Best guns in Modern Warfare 3: Every MW3 weapon ranked

Modern Warfare 3 offers a diverse array of weapons for players to select, making the task of selecting the best one quite tough. To help you with this decision, here’s a ranked list breaking down the best guns in MW3 Season 1.

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 is in full swing, offering players a ton of content to dive into. This includes several buffs and nerfs to the weapon roster along with the inclusion of the brand-new RAM-7 Assault Rifle and XRK Stalker 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

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. BAS-B
4. Striker
5. XRK Stalker
6. RAM-7
7. Holger 556
8. WSP Swarm
9. KV Inhibitor
10. KATT-AMR
11. Longbow
12. DG-56
13. TAQ Eradicator
14. Holger 26
15. Striker 9
16. Pulemyot 762
17. MTZ Interceptor
18. Bruen Mk9
19. MTZ-556
20. WSP-9
21. Renetti
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. KATT-AMR

Season 1’s KATT-AMR has managed to enter the top 10 best weapons within MW3. This Sniper is perfect for dominating long distances and with the correct attachments, using it can be extremely easy and comfortable.

This Sniper boasts impressive damage and bullet velocity. However, there is room for improvement in its ADS time, which can be addressed by optimizing attachment choices.

9. KV Inhibitor

The KV Inhibitor is a great Sniper Rifle in Modern Warfare 3. This gun combines remarkable speed and firepower, making it great at swiftly killing enemies.

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

8. WSP Swarm

After dominating games in Warzone, the WSP Swarm has made a place for itself in the best weapons in MW3 too. This SMG has the best TTK in the game and it has exceptionally low recoil and high damage.

If you are looking for a weapon to dominate at close range, the WSP Swarm will be an excellent option.

7. Holger 556

When jumping into a new CoD game, easy-to-use and powerful Assault Rifles like the Holger 556 are 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, it’s still quite dominant.

Despite being pulled back by previous nerfs, if you’re holding down long lines of sight, you should still find that the Holger 556 packs a punch.

6. RAM-7

The fan-favorite RAM-7 is back in MW3, and this weapon has quickly risen in popularity since its launch in Season 1. Similar to the MW 2019’s version, this gun has very low recoil, a high damage profile, and an excellent fire rate.

If you’re looking to put down a ton of firepower at mid-range, you can’t go wrong with the RAM-7.

5. 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 some of its counterparts. 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.

4. Striker

Activision

When dealing with small maps in MW3, the Striker SMG 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.

3. BAS-B – Best Battle Rifle in MW3

Activision

Although categorized as a Battle Rifle in MW3, the BAS-B exhibits the mobility and damage 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 three, and there’s no doubt it’ll keep on climbing as long as its strength is maintained.

2. Rival-9 – Best SMG in MW3

MW 2019’s CX-9 has come back 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, 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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