Best M16 loadout and class setup in Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty has always had a wide variety of weapons to choose from. The FPS franchise has brought in a bunch of excellent weapons (and the occasional dud that reminds you how good weapons like the M4, Intervention, and M16 were). 

Modern Warfare 2 has brought the M16 back, but it is sadly a shell of its former self. Anyone who played Call of Duty 4 all the way back in 2007 knows what a monster this burst rifle used to be. At the outset of MW2’s launch, it is outshined by basically every other gun in the game.

There’s no real reason to rank up the M16 other than for weapon camo collection, but there is a distinct way to use the Gunsmith to unlock the weapon’s potential and make it perform a bit better. Don’t be surprised if you’re outgunned at every turn, though.

Here’s the best class and loadout setup for the M16 in MW2.

Best M16 loadout and class setup in MW2

• Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
• Optic: Cronen Mini Red Dot
• Stock: Demo Fade Pro Stock
• Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
• Underbarrel: VX Pineapple

Secondary: Preferred pistol
Tactical: Stun Grenade
Lethal: Semtex
Field Upgrade: Dead Silence
Perks: Scavenger and Double Time, Fast Hands, Quick Fix

The M16 and most assault rifles always benefit from the basic red dot, but feel free to play with whatever you find comfortable using in the optic slot. Meanwhile, the stun grenade and semtex combo is an effective way to stop someone in their tracks and stick them with an explosive device that’ll send them flying. 

This set of attachments will help out the M16’s recoil control and accuracy, which are surprisingly a problem for the gun in MW2. It’s normally a laser beam in CoD titles, but this one kicks like a mule and feels weak compared to other ARs in the class.

Dead Silence is a field upgrade that’s always worth using. It’ll keep you as silent as a mouse as you’re stomping through the rough terrain in MW2, so you can sneak up on any opposition in any position.

• Muzzle: FTAC Costle Comp
• Optic: AIM OP-V4
• Stock: Corio Precio Factory
• Underbarrel: Phase-3 Grip
• Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip

Secondary: Preferred pistol
Tactical: Stun Grenade
Lethal: Semtex
Field Upgrade: Dead Silence
Perks: Battle Hardened and Double Time, Fast Hands, Ghost

An alternative loadout for multiplayer, this setup of attachments lends itself better to more long-range combat, especially thanks to the stellar AIM OP-V4 optic. This one offers more accuracy and recoil control as well, helping keep enemies at bay from further away, especially in modes like Invasion and Ground War.