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

Modern Warfare 3 players enjoy equipping Assault Rifles as their primaries, thanks to their versatility and solid damage across long ranges. Here are the best Assault Rifles in MW3’s early game meta that you should be using.

Modern Warfare 3 has finally been released around the world, featuring plenty of new and returning features for Call of Duty fans to enjoy. From the transformed Perk system to the introduction of the Aftermarket Parts and iconic maps from MW2 2009, the latest title has tons of content for players to try.

MW3 also features a wide array of weapons, including classic guns from the MW franchise and plenty of new additions. However, Assault Rifles are emerging as popular choices before Season 1‘s kickoff, providing impressive damage in medium to long-range combat.

That said, here are the best Assault Rifles in MW3, including a countdown to the top five meta picks.

Best Modern Warfare 3 Assault Rifles ranked list

Modern Warfare 3 features 21 Assault Rifles, six 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. Holger 556
3. DG-58
4. MTZ-556
5. SVA 545
6. TAQ-56
7. Kastov-74u
8. M4
9. Lachmann-556
10. ISO Hemlock
11. FR 5.56
12. Chimera
13. M13B
14. Kastov 762
15. FR Avancer
16. TR-76 Geist
17. Kastov 545
18. STB 556
19. M13C
20. Tempus Razorback
21. M16

Best Modern Warfare 3 Assault Rifles

5. SVA 545

The only reason it falls so low is that the SVA 545 requires a much more skilled trigger finger to get the most out of it. However, if you can master the technique, you’ll find yourself with one of the most effective guns that MW3 has to offer.

The SVA 545 is still more than a viable option in Modern Warfare 3. The Assault Rifle is very close relative to the AN-94 from the Black Ops series, coming with the same hyper-burst feature that fires two bullets for the price of one with each squeeze of the trigger.

4. MTZ-556

The MTZ-556 doesn’t take long to unlock in Modern Warfare 3 and is a great choice within the game. This easy-to-use Assault Rifle is deadly accurate at long range and deals plenty of damage to quickly whittle down an enemy’s health with a few well-placed shots.

It can also hold its own in close-quarters combat making it an extremely versatile option that undoubtedly is becoming one of the fan favorites. While it misses out on some stats to be featured in the top spot of our best MW3 Assault Rifles list, the MTZ-556 is a weapon that all players should have a class ready for.

3. DG-58

The DG-58 is a bullpup Assault Rifle in MW3, emerging as one of the most dominant picks in the early meta. Despite the incredible damage, this weapon requires a higher skill to land your shots due to the quick burst fire rate.

However, consistently hitting your shots will allow you to take out enemies in just two taps. Keep in mind that you’ll either need to complete the campaign to get DG-58’s blueprint or unlock it by completing the Armory Unlock Challenges.

2. Holger 556

A staple of the first Modern Warfare series, the G36C AR makes a return in MW3 as the Holger 556. The Holger 556 dominates at long ranges and is a viable choice for combat in any range. Despite achieving the first spot right after launch, several nerfs pushed it to second place again.

Although it takes a lot longer to unlock the Holger 556 in MW3, it’s totally worth the effort considering its powerful stats, including high damage output and low recoil.

1. MCW

The MCW takes the top spot in our list of best Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 3. This powerful AR closely resembles the classic ACR, so the community will be delighted to see it tearing up matches 14 years later.

Just like it did all the way back in previous MW titles, 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 situation, 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:

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