CurseForge · Minecraft mod
Vanilla Animated Guns
Stylized and fantasy magical firearms made to fit seamlessly into the Minecraft gameplay and style whilist keeping the core of what makes a gun mod fun!
Quick answer
Which Vanilla Animated Guns release should I use?
Vanilla Animated Guns vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar targets 1.21.1 with NeoForge. The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both. All 1 required mods have matching files.
Where it goes
Is Vanilla Animated Guns required on the client, server, or both?
The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.
The source does not explicitly classify this release as client-only or server-only.
What else does Vanilla Animated Guns vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar need?
vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar. Change the file and its required mods may change too.
Install Framework first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup. 2 come through another mod in the chain.
2 extra mods were pulled in by other dependencies. Indented rows show who needs each one. We only count dependency files that match this setup. A file for another loader does not fill the gap.
Before you install it
Add Vanilla Animated Guns without breaking your instance.
Built for Vanilla Animated Guns vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.
- 01
Stick to this file
Use vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar. It targets 1.21.1 with NeoForge; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.
- 02
Bring the mods it needs
Install Framework first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup. 2 come through another mod in the chain.
- 03
Put it on the correct side
The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.
- 04
Pick the file you checked
Use the “Get this file” button beside vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar. It opens that exact file at the source.
About this project
What does Vanilla Animated Guns add?
Requires
Framework.
Summary: - Simple and easy to understand shooting mechanics, no need to shoot with the use button! - Straightforward gun progression with enchantments, no attachment UI or out-of-place systems. - Aesthetically simple but still good looking models in order to keep up with Minecraft's simple aesthetic. - Based off CGM's code, which means the mod is highly customizable! - Shader-compatible.
This is Vanilla Animated Guns, a fantasy-ish gun mod that proves guns can have their place in Minecraft!

You might be wondering if there aren't already gun mods for Minecraft. And while yes, Vanilla Animated Guns is a mod with a unique approach, aiming to go in a different direction from most gun mods. Unlike other gun mods which tend to be either too complex and detailed, or too boring and underwhelming, this mod was designed as a compromise between both approaches, in order to fit seamlessly with Minecraft's simplicity and aesthetic whilst not compromising the fun aspects such as animations or controls.
This mod does not have fancy workbenches, highly detailed models, out-of-place attachment systems, gore, or over-the-top animations. Instead, it tries to follow Mojang's vision of what would theoretically be in an update, according to their vague policies.
And, as a fork of MrCrayfish's Gun Mod, this gun mod inherits much of the simplicity that comes with it. And whilst CGM is already Minecrafty enough, this mod strips it down to its very foundations in order to make it feel like a truly vanilla experience.

In this mod, there are three types of ammunition:
Powdered Pellet: The first type of ammunition you will most likely use in this mod. This is the main ammunition for the Handcannon, the Musket, and the Sidehammer.
Bolt: This is the second type of ammunition you may or may not use in this mod, depending on your playstyle. The bolt is responsible for feeding the fully automatic firearms, such as the Minimach and the Boltcaster.
Shell: This is a special type of ammunition, made specifically for the Boomstick.
Dynamite: Although considered a type of ammunition for the Dynamite Launcher, the dynamite sticks can also be used independently and thrown by hand, although it has a fuse time before it can explode. Unlike TNT, these sticks only affect entities, and do not grief blocks.

Each firearm has its own class and purpose. Their descriptions are as follows:
Handcannon Base Damage: 4 | Base Capacity: 6/6
The initial weapon. Meant as an introductory weapon, it can be quite versatile early-game, allowing you to kill most mobs with a few shots, although it's not very useful in PvP due to its weak damage. Cheap to craft, it can be used with a shield, making it one of the only two ranged weapons in the game you can use with a shield.
Musket Base Damage: 18 | Base Capacity: 1/1
Along with the pistol, this is the second weapon you can unlock in the game during early game. It can reach up to 27 damage when enchanted. However, even when enchanted, this weapon has a big cooldown before you can shoot again, with its enchanted cooldown being 15 seconds on average, while its unenchanted cooldown sits around 20 seconds. Every projectile in this mod can be deflected by shields, and the Musket isn't always accurate, so always make sure that every shot counts.
Sidehammer Base Damage: 7 | Base Capacity: 8/8
The third weapon you unlock during the normal progression, being the first diamond-tier weapon, and the first proper rifle you acquire in the mod. It's able to reach up to 10.5 in damage with enchantments, and can be used as a sniper rifle to shoot from afar with considerable precision. Its main trade-off compared to the Musket is damage in exchange for precision and speed, making it ideal for finishing off weak opponents. This is also the last weapon that uses Powdered Pellet as ammunition.
Minimach Base Damage: 3.5 | Base Capacity: 20/20
This redstone-powered machine is the first fully automatic weapon you can craft. Slightly more expensive than the Handcannon, this firearm not only has a high fire rate, it is also the most precise weapon in the mod, having no spread whatsoever. Its fire rate and precision come at the expense of considerable recoil and low damage, however. It's also the first weapon to use bolts as ammunition, which is a new tier of pointy flint ammunition encased in copper hulls. It is also one-handed, making it effectively the Minecraft equivalent of a Micro SMG.
Boomstick Base Damage: 9.5 | Base Capacity: 2/2
A devastating close-range weapon, the Boomstick presents plenty of risk and reward. Being the first netherite-tier weapon, its reinforced netherite structure allows for the loading of shells, a special kind of ammunition that merges the concepts of Bolts and Powdered Pellets to encase basalt pellets into a copper hull, allowing for projectile dispersion and crowd control of big groups of mobs.
Boltcaster Base Damage: 6.5 | Base Capacity: 30/30
The Boltcaster is an endgame weapon, having high accuracy at long range and an abundant supply of ammunition to feed its fully automatic system. Ideal for hitting fast-moving targets, this weapon is effective at all engagement distances, and is best used against a solitary target, unless a Collateral enchantment is present. Unlike the Minimach, its recoil is manageable, due to its slower fire rate than the Minimach.
Dynamite Launcher Base Damage: 15 | Base Capacity: 1/1
This is a post-endgame weapon, crafted with a nether star and a Boltcaster, meaning it's impossible to get one before finishing the game. It is by far the most damaging weapon, and its potential is huge, as it can shoot dynamite sticks much further away than what you can by throwing it manually. Dynamite sticks shot with this launcher also explode on touch, making it an essential tool for those who likes explosions. It can go even further with the right enchantments, making it effectively a death beam.

Firearms (Guns):







As of version 1.21.1, the Boltcaster has become cheaper to craft, now requiring one Netherite ingot instead of one Block of Netherite.
Ammunition:




And, while we're at it... Why don't you try combining some of the weapons with a spyglass on an anvil?
🔭+🔫= ❓
Project description from CurseForge.
Pick your setup
Vanilla Animated Guns by Minecraft version and loader
Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.
1.21.1
1 loader build1.20.1
2 loader builds1.20
2 loader builds1.19.4
1 loader buildCheck the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.
Recent files
Vanilla Animated Guns versions and loaders
vag-1.1.1-1.21.1-NeoForge.jar
10 Nov 2026
vag-1.0.0-1.20.1.jar
2 Oct 2025
vag-1.0.0-1.19.4.jar
2 Oct 2025
Looking for an older file? The official CurseForge project page is in Resources.
