MW3’s meta has shifted again after the Season 5 Reloaded update, so to ensure your loadouts are still competitive, you need to use the best guns and builds possible.
In the most recent update, a range of weapons received buffs and nerfs, 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.
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 alternatives. 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 loadouts will suffice.
Best Absolute meta loadouts in Season 5 Reloaded
If you want to be as competitive as possible and use the best weapons in MW3, these are the strongest options in the meta right now.
Holger 556 (JAK Backsaw Kit)
- 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 solid 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.
Kar98k
- Barrel: Bryson Carbine-S Barrel
- Laser: SL Razorhawk Laser Light
- Optic: Range Caller v3.4 Optic
- 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 ton of reasons why this is the case, 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.
RAM-9
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Comb: Recon Comb
These days, there’s an argument for several SMGs being the best, with almost all of them being competitive. It largely depends on playstyle, but you can’t overlook the RAM-9, which is the best all-around option in Season 5 Reloaded. It’s highly mobile, extremely accurate, and has an incredible TTK when compared to other submachine guns, killing in just 260 ms.
What used to give the RAM-9 a big edge over its competition was that it was a rare case of a gun with a meta-defining TTK that was also easy to use. Several nerfs back in Season 3 Reloaded saw it lose this ease of use, though it was later buffed in Season 4, returning some of that initial power. While it isn’t perfect in its current state, the RAM-9’s strengths ensure it is still the best SMG in the game.
Static-HV
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Auger 840 Light Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Rear Grip: Thar-V1.2 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 debuting at the start of Season 5 as an unquestionably top-tier gun.
Its TTK of 219 ms is so absurd it wouldn’t look out of place in a CoD game with just 100 HP. With Modern Warfare 3’s increased health, you can imagine just how overpowered this is. Even in its second damage out to 40 meters, the Static-HV remains competitive, especially since it has so little recoil. It somehow entirely avoided nerfs in Season 5 Reloaded, so you can keep taking advantage of this incredible weapon.
SVA 545
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: STV Precision Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Mane V6 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Though not flashy, the SVA 545 has been a meta assault rifle ever since Modern Warfare 3 first launched. Admittedly, it has seen more success in Warzone, but this AR is a fantastic gun in multiplayer too, where it excels as a true jack-of-all-trades primary weapon elevated by its phenomenal damage.
The SVA 545’s greatest strength is that it has no real weakness. Recoil control? Very manageable. Time to kill? Surprisingly fast. Handling and mobility? Solid enough. Its complete lack of weaknesses means it is an ever-reliable assault rifle that does exactly what you need it to do, no matter what map or mode you are on.
Best Meta loadouts in Season 5 Reloaded
Although these guns might not be as strong as the Absolute Meta options, they can still hold their own even in the most competitive lobbies, making them excellent options for you to use.
BP50
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Lore-9 Heavy Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Moat-40 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
When it was first added back in Season 2, 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 in Season 2 Reloaded onward made it much worse, but that doesn’t mean the BP50’s time as a meta gun is over.
Even in Season 5 Reloaded, the BP50 is still a really good weapon with a competitive TTK, low recoil, and great mobility for an assault rifle. It loses out to the 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.
Rival-9 (JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion)
- Conversion Kit: JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip
The JAK Headhunter is arguably the most underrated weapon in Modern Warfare 3. This burst SMG has a comical TTK of 208 ms out to 25 meters, which quite literally outperforms every other automatic gun in the game. It’s not inaccurate or has slow mobility either, this gun really doesn’t have many weaknesses at all.
So, why aren’t more players using it? Part of this is probably that burst weapons aren’t as popular, but the biggest contributing factor is that people simply don’t know it exists. However, you do after reading this entry, so go ahead and try it out. I promise you won’t be disappointed by this genuinely sensational gun.
SOA Subverter
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Dozer-90 Long Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Magazine: 7.62×51 30 Round Mag
There was a short stint back in Season 2 where the SOA Subverter was arguably the best gun in the game. However, it has been long since nerfed, with its handling slowed down considerably. Despite this, the SOA Subverter retains its incredible damage output and TTK, giving it a place in the meta, even if that place is more niche than before.
While beforehand it was effectively just an assault rifle that dealt more damage, these days it’s more like an LMG with faster handling and mobility. This means that while you can’t exactly run and gun with the SOA Subverter anymore, it is still a fantastic option for slower-pace playstyles and locking down power positions.
STG44
- 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, its impact in multiplayer has been less spectacular. Even so, it is still a strong assault rifle that offers unmatched accuracy, making it a particularly strong option in large-scale game modes like Ground War and Invasion.
Even in 6v6, the STG44 is great, with its ability to laser enemies at any distance making it a brilliant choice for controlling important lanes. 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 an iconic World War II rifle.
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Superi 46
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Lux 30 Heavy Barrel
- Stock: Rescue-9 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Rear Grip: Phantom Grip
Looking back at all of the complaints about MW2’s sluggish movement, the Superi 46 really shows just how different MW3 is. When built solely for mobility, it used to be possible to get an ADS Movement Speed of 5.0 m/s on this SMG. That is absurdly quick, being almost 15% faster than any other primary weapon.
However, nerfs in Season 5 toned back the Superi 46’s mobility slightly, with key stats like sprint speed and movement speed being reduced. It’s still an extremely mobile weapon, but it no longer stands out so much that its mobility alone makes it absolute meta. As such, it has dropped down the rankings but remains a really good weapon nonetheless.
TAQ Eradicator
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Conquer-70 Long Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Tacverte Core Stock
- Magazine: 45 Round Mag
Unfortunately, most LMGs aren’t worth using in Modern Warfare 3. Even the seemingly huge buffs to the Pulemyot 762 in Season 5 Reloaded only made it viable at best, but still far from meta. However, there is one exception to this rule, the TAQ Eradicator.
Introduced back in Season 1, the TAQ Eradicator has good damage, great range, and surprisingly fast handling for a machine gun. When built correctly, it feels good, like a heavy-duty assault rifle with a rapid rate of fire. Naturally, you don’t want to run and gun with this, but those who enjoy playing a little slower should see plenty of success with this loadout.
XRK Stalker
- Barrel: Handler LKP Short Barrel
- Laser: SL Razorhawk Laser Light
- Stock: Helix LV Light 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 at the start of Season 5. They probably couldn’t explain why it wasn’t nerfed in Season 5 Reloaded either. Either way, 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 aim much anyway. This gun outclasses almost every sniper rifle, with the Kar98k remaining the only worthwhile alternative thanks to its faster handling.
Best off-meta loadouts in Season 5 Reloaded
These off-meta weapons aren’t necessarily favored by the community, but when used right, they are still seriously powerful and can even leave the best weapons outmatched.
COR-45
- Muzzle: HMRES Mod Suppressor
- Barrel: XRK Pyre-9 Heavy Long Barrel
- Ammunition: .45 Auto High Grain Rounds
- Trigger Action: XRK Lightning Fire
- Rear Grip: Tactical Grip Cover
The COR-45 was demolished at the start of Season 5 after Sledgehammer reduced its fire rate so much that it couldn’t outgun anything. However, this hasn’t just been reverted; the current version of this pistol is actually the best we’ve ever seen.
With the XRK Lightning Fire trigger equipped, the COR-45 can now fire at 551 RPM, resulting in a close-range TTK of just 218 ms. If you have a good trigger finger and are skilled enough to keep the COR-45 on target, its damage cements this handgun’s place as the best secondary weapon in Modern Warfare 3.
DM56 (JAK Signal Burst)
- Conversion Kit: JAK Signal Burst
- Muzzle: T51R Billeted Brake
- Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
- Stock: Holger Recoil Pad
- Magazine: 30 Round Mag
Most players don’t even know that this Aftermarket Part got a huge buff back in Season 4. The JAK Signal Burst AMP was stealth buffed, having its recoil reduced greatly, which makes those desirable one-burst kills a real possibility now. With MW3 having increased health, any gun that can kill in one burst is going to be strong, and this is no exception.
So, what’s the catch? Consistency-wise, this attachment is hit or miss. While it can genuinely dominate lobbies, it can just as easily let you down. It’s a good gun, and burst weapon enthusiasts should give it a go, but don’t expect it to take over the meta anytime soon. Despite this, the DM56 is still the best burst gun in the game, beating out the M16, FR 5.56, and DG-56.
FTAC Recon
- Muzzle: JAK BFB
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
- Ammunition: .458 High Velocity
- Magazine: 15 Round Mag
The FTAC Recon received the biggest buff of any weapon in Season 5 Reloaded, having its damage increased across the board. This has big implications for the MW2 gun when used in full auto mode, as its highly competitive TTK of 222 ms now stretches beyond 40 meters, making it one of the fastest-killing long-range weapons in the game.
However, it isn’t necessarily meta. Some big issues include its small magazine capacity, high recoil, and sluggish handling, all of which prevent it from being top-tier. Even so, a gun with this much raw damage and range is hard to ignore, with the FTAC Recon being an underrated option that can excel in the hands of a skilled player.
Lachmann Shroud (JAK Decimator)
- Conversion Kit: JAK Decimator
- Laser: Kimura Ryl33 Laser Light
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Ammunition: 9mm Sub OP
The story of the Lachmann Shroud is a strange one. It is based on the MP5-SD, an integrally suppressed version of the MP5, which already exists as the Lachmann Sub. Why this version was released in MW2 as its own gun rather than just an attachment is unknown, but what makes the Shroud even weirder is that it was originally a burst weapon of all things.
Sledgehammer fixed this by introducing the JAK Decimator, an Aftermarket Part that turns the Lachmann Shroud into the full-auto SMG it should have always been. It betters its cousin’s TTK and has great mobility but is let down by its weaker attachment pool, as is the case with so many other MW2 weapons. It’s still damn good, but it could have been truly great.
M13B
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Bruen Flash V4 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Ammunition: 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds
Considering the M13B is best known for being a low-damage, high-accuracy weapon that was meta back in Warzone 2, you really wouldn’t expect it to be good in multiplayer. However, this MW2 assault rifle is incredibly strong, feeling a lot like the original MCW before it was nerfed.
It is an extremely accurate weapon that literally anyone can pick up and dominate with. Despite this, it has a surprisingly fast TTK of just 284 ms. It’s not the absolute best MW3 has to offer, but considering how easy it is to use, the M13B outclasses a lot of its competitors. It’s just a shame that its attachment pool leaves a lot to be desired, with none of its stocks, barrels, or rear grips being viable.
Renetti (JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit)
- Conversion Kit: JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
- Muzzle: ELR Blackfire Compensator
- Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
- Stock: Ravage-8
- Magazine: 30 Round Mag
The Renetti is a secondary weapon, but in terms of performance, it competes with the best primaries in MW3. More specifically, it’s the Renetti with the JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit equipped that is so strong, transforming the burst weapon into a rapid-fire machine pistol. With this configuration, it has a TTK of 280 ms beyond 40 meters. That’s assault rifle range in a weapon that can fit in your pocket.
This Conversion Kit does give the Renetti a lot more recoil and lowers its mobility, so it’s not flawless. Even so, this is a powerful secondary that offers a full-auto option for those who don’t fancy the COR-45. We don’t expect a nerf anytime soon either, as this conversion kit has gone multiple seasons without receiving any adjustments.
SO-14
- Muzzle; Quartermaster Suppressor
- Optic: Corio Eagleseye 2.5x
- Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
- Ammunition: 7.62x51mm High Grain Rounds
- Comb: PD-A40 Sleeve
In Modern Warfare 2, the SO-14 had one role and one role only: shooting down enemy streaks. It still works well for that to this day, but the overlooked battle rifle is also a great weapon in its own right. In semi-auto mode, this gun kills in three shots out to 36 meters, resulting in a phenomenal TTK of just 220 ms.
There is a fairly substantial jump between its first shot and second shot, which does take some practice to master. However, beyond that, it has very little recoil, so landing that final decisive blow is easy enough. It won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy semi-auto weapons that reward precision, the SO-14 is a good choice. Just do yourself a favor and don’t use full-auto mode; the recoil is unbearable.
All guns in Modern Warfare 3
Below you’ll find a list of every gun that’s currently available in MW3, split up by weapon class, with links to guides on the best loadouts for each of them.
MW3 Assault Rifles
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| DG-56 | Loadout/Class |
| FR 5.56 | Loadout/Class |
| Holger 556 | Loadout/Class |
| MCW | Loadout/Class |
| MTZ-556 | Loadout/Class |
| SVA 545 | Loadout/Class |
| RAM-7 | Loadout/Class |
| BP50 | Loadout/Class |
| BAL-27 | Loadout/Class |
| STG44 | Loadout/Class |
MW3 SMGs
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| AMR9 | Loadout/Class |
| Rival-9 | Loadout/Class |
| Striker | Loadout/Class |
| Striker 9 | Loadout/Class |
| WSP-9 | Loadout/Class |
| WSP Swarm | Loadout/Class |
| HRM-9 | Loadout/Class |
| RAM-9 | Loadout/Class |
| FJX Horus | Loadout/Class |
| Superi 46 | Loadout/Class |
| Static-HV | Loadout/Class |
MW3 Battle Rifles
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| BAS-B | Loadout/Class |
| MTZ-762 | Loadout/Class |
| Sidewinder | Loadout/Class |
| SOA Subverter | Loadout/Class |
MW3 LMGs
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| Bruen Mk9 | Loadout/Class |
| DG-58 LSW | Loadout/Class |
| Holger 26 | Loadout/Class |
| Pulemyot 762 | Loadout/Class |
| TAQ Eradicator | Loadout/Class |
| TAQ Evolvere | Loadout/Class |
MW3 Snipers
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| KATT-AMR | Loadout/Class |
| KV Inhibitor | Loadout/Class |
| Longbow | Loadout/Class |
| XRK Stalker | Loadout/Class |
| MORS | Loadout/Class |
MW3 Shotguns
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| Haymaker | Loadout/Class |
| Lockwood 680 | Loadout/Class |
| Riveter | Loadout/Class |
| Reclaimer 18 | Loadout/Class |
MW3 Marksman Rifles
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| DM56 | Loadout/Class |
| KVD Enforcer | Loadout/Class |
| MCW 6.8 | Loadout/Class |
| MTZ Interceptor | Loadout/Class |
| Kar98k | Loadout/Class |
MW3 Handguns
| Weapon | Guide |
|---|---|
| COR-45 | Loadout/Class |
| Renetti | Loadout/Class |
| TYR | Loadout/Class |
| WSP Stinger | Loadout/Class |
That’s all for the best guns in MW3, but you’ll also want to check out the best assault rifles to learn more about the meta. Furthermore, these are the best controller settings and PC settings to make sure your experience is properly optimized, and this full map list details multiplayer’s current offerings, so you know exactly what to expect.