Character animations, need advice

Im currently using the third person controller that comes with unity but Im about to start my own character controller today because that one doesnt do what I need it to do (also its in javascript and javascripts its no fun xD ) I have 5 different types of animations in my characters, each one represents 1 group of weapons so I have 5 different types of running, walking, etc.

The animations are basicaly the same, only changes the arms and hand postures.

What I want is to know if I should do 5 character controllers (each one for one group of animations) and swap between those everytime the player changes weapon or should I have one giant character controller or theres other way around it.

are you using Unity4? if so use mecamin blend trees.

Yes I am, I will take a look at that, I knew there was something to blend animations in unity somewhere. Thanks.