The end of the world sure has its challenges. Staying alive is the primary one, and that isn't possible without some hefty weapons at one's side. Fallout 4's modding community has given the relatively straightforward weapons system quite a makeover throughout the years, and the results are spectacular.

RELATED: Fallout 76: The Weakest Weapons That No Player Wants To Use

The following is a list of the top weapons mods players can bring to their Fallout 4 experience. Some of these feature new weapons, others overhaul existing ones, and some mods affect the combat system itself. The number of available mods is so great that we have updated this article to feature five more which are guaranteed to provide some much-needed vibrancy to the existing weapons system.

Updated on June 27, 2022 by RItwik Mitra: Fallout 4 might be a pretty divisive game for many fans, but there are areas that the game excels in. The improvement of the series' overall gameplay is definitely a huge positive and makes for a great time, and the inclusion of mods can make Fallout 4 even more enjoyable. Players who want their weapon choices and selection to be extensive and unique should check out the following weapon mods for Fallout 4, this list now updated with even more entries.

20 SIG MCX - Assault Rifle

SIG MCX - Assault Rifle mod for Fallout 4

The SIG MCX is one of the most effective and powerful firearms out there. Players who love modern guns can use a mod to bring this assault rifle over to Fallout 4.

The sheer level of customization options when it comes to this mod is pretty great, and is easily one of the more impressive parts of the overall package. It helps that the SIG MCX itself is a solid weapon, with good stopping power without being too overpowered.

19 Combined Arms

Combined Arms mod for Fallout 4

Sometimes, players might find it slightly cumbersome to download mods one at a time. It just feels more convenient to download a pack of weapon mods that are fairly good, but it's hard to find one particular collection that is universally beloved.

The Combined Arms mod is pretty great, with an interesting and diverse collection of weapons. This mod has an expansion pack as well, and is considered by most players to be one of the better weapon mods out there.

18 Machineguns Rebirth

Machineguns Rebirth mod for Fallout 4

Any rapid-fire machine gun is bound to be fun to use, and Fallout 4 understands this completely. It's easy to see why the miniguns in the game are some of the very best, and a ton of fun to use.

This mod brings back the classic machine guns of the Fallout series, along with new additions of its own. It's a great weapon mod that fans of heavy weapons should definitely check out.

17 Agency Arms Benelli M2 - Shotgun

Agency Arms Benelli M2 - Shotgun mod for Fallout 4

Using a shotgun in a video game is a satisfying feeling that simply can't be beat. So, any fan of weapon mods in Fallout 4 would love the idea of downloading a custom shotgun that packs a ton of firepower.

RELATED: Fallout 4: The Best PS4 Mods, Ranked

Adding the Benelli M2 Shotgun is going to turn the Sole Survivor into an absolute powerhouse in Fallout 4. It helps that the gun is customizable enough to keep it fresh and engaging, hours after players are done using it.

16 The Zap Gun - A Makeshift Laser Weapon

The Zap Gun - A Makeshift Laser Weapon mod for Fallout 4

The Zap Gun has the potential to go from a weak pistol into a deadly flamethrower that can absolutely destroy anything in its path. It's a great weapon that deserves all the praise it gets.

The immense customization the Zap Gun offers is the major reason why it has become a favorite of so many modders. Players who want their playthrough to be full to the brim with great, lore-friendly weapon mods should look no further than the Zap Gun.

15 Crossbows Of The Commonwealth

Fallout 4 Weapons Mods - Crossbows of the Commonwealth

Post-apocalyptic TV shows, movies, and video games inevitably feature a crossbow at one point or another. From a psychological perspective, it's easy to see why. They're large, mean, and pack a tremendous wallop, without alerting scores of enemies.

Crossbows of the Commonwealth is a mod that seems to agree. It adds a highly customizable crossbow weapons system into the game, including various bolts that can be retrieved after a successful kill. The perfect mod for stealth players.

14 Extended Weapon Mods

Fallout 4 Weapons Mods - Weapons Mods

If tinkering and customizing weapons is your thing, Extended Weapon Mods has all the goodies required to sate that desire. The mod allows players to Frankenstein weapons into a variety of makeshift and engineered variants to suit their playing style.

10mm pistols can be converted into rifles, .44s get bump stocks, and double-barreled shotguns can be turned into triples. That's just the tip of the iceberg. It's the perfect mod for those who feel that the vanilla weapons system is a bit too anemic.

13 LString Fallout Bow

Fallout 4 Weapons Mods - LString Bows

There are a few bow and arrow mods for Fallout 4, but LString Fallout Bow is certainly one of the best. This mod adds a wooden, recurve, and compound bow to the game which can be crafted from the chemistry menu.

In addition, bows can be outfitted with several scopes for more accurate aiming, and they can also be used as a melee weapon up close. Craftable arrows include stone, field point, and broadhead, for maximum killing power.

12 Useful Crank - Laser Musket Doesn't Require Ammo

Fallout 4 Weapons Mods - Hand Crank Laser Musket

This is one truly excellent mod that deals with a gaping problem in one of the game's most popular (and primary) weapons. Useful Crank removes the ammo mechanic of the Minute Men Laser Musket, and focuses primarily on the hand-crank charging mechanism instead.

Not only does this feel much more realistic, but it makes sense from a logical perspective since lasers do not expend ammo. This is especially handy if one runs out of ammo during an excursion, and requires a ranged weapon to fall back on.

11 AnotherOne's Police Weapons Pack

Fallout 4 Weapons Mods - Police Weapons

This weapons pack adds a bit more flair to the various police stations strewn throughout the Commonwealth by leaving weapons that can be salvaged. The first is a large caliber rifle designed with maximum stopping power in mind.

RELATED: Fallout 76: Tips & Tricks To Get The Power Armor Station Plans

The other is an Enforcer sidearm that can be equipped with a suppressor for silent takedowns. The mod helps add a bit more authenticity to the game by adding pre-war weapons that would normally be used by police in times of crisis.

10 Craftable Weapons & Guns

One of the most requested features from Fallout 4 was the ability to actually craft the weapons you wanted most, instead of hunting for them in the wild. Craftable Guns And Weapons gives gamers the power to develop their own versions, right from a workbench.

Version 1.9 of the mod is the most dynamic yet. It realistically keeps certain weapon recipes out of players hands until they've unlocked the appropriate perks. From pistols to combat rifles, and laser muskets to missile launchers, gamers will be able to craft the right piece for their next outing.

9 Third Person Melee Tweak

Getting up close in Fallout 4 means having the right play mechanics at your back. When it's time to hack n' slash foes, Third Person Melee Tweak is there to balance out the brutality a little more.

This mod fixes a problem with third-person sidestep attacks, making it easy to maneuver around a foe and inflict some strikes. Players may not have noticed the cumbersome third-person melee combat before, but this mod should be quite an eye-opener.

8 Modern Weapon Replacers - All In One Pack

If the makeshift look and nature of the game's vanilla weapons aren't to one's liking, and gamers might prefer something a little more up to date, the Modern Weapon Replacer All-In-One Pack is the best bet.

This mod doesn't actually contain any weapons, but instead acts as a FOMOD installer system which allows players to pick and choose which weapons they'd like to install in place of the vanilla items in the game. The mod page includes a full list of available weapons. Download the desired weapons, then follow the instructions for an easy replacement method.

7 Wasteland Tactical - Visible Weapons On Packs

For gamers who value realism and cannot accept the fact that they're carrying a ton of invisible weapons in their pockets, they should check out Wasteland Tactical - Visible Weapons On Packs. This cool mod lets players holster weapons directly onto a backpack for a little more rugged realism.

RELATED: The Most Powerful Builds In Fallout 4, Ranked

Read the instruction page carefully to get the most out of this mod. There are a few nifty things one can do that affect both the player and their colorful companions as well. It's an excellent way to look the part of a survivalist in Fallout 4.

6 Weapon Overhauls (AIO)

The6thMessenger has created a ton of weapons overhaul mods, and all of these can take up valuable slots in the load order. Weapons Overhaul (AIO) blends them down into one single merged mod so gamers can free up space for other mods, without hitting the limit.

This mod improves the stats and damage counters of weapons and their add-ons, properly scaling their destructive output. It's an excellent mod for those who want more balance and realism from their guns, and it affects everything from common weapons to Legendaries.

5 Doombased Weapons Merged Pack

DOOMBASED has crafted a lot of extremely cool weapons that can be added to the Fallout 4 world, and with that goodness comes the Doombased Weapons Merged Pack, distilling them all down to a single plugin to save space on one's load order.

New shotguns, submachine guns and pistols are just a few of the goodies in this pack. It's perfect for anyone who still wants to retain the vanilla Fallout 4 weapons, while adding in a few new extras to diversify the armament pool.

4 Weaponsmith Extended

If the Doombased pack is too limited for some, and they want to go all-in on a massive cache of killer weapons, then the Weaponsmith Extended pack is the right choice.

This mod gathers a collection of the best weapon mods uploaded to the Nexus site, tossing in everything from a Colt Python to a Star Trek Assault Phaser. It's definitely not the most lore-friendly weapons mod of the bunch, but it's an absolute treasure trove of cool guns that can really change the way gamers play Fallout 4.

3 Skibadaa Weapon Pack Redux

The Skibadaa Weapon Pack Redux is definitely a lore-friendly weapons mod by every standard. The rustic, realistic look of each weapon has been finely crafted down to the most minute detail.

RELATED: Awesome Pieces Of Fallout 3 Concept Art We Adore

Several new weapons complement a trio of Miniguns that can be picked off of dead raiders, or found in loot chests. Heavier weapons can be taken from deadlier foes as well. The distinctive design of each weapon really sets it apart from other weapons mods on this list, making it a definite must for those who love new toys.

2 Mikemoor's MCAM Weapon Pack

If melee combat is more your style, then Fallout 4's collection of up-close weapons undoubtedly leave a lot to be desired. The solution is to install Mikemoore's MCAM (Melee, Collectable and Adventure Mod) Weapons Pack, which tosses in 30 brutal new weapons featuring everything from katanas to tomahawks, and even a frying pan for laughs.

In addition, the mod includes two voiced NPCs and 6 new explorable areas that tie into the weapons system to help tell a bit of a story. It's definitely worth it to get one's hands on this bevy of personal space-invading whackables.

1 See Through Scopes

Of all the weapons mods on this list, See Through Scopes is undoubtedly the best, and the coolest. It creates a feeling of immersion that cannot be felt with the standard scope system in Fallout 4. The mod works its magic by getting rid of the black fade into a full-screen scope. Instead, aiming through a scope maintains the same third-person perspective by zooming the camera in close to the lens, while maintaining the surrounding environment in full view.

This is cool for several reasons. First, it's immersive. Second, it makes scoped sniper combat far easier, more intuitive, and realistic. And finally, it's perfect for gamers who are playing Fallout 4 on a 21:9 or 32:9 monitor, since the user interface doesn't get squished as it normally would through first-person scope mode. Read the instructions carefully to learn exactly how to install this mod. Once ready, gamers can enjoy a brand new scoped combat experience that will ruin the original system in the best possible way.

NEXT: The Best Bethesda Games, According To Metacritic