Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's hit the basics. Equipping a scope or other mod in vanilla Project Zomboid is pretty straightforward once you know how. Follow these quick steps:

1. Get a Screwdriver: Make sure you have a screwdriver in your inventory. Every firearm attachment in vanilla PZ requires a screwdriver to install or remove. No screwdriver, no attachments – it's that simple.
2. Choose a Compatible Part & Weapon: Not every mod fits every gun. Check that the attachment you found actually goes on the weapon you're modding. For example, a shotgun Choke Tube only fits shotguns, and a rifle scope won't go on your pistol.
3. Move Everything to Main Inventory: Place the firearm, attachment, and screwdriver in your character's main inventory, not in a backpack or secondary container. If they're in a bag, the game might not register them.
4. Unequip the Weapon (if needed): It's recommended to unequip the gun from your hands before modding. While you can attach mods while holding the gun, doing so can sometimes bug out.
5. Right-Click the Gun and Attach Mod: Right-click on the firearm in your inventory. In the context menu, look for "Upgrade". Highlighting that will show a submenu of any compatible attachments you have on you. Click the attachment's name to attach it.
6. (Optional) Removing an Attachment: To remove a mod, right-click the weapon (with screwdriver in inventory) and choose "Remove Upgrade", then select the part to remove.

That's the crash course! With these steps, you should be able to quickly kit out your guns. But before you run off into the sunset with your newly pimped shotgun, let's troubleshoot common issues and then dive into which attachments are actually worth your time.

Even with the steps above, survivors sometimes run into problems where the game just refuses to attach a mod. Don't worry – it happens to the best of us. Let's go through the most frequent hiccups and how to fix them:

Okay, now that you know how to add weapon parts, let's talk about why you'd want to – and when you might not want to. Project Zomboid's vanilla arsenal has a set list of firearm attachments that can tweak your guns' performance.

Attachment Types & Effects at a Glance

As you can see, most attachments have no real downside except added weight – except the scopes and chokes, which explicitly trade one aspect for another. Scopes give range at the cost of close-quarters effectiveness. Chokes trade spread for damage or vice versa. Understanding these trade-offs is key to using attachments wisely.

Simply slapping a mod on a gun won't automatically make you an undead-slaying sniper. There's strategy involved in using attachments effectively. Here are some veteran tips and considerations to keep in mind:

In the apocalypse, it's often the small edges that keep you alive. Attachments are exactly that – a small edge. Now that you know how to use them, and when to use them, you've added another weapon to your arsenal (literally and figuratively).

So go forth, experiment with different setups, and find what feels right for you. May your aim be true and your magazines full. Good hunting out there!