10 most popular guns in Warzone: Best meta weapons in Season 1

With so many guns to pick from across Warzone’s vast arsenal, Call of Duty players are in a constant battle to figure out which are the most popular, and Season 1 is no exception.

Black Ops 6 has officially been integrated into Warzone, bringing with it over 30 new weapons. This has drastically shaken up the meta, making it harder than ever to figure out which are worth using. After all, not all of your old loadouts are going to cut it anymore following a huge list of buffs and nerfs.

Naturally, the best guns are the most used, so looking at what the community favors is a good idea. Using data from WZRanked, here are the 10 most popular guns in Warzone right now that players are most interested in and using on their loadouts.

Most used guns in Warzone

1. XM4 – 19.44%

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The XM4 is currently the most popular gun in Warzone, largely thanks to its remarkable accuracy at long range. It was already a laser at the start of Season 1, but the addition of the Buffer Weight Stock in The Hit List event has made it the best weapon in the meta.

With the powerful stock equipped, the XM4 isn’t just the most accurate weapon that’s currently available but also one of the most accurate to ever exist. You can unload a full magazine and hardly miss a shot. It’s not as though this gun deals low damage either, with the XM4 having one of the most competitive TTKs of any assault rifle in the game.

2. DTIR 30-06 – 16.42%

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Added back in Season 6, the DTIR 30-06 was previously the best gun in Warzone, but the introduction of new weapons in BO6 has seen it lose the top spot. Even so, it remains a popular option, with many players sticking with it. To be fair, it is still very competitive and is one of the few MW3 guns that has survived the integration.

A big advantage the DTIR has is that Black Ops 6 scrapped battle rifles as a weapon category, so there’s no direct competition for guns like this. As such, if you want a hard-hitting BR, the DTIR-30-06 is still your best option. It was slightly nerfed in Season 1 but remains an all-around strong primary that can hold its own in just about any lobby.

3. Static-HV – 9.31%

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The Static-HV was hit with some hefty nerfs in Season 1, as was the case with most MW3 SMGs. It had its damage range and bullet velocity reduced, with these changes bringing it more in line with the newer Black Ops 6 guns. While these changes were notable, they haven’t stopped this ever-reliable gun from remaining a meta contender, and its popularity supports that.

The main reason players used the Static-HV in the first place was its impressive damage and large magazine, both of which have remained untouched following the BO6 integration. As such, this is still a great gun that can absolutely dominate up close. Just don’t expect quite the same level of versatility, with the nerfs making it useless at medium range.

4. Superi 46 – 7.27%

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The Superi 46 is a fast-handling weapon that’s perfectly suited to playing aggressively. That was true before the Black Ops 6 update and remains true in Season 1. After all, the Superi’s mobility stats remain unchanged in the latest patch, ensuring that this is still the fastest submachine gun in the current meta.

However, it did receive a massive range nerf, with its second damage range being reduced by over 7 meters. As a result, the Superi 46 is unable to compete at medium range anymore, making it strictly a close-range weapon. However, as long as you keep gunfights up close, this is still a meta-defining gun that is well worth using.

5. C9 – 6.60%

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Funnily enough, the C9 isn’t actually the best SMG added alongside Black Ops 6 – that title belongs to the Jackal PDW – but it is the most popular. That’s probably because it’s the first SMG you unlock from the new Call of Duty, and it’s a very well-rounded option with no real flaws.

It doesn’t take too much investigating to figure out that this is the latest rendition of the MP5, also known as the Lachmann Sub. Given how dominant that gun has been in Warzone, it’s no surprise that the C9 has also become a fan favorite. If you are looking for a versatile submachine gun that feels good to use, this iconic gun is a great option that is unlikely to leave the meta anytime soon.

6. Kar98k – 3.96%

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Snipers have been meta in Warzone since day one, but it was the Kar98k that saw them take over entirely. Since its initial preeminence, the Kar98k has been nerfed several times, but it’s still a really good weapon. Its fast handling makes it the best sniper in Warzone, and powerful snipers are always going to be popular.

In saying that, it isn’t flawless. The Kar98k is mainly used in Resurgence game modes, where the mode’s smaller maps play to its strengths. Since the Kar98k has a limited one-shot kill range of 69 meters, which was reduced yet again in Season 1. In modes where these big maps are in rotation, you are better off using a heavy-duty sniper like the LR 7.62 or KATT-AMR.

7. Tanto .22 – 3.85%

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The Tanto .22 is a truly unique SMG that plays like no other. It hits very hard but has a bizarrely slow fire rate at just 441 RPM. This makes it an incredible option for those who can hit their shots but very unforgiving if you miss any at all. It is a high-skill, high-reward weapon that won’t be for everyone.

Given this, it’s somewhat surprising that the Tanto .22 has proven so popular. However, there is definitely an appeal to this gun and the way it feels. With some practice, you can outgun other players with ease, both up close and at medium range. After all, this is one of the very few SMGs left that is genuinely versatile and can even challenge assault rifles.

8. MCW – 5.83%

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Be it the regular version or with the JAK Raven Kit equipped, the MCW has always been a fan favorite. In truth, it wasn’t meta for the longest time, being outclassed by other options. However, buffs back in Season 6 saw the MCW become one of the best guns in Warzone. It was later nerfed in Season 1 but remains a good option that anyone can enjoy using.

It has the least recoil of any MW3 assault rifle, which is fantastic for both lower-skill players and those who want to kick back and relax. This makes it a great choice if you have a more casual mindset, hence its popularity. The only criticism against it is that the XM4 is just a better MCW these days, providing comparably low recoil but better damage and range.

9. AK-74 – 2.58%

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The days of the Kastov 762 are long gone, but that doesn’t mean Kalashnikov fans are out of luck, as Black Ops 6 has added the AK-74. This assault rifle is a great option, providing high damage if you can control its recoil, with it having considerably more kick than most other meta options. Even so, its rapid TTK speaks for itself, beating out every other automatic AR in the game.

This impressive damage is the lone reason why the AK-74 has become so popular. Even though it can be a handful, this isn’t that big a problem if you mainly play Resurgence, where gunfights are typically medium range at most. However, you’ll want to avoid this if you prefer traditional battle royale, as the AK-74 is not the best competitive gun at long range.

10. AMES 85 – 1.98%

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You can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned assault rifle, and the AMES 85 is just that. It doesn’t stand out in any particular area but offers a nice balance of accuracy, damage, and range, making it very well suited to Warzone. In many ways, it feels a lot like the Holger 556 with a larger magazine, so if you enjoyed using that gun, you’ll enjoy this too.

This is exactly why the AMES 85 has become as popular as it has. There’s no real downside to using this AR, with it performing well in every area that matters. Sometimes a well-rounded and reliable gun is all you need, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t want to stress about the meta constantly. It isn’t the best gun by any means, but the AMES 85 is a solid option that will rarely let you down.

Those are the ten most popular guns in Warzone right now. For more ideas on what to use, check out the best loadouts, as well as the top assault rifles, SMGs, and sniper rifles that are all dominating the meta right now.