Best MW3 SMG loadouts & classes ranked (Season 3)
Identifying the best loadouts for SMGs in Modern Warfare 3 can be a game-changer for your classes in Season 3, as it gives you a massive advantage against your foes at close quarters.
While Assault Rifles are perfect for beaming enemies from afar, enclosed spaces are dominated by SMGs. Their unmatched TTKs, incredible mobility, and snappy ADS times make them the ultimate weapons for aggressive players, but you'll need a meta loadout if you want to maximize their effectiveness in-game.
Best Submachine Guns in Modern Warfare 3 ranked
5. HRM-9
Click to enlargeBest HRM-9 loadout
- Muzzle: JAK BFB
- Barrel: Princeps Long Barrel
- Stock: Folding Stock
- Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
- Rear Grip: PCS-90 Assault Grip
Everyone knows that new weapons tend to be strong when they first arrive in Call of Duty, and the HRM-9 is certainly no different. Making its debut in Season 1 Reloaded, this exceptional SMG was quickly labelled as one of the best guns on the roster.
Solid damage and range mean this gun can compete on any map, making it the ultimate solo-carry option. While recoil can be an issue, the attachments above address it perfectly, allowing you to land every bullet on target. This weapon is definitely deadly, so it deserves a place on your loadout list.
4. Striker
Click to enlargeBest Striker loadout
- Stock: No Stock
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Rear Grip: TacGrip
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
A classic weapon that's instantly recognizable, we're of course talking about the Striker, otherwise known as the UMP45 back in the MW2 (2009) days.
The Striker takes a strong position on this list of the best SMGs in MW3 because of its versatility. The fan-favourite weapon has a strong balance of damage output and mobility, and if that wasn't enough, it's easy to use.
Not only that, the Striker can also compete at mid-range if needed, which is a huge bonus on certain maps like Estate and Highrise.
Buffs in Season 3 increased its near-medium damage by 13%, along with a 10% boost to its medium damage range, making it much more effective in distance fights. It had a teeny tiny nerf in Season 3 to its sprint-to-fire time, but this was only by 3% so you'd struggle to really notice it.
3. Rival-9
Click to enlargeBest Rival 9 loadout
- Muzzle: JAK BFB
- Stock: MTZ Marauder Stock
- Rear Grip: RIVAL Vice Assault Grip
- Magazine: 40 Round Mag
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
The Rival-9 is built for agility in Modern Warfare 3, sporting some of the best mobility stats in the entire game, and is an easy choice for one of the best SMGs in the game right now.
With so much movement speed and manoeuvrability, it's an SMG that's custom-built for hyper-aggressive players in MW3. It does take some skill to master high-speed mechanics, but once you've got it down you can dominate - despite MW3's AR-favoured meta.
If you're someone who's always on the hunt for the next skirmish and never wants to give your enemies room to breathe, the Rival-9 will be unmatched for you in the SMG category.
While missing out on the top spot, the Rival-9 is undoubtedly the most popular submachine gun in the game right now, boasting a pick rate of 3.39% according to WZRanked. This is the second highest in the game overall and shows the sheer versatility and effectiveness of the SMG in multiplayer.
It has unfortunately been knocked down a little bit after nerfs in Season 3, reducing its near-medium and medium damage, alongside damage multipliers for lower torso, lower arm, and hand. The most significant nerf, however, is to the sprint-to-fire time, which has been slowed by 18% from 93ms to 110ms, considering how much the weapon's strength comes from its mobility.
2. RAM-9
Click to enlargeBest RAM-9 loadout
- Barrel: FSS Imperator Light Barrel
- Stock: Motion-Tac Pad
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Magazine: 50 Round Mag
- Rear Grip: Haste XV Grip Tape
The RAM-9 has emerged as one of the strongest SMG picks in Season 3 with an all-around great kit and even a nice little buff too.
Its biggest weakness before was its speed, as it felt a bit on the sluggish side. However, this has been adjusted in S3, decreasing the sprint-to-fire time by 17% from 178ms to 147ms, which should make a big difference.
Combine this with the strong damage and great recoil when using the above attachments and you've really got an SMG to reckon with the RAM-9. The weapon's rise in popularity definitely shows this too, as it now boasts a pick rate of 6.89%, which is the second-highest of all SMGs and fourth-highest overall.
1. WSP Swarm
Click to enlargeBest WSP Swarm loadout
- Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
- Barrel: WSP Reckless-90 Long
- Optic: MK. 3 Reflector
- Stock: FSS Fortress Heavy Stock
- Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
The WSP Swarm sits at the top of the SMG weapon class for good reason, as this close-range powerhouse has a blistering fire rate which instantly melts enemy health bars.
The pint-sized SMG may look small, but it packs a punch and can take over a match if you're willing to put pressure on your opponents. It has been hit by a fairly hefty nerf in Season 3, reducing its sprint-to-fire
With the build above, you'll have damage, mobility, and laser-like recoil at close quarters, what more could you want? It holds a pick rate of 9.38% for a reason, so definitely give it a try if you somehow haven't already.
Now you know the best SMG loadouts in MW3, why not learn which snipers are top-tier so you can eliminate foes from afar with ease? If Battle Rifles are more to your taste, we've got you covered in that department as well. For everything else, be sure to check out our MW3 homepage for the latest news and guides.
