Saints Row: The Third / Weapons and upgrades
Saints Row: The Third weapons and upgrades: pistols, shotguns, explosives and support
Choose a practical loadout and understand why weapon upgrades matter more than collecting every gun.
Edition covered
The original 2011 Saints Row: The Third base campaign, with screenshots from its original PC Steam listing. Saints Row: The Third Remastered, later Saints Row games and DLC mission packs are separate from this guide.
7 items · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Weapons and upgrades
Pistol; reliable general sidearm
KA-1 Kobra
Useful distinction: Worth upgrading when used frequently.
Rifle; automatic general combat
K-8 Krukov
Useful distinction: Different firing behavior from the AR-55.
Sniper rifle; distant precision
McManus 2015
Useful distinction: Use a protected firing position.
Rocket launcher; vehicles and groups
Annihilator
Useful distinction: Watch blast proximity to allies and objectives.
Quick notes
- Upgrade the weapons you actually carry. Friendly Fire offers weapon improvements that can substantially change performance.
- Keep different answers in different slots. Pistols, submachine guns, rifles, shotguns and explosives cover distinct ranges and enemy types.
- Use explosives with mission objects in mind. Rocket launchers and grenades destroy vehicles quickly, but their blast can also threaten people or objects you are meant to protect.
- Pair weapon spending with character upgrades. A powerful gun does not replace health, resistance and ammunition upgrades.
Keep different answers in different slots
| Purchase | Solves | Decision rule |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon damage or behavior upgrade | Slow enemy takedowns | Improve the gun you use most |
| Ammo capacity | Running dry mid-mission | Prioritize scarce preferred ammunition |
| Health upgrade | Frequent incapacitation | Buy before expensive cosmetic changes |
| Damage resistance | Repeated damage from a specific source | Match the upcoming mission’s pressure |
| Homie or support option | Need for allied assistance | Check availability during the intended activity |
Useful tip
A powerful gun does not replace health, resistance and ammunition upgrades.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Saints Row: The Third — publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Saints Row official legacy overview | saintsrow.com |
| Saints Row Wiki: upgrades | saintsrow.wiki |
| Saints Row Wiki: activities | saintsrow.wiki |
| Saints Row Wiki: Three Way | saintsrow.wiki |
| Saints Row Wiki: original weapon reference | saintsrow.wiki |