Key Takeaways
The Double Barrel Shotgun is a close-range firearm whose identity comes from its two-shot break-action design rather than sustained fire.
Two-shot break-action design
It carries two shells and can fire both barrels before requiring a reload, giving it a brief burst of close-range stopping power.
Close-range role
Its effectiveness is concentrated at short range, where the shotgun spread and two rapid shots are most useful; it is less dependable as distance increases.
Available in both modes
The weapon appears in both Story Mode and GTA Online, but its purchase or unlock conditions should be treated separately for each mode.
Reload is the tradeoff
After both loaded shells are spent, the break-action reload creates a clear downtime that matters more than with repeating shotguns.
No Mk II conversion
Unlike the Pump Shotgun, the Double Barrel Shotgun does not have a Double Barrel Shotgun Mk II conversion in GTA Online.
Compared with repeating shotguns
The Pump Shotgun and Assault Shotgun offer more sustained fire, while the Double Barrel Shotgun emphasizes a short two-shot burst and simpler close-range handling.
Overview
The Double Barrel Shotgun is a standard shotgun in Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online, built around a simple trade: immediate close-range pressure in exchange for only two loaded shells. Its side-by-side layout gives it a distinctive two-shot rhythm, making it more about committing to a brief burst than sustaining fire.
In both Story Mode and GTA Online, the weapon occupies the compact, close-quarters end of the shotgun category. It is straightforward to use and does not depend on a special weapon system, alternate firing technology, or a separate Mk II conversion. Its identity comes from the action itself: fire one barrel, fire the other, then pause for the reload rather than continuing through a larger magazine.
That two-shot cycle makes the Double Barrel Shotgun effective when an encounter can be decided quickly at close range. It can deliver two immediate attempts before reloading, but the limited capacity also makes missed shots costly. The weapon therefore rewards deliberate positioning and timing more than prolonged exchanges or sustained suppression.
Compared with the Pump Shotgun, Assault Shotgun, and Combat Shotgun, the Double Barrel Shotgun is defined less by flexibility or sustained output and more by its compact burst window. Those alternatives offer different firing rhythms and capacity profiles; the Double Barrel instead gives the player a deliberately narrow opportunity to act before its reload becomes relevant.
The weapon is part of GTA V’s ordinary shotgun progression rather than a unique story artifact or a named character’s exclusive armament. Its role remains broadly consistent across the two main modes, although acquisition and availability are mode-specific and should not be treated as interchangeable. No separate Mk II version is associated with this weapon.
Stats & Performance
| Stat | Performance | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | 45 | |
| Fire Rate | 18 | |
| Accuracy | 45 | |
| Range | 15 | |
| Reload Speed | 25 | |
| Movement Speed | 70 |
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Shotgun |
| Magazine capacity | 2 shells |
| Fire mode | Break-action, two-shot |
| Ammo type | Shotgun shells |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Shotguns |
| Magazine | 2 |
Moveset & Combat Behavior
The Double Barrel is built around immediate close-range burst rather than sustained fire. Its two-shell break-action design lets the player fire two shots in quick succession, but there is no larger magazine to maintain pressure once both barrels have been discharged. This makes shot placement and reload timing central to its handling in both Story Mode and GTA Online.
Two-shot burst and break-action reload
Each trigger pull fires one barrel, allowing the two loaded shells to be spent separately instead of forcing both shots at once. The weapon must then be opened and reloaded before it can fire again. That reload creates a pronounced interruption in a fight, so emptying the gun against a single target is not always preferable when nearby enemies remain active.
The short firing sequence is useful when an opponent is already within reliable shotgun range or when a rapid follow-up is needed. It is much less forgiving after both shots are missed: unlike a repeating shotgun, the Double Barrel Shotgun cannot keep cycling shells while the player remains engaged.
Spread and engagement distance
Its shotgun spread makes the weapon most dependable at close range, where multiple pellets can connect with the same target. As distance increases, the pattern becomes less reliable and individual pellet hits contribute less consistently to the result. The weapon therefore rewards closing distance and aligning the centre of the spread rather than treating it as a general-purpose firearm.
The spread also makes partial exposure less dependable than a clean shot at close range. Against targets beyond the weapon's practical range, a repeating shotgun or another firearm can offer a more forgiving follow-up pattern, while the Double Barrel's advantage is the immediate two-shot burst before its reload.
Handling considerations
The weapon has no documented alternate firing system, charge attack, status effect, or special weapon skill that changes its basic behaviour. Its distinctive handling comes from the combination of rapid two-shot expenditure, close-range spread, and the break-action reload. Fire the first shot when a follow-up remains valuable, and avoid beginning the reload while exposed unless the immediate area is under control.
How to Get Double Barrel Shotgun
- Story Mode: completion of “Mr. Philips.”
- GTA Online: Rank 1 and sufficient in-game funds.
- 01Story Mode: Complete Trevor’s introductory mission “Mr. Philips.” After the mission, visit any Ammu-Nation and purchase the Double Barrel Shotgun from the shotgun section. It is a shop purchase rather than a mission reward or enemy drop, so no specific pickup location is required.
- 02GTA Online: Reach Rank 1, then visit any Ammu-Nation and purchase the Double Barrel Shotgun when it is listed in the shotgun category. It is standard launch-era weapon content, not a Gun Van rotation, DLC-only item, or Weapon Workshop conversion. Availability can still vary if Rockstar changes the live service.
Story Mode
- Status
- Available through Ammu-Nation after it becomes available in story progression.
- Requires
- Story Mode progression; no DLC or NG+ requirement identified.
Story Mode availability is separate from GTA Online stock and pricing.
GTA Online
- Requires
- Rank 17 unlock requirement.
This is a standard weapon rather than a Mk II conversion; GTA Online vendor availability and price should not be treated as Story Mode values.
Builds & Best Uses
Strengths
- Delivers a concentrated close-range burst, making it effective when both barrels can be brought to bear before an opponent escapes or reaches cover.
- Its two-shot firing pattern allows a rapid follow-up without the cycling delay associated with pump-action shotguns.
- Shot spread makes it forgiving of minor aim error at close range, especially during sudden encounters in confined spaces.
Weaknesses
- The limited shell capacity leaves little room for missed shots and forces a reload sooner than larger-capacity shotguns.
- Its spread and short effective range reduce consistency against targets across streets, open lots, or rooftops.
- After both shots are spent, the reload creates a vulnerable interval; missing the opening burst can leave the user poorly equipped for a sustained fight.
- The weapon's close-range focus makes it a weaker choice when enemies are dispersed or can maintain distance.
Best uses
- Use it for ambushes, interior fights, and corner engagements where targets enter the weapon's effective range quickly.
- Choose it for a burst-oriented shotgun role when a rapid second shot matters more than sustained ammunition capacity.
- Pair it with a longer-range weapon for missions or encounters that alternate between tight spaces and open ground.
Weapon Comparisons
| Attribute |  Double Barrel Shotgun | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage | 45 | 45 | 45 | 40 | 38 |
| Fire Rate | 18 | 40 | 20 | 45 | 40 |
| Accuracy | 45 | 45 | 45 | 48 | 45 |
| Range | 15 | 20 | 15 | 22 | 20 |
| Magazine | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Attribute |  Pump Shotgun |  Sawed-Off Shotgun |  Assault Shotgun |  Heavy Shotgun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action and capacity profile | More sustained close-range use between reloads, with a slower follow-up rhythm than semi-automatic options | Close-range ambush weapon whose handling supports aggressive short-distance attacks | More sustained close-range pressure than the Double Barrel Shotgun | More adaptable for repeated close-range attacks than the two-shot Double Barrel Shotgun |
| Handling role | Less immediate two-shot burst potential, but generally more forgiving when several shots are needed | Very short practical engagement profile and limited follow-up capacity | Trades the Double Barrel Shotgun's simple burst identity for greater ammunition consumption and less deliberate pacing | Its advantage is follow-up fire rather than the Double Barrel Shotgun's limited, immediately available burst |
| Notable trade-off | Better for general-purpose close combat and repeated engagements; the Double Barrel Shotgun is the more compact burst-oriented choice | A close alternative for mobility-focused play; choose the Double Barrel Shotgun when its standard shotgun handling is preferable | Better when several rapid follow-up shots matter; the Double Barrel Shotgun suits controlled, close-range bursts | Better for extended encounters where maintaining shotgun pressure matters; the Double Barrel Shotgun is the simpler short-engagement option |
| Best fit compared with the Double Barrel Shotgun | — | — | — | — |
