Best guns in Modern Warfare 3: Every MW3 weapon ranked

Modern Warfare 3 features a huge arsenal of weapons to choose from and given all of the options, picking the best one isn’t a simple task. Here’s a ranked list breaking down the best guns in MW3 Season 1.

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 is here, bringing buffs and nerfs to the existing lineup of weapons along with the brand-new RAM-7 Assault Rifle and XRK Stalker bolt-action Sniper.

The meta has changed once again and with all the new content to explore, you’ll want to ensure you’re using the best weapons possible to dominate multiplayer.

With all of Season 1‘s new weapons and balance changes in mind, here are the best weapons in Modern Warfare 3.

• Every Modern Warfare 3 weapon ranked
• Best guns in Modern Warfare 3

Every Modern Warfare 3 weapon ranked

Before we highlight the best guns in Modern Warfare 3, we’ve ranked every weapon in the game, ranging from the best to the worst.

Keep in mind that a lower ranking on the list doesn’t necessarily mean the weapon can’t be useful, every weapon on the list can dominate matches if you can successfully adapt your play style.

1. MCW
2. Rival-9
3. Holger 556
4. BAS-B
5. Striker
6. XRK Stalker
7. Holger 26
8. KV Inhibitor
9. Longbow
10. MTZ Interceptor
11. DG-56
12. TAQ Eradicator
13. RAM-7
14. Striker 9
15. Pulemyot 762
16. Bruen Mk9
17. WSP Swarm
18. MTZ-556
19. WSP-9
20. Renetti
21. KATT-AMR
22. Lockwood 680
23. SVA 545
24. WSP Stinger
25. COR-45
26. KVD Enforcer
27. DM56
28. FR 5.56
29. AMR9
30. DG-58 LSW
31. MTZ-762
32. Riveter
33. MCW 6.8
34. Haymaker
35. Karambit
36. Gutter Knife
37. TYR
38. RGL-80
39. Sidewinder

Best guns in Modern Warfare 3

10. MTZ Interceptor – Best Marksman Rifle in MW3

An underrated choice, the MTZ Interceptor can absolutely dominate Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer when in the right hands.

Dealing high damage per shot with low recoil, you can use the MTZ Interceptor to hold down lanes with ease, using its damage to quickly take down enemy players in only one or two shots. Don’t sleep on this deadly semi-auto rifle.

9. Longbow

Activision

The Longbow is a great Sniper Rifle currently ranked just below the KV Inhibitor in Modern Warfare 3. This gun combines remarkable speed and firepower, making it exceptionally great at swiftly killing enemies.

While it often produces hit markers in long-range engagements, the Longbow is an excellent quickscoping weapon. Thanks to its great mobility and ADS speed, this unique Sniper excels in close-range combat.

8. KV Inhibitor

Luckily for Sniper lovers, Modern Warfare 3 features a variety of Sniper Rifles perfect for quickscoping and taking down enemies from a distance. The KV Inhibitor is easy to use, making it one of the best choices in its category, and we’ve found its one-shot kill potential is much more reliable than the Longbow, putting it ahead.

As you’d expect, it combines exceptional damage, making it especially useful in both large-scale modes and medium-sized maps like Afghan.

7. Holger 26

Activision

The Holger 26 is basically the Holger 556’s big brother, offering a bigger mag by default, a faster fire rate, and higher bullet velocity. You’ll be slower carrying this heavy LMG, but you’ll be able to mow down the competition incredibly quickly.

If you’re looking to put down a ton of firepower, you can’t go wrong with the Holger 26, the best LMG in MW3.

6. XRK Stalker – Best Sniper Rifle in MW3

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 brought the brand-new XRK Stalker Sniper Rifle and it’s already become a dominant pick.

This new sniper provides the perfect middle ground between the light but oftentimes weak Longbow and powerful but slow KATT-AMR. A speedy bolt-action rifle, the XRK Stalker is capable of one-shotting player after player while still being fast enough to let you be more aggressive.

5. Striker

Activision

When dealing with small maps in MW3, the Striker SMG now stands out as one of the best choices, following a major buff on November 21. The buff increased its damage range and lowered its ADS time, making it a force to be reckoned with.

Its exceptional mobility and easy-to-use design boost its performance, especially on maps such as Rust or Meat, and it’s only got better after more mobility buffs in Season 1.

4. BAS-B – Best Battle Rifle in MW3

Activision

Although categorized as a Battle Rifle in MW3, the BAS-B exhibits the mobility and damage that’s typical of an Assault Rifle. With the addition of suitable attachments, this gun becomes especially powerful in medium to long-range engagements.

Its remarkable damage output, extensive range, and high bullet velocity position it as a top contender among its alternatives. It has successfully secured a spot in the top ten, and there’s no doubt it’ll keep on climbing as long as its strength is maintained.

3. Holger 556

When jumping into a new CoD game, easy-to-use and powerful Assault Rifles like the Holger 556 tend to be the preferred choice, and Modern Warfare 3 is no different. While the Holger 556 is no longer the best weapon in the game following a November 21 nerf, the AR is still quite dominant.

The nerf to its damage profile has knocked it back two spots, but if you’re holding down long lines of sight, you should still find that the Holger 556 packs a punch.

2. Rival-9 – Best SMG in MW3

MW 2019’s CX-9 has made a comeback in Modern Warfare 3, now called the Rival-9. This gun has impressive mobility, maneuverability, and a high fire rate, making it easy to use no matter your skill level.

This SMG maintains minimal recoil and excels in close-quarters battles, which is ideal for medium to small maps like Rust or Scrapyard. While the weapon wasn’t buffed directly, its viability received a boost from the nerfs to MW3’s most dominant ARs.

1. MCW – Best Assault Rifle in MW3

The ACR, an absolute CoD classic, returned in Modern Warfare 3 as the MCW, and it quickly claimed the title of best gun in the game following nerfs to the Holger 556 and DG-58.

This Assault Rifle is the perfect choice if you’re looking for exceptional damage range, very low recoil, and the unique fan-favorite iron sight. It’s so easy to use that it’s also a top choice when looking for a long-range option.

Those are the best weapons to use in Modern Warfare 3. For more on the game, be sure to check out our other guides:

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