The Real Guns of DayZ
DayZ's scavenged arsenal is real firearms, some lightly renamed. We map each to its production model and the optic that fits. Editorial; not affiliated with the game.
Survive long enough and every real gun is fair game.
Updated
Quick answers
- What are the real guns in DayZ?
- Mostly real or lightly-renamed — the M4-A1 is a Colt M4, the AKM is an AK, the M70 Tundra is a Winchester Model 70, the Sporter 22 is a Ruger 10/22, and the VAIGA is a Saiga-pattern 12-gauge. The signature scavenged guns are the Mosin sniper, the SK 59/66 (an SKS), the Repeater (a Winchester 1892 lever-action), the Deagle, the CR-75 (a CZ 75), and the VSD (a Dragunov SVD).
- What is the M4-A1 in DayZ?
- It's the real Colt M4 carbine — the top-tier military loot you can run with an ACOG or red dot.
Related: PUBG · Escape from Tarkov
Pistols
- DeagleHand-cannon
The Desert Eagle — the iconic magnum sidearm, a pure trophy gun.
Build it: Desert Eagle Mark XIX → — the Desert Eagle Mark XIX is the production gun
- CR-75Sidearm
The CR-75 is the CZ 75 — the Czech "wonder nine" (fitting the game's Czech-studio branding).
Build it: CZ Shadow 2 → — the CZ Shadow 2 is the current competition-grade CZ 75-pattern pistol
Rifles & carbines
- M4-A1Assault carbine
DayZ's M4-A1 is the real Colt M4 — the top-tier military find.
On screen: an ACOG or red dot.
Build it: Colt LE6920 → — the Colt LE6920 is the civilian M4 Carbine
- AKMAssault rifle
The 7.62×39 AKM — the reliable scavenged rifle.
On screen: a red dot.
Build it: PSA AK-103 → — the PSA AK-103 is a US-production 7.62×39 AK
- M70 TundraHunter
DayZ's M70 Tundra is a Winchester Model 70 — the long-range bolt-action hunting rifle (it was literally named "Winchester Model 70" in early versions).
On screen: a hunting scope.
Build it: Winchester Model 70 → — the Winchester Model 70 is exactly the gun in-game
- Sporter 22Survival .22
DayZ's Sporter 22 is a Ruger 10/22 — a light survival plinker.
On screen: a red dot.
Build it: Ruger 10/22 → — the Ruger 10/22 is exactly the gun in-game
- Mosin 91/30Signature sniper
The Mosin 91/30 in 7.62×54R — the community-defining DayZ one-shot sniper.
On screen: a PU scope.
Build it: Mosin-Nagant 91/30 → — the Mosin-Nagant 91/30 is exactly the gun in-game
- SK 59/66 (SKS)Semi-auto carbine
The SK 59/66 is a Yugoslav SKS in 7.62×39 — a classic scavenged carbine that takes a scope and bayonet.
On screen: a PU scope.
Build it: SKS → — the SKS is exactly the gun in-game
- RepeaterLever-action carbine
The Repeater is a Winchester Model 1892 lever-action — the game's Old-West survival carbine.
Build it: Winchester Model 1892 → — the Winchester Model 1892 is the gun in-game
- VSD (SVD)Semi-auto sniper
The VSD is the Dragunov SVD in 7.62×54R — an endgame DMR.
On screen: a PSO-pattern scope.
Build it: Zastava M91 → — the Zastava M91 is the closest US-available SVD-pattern DMR — a Dragunov-derived 7.62×54R semi-auto
Shotguns
- Saiga-12 (VAIGA)Shotgun
The in-game VAIGA is a Saiga-pattern semi-auto 12-gauge.
Build it: Kalashnikov KS-12 → — the US-production Kalashnikov KS-12 is the current Saiga-pattern AK shotgun
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Loadout Match is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by DayZ or their rights holders. Firearm identifications are editorial commentary researched from public sources (IMFDB — DayZ); all trademarks belong to their respective owners. We use no images or dialogue from the source, and the Build‑it links go to comparable current‑production firearms — not screen‑exact replicas.