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.
- 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
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
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
Build the loadout. Trust no one.
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.