Best Guns in MW3 – Top Picks for Every Playstyle and Weapon Type!

Greetings from the Blix team! We are the guys who brought you “Best Call of Duty Campaign Ranking” and “List of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Trophies“. That proves that we know that game, right? Since Modern Warfare 3 is a battlefield where every second counts, picking the right gun is a tactical commitment that shapes how you’ll be. Merely survive or shine and dominate in the heat of combat.

Each weapon here has unique strengths, weaknesses, and quirks that cater to specific playstyles. It has all-around assault rifles that adapt to any skirmish, to devastating sniper rifles that reward precision and patience. Every gun tells its own story, and in this guide, we’re breaking it all down—weapon stats, what makes them tick, and insider tips to help you master your arsenal and outplay the competition. Ready to turn your loadout into a game-changer? Let’s dive in!

Highlights

• Best Best gun of every type list
• Stats, description, recommended attachments and play advice for each gun
• Additional: hints for the launcher and melee weapons use

List of Reviewed Guns by Type

• Assault Rifles – MCW (Bushmaster ACR)
• Submachine Guns (SMGs) –Striker (Heckler & Koch UMP45)
• Battle Rifles – BAS-B (SIG MCX Spear)
• Marksman Rifles – Kar98k (Mauser Karabiner 98k)
• Sniper Rifles – FJX Imperium (Intervention)
• Light Machine Guns (LMGs) – RPK
• Shotguns – Lockwood 300
• Handguns – X12

Assault Rifles

Assault rifles provide a balanced mix of firepower, range, and mobility, making them versatile for various combat situations.

MCW (Bushmaster ACR)

• Damage: 44 (Headshot) / 37 (Upper Torso) / 34 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 714.3 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 0.42s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 26.7 meters (Best Range) / 45.2 meters (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 30 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 710 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.9 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 240 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 220 ms

The MCW stands out for its high accuracy and manageable recoil, making it effective in mid to long-range engagements. Its balanced stats provide reliability across various combat scenarios.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Equip a long barrel to enhance damage range and a foregrip to further reduce recoil.
• Playstyle: Ideal for players who prefer a versatile approach, allowing for adaptability in different combat situations.

MCW is a top 10 gun in all cods combined – Reddit

Submachine Guns (SMGs)

SMGs excel in close-quarters combat due to their high fire rates and superior mobility.

Striker (Heckler & Koch UMP45)

• Damage: 40 (Headshot) / 31 (Upper Torso) / 31 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 681.8 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 0.44s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 31.8 meters (Best Range) / 51.8 meters (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 30 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 760 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.9 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 250 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 210 ms

The Striker offers a balance between damage and mobility, making it effective in close to mid-range engagements. Its manageable recoil allows for accurate sustained fire.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Use a suppressor to stay off enemy radar and a laser sight to improve hip-fire accuracy.
• Playstyle: Best suited for aggressive players who favor close-quarters combat and rapid movement.

Striker is an absolute beast again! : r/ModernWarfareIII – Reddit

Battle Rifles

Battle rifles are designed for medium to long-range engagements, offering higher damage per shot.

BAS-B (SIG MCX Spear)

• Damage: 61 (Headshot) / 48 (Upper Torso) / 44 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 209.8 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 1.14s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 35.6 meters (Best Range) / 44.4 meters (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 30 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 720 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.9 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 240 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 178 ms

The BAS-B delivers serious damage with each shot, making it effective in controlled, precise engagements. Its semi-automatic fire mode requires accuracy and discipline.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Equip a high-magnification optic for long-range targeting and a compensator to manage recoil.
• Playstyle: Ideal for players who prefer a deliberate, systematic approach, focusing on accuracy over volume of fire.

My current favorite gun in the game is the converted BAS-B – Reddit

Marksman Rifles

Marksman rifles bridge the gap between assault rifles and sniper rifles, offering precision at medium to long ranges.

Kar98k (Mauser Karabiner 98k)

• Damage: 66 (Headshot) / 44 (Upper Torso) / 44 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 184.6 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 1.3s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 40.6 meters (Best Range) / 48.3 meters (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 5 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 680 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.6 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 240 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 210 ms

The Kar98k is renowned for its high damage and precision, making it a favorite for players who excel in accurate shot placement. Its bolt-action mechanism requires careful timing.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Use a lightweight stock to improve mobility and a fast bolt to increase rechamber speed.
• Playstyle: Suited for players who can maintain composure under pressure and capitalize on high-damage, precise shots.

Kar98k is the most satisfying MW3 weapon by far – Reddit

Sniper Rifles

Sniper rifles are designed for long-range engagements, offering high damage and precision.

FJX Imperium (Intervention)

• Damage: 95 (Headshot) / 90 (Upper Torso) / 85 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 47 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 1.27s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 50m (Best Range) / 100m+ (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 5 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 850 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.2 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 450 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 300 ms

The FJX Imperium is the quintessential sniper rifle designed for those who enjoy long-range dominance. Its ability to one-shot kill with chest or headshots makes it the most lethal weapon in this category for skilled players.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Use a high-zoom optic for better target acquisition and a suppressor to mask your shots. Add a stock to reduce sway during prolonged aiming.
• Playstyle: Prioritize positioning on high ground or long sightlines, as the slow ADS and mobility can leave you exposed in close-range encounters. Combine with a handgun for emergencies.

fjx imperium goes hard in mw3 : r/ModernWarfareIII – Reddit

Light Machine Guns (LMGs)

LMGs are all about sustained firepower. With large magazine sizes and high damage, they’re perfect for holding down objectives and suppressing enemy positions. However, they come at the cost of mobility and handling speed.

RPK

• Damage: 46 (Headshot) / 36 (Upper Torso) / 32 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 652 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 0.46s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 36m (Best Range) / 70m (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 75 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 750 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.2 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 360 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 400 ms

The RPK is a powerhouse in the LMG category, boasting manageable recoil and high damage output. It’s ideal for defensive players or those looking to lay down suppressive fire.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Use a bipod for added stability during prolonged fire and a recoil-reducing grip for better accuracy.
• Playstyle: Stick to longer sightlines and chokepoints where you can take full advantage of the magazine size without being rushed.

The RPK with the conversion kit is crazy. : r/ModernWarfareIII – Reddit

Shotguns

Shotguns excel at one thing: close-quarters devastation. With the ability to one-shot enemies at point-blank range, they are the ultimate tools for clearing tight spaces.

Lockwood 300

• Damage: 200 (Headshot) / 150 (Upper Torso) / 120 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 120 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): Instant (within range)
• Effective Range: 5m (One-Shot Range) / 15m (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 2 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 450 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.9 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 200 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 180 ms

The Lockwood 300 is a double-barreled shotgun with massive damage, perfect for ambushes and point-defense strategies.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Equip a choke to tighten the pellet spread and a quick reload attachment to compensate for the magazine’s limited size.
• Playstyle: Stay in confined spaces and corners where you can surprise enemies. Avoid open areas at all costs.

Whats best setup for the lockwood 300? This is as good as … — Reddit

Handguns

Handguns are your last resort. They’re quick, reliable, and perfect for finishing off enemies when your primary weapon runs dry.

X12

• Damage: 40 (Headshot) / 31 (Upper Torso) / 28 (Lower Torso)
• Rate of Fire: 333 RPM
• Time to Kill (TTK): 0.36s (Upper Torso)
• Effective Range: 15m (Best Range) / 30m (Max Range)
• Magazine Size: 17 rounds
• Bullet Velocity: 300 m/s
• Movement Speed: 4.9 m/s
• Aim Down Sights (ADS) Speed: 130 ms
• Sprint-to-Fire Speed: 100 ms

The X12 is a lightweight pistol with rapid-fire capabilities, making it an excellent fallback weapon.

Recommendations:

• Attachments: Use an extended mag to handle multiple targets and a lightweight trigger for a faster fire rate.
• Playstyle: Treat it as an emergency weapon—quickly swap to it during a reload or when caught off guard.

If you haven’t tried the buffed X12 yet, it’s really good – Reddit 

How Should You Use Launchers and Melee Weapons Effectively?

Launchers and melee weapons may seem situational but can turn the tide when used strategically. For launchers, focus on their utility: taking down enemy killstreaks, clearing objectives, or eliminating clusters of enemies in tight spaces. Always keep an eye on the minimap to spot vehicles or UAVs for quick takedowns. For melee weapons, stealth and speed are your best friends. Stick to cover, flank enemies, and capitalize on surprise attacks. Equip perks like Dead Silence or Double Time to maximize mobility and reduce your noise footprint. Timing and positioning are crucial—don’t rush blindly into enemies unless you’re sure they’re caught off guard. Master these tools, and you’ll make an impact far beyond their niche roles.