If you’re adventuring through Appalachia in Fallout 76, there’s a good chance your stash box is overflowing with seemingly random junk. But savvy players know that many of these overlooked items can be turned into some of the most powerful weapons in the game. Whether you’re modding for damage, durability, or unique effects, it’s all about knowing which components are worth hoarding.
Below, we’ll break down 17 specific items or components that can be transformed into deadly weapons—giving you an edge in PvE and PvP alike. No fluff, no filler—just practical advice from a fellow Wastelander.
1. Lead Pipes → Modified Melee Weapons
Lead pipes are low-level throwaways to most players, but with upgrades like spiked mods and serrated blades, they can become brutal melee options—especially for stealth builds.
2. Pipe Pistols → Silenced Snipers
These are everywhere, but don’t scrap them immediately. With the right receiver and scope mods, a simple pipe pistol can become a lightweight VATS-friendly sniper rifle.
3. Laser Pistols → Focused Laser Rifles
With components like fiber optics and glass, laser pistols can be reworked into precise, high-damage weapons ideal for energy builds.
4. 10mm Pistols → Fully Automatic Powerhouses
Use springs, screws, and aluminum to convert a 10mm pistol into a rapid-fire threat with extended mags and reflex sights.
5. Combat Rifles → Explosive Builds
These rifles respond well to tweaks—stock upgrades and long-range barrels combined with perks can yield explosive damage results.
6. Hunting Rifles → Instigating or Anti-Armor Builds
Scrap them for valuable parts or rework them into high-powered hunting rifles with upgraded receivers. Perfect for crit-heavy VATS builds.
7. Sledgehammers → Super Sledge Mods
One of the most underestimated items. With a heating coil and other mods, you can turn it into a slow but devastating power weapon.
8. Crossbows → Stealth Kill Tools
Look for adhesive and aluminum. These silent killers can deal massive sneak damage when modded for increased bolt speed and range.
9. Flamers → Crowd Control Beasts
Flamers are niche, but with fuel tanks and focusing barrels, they melt through mobs—especially with Pyromania perks active.
10. Fat Man → MIRV Launchers
Find nuclear material and circuitry to upgrade your Fat Man into a MIRV-launching powerhouse—perfect for Scorchbeast Queens.
11. Pipe Bolt-Action Guns → Cheap but Deadly
Turn junk-tier bolt guns into high-powered weapons with calibrated receivers and long barrels—especially effective early-game.
12. Submachine Guns → Suppressed Shredders
Using gears and screws, you can build out these Tommy guns into sneaky alternatives that excel in close quarters.
13. Miniguns → Shredder Mods
Steel, gears, and screws are key to converting miniguns into boss-farming machines—especially effective during events.
14. Machetes → Electrified Melee
Attach mods like electric or flame coatings. All it takes is some copper, circuitry, and oil for elemental destruction.
15. Revolvers → High-Crit Sidearms
Pair these with VATS-enhancing perks and use high-quality parts like springs and aluminum to create deadly crit-based builds.
16. Railway Rifles → Crowd Stoppers
These can pin enemies to walls and stop them in their tracks. Upgrade them with automatic fire mods and you’ll love the results.
17. Gauss Rifles → Energy Sniper Kings
Battery parts and circuitry let you charge up these rifles for incredible damage per shot—great for endgame sniping.
Extra Tip: Don’t Waste Junk—Break It Down for Weapon Mods
Many of the components needed to mod weapons—like adhesive, screws, gears, and circuitry—come from junk items. Learn what breaks down into what, and always scrap carefully.
And if you’re short on critical components or weapons, you can always buy Fallout 76 items cheap from trusted player markets. Caps can also be a barrier when modding weapons, so for quick upgrades, the Best Place to buy Fallout 76 Caps can save you hours of grinding.
Whether you’re a lone wanderer or a team-focused survivor, turning basic items into powerful weapons is part of what makes Fallout 76’s sandbox so rewarding. So stop scrapping blindly—start building smart.
