Ammu-Nation is Grand Theft Auto's standard and only gun shop. The player can obtain weapons there, it stocks everything from a pistol to an assault rifle; and you can also purchase armour and grenades.
From the start of a new game, Ammu-Nation stores have depleted gun stock, so only a few (and weak) weapons are available at the time. However as the player completes more and more missions, more and better weapons will gradually become available at the store. Ammu-Nation also does not sell any heavy weaponry, except in GTA Vice City Stories.
The store is absent in Grand Theft Auto IV, explained away only by vague references to the mayor having strict gun control laws; Instead, Niko Bellic can buy weaponry from underground arms dealers, or buy guns from the trunk of his friend Little Jacob's car.
Shooting Range
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas some Ammu-Nations have shooting ranges where Carl "CJ" Johnson can upgrade his weapon skill.
As CJ takes to the range, he will be facing-off against 2 competitors in a race to score the most hits. The range provides three rounds for each weapon; the first round’s winner is determined by who can shoot out 3 targets (each target has 7 spots to hit) at varying distances. The next round features moving targets, again a race to shoot them all first. The third round has a moving target that everyone is shooting at, the shooter with the most number of hits wins.
For each weapon, the skill level will result in different upgrades, as a general rule of thumb; reaching higher skill levels will increase the rate of fire and accuracy. Also, with some weapons, getting better skills will give CJ the ability to fire while moving and strafing and the ability to dual-wield certain pistols and SMGs.
An Ammu-Nation in San Andreas, note that firearms such as the Galil assault rifle Steyr Aug, and the other guns seen on the wall are not purchasable
Ammunition glitch
A glitch, known to work in at least in the PC version of GTA: San Andreas, happens if the player enters the shooting session while having certain guns in the inventory and leaves without finishing the course, which is the ammunition doubling up. The weapons are:
- Pistols: Silenced 9mm, Desert Eagle
- Shotguns: Sawed-off Shotgun, Combat Shotgun
- SMGs: Tec-9, MP5
- Assault Rifles: M4
It is important to notice that throwables, heavy weapons and sniper rifles are not affected. Also, if the player enters the range with the Pump-Action Shotgun, they will lose it and all shells in the inventory.
Commercials
Ammu-Nation radio commercials make it clear that the store is run with with a right-wing paranoia philosophy, describing itself as the "store leading the fight against communism". The store also seems to promote the purchase of its products for illegal purchases, even suggesting they be used to kill one's mother-in-law if she is "being a bitch".
Trivia
- There is an unused Ammu-Nation interior in San Andreas. It has two floors and can only be entered using certain cheats or with cheat devices. The store is functional if entered properly.
- Ammu-Nation seems to have connections with Mr. Black and his contract killing company, since during a mission in GTA Vice City, protagonist Tommy Vercetti is hired to kill a business man, steal a briefcase he's carrying and deliver it to the owner of an Ammu-Nation local in Downtown, Vice City.
Location(s)
Ammu-Nation in Los Santos.
Liberty City
This refers to Liberty City in GTA III
Vice City
This refers to Vice City in both GTA Vice City and GTA Vice City Stories
San Andreas
Los Santos
San Fierro
Las Venturas
Red County
Whetstone
Tierra Robada
Bone County