Before changing weapons, identify your ship and the hardpoints you plan to alter; to fit a replacement, confirm it is compatible with the hardpoint before you try to install it. [1] That quick check helps you avoid choosing a weapon that cannot go in the spot you have selected.
Keep your weapon choice focused here: decide which hardpoint you want to change and which compatible replacement you intend to fit. For build decisions—such as choosing a weapon for a particular role—see the separate weapon-selection article rather than turning this fitting walkthrough into a loadout guide.
For example, if you are replacing a weapon on one wing, note that hardpoint and check the intended replacement against it before opening the fitting process. The next steps cover changing the weapon, addressing common fitting snags, and checking that your new loadout is ready to use.
Check the hardpoint before fitting a weapon
Check each hardpoint’s requirements against the weapon’s compatibility details before deciding why it will not fit. A weapon that is missing from your available items is a different problem from one that appears in the fitting interface but does not match the selected hardpoint. [1]
Read the compatibility details
Open the ship’s hardpoint information and note the requirements shown for the slot you want to change. Then compare those details with the weapon’s item information; for example, if the weapon’s listed specifications do not match the selected slot, choose another weapon or hardpoint rather than repeatedly trying to equip it. [1]
If the weapon is not listed as available, check whether it is in your inventory or accessible through the fitting route you are using. Star Citizen has different installation routes for items in inventory and items that are physicalized, so an absent item does not by itself show that the hardpoint is incompatible. [2]
Recheck current in-game details
Use the current ship and item information shown in-game to confirm what the selected hardpoint accepts and whether the weapon is available through your chosen route. If a menu behaves differently than expected, pause and check the current interface before trying the same change again; equipment and fitting screens can change, so rely on what the game currently displays for that ship and item.
Install the weapon through the in-game fitting process
Open the ship-fitting interface for the ship you want to modify. If the weapon is in your inventory or physicalized, the installation route can depend on which of those states applies; the fitting process can use Mobiglas or another route. [2]
Select the hardpoint where you want to change the weapon, then choose a compatible weapon that is available to you. Keep the change focused—for example, replace the weapon on the hardpoint you selected rather than changing unrelated components at the same time.
Apply the change. If the interface asks you to save or confirm the loadout, do so before leaving the fitting screen; otherwise, the selection may not be committed.
If the weapon is in physical inventory instead of appearing in the fitting interface, use the relevant in-game installation route for that item. The fitting route varies with whether the item is in your inventory or physicalized. [2] Treat the menu as a workflow, not a promise that every item installs from the same screen: follow the in-game prompts for the weapon you are handling.
After installation, continue to your loadout check before taking the ship out. If you cannot find the weapon in the interface, pause and use the route that matches how the item is stored rather than repeatedly selecting the same menu option.
What to check when a weapon will not fit
When a weapon will not fit, recheck the selected hardpoint and confirm the weapon is compatible with it. A wrong slot can make a suitable weapon appear unusable, so compare the ship’s in-game hardpoint details with the weapon’s compatibility information before trying again.
Next, check whether the weapon is available through the installation route you chose. Star Citizen supports different installation methods depending on whether weapons and components are in inventory or physicalized, so an item missing from one route may need to be installed another way. [2]
If the menu or equipment behaves differently than expected, pause before repeating the change. Verify the current in-game process and follow the prompts shown for your ship; for example, check whether the item is listed in the fitting interface or requires a different installation route. Once you have sorted out the issue, retry the change and confirm that the game accepts it before moving on.
Confirm the new loadout is equipped and usable
Reopen the ship’s loadout view after applying the change. Check the specific hardpoint you edited and confirm that the intended weapon is shown there; for example, verify the left wing mount rather than just scanning the weapon list. [2]
Check the ship’s weapon status in-game before relying on the new setup. Confirm that the weapon appears as equipped, then use the ship’s in-game status display to see whether it is available for use. If the loadout view and status do not match, don’t assume the change is ready for combat.
If the weapon is missing or unavailable, return to the fitting process and review the selected hardpoint, compatibility, and whether the item is available through that installation route. A weapon that does not appear in the loadout view may need a different installation route, so check the current in-game menus before trying again. [2]
Once the intended weapon is shown on the correct hardpoint and the ship’s status indicates it is usable, you can test the setup in a safe situation before depending on it in a fight. If the interface or equipment behaves differently from what you expect, recheck the current menus and item details rather than repeating the same change blindly.
Use the fitting steps with your chosen ship
Keep the process simple: check the hardpoint, install a compatible weapon, then verify the finished loadout. The exact route can depend on whether the weapon is in your inventory or physicalized; Star Docs describes Mobiglass and another route for installing weapons and components. [2]
For example, after choosing a replacement, use your ship’s current fitting menu to make the change, then reopen the loadout view and confirm the weapon appears where you intended. If it is missing or the menu behaves differently, pause and check the current in-game equipment details rather than repeating the same steps. Interface labels and available gear can change, so let the live menus guide you.
Your next step is to try the fitting workflow with the ship you want to modify. Check the result in-game before relying on the new setup; if anything does not match, revisit the hardpoint and the current installation route.