The best Modern Warfare 3 guns to use in Season 1
There are many candidates for the best weapons inside Modern Warfare 3because all the weapons are in it Modern Warfare 2 have been transferred, in addition to a large number of new ones.
Now that the game has been out for a while and Season 1 is here, we have a better understanding of the meta. We focus on the new weapons in Modern Warfare 3 here because for the most part anything that had a strong weapon in it Modern Warfare 2 has retained its power here, but the new weapons are what everyone is using now.
So no matter your playstyle, if you're wondering which weapons to focus on first to level up, we tested all the new introductions to determine which weapons are the best in the game. MW3.
Modern Warfare 3 best weapons to use in season 1
The best weapons of Modern Warfare 3 are as follows:
- MCW (assault rifle)
- AMR9 (SMG)
- SVA 545 (assault rifle)
- RAM-7 (assault rifle)
- BAS-B (battle rifle)
- XRK stalker (sniper rifle)
- Riveter (shotgun)
- Holger 554 (assault rifle)
- WSP swarm (SMG)
We mentioned it at the start and a month of playing has proven us right: the MCW is still the best gun out there Modern Warfare 3. It's the most versatile weapon you'll find, as you can equip it for long-range combat – which our suggested attachments below are suitable for – or to engage enemies at close range if necessary.
However, if you want to focus mainly on close combat with the occasional ranged fight, choose the AMR9 instead in second place. The SVA 545 is also a great assault rifle, with the added bonus of firing the first two rounds almost simultaneously, but it doesn't quite have the recoil control that the MCW offers. The new addition to the RAM-9 with Season 1 also being relegated, but having a fairly significant setback.
The BAS-B and the XRK stalker – the new sniper rifle – are even better options for long ranges, while the Riveter is the best hunting rifle and can decimate enemies at close range. finally, the Holger 556 is another solid assault rifle with the right attachment, while the WSP swarm has proven to be the second best SMG, excelling when you get really up close and personal.
(As a side note, for those returning from the beta, the weapons removed from our list are the Striker, Longbow, MTZ Interceptor and MTZ-556, which don't quite measure up to the above at launch. I also have the Katt-AMR removed – the XRK Stalker is simply a better sniper rifle.)
Let's go through our updated selections one by one.
1. MCW (assault rifle)
Image: Activision via Polygon
The start is the MCW, which is unlocked at rank 44. Modern Warfare 3 has no actual weapon names, so the MCW is mainly known as the ACR from previous installments. And that's it: the MCW is a highly reliable assault rifle that is fully automatic, with consistent range, recoil and damage.
With the right attachments, the MCW essentially becomes a laser beam. Any heavy barrel will do the job – we recommend the 16.5” MCW Cyclone Long Barrel – along with any vertical grip, although we found the Bruen Pivot to be the best (which requires you to level the SVA 545 to level 12 first). As for the rest of the attachments, an optic is always a good shout for better sighting, in addition to any muzzle/stock/rear grip combination that helps with recoil control and bullet velocity.
See our dedicated MCW gear page for more information on how to equip this weapon.
2.AMR9 (SMG)
Unlocked as the very last weapon via standard progression at rank 55, the AMR9 is a direct competitor to the MCW and is also the best SMG in the game. How, I hear you ask? Essentially, you can equip it to be an absolute monster at range – seriously, it's essentially an assault rifle with our best AMR9 loadout – or you can use it up close. The two essential attachments for the former are the Nimbus-6 Integrated Suppressor barrel and 9mm High Grain ammo, both of which are unlocked on the last two levels of the weapon, so they'll take a while to reach.
Until then, you can play around with using the AMR9 however you like. The L4R Flash Hider and TA Venom Stock are two solid replacements while you level it up, or you can replace everything and easily go for a close-up and personal build.
3. SVA 545 (assault rifle)
Image: Activision via Polygon
The SVA 545 is the first assault rifle you unlock in the game, so while you're looking for the MCW and AMR9, this is the rifle you'll want to use. Once you unlock create-a-class you can equip it, and it has a very interesting benefit: the first shot fires two bullets, almost at the same time. However, this isn't just the magazine's first recording; if you tap fire you can make every shot a twofer. It's not overwhelming or anything, but it's a neat trick if you can get the hang of it.
As is always the case with assault rifles, you'll want to control the recoil on these, so we recommend an underbarrel grip like the VX Pineapple, a barrel attachment that can improve range and damage, and other attachments that aid in recoil management. . However, it's one of the few weapons in the game with decent iron sights, so you don't need to stick optics on it.
Check out our best SVA 545 gear with our dedicated guide.
4. RAM-7 (assault rifle)
Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon
As mentioned in the intro, the RAM-7 is a new assault rifle introduced in Season 1. It kicks like a mule, but does serious damage. As such, you won't want to equip it for extremely long ranges, but it is one of the best choices at short to medium ranges for an assault rifle. A barrel or muzzle attachment that ideally silences the weapon and aids in damage at range is essential.
In addition, we recommend equipping an extended magazine, thanks to the speed at which the gun fires, and then aiming for a balance between mobility, handling and damage for the rest.
Adjust the attachments until you find the exact fit that works for you, or check out our guide to the best RAM-7 gear in MW3.
5. BAS-B (battle rifle)
Image: Activision via Polygon
All of the weapons on this list are fairly similar: fully automatic weapons that are best at different ranges. The BAS-B is no different. The first battle rifle on the list, this is the weapon you'll want to switch to if our MCW build above still doesn't have enough range for you. It doesn't fire as fast as the MCW, but each round has a lot more power, and once you get some recoil-control attachments you can put a longer-range optic on it, like one of the 2.5x options.
However, if you are in the beginning stages of using the BAS-B, we have only a few recommended attachments. The Bruen Venom Long Barrel is a no-brainer thanks to the range it adds, and the 30-round magazine – or the 45-round once you unlock it – means you can mow down multiple enemies without having to reload. We also recommend the Ravage-20 Heavy Stock, which you unlock once the BAS-B reaches level seven.
See our dedicated BAS-B gear page for more information on how to equip this weapon.
6. XRK Stalker (sniper rifle)
Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon
With its introduction in Season 1, the XRK Stalker has taken the crown from the Katt-AMR as the best sniper rifle in the world. Modern Warfare 3and that's thanks to its impressive damage and mobility, making it the top choice for the fast watchers among you.
Your goal should be to improve ADS speed, re-chambering speed, and sprint-to-fire speed so that you can easily pull up your gun and one-shot enemies. Therefore, we recommend using the No Stock stock attachment in addition to the Light Bolt and FT Match Grip. You should also equip optics that are not as zoomed in as stock, as you are unlikely to be shooting at distance.
For more information on how to spec this weapon, check out our guide to the best XRK Stalker gear MW3.
7. Riveter (shotgun)
Image: Activision via Polygon
If you want to rock a shotgun, look no further than the Riveter. This is fully automatic, so while it doesn't do as much damage as some others, it's the best way to take out multiple enemies at once. This is an armory unlock, so you'll need to activate the challenge and then complete the daily challenges to access it at level 25.
Since you'll likely be sprinting around clearing out as many enemies in close quarters as possible, you'll want attachments to match that. Focus on improving sprint-to-fire speed, hip fire spread, aim sight speed, and recoil where possible. The FTAC Grimline Laser, Demo D50 Buffer Tube and Phantom Grip are all great for this. We also recommend the SA Draven-20 Long Barrel for extra range, as there is nothing worse than getting into a fight with a shotgun but not having the range you need.
8. Holger 556 (assault rifle)
Image: Activision via Polygon
Finally, we have the Holger 556 which unlocks at level 37. To be honest, there isn't much special about the Holger; it's a reliable, fully automatic assault rifle that isn't rather just as good as the MCW or SVA 545. However, if you remember the G36C Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfarethis is very reminiscent of that.
As always, when equipping the Holger you'll want to focus on recoil and damage management. Find barrel, muzzle, and underbarrel attachments that will help with that, then stick the optic of your choice on and you're good to go. It has higher base damage but a lower fire rate than both the MCW and SVA, so keep that in mind when finding the best attachments.
9. WSP Swarm (SMG)
Image: Activision via Polygon
Finally we have the WSP Swarm, the second SMG on our list of the best weapons in Modern Warfare 3. This weapon is extremely powerful, but as you would expect given its submachine gun shape, it has tremendous recoil. This means it suits a very aggressive playstyle, and while the Akimbo attachment may be tempting to two-hip these bad boys, we're going for something special. small more reliable.
Your entire goal should be to reduce recoil while not impeding mobility too much, so look for muzzle and/or barrel attachments that strive toward that goal. Like the RAM-7 above, this one has a very high rate of fire, so you can't go wrong with an extended magazine either. You definitely don't need any optics though as the iron sights are absolutely fine and to be honest you will be hip shooting a lot – if you can reduce the spread of the hip fire with any attachments, even better.