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Wondering what the best guns in the MW3 are? The pre-release period for Activision’s latest installment has allowed players to try out most of what the game has to offer, including several weapons that’ll be included in the official launch.
Naturally, a few guns stand head and shoulders above their counterparts, and we’ll be looking at what they are here so you know what to use before you drop into a match. If you already have a weapon you prefer using the most, take a look at our recommendations for the best Pulemyot 762 loadout in MW3 and the best Rival 9 loadout in MW3 instead.
What are the best guns in the MW3?
The best guns in the MW3 are the following:
- Striker (SMG)
- MCW (Assault Rifle)
- SVA 545 (Assault Rifle)
- MTZ-556 (Assault Rifle)
- AMR9 (SMG)
The guns we’ve enumerated above are ones we’ve had the best experience using in the MW3 in no particular order. Unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by SMGs and Assault Rifles, as these weapon categories have often been some of the most used in the series’ history. If you want to learn a bit more about what makes these weapons tick, keep reading to find out.
Striker (SMG)
The Striker is good. It’s so good, in fact, that Sledgehammer Games had to nerf it through a patch ahead of the second MW3 beta weekend. But even with the significant power reduction, the quick-hitting SMG remains one of the most potent weapons in the game because of its high rate of fire and respectable damage. It becomes even stronger when equipped with the best Striker loadout in MW3, which is why most players often use this gun in matches.
MCW (Assault Rifle)
Though we opted not to rank each of the guns we’ve listed above, the MCW is arguably the best out of them all because of its ideal mix of stopping power, rate of fire, and long-range capabilities. Even if you don’t have the best MCW loadout in MW3 equipped, this weapon can still dish out plenty of pain to enemies unlucky enough to walk in front of your crosshairs.
SVA 545 (Assault Rifle)
Another Assault Rifle that’s nearly as strong as the previous weapon, the SVA 545 is a perfect substitute if you’re tired of using the all-powerful and ever-present MCW. Though its rate of fire and damage pales in comparison to the latter, its lighter weight enables you to move across maps slightly faster, allowing you to grab kills much quicker. Of course, you can have an even easier time racking up frags if you’ve got your best SVA 545 loadout in MW3 in tow.
MTZ-556 (Assault Rifle)
Despite the MTZ-556 being one of the first weapons you can use in the game, it still packs a mean punch compared to many others in the armory. Naturally, its rate of fire, damage, and recoil control are noticeably lower than that of its AR counterparts in the SVA 545 and MCW. However, we wouldn’t blame you for favoring this gun because, with the best MTZ-556 loadout in MW3 on your side, you’ll still undoubtedly have an easy time dominating matches.
AMR9 (SMG)
You could make the case that the AMR9 is now the best SMG in MW3 following the heavy nerf to the Striker. When comparing both base weapons, the former has a much better fire rate, range, accuracy, and damage than the latter, and it only gets better if you equip it with the best AMR9 loadout in MW3. But, at the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either of these two weapons, and you should still have a relatively easy time getting kills because of each one’s power.
That covers all you need to know about the best guns in the MW3. For more, take a look at our guides on the best WSP Stinger loadout in MW3, the best MTZ Interceptor loadout in MW3, and the best equipment in MW3.
MW3 Best Guns FAQs
Which gun does the most damage in MW3?
The gun that does the most damage in the MW3 is the KV Inhibitor sniper rifle.
What is the best weapon in MW3?
The best weapon in MW3 is either the MCW assault rifle or the Striker SMG.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Shooter