Turning Ground Loot Into Competitive Weapons
Battlefield RedSec is all about adaptation. Sure, getting your hands on a custom loadout is ideal, but let’s be real—you won’t always be near a Custom Weapon Drop when you need firepower. Most of the time, you’re scrambling through buildings grabbing whatever guns are lying around, hoping you find something halfway decent before the next squad shows up.
This is where Gunsmith Kits come into play, and honestly, they’re one of the most underrated mechanics in RedSec. These kits let you take that basic ground loot weapon you picked up and transform it into something actually competitive. We’re talking better optics, increased mag capacity, improved accuracy—real performance upgrades that can swing a gunfight in your favor.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about finding and using Gunsmith Kits to maximize your weapon potential when custom loadouts aren’t an option.
What Exactly Are Gunsmith Kits?
Think of Gunsmith Kits as the great equalizer in RedSec. They’re consumable items that let you upgrade ground loot weapons by adding attachments and improving stats. Each kit is weapon-specific, meaning you can’t just slap an Assault Rifle Kit onto your SMG and call it a day.
The system is actually pretty intuitive once you understand it:
- Each kit type corresponds to a weapon category (Assault Rifles, PDWs/SMGs, LMGs, etc.)
- Using a kit presents you with attachment choices to customize your weapon
- Weapons can be upgraded multiple times as you find more kits
- Each upgrade increases the weapon’s rarity tier and overall effectiveness
What I really appreciate about this system is that it rewards exploration and looting without making it feel mandatory. You can absolutely win fights with base weapons, but finding and using Gunsmith Kits gives you that edge that separates good players from great ones.
Where to Find Gunsmith Kits
Here’s the part that can be frustrating: Gunsmith Kits spawn randomly. There’s no magical “Gunsmith Kit building” you can rush to at the start of every match. Instead, you’re hunting through the same loot containers as everything else, hoping RNG smiles on you.
Your Best Bet: Orange Crates
While Gunsmith Kits can technically appear in any loot container, orange crates have significantly better odds of containing them. These higher-tier containers are your priority targets when you’re specifically hunting for kits.
You’ll find orange crates in:
- High-traffic POIs with quality loot pools
- Military installations and restricted areas
- Central buildings in named locations
- Supply areas and storage facilities
The Looting Strategy
My approach? Open everything. I know that sounds obvious, but I see players constantly running past containers because they’re focused on getting to the next POI or chasing gunfire. Those 10 seconds you spend checking a random crate could net you a kit that wins your next engagement.
Early game is prime kit-hunting time. Competition for loot is still distributed across the map, and you have breathing room to thoroughly check containers without constantly watching your back. Clear a POI methodically—don’t just hit the obvious spots and bounce.
Inventory Management
When you do find a Gunsmith Kit, you face a choice:
Use it immediately if you already have a matching weapon equipped, or store it in your inventory for later when you find the right gun.
I typically hold onto kits if I haven’t found a good weapon yet, but if I’m already running something solid, I’ll upgrade on the spot. The inventory space isn’t usually an issue since kits stack, but in late-game situations where every slot counts, you might need to make tough decisions.
How to Actually Use Gunsmith Kits
Alright, you’ve found a kit and you’ve got the matching weapon. Now what?
Step-by-Step Process:
- Verify you have the correct weapon type equipped
- PDW/SMG Kits → Submachine guns only
- Assault Rifle Kits → Assault rifles only
- MG Kits → Light machine guns only
- And so on for each weapon category
- Approach the kit (if it’s on the ground) or drop it from your inventory if you’re carrying it
- Hold the interact button to activate the upgrade process
- Choose between two attachment options presented in the upgrade menu
- Confirm your selection to apply the attachment and stat improvements
- Your weapon’s rarity increases and the kit is consumed
The Attachment Choice System
Here’s where things get interesting tactically. When you use a kit, you’re presented with two different attachment options—you can only pick one. This creates meaningful decision-making based on your playstyle and current situation.
The attachments offered depend on your weapon’s current rarity:
Common (White) weapons typically offer basic improvements:
- Simple optics like red dots or holographic sights
- Basic grip attachments
- Standard barrel options
Uncommon and Rare weapons start offering more impactful upgrades:
- Mid-range scopes and magnified optics
- Extended magazines for increased capacity
- Accuracy improvements and recoil reduction
- Faster reload speeds
Epic and Legendary tier weapons can get serious performance boosts:
- High-magnification optics
- Significant stat improvements
- Magazine extensions that substantially increase capacity
- Meaningful accuracy and handling upgrades
Strategic Considerations for Upgrades
Not all attachments are created equal, and choosing wisely can make a huge difference. Here’s my thought process when selecting upgrades:
Optics vs. Performance Stats
If you’re already comfortable with the weapon’s iron sights or base optic, prioritize performance upgrades like extended mags or accuracy improvements. These directly affect your effectiveness in fights.
However, if the iron sights are genuinely terrible (and some definitely are), grabbing a clean optic first is worth it. You can’t leverage increased mag capacity if you can’t land your shots.
Consider Your Engagement Range
Found a kit for your assault rifle? Think about how you’ve been using it:
- Playing aggressive and pushing buildings? Extended mags and faster reload speeds are gold
- Taking mid-range fights and holding angles? Optics and accuracy improvements help you win those trades
- Playing the edge of circles? Magnification might be your best friend
The Progressive Upgrade Path
Since weapons can be upgraded multiple times, you’re essentially building your weapon throughout the match. This creates a natural progression:
First upgrade: Address the biggest immediate need (usually optics if the iron sights suck)
Second upgrade: Focus on performance (mag capacity, accuracy, recoil control)
Third and beyond: Fine-tune based on your current tactical situation
Weapon Category Breakdown
Different weapon types benefit from Gunsmith Kits in different ways. Here’s what to prioritize for each:
Assault Rifles
These all-rounders benefit from balanced upgrades. Magazine extensions are particularly valuable since ARs burn through ammo quickly in extended fights. Optics that work at multiple ranges (like 2x or 3x scopes) give you flexibility.
PDWs/SMGs
These close-range shredders desperately need extended mags. The base capacity on most SMGs feels limiting when you’re facing multiple enemies. Recoil control attachments also help since these weapons can be jumpy.
Light Machine Guns (MGs)
LMGs already have large magazines, so focus on handling improvements and optics. Anything that helps you control that recoil or improves ADS speed is worth taking.
Sniper Rifles and DMRs
Magazine capacity matters less here (you’re not mag-dumping with these), so prioritize optics and accuracy. Every shot needs to count, so attachments that help you land those shots are critical.
Shotguns
Less common in the kit pool, but when you find them, look for anything that extends your effective range or tightens spread patterns. Base shotguns can be inconsistent—upgrades help smooth that out.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Ignoring weapon rarity before using kits. A common-tier weapon might not be worth investing multiple kits into if you’re likely to find something better soon. Sometimes it’s worth holding onto kits until you secure a higher-rarity base weapon.
Choosing attachments that don’t match their playstyle. If you never take fights beyond 50 meters, that 6x scope isn’t helping you. Be honest about how you actually play.
Using kits on weapons they’re about to replace. If you just heard a Custom Weapon Drop landing nearby, maybe hold off on burning that kit. Prioritize accordingly.
Hoarding kits too long. The flip side is players who save kits “for the perfect moment” and then die with them still in inventory. A weapon upgrade now is worth more than a potential upgrade later if you don’t make it to “later.”
Maximizing Your Gunsmith Kit Efficiency
Want to get the most out of the Gunsmith system? Here’s my advanced approach:
Loot systematically, not frantically. Rushed looting means missed kits. Take those extra seconds.
Communicate kit finds with your squad. If you find a kit you can’t use, ping it. Your teammate with that weapon type will thank you, and a stronger squad benefits everyone.
Build your weapon during safe moments. Don’t try to upgrade mid-rotation or while the circle is closing. Find a quiet moment, use your kits, then continue.
Coordinate with custom loadout timing. If you know a Custom Weapon Drop is coming soon and you’ll grab your favorite gun, save those kits for weapons you might pick up afterward.
Track your upgrades. Pay attention to what tier your weapon is at. A fully-upgraded rare weapon can compete with an unupgraded epic.
The Bigger Picture: Staying Competitive
Gunsmith Kits are part of RedSec’s broader philosophy of rewarding active, engaged gameplay. You can’t just find one god-tier weapon and coast—you need to keep looting, keep improving, keep adapting.
This ties into the other systems beautifully. Can’t reach a Custom Weapon Drop because it’s too hot? No problem, upgrade your ground loot. Squad member went down and you need to hit a Redeploy Tower? Hope you upgraded their weapon before they died, or they’re coming back with basic gear.
The players who win consistently in RedSec are the ones who leverage every system available. Custom loadouts when possible, Gunsmith upgrades when necessary, smart positioning always.
Get Out There and Start Upgrading
The Gunsmith Kit system rewards thorough players who take time to loot properly and make smart tactical decisions about their gear. It’s the difference between hoping you find good weapons and actively building them throughout the match.
Combined with mastering custom loadouts and understanding map exploration, you’ll have every tool you need to dominate Fort Lyndon.
Jump into Battlefield RedSec on Steam, Xbox, or EA’s platform—it’s free-to-play and waiting for you. Now get in there and start turning that basic ground loot into competition-grade weaponry!
