kill you faster than any NPC.
Dragon's Breath causes NPCs to panic and burn, which effectively stuns melee rushers.
Like all buckshot shotguns it has a 50 percent damage penalty against vehicles, so use slugs for cars.
This is the second cheapest Mk II conversion at $82,500 - great first buy after a rifle.
Explosive ammo is capacity-limited, so restock at the Weapon Workshop before heist finales.

FAQ

Is the Pump Shotgun Mk II worth it in 2026?: Yes. Explosive Slugs make it the cheapest explosive weapon in GTA Online at about $235,000 all in, roughly half the cost of a maxed Heavy Sniper Mk II with explosive rounds.
How much does the Pump Shotgun Mk II cost in total?: $86,000 for the gun and conversion ($3,500 + $82,500). Explosive Slugs add $145,850 for about $235,000 total; Dragon's Breath shells instead bring it to roughly $151,000, as of July 2026.
What is the best ammo for the Pump Shotgun Mk II?: Explosive Slugs for pure power - they one-shot NPCs and damage vehicles. Dragon's Breath is the cheaper crowd-control option that sets enemies on fire.
Does the Pump Shotgun Mk II need research to unlock?: The conversion just needs a Weapon Workshop. The special shells, including Explosive Slugs and Steel Buckshot, require Bunker research or a fast-track payment.

Video source: GTA Wiki (Fandom)

More GTA Weapons

Best Weapons in GTA Online

A curated list of the most effective weapons in GTA Online for combat, heists, and free roam, updated for 2026.

Cost: Varies; expect to spend over $1 million for all Mk II upgrades and ammo types

Heavy Sniper Mk II

The Heavy Sniper Mk II is the best weapon purchase in GTA Online - a $165,375 conversion (about $320,000 with explosive rounds) that one-shots players, helicopters, and most vehicles.

Cost: $165,375 (Mk II conversion at a Weapon Workshop)

Combat MG Mk II

The Combat MG Mk II costs $119,000 to convert (about $310,000 maxed) and is a must-buy - the best sustained-fire weapon in GTA Online for heists, setups, and business defense.

Cost: $119,000 (Mk II conversion at a Weapon Workshop)