Nines and AK's Guide: Emmet Target Practice & Clothes

The GTA SA Nines and AKs guide will walk you through everything you need to know to complete this introductory combat mission. After establishing a foothold in Los Santos, Carl Johnson (CJ) needs to re-learn how to handle firearms. Big Smoke introduces CJ to an old family connection, Emmet, who runs a makeshift firing range out of his salvage yard in Willowfield. This mission serves as the primary tutorial for shooting mechanics, weapon handling, and the introduction to clothing stores in the game.

Story Background

Grove Street Families are severely under-equipped compared to their rivals, the Ballas. To fix this, Big Smoke decides to take CJ to visit Emmet, an old friend who supplies weapons to the local gangs. Emmet's memory is fading, and his inventory is mostly outdated, but he provides CJ with a 9mm pistol to practice. This mission highlights the dire situation of the Grove Street gang: they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for firepower. Following the shooting practice, Smoke drops CJ off near a Binco clothing store, urging him to rep the Grove Street green colors to build gang respect and identity.

Required Loadout & Preparation

Because this is a tutorial mission, you do not need any prior preparation. You do not need to bring any weapons, armor, or specific vehicles. Big Smoke drives his Glendale for the first leg of the journey, and Emmet provides the 9mm pistol you need for the target practice. You should have at least a few dollars in your pocket to buy a piece of clothing at the end of the mission, but the early missions give you enough cash to cover a cheap t-shirt.

Step-by-Step Tactics

Step 1: Ride with Big Smoke to Emmet's Place

The mission begins at Sweet's house in Ganton. After the cutscene, get into the passenger seat of Big Smoke's car. The radar will display a yellow destination marker pointing to Emmet's salvage yard in Willowfield. The drive is short. Use this time to get familiar with navigating the streets and listening to the dialogue between CJ and Smoke regarding the state of the streets and their lack of heavy weaponry.

Step 2: Master Basic Targeting

Upon arriving at the salvage yard, a cutscene plays where Emmet talks to Smoke and CJ. Emmet hands CJ a 9mm pistol. Your first task is to shoot a glass bottle resting on a concrete block. The game will prompt you on how to lock onto targets. Hold the aim button to lock onto the bottle. Once the targeting reticle appears over the bottle, pull the trigger to shatter it. This introduces the auto-aim mechanic, which is highly useful during chaotic gang shootouts.

Step 3: Advanced Aiming and Crouching

After destroying the first bottle, Emmet sets up a row of bottles. This time, the game instructs you to practice manual aiming and crouching. Crouching increases your weapon accuracy drastically and reduces your profile, making you a harder target to hit.

Follow the on-screen prompts to crouch down. Use the manual aim mode to cycle through the bottles, shooting them one by one. Take your time; there is no time limit here. Practice moving the crosshair smoothly between targets. This skill is incredibly helpful for scoring headshots in later, more difficult missions.

Step 4: The Gas Tank Explosion

For the final shooting test, Emmet points your attention to an old, rusted car in the yard. The game introduces a critical mechanic: vehicle destruction via gas tank shots. You need to manually aim at the car's gas cap, located on the rear side panel. Firing a single shot into the gas cap will cause the vehicle to explode instantly. Memorize this trick, as shooting gas tanks is the fastest way to destroy enemy vehicles during chases or roadblocks.

Step 5: Driving Smoke Home and Visiting Binco

Once you finish the target practice, get back into Smoke's car and drive him back to his house in Idlewood. After dropping him off, the game will direct you to a nearby Binco clothing store in Ganton. Walk inside and step onto the red marker to browse the clothing options. You need to buy at least one item of clothing to complete the mission. Purchasing a green Grove Street item will increase your Respect stat. Buy a shirt, pants, or hat, exit the store, and the mission will be complete.

Common Failure Points

• Attacking Emmet or Smoke: If you turn your weapon on Emmet or Big Smoke during the tutorial, the mission will fail instantly. Keep your sights firmly on the glass bottles and the car.
• Running out of ammo without hitting the targets: While Emmet gives you plenty of bullets, wildly firing into the sky or walls until you are empty will halt your progress. Make your shots count.
• Destroying Smoke's car: If you accidentally destroy Big Smoke's Glendale before dropping him off, you will fail the mission. Drive safely and avoid aggravating the police.

Pro Tips for Success

• Practice Headshots: Even though you are shooting bottles, try to imagine they are enemy heads. Get used to the stick sensitivity for manual aiming.
• Grab the Free Pistol Later: After this mission, a 9mm pistol will spawn regularly at Emmet's place. Make a habit of swinging by Willowfield to restock your ammo for free.
• Buy Cheap Clothes: If you want to save money for weapons or properties, buy the cheapest item at Binco, like the Green Rag (bandana) or a basic white tank top. It satisfies the mission requirement without draining your wallet.

Video Walkthrough

If you prefer a visual guide, watch the full mission walkthrough below to see the exact steps and aiming techniques in action:

Frequently Asked Questions