Best Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 3: Every MW3 Season 3 AR ranked

Nathan Warby
Modern Warfare 3 Operator on Favela with Assault Rifle

Here are the best Assault Rifles for MW3 Season 3, featuring a ranked list of each one and a countdown of the five best ARs to use.

MW3 features a wide array of weapons and Assault Rifles continue to be a popular choice thanks to their damage, range, and ease of use. The MW3 Season 3 Reloaded update will bring the new BAL-27, but MW3 is full of powerful ARs you can check out before then.

Here are the best Assault Rifles in MW3, including a countdown of the top five meta picks.

Best Modern Warfare 3 Assault Rifles ranked list

Modern Warfare 3 features 23 Assault Rifles, eight of which are new additions and the remaining have made their way into the game from MW2. We’ve ranked every Assault Rifle in MW3 from best to worst below:

  1. MCW
  2. SVA 545
  3. RAM-7
  4. Holger 556
  5. BP50
  6. MTZ-556
  7. DG-58
  8. TAQ-56
  9. M4
  10. Kastov-74u
  11. Lachmann-556
  12. ISO Hemlock
  13. FR 5.56
  14. Chimera
  15. M13B
  16. Kastov 762
  17. FR Avancer
  18. TR-76 Geist
  19. Kastov 545
  20. STB 556
  21. Tempus Razorback
  22. M16
  23. M13C

Best Modern Warfare 3 Assault Rifles

5. BP50

BP50 AR with MW3 logo
The BP50 is a well-rounded Assault Rifle in MW3.

The BP50 arrived in MW3 with Season 2, and it quickly stood out as an excellent pick. This Assault Rifle has a blistering fire rate and is capable of obliterating opponents in mid-range contests.

It also excels in close-quarters combat, showcasing its versatility and earning it a spot as a fan-favorite weapon modeled after the classic F2000. A substantial nerf in Season 2 Reloaded took some of the sting out of its tail, but it remains a top pick in Season 3.

4. Holger 556

Holger 556 in MW3 with logo
The Holger 556 is inspired by the classic G36C AR.

A staple of the first Modern Warfare series, the G36C AR makes a return in MW3 as the Holger 556. This Assault Rifle dominates at long ranges but remains a viable choice for combat at any range. Despite claiming the top spot shortly after launch, several nerfs pushed it back on this list.

Although it’s not as dominant as it was at launch, the Holger 556 is still worth using in MW3 Season 3 as a top-tier AR.

3. RAM-7

RAM-7 with MW3 logo
The last RAM-7 appearance was in MW 2019.

The fan-favorite RAM-7 has claimed a top-three Assault Rifle spot thanks to its powerful damage output, as it remains a force to be reckoned with in Season 3.

Similar to its first iteration, this popular AR has taken over both Warzone and multiplayer proving to be exceptionally competitive, allowing you to effortlessly dominate your opponents on maps of all sizes.

2. SVA 545

Modern Warfare 3 SVA 545
The SVA 545 is the first Assault Rifle players get their hands on in MW3.

The SVA 545 is an easy-to-use Assault Rifle in MW3 and it became a dominant pick towards the tail-end of Season 1. Its remarkable damage output and low recoil make it a great choice for mid to long ranges.

It also got a slight buff in Season 2, helping it hold on to its second-place ranking in Season 3. However, it narrowly misses out on top spot in favor of a true classic.

1. MCW – Best Assault Rifle in MW3

MCW MW3 Assault Rifle
The MCW resembles the iconic ACR.

The MCW takes the crown for the best Assault Rifle in MW3. Its effectiveness took a slight hit with the Season 3 update, which nerfed its headshot damage multiplier. However, its stability and damage range are enough to maintain the top spot.

This Assault Rifle has unmatched accuracy thanks to its low recoil, impressive range, and iconic iron sight that frees up an extra attachment slot. If you want a weapon that can compete in nearly any scenario, the MCW is the Assault Rifle for you in MW3.

These were the best Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 3. For more, be sure to check out our other guides:

How to fix packet burst in Modern Warfare 3 | Best FOV settings for Modern Warfare 3 | Best audio settings in MW3 | When is the next Modern Warfare 3 Double XP event? | Best controller settings for MW3 | How to slide cancel in Modern Warfare 3 

About The Author

Nathan is a Senior Writer at CharlieIntel. He’s an expert in EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and Overwatch, as well as superhero games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man. With a master's degree in Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he worked as a Trainee Reporter for Derbyshire Live before moving into games media, with bylines at Dexerto, Cultured Vultures, and more. You can contact Nathan by email at [email protected].