With each weapon class inModern Warfare 3featuring at least one viable build, the following list ranks the top weapons from each category. This ranking highlights the best-in-class options and identifies the overall dominant choices.
Modern Warfare 3’s metagame has been somewhat inconsistent, with constant nerfs and buffs hitting its arsenal. Season Four Reloaded, for example, targeted several popular weapons, not the least of which being the KAR98K. Despite these inevitable changes, someMW3weapons have remained supreme, creating a META that’s more or less balanced. Nonetheless, the following are the top guns across allMW3game modes.
Updated on May 11, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery: Since its launch, MW3’s metagame has undergone significant changes. While ARs have lost some of their former popularity, SMGs have emerged as the standout choice for a wide range of builds. With these shifts in mind, the following list has been updated to accurately reflect the current META and spotlight the most effective weapon in each class.
8The Best Pistol: Renetti
A Suboptimal Secondary
The Renetti,MW3’s popular burst-fire pistol, distinguishes itself as a reliable secondary weapon. With the addition of a Conversion Kit, this versatile handgun morphs into a highly efficient SMG, offering double the mobility of a standard Submachine Gun. However, the Renetti has lost popularity compared to other versatile options, particularly with the rise of the Static-HV. This decline is not surprising, given that pistols have historically struggled to make a significant impact in theModern Warfaremetagame.
7The Best Shotgun: Lockwood 680
A One-Shot CQB Beast
Shotguns have fallen out of favor in the current META ofModern Warfare 3, particularly following the recent updates in Seasons Four and Five. Yet, amidst the nerfing frenzy, one weapon has remained a standout: the Lockwood 680.
Whilethe title of bestMW3shotgunis often debated between the Lockwood 680 and the Reclaimer 18, Lockwood’s superior handling, mobility, and firepower give it a slight edge—especially among veteran players.
6The Best Marksman Rifle: KAR98K
A True Competitor for Snipers
The KAR98K stands out as the ultimate Marksman Rifle inMW3, primarily due to its compatibility with suppressors. Unlike most Snipers, which lose firepower when equipped with a suppressor, KAR98K continues to deliver powerful shots even with a suppressor.
Despite the anticipated nerf in Season Four Reloaded, the KAR98K remains a superb choice, with its main limitation being its damage range—which is easily fixed with a barrel. Even better, there are still effective scope-less builds for KAR98K that could touch up the gameplay and offer a unique shooting experience.
5The Best Battle Rifle: MTZ-762
The Only Surviving BR That’s Still Worth It
Battle Rifles have been sidelined in recent seasons ofModern Warfare 3,largely due to the dominance of SMGs, LMGs, and Snipers in the predominantly small multiplayer maps. Yet, one battle rifle has remained a steadfast choice for veteran players: the MTZ-762.
The MTZ-762 is a potential three-shot BR that is more tamable than the SOA Subverter. Its manageable recoil, combined with its impressive TTK keeps it a solid choice for mid- to long-range builds inMW3’s META.
4The Best Sniper: MORS
Everything a Sniper Should Be
Even after recent nerfs, the MORS (Military Operated Rail Sniper) remains the top sniper rifle inModern Warfare 3. Originally introduced inAdvanced Warfare, this legendary weapon continues to reign supreme inMW3’s META, delivering one-shot kills and asserting its dominance since Season Three. Players have pushed its limits with remarkable creativity, crafting even scope-lessMORS buildsthat buzzed around the community before the nerf hit.
CurrentMW3META is shifting toward incorporating KAR98K insniper buildsinstead of MORS, despite the latter being a marksman rifle.
3The Best LMG: RPK
An LMG That Shoots Like a Sniper
The RPK was indeed one of the most popular LMGs in the early seasons ofModern Warfare 3. However, it was soon overshadowed by Pulemyot, which boasted superior stats. Recently, the RPK made a strong comeback with a Conversion Kit that transforms it into a one-shot sniper.The Jak Cataclysm builds for the RPKnow dominate the META, enabling players to take down multiple enemies before exhausting their magazine.
Equipped with the Jack Cataclysm, the RPK functions like a sniper rifle, allowing one-shot kills with both headshots and body shots. This combination of sniper-like firepower and a large magazine makes the RPK an unstoppable force on small multiplayer maps, explaining its resurgence in popularity.
2The Best Assault Rifle: STG 44
A Top Choice for Movement Builds
The STG 44 has gained popularity with the release of a newMW3aftermarket part: the Jack Slash. When attached, this modification transforms the STG 44 into an Assault Rifle with the agility of an SMG, proving lethal in both close-quarters and long-range combat.
The STG 44 excels as a primary weapon in movement-focused SMG builds. Its design allows for unrestricted movement speed, while its impressive range, short TTK, and quick ADS provide a significant edge.
1The Best SMG: Static-HV
An Ideal Option for Mobility Loadouts
The Static-HV is one of the fastest SMGs inModern Warfare 3in terms of fire rate. What makes this gun the best-in-class option, however, is its manageable recoil and high accuracy. Thanks to its short TTK (compared with other SMGs), Static-HV allows you to dominate close-quarter battles against multiple enemies.
In the previous season ofMW3,it was the Superi 46 that reigned the META. However, after a nerf that hit the game in July of 2024, the Superi 46 was primarily replaced by the Static-HV. Thanks to its excellent synergy with movement loadouts, the Static-HV is also an ideal SMG inWarzonenow.
