Let's be real: trying to track down the gta v gun van location without a map is like trying to find a specific grain of sand at Vespucci Beach. It is a pain. One day it's tucked behind a derelict warehouse in Murrieta Heights, and the next, it’s chilling in a random parking lot in Paleto Bay.
Rockstar loves to make us work for those discounts. The Gun Van is basically a Vapid Speedo filled with high-grade, "off the books" heat that you can't always get at your local Ammu-Nation. No rank requirements. No questions asked. Just cold, hard cash and a shady guy sitting in the back.
Where is the Gun Van today?
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Gun Van has set up shop in the Paleto Forest area. Specifically, you’ll find it parked at the Lumberyard.
If you aren't familiar with that neck of the woods, it’s way up north. You’re looking for the cluster of buildings and wood piles just off the main highway. Just drive toward the back of the facility. If the icon doesn't pop up on your mini-map immediately, don't panic. You actually have to get fairly close to it—within about 400 meters—for the little grey van icon to trigger.
Honestly, if you're already in Los Santos, it's a bit of a hike. Grab a Sparrow or an Oppressor Mk II if you want to make it a quick trip. If you get there and the van is missing? That happens sometimes. Usually, it's a sync issue. Try jumping into a new Invite Only session or restart your game. That usually forces the spawn to refresh.
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This week's inventory and deals
The inventory is looking pretty decent this week, especially if you've been waiting to grab the heavy hitters. Remember, these items and prices rotate every Thursday, so you've got until the next weekly update to snag these.
Weapons on Sale:
- Railgun: This is the big one. It’s currently 50% off. If you don’t have a Railgun yet, you are basically playing the game on hard mode for no reason.
- Stun Gun: 10% off for everyone, but if you’re a GTA+ member, you get a much fatter 40% discount.
- Battle Rifle: 10% off. It’s a solid workhorse, though maybe not everyone’s favorite.
- Combat MG: 10% off. Perfect for those chaotic Business Battles.
- Pistol .50: 10% off for the general public, but completely FREE for GTA+ members this week.
- Nightstick: 10% off (standard).
Throwables & Armor:
- Proximity Mines, Sticky Bombs, and Pipe Bombs: All are 10% off.
- Body Armor: Every tier from Super Light to Super Heavy is 10% off.
It’s worth mentioning that GTA+ members consistently get a better deal here—usually an extra 10% to 20% on top of the standard discounts. For everyone else, that 50% off Railgun is easily the highlight.
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Why you should care about the Gun Van
Ammu-Nation is great for convenience, but the Gun Van is where the "grey market" thrives. Some weapons, like the Railgun or the Tactical SMG, aren't always available in the regular shops.
Also, the rank bypass is huge. If you’re a lower-level player—maybe you just started a fresh character for the Mansion Raid update—you can walk up to this van and buy high-end explosives and heavy weapons that would normally be locked behind hundreds of hours of grinding.
The vendor in the back? He doesn't care about your Reputation. He just wants your money.
Pro tips for hunting the van
If you're tired of checking guides every day, there are a few "pro" ways to stay on top of the gta v gun van location.
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First, if you're a GTA+ member, the van is permanently visible on your map. It’s one of the few perks that actually saves a lot of time. For the rest of us, using community resources like GTAWeb.eu is basically mandatory. They have a live interactive map that updates the second the van moves at 1:00 AM ET.
One thing to watch out for: the "Ghost Van" bug. Occasionally, you'll drive to the correct spot and see... nothing. This is usually because you were in the session when the daily reset happened. If the clock hits 1 AM while you're online, the van might move on the server side but not show up for you. Switch sessions. It’s the oldest fix in the book, but it still works in 2026.
Beyond the weapons: The 2026 landscape
Since we're currently in the middle of the Mansion Raid event week (running through January 21st), having the right gear is more important than ever. Rockstar has been pushing these multi-stage missions where you're either defending a vault or blowing it open.
You're going to need a lot of Sticky Bombs. You're going to need that Railgun to take out the armored vehicles that inevitably show up. Buying your supplies at the Gun Van instead of Ammu-Nation can save you tens of thousands of GTA$ over a long grinding session. Plus, with the 2x bonus on Nightclub daily income and G’s Caches right now, you should have plenty of pocket change to blow on a new tint for your Railgun.
Once you’ve restocked at the Lumberyard, make sure to check out the nearby G’s Cache if it’s spawned in the northern part of the map. It’s a quick way to top off your snacks and ammo while picking up some extra RP and cash.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Fly to the Paleto Forest Lumberyard immediately to take advantage of the 50% Railgun discount before it resets.
- Check your GTA+ status if you want that free Pistol .50—it’s a small win, but free is free.
- Swap to an Invite Only session if the van isn't at the Lumberyard when you arrive to fix any spawning glitches.
- Stock up on Proximity Mines specifically for the Mansion Raid missions; they are lethal when placed near vault entrances.