Best M16 loadout, attachment and perks in MW2

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Looking for the best M16 loadout in MW2? You’ve come to the right place. Boating a fast and powerful three-round burst, the M16 is among Modern Warfare 2’s most potent assault rifles, filling an important niche of medium range to long-range combat.

If you’re planning to use a rifle like this, there’s no reason to make it faster and easier to move with. Instead, you should focus on the gun’s built-in advantages to make it work best. Before we dive in, you might want to learn how to get longshot kills in Modern Warfare 2.

A screenshot of an M16 rifle in Call of Duty Black Ops.
A screenshot of an M16 rifle in MW2

Best M16 loadout and attachment in MW2

  • Receiver: M16
  • Optic: Cronen Mini Red Dot
  • Stock: Corio Precio Factory
  • Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
  • Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
  • Ammunition: 5.56 Overpressued +P

We get that you might want a stronger scope for this M16 setup, and there’s a point to discuss there. But for now, the Cronen Mini Red Dot is the top choice due to its sightlines and close-range combat opportunities. 

Also, the Corio Precio Factory and XTEN Grip attachments both make the gun easier to control and aim with. This is important since you need accuracy to be really effective. Plus, they help you move faster when aiming down sights.

Next up, you should go for the Corio Precio Factory stock. This will make the gun accurate and powerful, which is its strong suit. It makes it more stable and controls recoil better. Just remember it might slow down your movement a bit. 

Modern Warfare 2 M16 Loadout
Copyright Infinity Ward/Activision, Captured by Videogamer

Now, we’ve come to the FTAC Castle Comp, our muzzle choice. This will further enhance recoil control. To complete the setup, go with the 5.56 Overpressured +P ammo. It’ll make your opponents lose their aim while you stay on target. 

As usual, having a backup weapon is crucial in your loadout, even if you don’t plan to use it much. In this case we suggest using the Side Impact weapon blueprint for the X13 Auto. It’ll help you stay strong in close-quarters battles, where the M16 might be a bit sluggish.

Best Perks and equipment for M16 in MW2

  • Base Perk 1: Bomb Squad
  • Base Perk 2: Double Time
  • Bonus Perk: Quick Fix
  • Ultimate Perk: Fast Hands
  • Lethal Equipment: Semtex
  • Tactical Equipment: Stun Grenade
  • Field Upgrade: Dead Silence

We chose Bomb Squad and Double Time as our initial perks to lower explosive damage and allow extended sprinting across the map. Quick Fix swiftly restores health after each kill, and the Fast Hands Ultimate Perk amps up your reload speed.

As for equipment, the Stun Grenades and Dead Silence Field Upgrade are great for catching opponents off guard. Also, you can use a Semtex to deal damage to multiple targets at once.

Modern Warfare 2 M16 Perks
Copyright Infinity Ward/Activision, Captured by Videogamer

Best weapons to pair with the M16 in MW2

Kastov-74u Assault Rifle 

While it shares the M16’s weapon class, the Kastov is significantly more tuned towards short-range. This weapon’s uninterrupted rapid fire will pair nicely will the M16’s three-round burst, and will allow you to hold off any opponents that get in close. 

Kastov-74u

X13 Auto 

Another close-range alternative, but one that doesn’t require the Overkill perk to equip. The X13 is a secondary weapon that will help to increase your survivability against foes encroaching on your position, and has more of a chance of earning you kills than the basic X12 handgun. 

M16 Tips and Tricks

  • Proper use of the M16 means mastering the three-round burst. It’s helpful to think of the M16 less as a standard assault rifle and more as a specialized tool for long-range.
  • Swap to subweapons frequently if moving in enclosed locations.

Modern Warfare 2 – M16 FAQ

What Is the Best M16 Loadout in Modern Warfare 2?  

  • Perks – E.O.D., Focus 
  • Tactical Equipment – Tear Gas, Spotter Scope 
  • Attachments – Cronen Mini Red Dot Optic, 14″ Carbine Shroud Barrel, XTEN Grip 
  • Weapon Pairing – Kastov-74u Assault Rifle, X13 Auto Handgun 

How to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2

To unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2, you first have to reach level 14 with the 556 Icarus LMG. Then choose the weapon from the receiver platform within the updated Gunsmith system. Afterwards it’ll be added to your inventory.

About the Author

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)

  • Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
  • Genre(s): Action, First-Person Shooter, Shooter