Best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle

Modern Warfare 3 player firing assault rifle at opponent
Credit: Activision

Modern Warfare 3 player firing assault rifle at opponent
Credit: Activision
January 16, 2024: To reflect the current meta, we've updated the best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle to use in multiplayer.

The best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle is crucial intel to know before loading into the action. Larger than submachine guns (SMG) and smaller than light machine guns (LMG), assault rifles (AR) are often found amongst the loadouts of players looking to make an impact in mid-range engagements.

Modern Warfare 3 contains an extensive range of ARs possessing a range of characteristics that suit most styles of play. More often than not, the weapon category features some of the very best guns and weapons to use in all of multiplayer.

Before we reveal the best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle, check out our other guides showcasing the best AMR9 loadout and how to slide cancel your way around the maps.

What is the best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle?

During the early stages of the Modern Warfare 3 cycle, the very best assault rifle to use is the MCW. Heavily resembling the iconic ACR from 2009's Modern Warfare 2, the MCW features incredibly low levels of recoil and a clean iron sight, which means you can use another attachment slot to create an unbeatable combination.

As the cycle progresses, we'll be sure to update our guide to reflect the current meta.

Modern Warfare 3 player holding assault rifle with opponents in background
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Credit: Activision

Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle tier list

After testing all of the Modern Warfare 3 assault rifles in the beta, we've ranked them from best to worst:

S tier

A tier

B Tier

C Tier

So far, the MCW is leading the charge at the top of the category, while the SVA 545 and several Modern Warfare 2 weapons are closely following in A-tier. The recoil from the SVA and MTZ means they're weaker than the MCW, but a few doses of weapon balancing could change everything before the first season gets underway.

That's everything we know about the best Modern Warfare 3 assault rifle. For more Call of Duty, head over to our Warzone page for the latest intel on all things battle royale.