While we’ve already discussed the best weapons in each specific weapon category, this guide aims to cover the overall best weapons in Modern Warfare 3. We’ve ranked these guns based on how early you can get access to them, their damage output, how easy the recoil control is, and their flexibility in fitting into different loadouts.
This is as good as it gets in Modern Warfare 3 at the moment. So, without further dilly dally, here’s our tier list of the best weapons in MW3:
| Photo | Name | Tier | Weapon Speciality | Damage | Max Range | TTK | Loadout Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | M4 | S | The most balanced AR you can use at lower levels | 38/28/28 | 26.7 | 0.44s | M4 Loadout Guide |
 | MCW | S | The best AR in MW3 based on it having the fastest TTK | 44/37/34 | 26.7 | 0.42s | MCW Loadout Guide |
 | Striker | S | Has balanced rate of fire, damage, recoil, and handling stats | 46/39/36 | 9.7 | 0.37s | Striker Loadout Guide |
 | Lockwood 300 | S | Highest damage output after Dual Trigger | 60/54/50 | 27.2 | 1.05s | Lockwood 300 Loadout Guide |
 | FJX Imperium | S | Best Sniper Rifle for quickscoping | 480/250/155 | 73.4 | 1.2s | FJX Imperium Loadout Guide |
 | PuleMyot 762 | S | LMG with the highest damage and mobility after using the bullpup conversion kit | 480/250/155 | 34.3 | 1.2s | PuleMyot 762 Loadout Guide |
M4
Unlocks at Level 4
The M4 is currently best gun in MW3 because of its excellent recoil, and great damage at practically every range. Plus, it unlocks at Level 4, which means you can use it pretty quick. It can essentially be built into any kind of AR and will perform well. A lot of players in the community use it in their Warzone loadouts as well.
Recommended Attachments for the M4:
- Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
- Muzzle: FJX Fulcrum Pro // Shadowstrike Suppressor
- Barrel: Hightower 20” Barrel
- Stock: Tempus P80 Strike Stock
This will create an all-rounder M4 for you that excels at close, medium, and long range. You’ll have a lot of stability, higher damage at long ranges, and increased mobility to maneuver within buildings.
We also have a loadout and class setup guide for the best gun in Modern Warfare 3, the M4.
MCW
Unlocks at Level 44
The M4 is great for the early levels but for the late-game grind, you have a lot of better ARs at your disposal in MW3.
The MCW unlocks at level 44 and is the best Assault Rifle you can use in Modern Warfare 3 based on it having the fastest TTK in the game, allowing you to beam players at any range. It was crowned as the best AR by COD Pros when the MW3 beta came out, and we are seeing the same results in the final game as well.
This gun is a recreation of the ACR from the original Modern Warfare 3 and has a similar low recoil and high accuracy feel to it. This is the first AR I unlocked the Gold camo for in MW3.
Recommended attachments for the MCW:
- Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
- Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Rear Grip: RB Claw PSL-Grip
- Magazine: 40 Round Mag
The suppressor lets you move around the map stealthily. You’ll mow down enemies in seconds anyway, so expect some easy killstreaks with this weapon. I’m sure it’ll get nerfed pretty soon as well.
We also have a loadout guide for the MCW in Modern Warfare 3 for you!
Striker
Unlocks at Level 4
Maybe ARs aren’t your thing, or you are simply looking for something a lot faster and easy to handle. In that case, you can take a look at the SMGs in Modern Warfare 3.
The Striker is the best SMG you can use in MW3 (2023) based on its balanced rate of fire, damage, recoil, and handling stats that help you melt players in a flash. This is the first SMG you get access to once Custom Loadouts unlock for you at Level 4 & turns out to be a solid choice.
Recommended Attachments for the Striker:
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Barrel: Striker Recon Long Barrel
- Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
- Magazine: 48 Round Mag
- Stock: Lachmann MK2 Light Stock
I’ve selected these attachments to help you increase the Striker’s overall range, make it more stable with aiming down sights, and have a larger magazine for longer sprays.
Check out our loadout guide for the Striker in MW3!
Lockwood 300
Unlocks at Level 4
Alright, enough with the ARs and the SMGs. Let’s talk about something more destructive. Something with a little more oomph to it. Something that’ll leave your enemies triggered and terrified…
The Lockwood 300 is one of the best weapons in Modern Warfare 3, thanks to it having the highest damage output for a shotgun (after using the Dual trigger) and its ability to one-shot enemies at close to medium range.
This weapon becomes insane once you attach the Maelstorm Dual Trigger. This trigger lets you shoot two rounds with just one trigger press. This means you can dish out insane damage that can melt through any armor and one-shot anyone within range. All you need is a bit of accuracy and a well-placed shot. You’ll always get the kill.
Recommended Attachments:
- Barrel: 711MM Matuzek D50
- Muzzle: Bryson Series XII Choke
- Trigger: Maelstrom Dual Trigger
- Stock: Heist Stock Mod
- Ammunition: 12 Gauge Slug
Want to learn more? Take a look at our Complete Loadout guide for Lockwood 300!
I have unlocked the Platinum Camo for the Lockwood 300 and will keep a class around this beast until it gets nerfed.
FJX Imperium
Unlocks at Level 55
We had to include the best sniper rifle in MW3 in this guide just so you can have an idea of how dope the FJX Imperium is and what makes it so special.
The FJX Imperium is the best quick-scope sniper rifle in Modern Warfare 3 because of its superior ADS speeds, stability, and damage output compared to any other sniper rifle in the game. This is the re-imagination of the Intervention from the OG MW3.
Recommended Attachments:
- Underbarrel: Field-Wrapped Handle
- Bolt: FJX H-Bolt
- Grip: Skull-40 Rear Grip
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Optics: MCPR-300 9.5x
Want to learn more? Take a look at our Complete Loadout guide for FJX Imperium!
You can tune these attachments to your liking and playstyle. This should create a decent FJX that is capable of both long-range sniping and quick scoping.
PuleMyot 762
Unlocks at Level 4
Lastly, we have included the best LMG in Modern Warfare 3 for those interested in something more on the heavy and slow side. You’ll be mowing down anything that moves with this one. And it has a terrifying sound as well.
The PuleMyot 762 packs destructive damage, has clean iron sights, and a conversion kit that makes the gun as nimble as an AR while retaining the damage stats of an LMG.
You’ll get this LMG at Level 4, and let’s just say that should you decide to use it, it’ll make leveling up for ranks, camos, and other weapons a whole lot easier!
Here’s our loadout guide for the PuleMyot 762!
Recommended attachments for the PuleMyot 762:
- Conversion Kit: Pulemyot 762B Bullpup Conversion
- Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
- Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
- Magazine: 75-Round Bullpup Belt
- Stock: Rubber Recoil Pad
The bullpup conversion kit is the star attachment here. It helps you negate a general negative (the mobility) of the LMG and turn it into a weapon of mass destruction. Mind you, it still has a bit of a recoil to it, so you’ll have to counter that.
These would be the current best weapons in Modern Warfare 3. Let us know in the comments whether you agree with our picks or not, and stick with WIG for informative game guides.
