Best MP40 Vanguard class loadout: Attachments, Perks, Proficiency, Setup

Brad Norton
CoD Vanguard MP40 smg

Call of Duty: Vanguard’s MP40 is a phenomenal SMG and it will help you to push the pace and keep you atop the scoreboard match after match in Season 5. From optimal attachments to the best equipment to use for the class, here’s all you need to know about this deadly SMG.

As with every gun in Vanguard, equipping your favorite weapon is just the beginning. With 70 weapon levels of unique attachments and unlocks in the game, you’re left with hundreds of potential builds to truly craft your ideal tool of destruction in Call of Duty.

With Vanguard’s Gunsmith feature, you have more options at your disposal than ever before. With up to 10 attachment slots on most weapons, the possible upgrades are immense.

The MP40 SMG is no slouch and is capable of taking over matches with its impressive TTK and powerful mobility.

From the best Ammo Types and Magazines down to the best weapon Proficiency and everything in between, here’s our rundown on the best MP-40 loadout in Vanguard Season 5.

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Contents


Best MP40 Vanguard loadout

CoD Vanguard MP40 in menu
The MP40 is a reliable SMG in Vanguard that only gets better with the right attachments.
  • Muzzle: Recoil Booster
  • Barrel: Krausnick 317MM 04B
  • Optic: Slate Reflector
  • Stock: Krausnick 33M Folding
  • Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
  • Magazine: 9MM 24 Round Fast Mags
  • Ammo Type: Lengthened
  • Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
  • Proficiency: Brace
  • Kit: Quick

With 10 categories to sift through, it can often be daunting trying to figure out where to start. So let’s break down each MP40 attachment to help you understand how this top-tier loadout works.

Kicking things off we have the Recoil Booster in the Muzzle slot along with the Krausnick 317MM 04B Barrel and both attachments here serve a similar purpose in boosting recoil control and weapon handling. With these combined, your SMG should be beaming in close to mid-range fights.

For the Optic, this one boils down to personal preference. We’ve settled on the Slate Reflector as something simple as there are no downsides to this option. If you’re looking down the list, just keep in mind that certain Optics have negative effects.

Vanguard MP40 Optics
You’ve got 17 Optics to pick from with the MP40 but choose wisely to avoid any negative effects.

Next up we have the Carver Foregrip Underbarrel, which also helps keep the MP40’s sizeable recoil in check. The SMG will always be devastating in close-quarters fights, but these extra boosts make it much more reliable on larger maps.

A change in your Magazine option could also serve you well with the MP40, and the 9MM 24 Round Fast Mags are our pick. While they do slightly reduce the mag size, the boost in reload speeds more than makes up for it.

When choosing your Ammo Type, there’s no reason not to settle on Lengthened rounds. Bullet Velocity is king in any CoD so this upgrade will have you killing foes considerably faster than usual.

We settled on the Stippled Grip to add even more accuracy and aid the recoil recovery. In combination with the other attachments in this loadout, the MP40 becomes an absolute laser.

MP40 Brace
Brace allows your first few bullets to be more accurate.

Brace is arguably the strongest weapon Proficiency for any SMG as it allows your first couple of bullets to be more accurate which can be essential for living or dying. 

As your second added benefit through the Kit, Quick should be an insta-pick for this SMG class. With faster sprint speeds, you’ll be blitzing through any given map on your way to the next gunfight.

Best MP40 Vanguard class (Perks, Equipment, & Field Upgrade)

Vanguard Ghost
Ghost is essential for this MP40 build as you’ll always be on the move.
  • Perk 1: Ghost
  • Perk 2: Radar
  • Perk 3: Overkill
  • Secondary: Automaton
  • Lethal: Thermite Grenade
  • Tactical: Stim
  • Field Upgrade: Dead Drop

When it comes to building out the rest of your MP40 loadout, Perks, Equipment, and Field Upgrades are just as important as your gun’s attachments. If anything, players overlook them in favor of having a fully-loaded weapon.

For Perks in this aggressive SMG class, there’s no looking past Ghost, to begin with. You’ll always be on the move, thus, you’ll always be hidden from enemy radars. It’s a tried and tested Perk that will help to secure your secrecy.

Next comes Radar which reveals enemies using unsilenced weapons on the map. You’ll see their indicators on your minimap, allowing you to push up and go for the kill. This intertwines nicely with Ghost and buffers your stealth by punishing other players for not taking advantage of stealth.

Vanguard Double Time
Double Time will ensure you never run out of Tac Sprint.

We always like having a solid weapon to fall back on if our primary one goes dry or needs a while to reload, so Overkill will give us this freedom. If you do so, slap on the Automaton as your secondary to mop up some enemies.

Your Lethal, Tactical, and Field Upgrade choices are also vital. A Thermite Grenade causes varying degrees of damage and can be effective in any game mode, so it should be a must in your loadout.

A Stim is also an absolutely necessary tool for any decent SMG build in Vanguard. Not only does it regenerate health in an instant, but it also replenishes your Tac Sprint, further improving your mobility and chances of success. 

As for your Field Upgrade, we feel Dead Drop is a game-changer as it gives you a chance to attain some of the game’s best Killstreaks.

Vanguard Stim
Stim is a game-changer for any SMG build in Vanguard.

That’s a full rundown on our optimal MP40 loadout in Vanguard, but as patches come and go, stats are likely to change across the board.

Rest assured, we’ll keep this loadout updated with the latest optimal attachments and equipment with each Vanguard update.

Best MP40 class Vanguard tips

The MP40 in Vanguard has been crowned the best SMG by several content creators and pros, even all these months later. However, to take full advantage of this loadout, you’ll have to understand how to effectively use it.

Here are a few tips on how to maximize our best MP40 Vanguard loadout:

  • This weapon is an SMG, your priority should be getting into close to medium-range engagements.
  • At extreme close ranges, hip-firing over aiming down the sights will be more effective.
  • The Ghost Perk will conceal you from the enemy mini-map, so don’t be afraid to be aggressive.
  • The use of “Stim” and “Double Time” paired with this MP40 class will allow you to be incredibly fast. Use this agility to enhance your movement.

Also, remember to always develop a playstyle that feels the best for you. With that said, if you’re still struggling to succeed with the MP40, these tips should be helpful.

How to unlock the MP40 in Vanguard

The MP40 is unlocked at level 16.

In order to unlock the MP40 in CoD Vanguard, you’ll need to reach Player rank 16. This shouldn’t take too long if you make use of Double XP tokens or play with the Assault and Blitz Combat Pacing. 

To maximize XP, also make sure to play the objective in game modes like Domination, Patrol, and Hardpoint.

Alternative to the MP40 Vanguard loadout

CoD Vanguard M1928
The M1928 is the fastest-firing SMG in Vanguard.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the MP40, then check out our M1928 loadout. This SMG may not be as popular as the MP40 in Vanguard, but its incredibly high rate of fire makes it one of the fastest-killing weapons in Vanguard.

Keep in mind that its firing rate results in less accuracy at range. So, if you do choose to use this SMG, your priority should be getting into close-range gunfights.


Looking for more Call of Duty: Vanguard updates and information? Check our list of guides below:

Best CoD Vanguard FOV settings | Best M1928 Vanguard loadout | Every CoD Vanguard perk | Best STG44 loadout | Best Vanguard controller settings | How to unlock Atomic camo | Best Armaguerra 43 CoD Vanguard loadout | Best M1916 Vanguard class loadout | Best Nikita AVT Vanguard class loadout

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About The Author

Brad Norton is the Australian Managing Editor at Dexerto. He graduated from Swinburne University with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and has been working full-time in the field for the past six years at the likes of Gamurs Group and now Dexerto. He loves all things single-player gaming (with Uncharted a personal favorite) but has a history on the competitive side having previously run Oceanic esports org Mindfreak. You can contact Brad at brad.norton@dexerto.com