Best Modern Warfare 3 guns and weapons in multiplayer

Modern Warfare 3 player wearing night-vision goggles and holding suppressed weapon
Credit: Activision

Modern Warfare 3 player wearing night-vision goggles and holding suppressed weapon
Credit: Activision
March 19, 2024: Following the update, we've updated the best MW3 guns and weapons to use in multiplayer

Looking for the best Modern Warfare 3 guns and weapons to use? We've got you covered. There are plenty of guns and weapons to choose from in Modern Warfare 3 and there's a high chance some will stand out from the others.

Arguably the most important part of Call of Duty multiplayer is the weapon arsenal and in Modern Warfare 3, it's no different. In addition to all Modern Warfare 2 weapons, Sledgehammer Games has added a new set of guns and weapons to master. Those who have tested the arsenal are desperate for weapon balancing to create a relatively level playing field at launch.

Before we reveal more about the best Modern Warfare 3 guns and weapons, check out our other guides showcasing the best FOV settings and all of the movement changes in the game.

What are the best Modern Warfare 3 2023 guns?

Our tier list contains all of the strongest Modern Warfare 3 guns to use right now.

Modern Warfare 3 weapon tier list

S

MCW
XRK Stalker
Holger 556
Rival 9
Longbow
DG-58
BAS-B
Renetti
WSP Swarm

Before you return to multiplayer following the recent patch, you'll want to know which are the very best guns to use in Modern Warfare 3. So far, the MCW, Rival 9, and BAS-B are the early frontrunners thanks to their high damage and impressive versatility on the battlefield.

As the cycle progresses, we'll be keeping a close eye on the meta and adjusting our list regularly so you know which weapons are guaranteed to make an impact throughout a match.

Modern Warfare 3 player firing gun behind player using riot shield
expand image
Credit: Activision

Modern Warfare 3 weapon tier list

With Season 3 fast approaching, we've created a tier list for the entire Modern Warfare 3 arsenal ranking each weapon based on their in-game performance.

Modern Warfare 3 weapon tier list

S

MCW
XRK Stalker
Holger 556
Rival 9
Longbow
RAM-9
BAS-B
Renetti
WSP Swarm
MTZ 556
Haymaker
SOA Subverter
BP50
Striker
RAM-7

A

M13B
Longbow
DG-56
BAS-P
PDSW 528
Chimera
TAQ Evolvere
VEL 46
Bruen MK9
Lockwood 680
ISO Hemlock
Riveter
Tempus Razorback
AMR9
WSP-9
DM56
FR 5.56
TAQ Eradicator
FR Avancer
Lachmann 556
COR 45
Lachmann Sub
Kastov 762
DG-58 LSW
M4

B

M13C
Fennec 45
ISO 45
KATT AMR
MTZ 762
TYR
Striker 9
TR-76 Geist
MCW 6.8
Cronen Squall
Holger 26
Vaznev 9K

C

KVD Enforcer
Sidewinder
MTZ Interceptor

D

FJX Imperium
MX Guardian
ISO 9mm
FSS Hurricane
Minibak
MCPR-300
Kastov 545
Carrack .300
STB 556
LA-B 330
SP-X 80
FTAC Siege
M16
TAQ 56
MX9
.50 GS
P890
SP-R 208
Lockwood MK2
Kastov 74u
TAQ-V
TAQ-M
RAPP H
LM-S
HCR 56
Bryson 800
Sakin MG38
X12
Basilisk
556 Icarus
KV Broadside
X13 Auto
RPK
Victus XMR
GS Magna
SA-B 50
Signal 50
FTAC Recon
EBR-14
SO-14

F

Expedite 12
Bryson 890
Lachmann 762
9mm Daemon
Lachmann Shroud
Tempus Torrent
Lockwood 300
RAAL MG

Modern Warfare 3 gun list

Here's a closer look at the confirmed guns and weapons appearing in Modern Warfare 3.

Assault rifles

  • BP50
  • DG-56
  • FR 5.56
  • Holger 556
  • MCW
  • MTZ 556
  • RAM-7
  • SVA 545
  • Chimera
  • FR Avancer
  • ISO Hemlock
  • Kastov 545
  • Kastov 762
  • Kastov 74u
  • Lachmann 556
  • M13B
  • M13C
  • M16
  • M4
  • STB 556
  • TAQ 56
  • Tempus Razorback
  • TR-76 Geist

SMGs

  • AMR9
  • HRM-9
  • RAM-9
  • Rival-9
  • Striker
  • Striker 9
  • WSP Swarm
  • WSP-9
  • BAS-P
  • Fennec 45
  • FSS Hurricane
  • ISO 45
  • ISO 9mm
  • Lachmann Shroud
  • Lachmann Sub
  • Minibak
  • MX9
  • PDSW 528
  • Vaznev 9K
  • VEL 46

Battle rifles

  • BAS-B
  • Sidewinder
  • MTZ 762
  • SOA Subverter
  • Cronen Squall
  • FTAC Recon
  • Lachmann 762
  • SO-14
  • TAQ-V

Shotguns

  • Haymaker
  • Lockwood 680
  • Riveter
  • Bryson 800
  • Bryson 890
  • Expedite 12
  • KV Broadside
  • Lockwood 300
  • MX Guardian

LMGs

  • Bruen MK9
  • DG-58 LSW
  • Holger 26
  • Pulemyot 762
  • TAQ Eradicator
  • TAQ Evolvere
  • HCR 56
  • RAAL MG
  • RAPP H
  • RPK
  • Sakin MG38
  • 556 Icarus

Marksman rifles

  • DM56
  • KVD Enforcer
  • MCW 6.8
  • MTZ Interceptor
  • Crossbow
  • EBR-14
  • LM-S
  • Lockwood MK2
  • SA-B 50
  • SP-R 208
  • TAQ-M
  • Tempus Torrent

Sniper rifles

  • KATT AMR
  • KV Inhibitor
  • Longbow
  • XRK Stalker
  • Carrack .300
  • FJX Imperium
  • LA-B 330
  • MCPR-300
  • Signal 50
  • SP-X 80
  • Victus XMR

Pistols

  • COR 45
  • Renetti
  • TYR
  • WSP Stinger
  • .50 GS
  • Basilisk
  • FTAC Siege
  • GS Magna
  • P890
  • X12
  • X13 Auto
  • 9mm Daemon

Launchers

  • RGL 80
  • Stormender
  • JOKR
  • PILA
  • RPG-7
  • Strela-P

Melee

  • Gutter Knife
  • Karambit
  • Soulrender
  • Combat Knife
  • Dual Kamas
  • Dual Kodachis
  • Pickaxe
  • Riot Shield
  • Tonfa

That's everything there is to know about the best Modern Warfare 3 guns and weapons so far. For more Call of Duty, check out our Warzone page for the latest intel on the battle royale.