Best MW3 guns: Full meta & tier list
DexertoThe meta has shifted again after the Season 6 update, so to make sure your loadouts are still competitive, you need to update them and use the best MW3 guns available.
A range of weapons received buffs and nerfs this season, including some guns considered top-tier by the community. These changes have led to a few standout options taking over and other underrated weapons emerging as meta contenders in Modern Warfare 3.
What makes a gun meta varies from weapon to weapon, but typically they offer a competitive TTK, have great recoil control, and will consistently outgun weaker options. Other key stats include handling and mobility, which are extremely important in multiplayer due to its fast-paced gameplay.
While using non-meta weapons can be fun, there are times when it will leave you thoroughly outmatched and desperate for some momentum. In these situations, only the best guns will suffice, and these are what we recommend using.
MW3 guns Tier List
| TIER | Weapon |
|---|---|
| S | DTIR 30-06, SVA 545, Kar98k, STG44, BP50, RAM-9, Static-HV, XRK Stalker, Holger 556, COR-45 |
| A | MORS, MCW, Superi 46, SOA Subverter, Striker, MTZ-556, Rival-9, HRM-9, Longbow, Renetti, TAQ Eradicator, DM56, FJX Horus |
| B | MTZ-762, BAL-27, DG-58 LSW, Striker-9, KV Inhibitor, WSP Swarm, KATT-AMR, BAS-B, DG-56, AMR9, RAM-7, Kastov LSW, KVD Enforcer, Haymaker, MTZ Interceptor, Lockwood 680 |
| C | Reclaimer 18, WSP-9, FR 5.56, MCW 6.8, Holger 26, Bruen Mk9, Pulemyot 762, TYR, TAQ Evolvere, Sidewinder, Riveter, WSP Stinger |
Our tiers explained
- S Tier: Leading the meta, these are the very best guns in the game today.
- A Tier: While very strong picks on most maps and modes, these guns are just a cut below the very best.
- B Tier: Good weapons that are viable but fail to stand out in a meaningful way.
- C Tier: Weapons you should generally avoid unless grinding for camos or looking for a challenge.
The tiers assigned to each weapon assume you use the best possible loadout, including conversion kits. As such, there are weapons that rank higher specifically due to them having access to a powerful Aftermarket Part that elevates the gun.
Meta analysis
The DTIR 30-06’s arrival has shaken up this season’s meta big time, with it immediately becoming the best gun in Modern Warfare 3. Nerfs that followed soon after have reduced its dominance a little, but the new battle rifle is still easily the strongest weapon that you can use right now.
Otherwise, there were nerfs to both the Superi 46 and Static-HV, causing both SMGs to drop down the meta. While the Static-HV just about stays in S-Tier, the Superi 46 has dropped to A-Tier, as it no longer has nearly as much range. This limits its versatility, seeing the RAM-9 replace it as the current strongest submachine gun.
No other MW3 guns were adjusted, so the meta elsewhere has remained much the same as it was last season. That means the SVA 545, Kar98k, and STG44 are still among the best guns in MW3, even if the DTIR 30-06 has beaten them all to claim the top spot.
Interestingly, a staggering 24 MW2 guns were buffed in Season 6, making many of them viable or even competitive options. Some of the biggest winners of these changes include the TR-76 Geist, FTAC Recon, SO-14, PDSW 528, and BAS-P. We recommend trying these out, as they are performing much better now and offer some nice variety.
Best guns in MW3 ranked
10. COR-45
Dexerto- Muzzle: Sonic Suppressor XS
- Barrel: XRK Pyre-9 Heavy Long Barrel
- Ammunition: .45 Auto High Grain Rounds
- Rear Grip: Tactical Grip Cover
- Trigger Action: XRK Lightning Fire
The COR-45 is the best secondary weapon in MW3 right now, and it’s not close. Some bizarre nerfs ruined this weapon a few seasons ago, but they were quickly reverted, with the COR-45 being left in a state that is actually even better than where it started. Following these changes, it now has a ridiculous TTK of 218 ms up close, assuming you have a trigger finger capable of firing fast enough.
This gun won’t be for everyone, as it requires a certain level of skill to utilize properly. However, you will love using this if you are the kind of person who enjoys pistols in Call of Duty. To be frank, the COR-45 is one of the best pistols the franchise has ever seen, and it’s surprising more people don’t take advantage of it.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Exceptional close-range TTK | Semi-automatic |
| Fantastic handling | Requires trigger finger |
| Practically zero recoil | Limited range |
| Hipfire is very accurate | Low bullet velocity |
For the best COR-45 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
9. Holger 556
Dexerto- Conversion Kit: JAK Backsaw Kit
- Laser: DXS Flash 90
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: RB Addle Assault Stock
- Rear Grip: Morn-20 Grip
Strangely, the JAK Backsaw Kit isn’t that popular, with several other assault rifles seeing considerably more use. However, that shouldn’t be the case, as this powerful conversion kit transforms the Holger 556 into one of the best guns in multiplayer.
With a TTK of just 255 ms out to 32 meters, this gun is one of the most lethal options you can use. It doesn’t just hit hard either, as the JAK Backsaw Kit comes with an integrated 100 Round Drum, yet somehow also has good mobility and handling. At long range, its bizarre double barrel setup makes it impractical, but at both short and medium ranges, it outguns every other AR with ease.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fast close to medium range TTK | Requires conversion kit |
| 100 Round Drum magazine | Inaccurate at long range |
| Fast reload for magazine size | Limited attachment options |
| Surprisingly fast handling | Mediocre mobility stats |
For the best Holger 556 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
8. XRK Stalker
Dexerto- Barrel: Handler LKP Short Barrel
- Laser: SL Razorhawk Laser Light
- Stock: No Stock
- Ammunition: .50 Cal High Grain Rounds
- Bolt: XRK Stalker Light Bolt
The world’s leading scientists couldn’t explain why the XRK Stalker was given such an absurd buff back in Season 5. They probably couldn’t explain why it wasn’t nerfed in later seasons either. Regardless, this sniper rifle can now kill in one shot to any part of the body, making this an objectively superior version of the KATT-AMR.
You can build the XRK Stalker for quickscoping and have a lot of success. Given that even a shot to the foot is now enough to secure kills, it’s not like you need to be accurate anyway. Following the damage buff, this gun outclasses almost every other sniper rifle, with the Kar98k remaining the only worthwhile alternative thanks to its faster handling.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| One shot kill anywhere to the body | Small magazine (5 Rounds) |
| Fast handling for a sniper | Slow rate of fire |
| Exceptional range | Sluggish sprint to fire speed |
| Solid mobility stats | Hard to use up close |
For the best XRK Stalker loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
7. Static-HV
Dexerto- Muzzle; Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Garrote-8 Long Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Spry 34 Light Stock
- Underbarrel: Kimura Ryn-03 Vertical Grip
Both the WSP Swarm and FJX Horus are excellent close-range weapons that excel on smaller maps. Despite this, there’s no reason to use either of them anymore, as the Static-HV has completely replaced them, with this powerhouse being an unquestionably top-tier gun, even after its damage was nerfed in Season 6.
Its potential TTK of 219 ms is so absurd it wouldn’t look out of place in a game with 100 HP. With Modern Warfare 3’s increased health, you can imagine just how overpowered this is. Even in its second damage range at 40 meters, the Static-HV remains competitive, especially since it has so little recoil.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Deadly close-range TTK | Requires a headshot to reach TTK potential |
| Impressive range for an SMG | Lackluster mobility |
| Fast handling | Slow reload |
| Very low recoil | Iron sights are hard to use |
For the best Static-HV loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
6. RAM-9
Dexerto- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: XRK Coremark 40 Heavy Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
These days, there’s an argument for several submachine guns being the best, with almost all of them being competitive. It largely depends on your playstyle, but the RAM-9 is the current premier choice, being the best all-around option in Season 6. It’s highly mobile, extremely accurate, and has an incredible TTK when compared to other submachine guns, killing in just 260 ms.
What gives the RAM-9 a big edge over its competition is that it’s a rare case of a gun with a meta-defining TTK that’s also easy to use. Previously, it lost this ease of use following several nerfs, but the addition of the Paracord Grip has once again returned it, making its recoil very easy to control. This meta attachment has pushed the RAM-9 to the top once again, cementing its place as the MW3’s best SMG.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Competitive close-range TTK | Average mobility stats |
| Extremely versatile for an SMG | Low bullet velocity |
| High rate of fire | Fairly slow reload |
| Fast handling | Iron sights obscure vision |
For the best RAM-9 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
5. BP50
Dexerto- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Lore-9 Heavy Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: MOAT-40 Stock
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
When it was first added, the BP50 was by far the best weapon in the game. It had SMG-level handling but assault rifle performance elsewhere, making it the ultimate all-rounder. Multiple nerfs since have made worse, but that doesn’t mean the BP50’s time as a meta gun is over. That’s far from the case, with this still being one of the best guns in Modern Warfare 3.
The BP50 is a really good weapon with a competitive TTK, low recoil, and great handling when compared to other assault rifles. It just about loses out to the STG4 and SVA 545’s incredible range, but the margins are extremely tight, and there are sure to be plenty of players who prefer the feel of this reimagined F2000.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great TTK given its ease of use | Low mobility |
| Minimal recoil | Fairly slow reload |
| High rate of fire | Can struggle at long range |
| Competes with SMGs up close | Has been nerfed several times |
For the best BP50 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
4. STG44
Dexerto- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Factory Short Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: DR79 Combo Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
While in Warzone, the STG44 has been dominating lobbies ever since it was added; its impact in multiplayer has been slightly less spectacular. Even so, it is still an incredible assault rifle that offers unrivalled accuracy, securing its status as the best gun on larger maps and game modes like Ground War and Invasion.
The STG44 is fantastic, with its ability to laser enemies from any distance making it trivial to lock down lanes or power positions. Its damage is also surprisingly high for a gun this accurate, with its 300 ms TTK being very competitive. In many ways, the STG44 has replaced the MCW as the king of accuracy, with the once-meta AR now stepping aside for this modernized rendition of one of history’s most iconic rifles.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Extremely easy to use | Unimpressive mobility stats |
| Incredible damage range | Low rate of fire |
| Very low recoil | Hard to use up close |
| Competitive TTK | Inaccurate hipfire |
For the best STG44 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
3. Kar98k
Dexerto- Muzzle: Sonic Suppressor L
- Barrel: Bryson Carbine-S Barrel
- Optic: SP-X 6.6X
- Stock: No Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Making its first return to Modern Warfare since the original reboot, the Kar98k is as good as ever. There are a lot of reasons as to why this is MW3’s best sniper, but the two main ones are its rapid handling and impressive mobility, which make it a terrifying prospect given that it kills in just one shot.
The Kar98k used to have enhanced aim assist due to it being a marksman rifle. However, this was nerfed, making this weapon much more difficult to use on a controller. Despite these changes, the Kar98k’s absurd handling and one-shot kill potential mean it is still very much a top-tier weapon, and if a skilled player is using this in your lobby, you’ll soon be praying they switch to literally anything else.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Reliable one-shot kill | Low rate of fire |
| Very fast handling for a sniper | Long reload time |
| High bullet velocity | Flinches a lot when aimed in |
| MW3’s best gun for quickscoping | No scope equipped by default |
For the best Kar98k loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
2. SVA 545
Dexerto- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: STV Precision Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Mane V6 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Though not particularly flashy, the SVA 545 has remained a meta assault rifle ever since Modern Warfare 3 was first released. However, many players still don’t realize just how good it is, with this currently being the second-best gun in the game, offering both high damage and low recoil, making for a devastating combination.
By far the SVA 545’s greatest strength is that its first two shots fire faster, resulting in a really good TTK as long as you hit them. Also, it has next to no weaknesses, which means it is an ever-reliable assault rifle that does exactly what you need it to do, no matter what map or mode. This is never a bad option, which is not something you can say about most other guns.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Exceptional TTK potential | Missing opening shots ruins TTK |
| Incredible damage range | Somewhat low rate of fire |
| Low recoil | Mediocre mobility |
| The most versatile gun in MW3 | Not the easiest gun to use |
For the best SVA 545 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
1. DTIR 30-06
Dexerto- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: EXTND-10 Long Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Demo Nimble Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
How many times have you heard the community joke about the new battle pass gun being overpowered? Well, it doesn’t look like those jokes will be stopping anytime soon, as the DTIR 30-06 is the best gun in Modern Warfare 3 right now after being added in Season 6.
More than anything, it’s this gun’s exceptional accuracy that makes it so powerful. It doesn’t matter what range you are at; you shouldn’t be missing shots with this battle rifle. That alone would make it a great alternative to the STG44, but it also has a spectacular time to kill of 254 ms. That’s faster than most submachine guns up close, yet the DTIR 50-06 maintains that damage well over 50 meters.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fast TTK | Small magazine (20 rounds) |
| Little to no recoil | Very low rate of fire |
| Great damage range | Hard to use up close |
| Anyone can dominate with it | Requires Battle Pass progression to unlock |
For the best DTIR 30-06 loadout in MW3, check out our guide.
That’s all for the best guns in MW3, but there’s plenty more you can learn about this year’s Call of Duty. For starters, you’ll want to make sure you are using the best controller settings and best PC settings to make your gameplay seemless. Plus, we’ve broken down the game’s full map list and selection of killstreaks, so you know exactly what to expect.