Best Modern Warfare 3 guns & meta loadouts ranked (Season 3)

Identifying which weapons in MW3 are best is essential for any CoD players looking to dominate - and I've got a rundown of which loadouts you'll want to be using right now in Season 3.

With balance changes constantly being implemented and various new guns being added, it can be difficult to keep track of the multiplayer meta. Instead of spending hours experimenting with every gun in Modern Warfare 3 and its attachments, I've made the process simpler by laying out the meta loadouts to help you get ahead of the curve in the game.

Top 5 meta MW3 weapons & loadouts

5. MCW

Click to enlarge

Best MCW loadout

• Muzzle: ZEHMN-35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Barrel: Second Line Mammoth Heavy
• Ammunition: Blackout High Grain Rounds
• Conversion Kit: Jak Raven Kit
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop

The MCW has been the go-to AR for the majority of players since MW3's release and while it's still brilliant, a headshot multiplier nerf in Season 3 means it no longer wears the crown. Despite this, it's still a versatile and incredible rifle that can always be relied upon.

Minimal recoil means it's easy to pick off kills from across the map and land those all-important headshots to maximize your TTK.

Built with a lightweight frame as well, the MCW even has mobility on its side, and that's why it's number five with a 5.9% pick rate.

4. BP50

Click to enlarge

Best BP50 loadout

• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
• Barrel: LHT-200 Barrel
• Stock: Moat-40 Stock
• Ammunition: 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds
• Rear Grip: TRST-IV Grip Tape

Sporting a 4.4% pick rate in the current meta, the high fire rate BP50 has captured the attention of the community. The accuracy of this gun takes it to the next level at mid-range and means it can compete on any map.

Even without an optic, you can lock onto enemies and send them to kill cam with no counterplay - but feel free to add one if you feel more comfortable with a scope.

Anyone who wants to work towards an MGB (Nuke) should consider using this weapon, it has all the tools to pull one off, as long as you've got the gunskill.

3. Striker

Click to enlarge

Best Striker loadout

• Muzzle: Forge DX90-F
• Barrel: Striker Elite Long
• Magazine: 45 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop

A classic weapon that OG Call of Duty fans will be very familiar with, the Striker is a deadly SMG that has impressive damage output and mobility.

This version of the Striker thrives at mid-range as well as up close, making it significantly more versatile than other options in the category.

The loadout above gives you all the tools to glide around the map farming killstreaks, as long as you're willing to challenge your foes head-on.

I prefer to add an extra boost of mobility to my Striker setup, as it pushes me to search for skirmishes and hunt down more kills. That's exactly why I've included the No Stock attachment, as it takes the SMG's manoeuvrability to the next level.

2. RAM-9

Click to enlarge

Best RAM-9 loadout

• Barrel: Boreal-6C Suppressed
• Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Rear Grip: Retort 90 Grip Tape

Introduced in Season 2, the powerful RAM-9 made a name for itself as soon as it arrived. It's retained its top-tier status in Season 3 and has become one of the most popular SMGs in the game with a 5.6% pick rate.

Having experienced this gun's power first-hand, it certainly has my recommendation as a deadly SMG with plenty of mobility and a lethal TTK.

It's not the first time the devs have released an overtuned weapon into the CoD series and it certainly won't be the last - the RAM-9 is just another example. While our Striker build above has a little more mobility, I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a more hard-hitting SMG.

1. SVA 545

Click to enlarge

Best SVA 545 loadout

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
• Ammunition: 5.45 High Grain
• Stock: Mane V6 Stock
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Demo 650

Remaining untouched in the nerf department in Season 3 is the SVA 545 and as a result, it has taken the crown as the number one gun and AR in MW3. The weapon fires two bullets at the same time as soon as you pull the trigger, so landing those initial shots is absolutely key if you want to make the most out of this gun.

Impressive handling and minimal recoil make this weapon unbelievably easy to use, especially on maps with long sightlines. If that wasn't enough, it's got top-tier velocity and at the moment, it's a clear winner over the classic MCW.

What is the best gun in Modern Warfare 3?

Based on how the MW3 Season 3 meta has gone so far, the SVA 545 Assault Rifle has stood out as the top-tier weapon with a 5.1% pick rate.

With a deadly damage output, incredible stability, and solid mobility, it's the perfect weapon for dominating foes in MW3.

All Modern Warfare 3 weapons

Click to enlarge

Now that we've gone through the top five weapon loadouts, let's check out every MW3 weapon available in the arsenal.

Remember, the meta is constantly changing, so every gun below has the potential to compete in MW3, especially if they're equipped with a top-tier loadout.

Assault Rifles

• SVA 545
• MTZ-556
• Holger 556
• MCW
• DG-58
• BP50
• RAM-7
• FR 5.56
• ISO Hemlock
• FR Avancer
• TR-76 Geist
• TAQ-56
• Kastov 762
• Chimera
• Kastov-74U
• M13B
• M13C
• M4
• Lachmann-556
• Tempus Razorback
• STB 556
• Kastov 545
• M16

SMGs

• Striker
• WSP Swarm
• AMR9
• WSP-9
• HRM-9
• RAM-9
• Rival-9
• Striker 9
• Lachmann Sub
• ISO 9mm
• Vaznev-9K
• FJX Horus
• Lachmann Shroud
• VEL 46
• PDSW 528
• FSS Hurricane
• ISO 45
• MX9
• BAS-P
• Minibak
• Fennec 45

Battle Rifles

• BAS-B
• Sidewinder
• SOA Subverter
• MTZ-762
• TAQ-V
• Lachmann-762
• FTAC Recon
• SO-14
• Cronen Squall

Shotguns

• Lockwood 680
• Haymaker
• Riveter
• KV Broadside
• Expedite 12
• Lockwood 300
• Bryson 890
• Bryson 800
• MX Guardian

LMGs

• Pulemyot 762
• TAQ Evolvere
• DG-58 LSW
• Holger 26
• Bruen MK9
• Sakin MG38
• RPK
• Raal MG
• Rapp H
• HCR 56
• 556 Icarus

Marksman Rifles

• KVO Enforcer
• MCW 6.8
• DM56
• MTZ Interceptor
• Tempus Torrent
• TAQ-M
• EBR-14
• Crossbow
• SA-B 50
• SP-R 208
• LM-S
• Lockwood MK2

Sniper Rifles

• KATT-AMR
• XRK Stalker
• MORS
• Longbow
• KV Inhibitor
• Signal 50
• Carrack .300
• Victus XMR
• SP-X 80
• MCPR-300
• LA-B 330
• FJX Imperium

Handguns

• CDR-45
• Renetti
• TYR
• WSP Stinger
• P890
• .50 GS
• X12
• Basilisk
• FTAC Siege
• GS Magna
• 9MM Daemon
• X13 Auto

Launchers

• RGL-80
• PILA
• Stormender
• JOKR
• RPG-7
• Strela-P

Curious about how to unlock the HRM-9 SMG in MW3 and Warzone? We've got you covered. Be sure to also check out our MW3 homepage for all of the latest guides, like the best loadouts in Warzone.