The best weapons in Modern Warfare 3

Modern Warfare 3’s massive arsenal of weapons will only get bigger over time, but there will always be a few that shine and rise above the rest.

These are the guns you want to level up first to make the process of unlocking items and guns as easy as possible, keeping you on a level playing field with gamers everywhere. The time to use silly and underperforming weapons comes later when you’re unlocking camos.

The time to grind is now. Here are the best MW3 guns and the ones you want to use in the best MW3 multiplayer loadouts.

MW3 meta guns

Right now, the best MW3 weapon is the MCW, by far. The assault rifle is dominant at mid-range and even holds its own up close against the best SMGs. Keep on reading to see the best MCW loadout in MW3, which is currently the best loadout in MW3, period.

It will take a lot of time, gameplay, and discussion among the community to truly find out what the best overall guns in MW3 are, and that list will evolve as the game grows, patches are deployed, and new weapons are added to the game.

But for now, there are some clear winners among players, judging by talk on social media and by paying attention to what weapons are being used in the game.

These are the best weapons in MW3 right now.

Best MW3 guns

Best assault rifle in MW3

Currently, the best choice for assault rifle players is the MCW, which is MW3’s version of the ACR from CoDs in the past. Even without many attachments, it’s the most formidable weapon in the entire game.

MCW

Best MCW attachments in MW3

• Muzzle: L4R Flash Hider
• Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
• Optic: Slate Reflector or MK. 23 Reflector
• Stock: Tempus A90 Strike Stock
• Rear Grip: RB Rapidstrike Grip

The MCW (ACR) is the clear choice for the best weapon, and this loadout will keep you in the fight from multiple ranges and in a variety of game modes. Use this king of the MW3 guns and watch your score climb in each match as you level up.

Holger 556

Best Holger 556 attachments in MW3

• Barrel: Chrios-6 Match
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Underbarrel: Kimura RYN-03 Vertical Grip
• Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity
• Rear Grip: Morn-20 Grip

Another favorite for best MW3 guns is the Holger 556, or “G36C” as most players may remember it.

Best SMG in MW3

The current best SMG in MW3 is the Rival-9. It’s the top choice for competitive CoD players in the Call of Duty League.

Rival-9

Another option for SMG slayers when it comes to best MW3 guns is the Rival-9, which only really beats out the Striker in fire rate. It’s a good choice for smaller maps where you’re up close and personal.

Best Rival-9 build in MW3

• Muzzle: VP27 Mini Brake
• Barrel: Rival-C Clearshot Barrel
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip
• Stock: MTZ Marauder Stock

The Rival-9 is a tricky gun at first because it struggles without attachments. Once it’s leveled up, however, it’s quite fun to use MW3’s movement speed to dominate on smaller maps.

Striker

Best Striker build in MW3

• Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
• Barrel: Strike Recon Long Barrel
• Optic: MK. 23 Reflector
• Rear Grip: SAKIN ZX Grip
• Stock: Lachmann Recon Series Stock

SMG players will find a home immediately with this Striker (UMP 45) loadout in MW3. It’s immediately familiar to those who’ve played CoD games in the past, but it feels new in its own way all the same.

WSP-9

Best WSP-9 build in MW3

• Muzzle: Bruen Cubic Comp
• Stock: WSP Factory Stock
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Ammunition: 9mm High Grain Rounds
• Magazine: 32 Round Mag

The WSP-9 is right up there with the Striker, fighting neck and neck for the title of best in the game for best MW3 guns in the SMG category. The WSP is reminiscent of some of CoD’s best SMGs in its history.

Best LMG in MW3

The Pulemyot 762 with its conversion kit is currently the best LMG option in the game.

Pulemyot 762

Best Pulemyot 762 build in MW3

• Conversion Kit: JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit
• Laser: Muzzle: HMRES MOD Suppressor
• Barrel: JAK Annihilator Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Rear Grip: Demo TL20 Recoil Grip

This build for the Pulemyot maximizes its mobility while maintaining its power and huge magazine, making it dominant.

Holger 26

Best Holger 26 build in MW3

• Muzzle: HMRES Mod Suppressor 
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: RB Crotalus Assault Stock
• Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical
• Rear Grip: Morn-20 Grip

The Holger 26 has pretty poor iron sights, so I suggest using an optic. My favorite is the Slate Reflector, but it’s a personal preference. The other attachments will help out your recoil control and range to keep you in the fight against all weapon classes.

Best sniper rifle in MW3

What the KV Inhibitor lacks in accuracy and recoil control compared to other snipers, it makes up for in its damage. This is the one you keep getting sniped by on Estate.

KV Inhibitor

Best KV Inhibitor attachments in MW3

• Barrel: Kastovia GXR-12
• Laser: SL Razorhawk Laser
• Stock: Ivanov Wood Stock
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Broadside Factory Grip

The KV Inhibitor does not lack in power for being a semi-auto sniper, and it doesn’t have nearly as much recoil to justify how strong it really is. Use it while you can.

Longbow

The best sniper in MW3 may come down to choice. Do you like semi-auto or bolt-action? Here’s one for the bolt-action gamers.

Best Longbow build in MW3

• Laser: SL Razorhawk Laser Light
• Stock: Stockless
• Underbarrel: XTEN TX-12 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Citadel LV Tactical Grip
• Bolt: SA-M Quickbolt

Quickscopers, here you go. Go to town with this gun’s quick fire rate.

Best shotgun in MW3

Of the MW3 shotguns to choose from, the Lockwood 680 is your best bet for close-range engagements, with some one-shot potential at mid-range with our build.

Lockwood 680

Best Lockwood 680 build in MW3

• Muzzle: XTEN Full Choke
• Barrel: Bryson Hammerforged Long Barrel
• Stock: Sawed Off Mod
• Ammunition: 12 Gauge Slug
• Bolt: Express Light Bolt

This specific build for the Lockwood 680 focuses on its mobility and damage range, making it a beast in several scenarios in multiplayer.

Best battle rifle in MW3

The BAS-B shares a name with the BAS-P, a popular SMG from MW2, but it now reigns supreme for battle rifles thanks to its better damage and fire rate when compared to the MTZ-762. It’s one of the best MW3 guns, period.

BAS-B

Best BAS-B build in MW3

• Barrel: Wyvern’s Respite Long Barrel
• Stock: FSS Ravager-45 stock
• Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical Grip
• Magazine: 30 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: D37 Grip

Like the TAQ-V before it in MW2, this battle rifle is just a powerful, heavy assault rifle. This makes the 30 Round Mag a must, and the rest of the attachments can be used to rein in its strong recoil.

Best marksman rifle in MW3

The MTZ Interceptor is one of just a few marksman rifles available in MW3 so far, but it faces stiff competition from guns like the MCW 6.8 and DM56.

MTZ Interceptor

Best MTZ Interceptor build in MW3

• Barrel: MTZ Longshot Pro Barrel
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Magazine: 20 Round Mag
• Optic: Corio Eagleseye 2.5x
• Rear Grip: Bruen TR-24 Assault Grip

The MTZ Interceptor is strong at long-range, but not suggested in most of MW3’s smaller maps and modes. It’s strong in Ground War and Warzone, though.

Best handgun in MW3

The Renetti is a strong, versatile handgun in MW3, even without a Conversion Kit. The COR 45 has a strong Conversion Kit that can turn it into an SMG, as does the Renetti, but this burst-fire build is very strong with a full kit of attachments.

Renetti

Best Renetti build in MW3

• Barrel: MK2 Renetti Long Barrel
• Ammunition: 9mm High Grain Rounds
• Magazine: 30 Round Mag or 24 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Bruen Onslaught Assault Grip
• Trigger Action: Bruen Express

Whether you’re grinding camos for it or just throwing it on your favorite class as a viable secondary weapon, the Renetti is one of the better handguns in all of MW3, so make sure to level it up ASAP.

This article will be updated with more information and more guns over time. Check back for more soon on our rankings and list of the best MW3 guns.