The best guns and weapons in MW4 will vary depending on whether you're in DMZ or multiplayer to some degree, but even then the current meta is largely defined by speed and rapidity. Modern Warfare 4's time to kill is very brief, meaning that players only have the shortest of windows to attack or retaliate. This emphasis on speed means that ADS speed, control and sprint to fire rates are all highly important, resulting in a meta that rewards SMGs and Assault Rifles, as well as quickscoping insta-kill weapons like certain shotguns and marksman rifles.
Clearly this is a meta that's going to be in flux, as all COD weapon metas are, with new guns being added and others being altered and nerfed over time. Nonetheless, here's all the best weapons in Modern Warfare 4, and what you need to know about them.
Care more about style than substance? Check out all the MW4 mastery camos you can unlock!
All the best weapons in MW4
There's an extensive collection of guns to choose from in Modern Warfare 4, and the game's arsenal will only get larger as Infinity Ward delivers new weapons with seasonal updates.
These are currently the best weapons in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4:
- M4 (Assault Rifle)
- Kastov 762 (Assault Rifle)
- Han 86 (Assault Rifle)
- Hyeon Burst (Assault Rifle)
- ISO Nightshade (SMG)
- PPSH-41 (SMG)
- KG-7 Vulcan (Sniper Rifle)
- Mosin Nagant (Marksman Rifle)
If it looks familiar in places it's because Infinity Ward aren't going to throw out the classics. The strongest options change and adapt as the games progress and while new things do shake things up from time to time, the meta tends to be more evolution than revolution.
M4 Assault Rifle
We've got more guides on popular weapons! Check out how to make the best MW4 Vel 46 build if you love SMGs, the best MW4 Oris 8.6 build if you like your rifles, or the best MW4 Rezi 12 build if you're a diehard shotgun main!
This is always the bread and butter of the assault rifle category and the M4 remains dominant in Modern Warfare 4. It's one of the most versatile weapons in the world, and that translates perfectly to MW4.
The best builds can give you a long range laser beam or a short range shredder, and hybrid loadouts work really well with the M4 as well. It's the cornerstone of MW4's armory - unlocked for all players by default - so you can't really go wrong with any M4 class setup.
The M4 does falter a bit as a jack-of-all-trades. Even a fully-optimized short range build will get outmatched by SMGs like the ISO Nightshade, and there are better assault rifles for long distance encounters on bigger maps.
Prepare for war accordingly with the best M4 builds in MW4!
Kastov 762 Assault Rifle
Another Modern Warfare staple, the Kastov 762, returns for its third appearance after debuting in the rebooted Modern Warfare 2. It's a generic version of the iconic AK-47, and handles exactly as you'd expect - a true workhorse with serious stopping power.
That extra damage comes at the cost of accuracy, however. But with MW4's extensive gunsmith customization, you can reduce the recoil to the point where it's hardly a problem. This makes the Kastov 762 a very capable all-around weapon.
Just like the AK's appearances in previous CODs, the Kastov 762 has a very reliable set of iron sights that work just as well as any red dot or reflex sight. You can save a gunsmith slot for a different attachment, letting you further fine tune the weapon to your preferences.
Han 86 Assault Rifle
The Han 86 is the first assault rifle you unlock in Modern Warfare 4, and it's also one of the strongest weapons in its class. Like most low-level assault rifles in COD games, its an all-around beast with multiple viable builds that can be configured for any situation.
Even with MW4's longer time-to-kill, the Han 86 excels in both multiplayer matches and DMZ runs. It's highly accurate at long range, and it's still lightweight enough to keep you protected in close quarters engagements. You can't go wrong with this gun.
Prepare for these encounters and grab yourself the superior attachments with our guide on the best MW4 Han 86 build!
Hyeon Burst Assault Rifle
Burst-fire weapons are typically hit or miss in Call of Duty games, but the Hyeon Burst's accuracy and damage output make it a considerable threat in MW4 multiplayer. You can take out players with a single burst at surprising distances.
With the right attachments, the Hyeon Burst can easily help you lock down objectives and rack up kills from a safe distance. Its built-in iron sights are also easy to use, so that frees up an attachment slot for something more useful like a suppressor.
What really sets the Hyeon Burst apart, however, is its apex Hyperburst attachment. When equipped, the Hyperburst attachment completely changes how the weapon fires. It makes the gun fully automatic after a rapid three-round burst, essentially transforming it into an upgraded version of the classic AN-94 from previous COD games.
ISO Nightshade SMG
The ISO Nightshade is Modern Warfare 4's most dominant weapon, even after several nerfs. Infinity Ward has reduced this SMG's headshot multiplier and long-range performance, but nothing can stop its lightning-fast time to kill.
Even after changes this is still on the upper end of MW4's TTK spectrum, boasting one of the quickest kill times in the entire game. It absolutely shreds anything at close range, and it's surprisingly easy to control when targeting enemies from a distance as well.
MW4's movement is too fast for anything other than a highly-mobile SMG like the ISO Nightshade to sit on the meta throne. Plus, the removal of weapon bloom makes this SMG even easier to control at close range since bullet spread is much more manageable in Modern Warfare 4.
Ensure you're equipped for these quick encounters with the best MW4 ISO Nightshade build!
PPSh-41 SMG
Another rapid-fire SMG, the PPSh-41 is an iconic World War 2 weapon that is shockingly effective against MW4's modern arsenal. It takes the best parts of the ISO Nightshade and doubles down on them, hindering its performance in some areas but making it truly unstoppable in others.
The PPSh's best quality is immediately apparent as soon as you load into a match. This thing has a ridiculously fast fire rate. It'll shred anything you put in front of it, and even after a few nerfs, the PPSh-41 is still the fastest-firing SMG in the game. With its huge base magazine, you can prefire around corners and spray through smoke without a care in the world.
The PPSh struggles a lot outside of close range encounters, however. You really need a good set of attachments to keep this bullet hose under control. If you're playing on one of MW4's smaller maps like Transit 213 though, you can easily rack up dozens of kills.
KG-7 Vulcan Sniper Rifle
Sniping is a hot topic every year with Call of Duty, and sniper rifles don't seem as oppressive in Modern Warfare 4 as they have been in more recent entries. The current list of snipers is quite limited, but one of them easily wears the crown as the best: the KG-7 Vulcan.
This weapon is a classic bolt-action rifle, but unlike MW4's other snipers like the Signal 50, it works well in close quarters engagements. The KG-7 Vulcan has a shockingly fast rechambering speed that lets you fire off shots in rapid succession, perfect for quickscoping. It also only needs one shot to the chest to bring someone down.
The KG-7 becomes less appealing in large-scale modes like Ground War and Warzone, where long-range snipers like the Signal 50 become much more viable. Still, the KG-7 will surely remain a staple in most MW4 sniping loadouts because of its ammo capacity and fire rate.
Mosin Nagant Marksman Rifle
The Mosin Nagant is a staple in many FPS games, and Modern Warfare 4 is no different. This marksman rifle is a jack of all trades, capable of sniping from long distances and quickscoping as you rush objectives in multiplayer.
The Mosin's adaptability is really what sets it apart from the other weapons in its class. Like the Hyeon Burst, the Mosin Nagant has great iron sights, so you can place attachments elsewhere. If you attach a laser, an upgraded stock, and light bolt to boost rechambering speed, the Mosin dominates at close range. With a longer barrel and magnified scope, the Mosin is up there with the game's strongest snipers.
The Mosin Nagant is especially helpful in DMZ, where long-range suppressed weapons can help you get the drop on enemy operators without putting yourself (and your hard-earned loot) at risk. It's a less expensive option than a dedicated sniper rifle as well, so it doesn't break the DMZ bank.
Want to ensure you're the ultimate rifleman? Check out how to make the best MW4 Mosin Nagant build!
Speaking of which, if you're spending a lot of time in the DMZ, make sure you go in prepared! Check out our list of the MW4 DMZ best traits, or find out how to get the most out of all the MW4 DMZ Police Stations, which usually hold all manner of great weapons.
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