Skip to main content

The best weapons in Modern Warfare 2: every gun ranked

Your performance in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2  has a lot to do with the weapon you come equipped with. Sure, a skilled player can excel with most weapons in the game, but having the best firearm for any given situation will lead you to more victories — regardless of your playstyle. Modern Warfare 2 has around 50 primary weapons across seven categories, each with different stats, strengths, and weaknesses.

The meta in Call of Duty games shifts constantly as weapons are added and tweaked, so it’s always a good idea to stay on top of the latest updates. In this guide, we’ll rank each primary weapon in Modern Warfare 2  across all categories (with the exception of the Riot Shield). This ranking is in descending order, with the first spot being the best and the last spot being the worst. We’ll also link to loadout guides for the weapons on this list so you know exactly which attachments to use.

Assault rifles

The Kastov 762 in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As the quintessential weapon category, assault rifles are meant for mid- to long-range battles. The best assault rifles excel at all ranges, with minimal recoil, making them easy to control.

  1. M4
  2. Tempus Razorback
  3. Kastov-74U
  4. Chimera
  5. Kastov 762
  6. TAQ-56
  7. M13B
  8. Lachmann-556
  9. Iso Hemlock
  10. STB 556
  11. Kastov 545
  12. M16

Battle rifles

The Lachmann-762 in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unlike assault rifles, battle rifles are more so meant for long-range, with a typically slower rate of fire. Accuracy is key with these weapons, as you’ll have less room for error due to the semi-auto fire style.

  1. TAQ-V
  2. FTAC Recon
  3. SO-14
  4. Lachmann-762
  5. Cronen Squall

SMGs

The Lachmann Sub in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

On the flip side, submachine guns (SMGs) are meant for close-range to midrange, often focusing on fire rate, mobility, and fast time to kill (TTK). The best SMGs are ones that hit hard, with snappy aim down sights (ADS) speeds and an overall lightweight feel.

  1. MX9
  2. VEL 46
  3. PDSW 528
  4. Lachmann Sub
  5. Iso 45
  6. Vaznev-9K
  7. BAS-P
  8. Fennec 45
  9. FSS Hurricane
  10. Minibak

Shotguns

The Expedite 12 in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Shotguns are only usable up close, and the best ones have tremendous power, decent range, and enough ammo to take down multiple foes at once. Because shotguns have limitations, you’ll want to pick ones that are versatile to ensure they’re as effective as possible.

  1. MX Guardian
  2. KV Broadside
  3. Lockwood 300
  4. Expedite 12
  5. Bryson 890
  6. Bryson 800

LMGs

The RAAL MG in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Light machine guns (LMGs), on the other hand, are best used at mid- to long-range, offering large magazine sizes and tremendous power. They usually feel slower than assault rifles, but the best ones hit like a truck, so you’ll want to avoid picking LMGs with slower TTKs, as they’re already limited by their ADS times.

  1. Rapp H
  2. Sakin MG38
  3. HCR 56
  4. RPK
  5. RAAL MG
  6. 556 Icarus

Marksman rifles

The Lockwood MK2 in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Marksman rifles feel much more like snipers, though typically, they’re much lighter. These are best for aggressive snipers who want to run around the map as quickly as possible, with fast ADS speeds. You’ll want to prioritize marksman rifles that can secure eliminations in one hit in order to compete with snipers.

  1. EBR-14
  2. SP-R 208
  3. SA-B 50
  4. Lockwood MK2
  5. LM-S
  6. TAQ-M
  7. Tempus Torrent
  8. Crossbow

Sniper rifles

The Signal 50 in Modern Warfare II.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finally, sniper rifles are meant for range. The best ones have fast bullet velocity, lots of power, and ADS times that can compete with other long-range weapons. They might not always be the snappiest, but their power makes up for it … if you can hit your shots.

  1. Victus XMR
  2. MCPR-300
  3. FXJ Imperium
  4. Signal 50
  5. LA-B 330
  6. SP-X 80

This list will continue to evolve as Modern Warfare 2 is updated.

Editors' Recommendations

Joseph Yaden
Joseph Yaden is a freelance journalist who covers Nintendo, shooters, and horror games. He mostly covers game guides for…
Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 cross-platform?
Silhouette of a soldier standing in front of a plane crash.

It's time to grab your gear, reload your weapons, and get your squad ready for the final act in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. This entry takes the multiplayer mode the series has built itself on to the next level, with the traditional multiplayer suite, zombies, and integration with Warzone 2.0. This is one of the biggest events of the year for many players, and you will probably be organizing your friends and family to all jump in and play together. But is that possible in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3? Cross-platform support isn't quite as ubiquitous as we hope yet, so let's breach this topic and extract the intel.
Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 have cross-platform support?

Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has full cross-platform support. This means that you can squad up with players on any console -- PlayStation, Xbox, or PC -- and enter the battlefield together. This is true for any online mode in the game.

Read more
How to rank up fast in Modern Warfare 3: best ways to farm XP
A soldier with a shotgun in Modern Warfare 3.

Every year when the new Call of Duty title drops, the playing field is once again reset as everyone needs to start grinding back up the ranks. Fully embracing the RPG elements, Modern Warfare 3 once again allows you to earn XP as you play match after match to rank up your character, with each rank not only bringing you closer to hitting prestige but also unlocking new options for your chosen operator. Your player rank is unique from your weapon levels and can take a lot longer to grind if you don't know the most efficient methods. If you want to fast-track your career through the ranks, here are the fastest ways to earn XP in Modern Warfare 3.
How to earn XP fast in Modern Warfare 3
There's basically no way you can play Modern Warfare 3 without earning XP, but some modes and methods can earn you double (or more) what you could if you were just playing without a plan.
Play the objective

We all love playing team deathmatch or any other mode where all you need to worry about is being the one to shoot first. However, if you want to earn that sweet XP fast, you need to choose one of the objective modes like Domination, Hardpoint, Ground War, or even Kill Confirmed. Not only do you get XP for killing enemies, but the amount you get on top of that for playing the objective can make up the bulk of your XP gain. This is especially true if you're not at the top of your game and end up dying more than you kill since you have another method to contribute. Also, objective modes grant you an XP bonus just for finishing the match.
Always work towards daily and weapon challenges

Read more
Modern Warfare 3 preload guide: release time, file size, and preorder
Soliders take cover behind a riot shield in a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 promo image.

Load your mags and get ready to go weapons hot because Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is so close you can nearly smell the gunpowder. The Call of Duty franchise has yet to miss a year since the original Modern Warfare, and even though this is the second Modern Warfare 3 we've had, this is obviously a completely new battlefield. Not only will the campaign wrap up the globe-trotting plotline set up in the prior two games, but you can expect the usual suite of modes, including multiplayer, zombies, and tie-ins with the hit Warzone 2. With the betas all concluded, fans are left with nothing to look forward to except the full release, but there is still a way to get ready. Here's all the intel you need on preloading Modern Warfare 3.
Modern Warfare 3 release time
https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1715005040677568818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1715005040677568818%7Ctwgr%5Ee3166103d9a3ec65e2124b036447326577ab0ccd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dbltap.com%2Fposts%2Fhow-to-pre-load-mw3-campaign-01he0egksgx8

If you have preordered Modern Warfare 3, you will get a full week of early access to the campaign starting at 10 a.m. PT on November 2 or your local equivalent. For everyone else, the game will launch on November 10. Preloading will begin starting at 10 a.m. PT on November 1.
Modern Warfare 3 file size
https://twitter.com/PlaystationSize/status/1718897781488673100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1718897781488673100%7Ctwgr%5E3ff4d90277f3de167421839b0778535ae6502da9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ginx.tv%2Fen%2Fcall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3%2Fcampaign-early-access-preload-times-download-size

Read more