You’ve probably seen the massive list. It's overwhelming. Since Sledgehammer Games decided to "Carry Forward" every single pea-shooter and hand cannon from the previous year, the pool of all guns in MW3 has ballooned into something honestly ridiculous. We are talking about over 130 weapons.
If you feel like you're losing gunfights you should be winning, it's probably because you're still clinging to an old MW2 favorite that just doesn't have the "juice" anymore. The movement speed has increased. The health pools are different. Basically, the game has evolved, but your loadout might be stuck in the past.
The Assault Rifle Reality Check
Let’s get real about the AR meta. For a long time, the MCW was the undisputed king. It was the "old reliable." But as we sit here in 2026, the landscape has shifted toward weapons that reward high-risk, high-reward handling.
Take the SVA 545. It has this unique hyper-burst feature where the first two rounds fire nearly simultaneously. If you tap the trigger instead of holding it, you're essentially getting a zero-recoil laser. Most people just spray it, which is why they think it’s mid-tier. They’re wrong.
Then you’ve got the newer additions like the STG44 and the BP50. The BP50, in particular, feels more like an SMG than a rifle. Its fire rate is blistering. If you're playing Small Map Moshpit and not using a high-mobility AR, you're just fodder for the guys sliding around corners with MTZ-556 builds.
SMGs: The Need for Speed
Submachine guns are where the "Carry Forward" experiment really shows its age. If you try to use an old Lachmann Sub against a modern Static-HV or a Superi 46, you’re going to get smoked. It’s not even a fair fight.
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The Static-HV basically broke the game for a minute there. It has a massive factory magazine and a recoil pattern that stays remarkably vertical. You don't even need to run an extended mag, which frees up an attachment slot for something like the JAK Glassless Optic or a heavy stock to help with flinch.
- Striker: Great for beginners, very predictable.
- WSP Swarm: Absolute chaos in close quarters but kicks like a mule.
- Rival-9: The pro-player choice for a reason—the handling is just crisp.
The FJX Horus is another one people slept on. It has a faster fire rate than almost anything in its class. If you can handle the muzzle flash, it deletes people in under 200 milliseconds at close range.
Battle Rifles and the Long-Range Meta
Battle Rifles are weird. They sit in this awkward middle ground where they want to be Snipers but end up being clunky ARs. However, the BAS-B remains a powerhouse. Even after several balance patches, its damage per second (DPS) at mid-range is hard to ignore.
Have you tried the DTIR 30-06? It’s heavy. It’s slow. But it hits like a freight train. In Warzone, this thing became a staple because of its consistent three-to-four shot kill potential at distances where ARs start feeling like they’re shooting marshmallows.
The Sidewinder... well, honestly, let’s just not talk about the Sidewinder. Even with the buffs, it feels like trying to aim a fire hose.
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Snipers and the "One-Shot" Debate
Sniping in MW3 feels better than it did in the last couple of iterations, mostly because of the KATT-AMR and the MORS. The MORS is technically a railgun, which means no bolt-action animation in the traditional sense. It’s fast. It’s flashy. It’s annoying to play against.
The Kar98k returned and immediately reclaimed its throne. It’s technically a Marksman Rifle, but let’s be real—it’s a sniper. The aim assist on controllers for this thing was so strong at launch that it felt like cheating. It’s been tuned down since, but in the hands of a skilled player, it’s still the best "quick-scope" tool in the shed.
The "Aftermarket" Secret Sauce
You can't talk about all guns in MW3 without mentioning Conversion Kits. These things are the real reason the weapon count is so high. You can take a pistol like the Renetti and turn it into a full-auto carbine with the JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit.
It’s basically a new gun.
The JAK Wardens for the Lockwood Mk2 turned a mediocre lever-action rifle into dual-wielded 1887 shotguns. It was a nostalgia trip that actually worked. These kits change the fundamental DNA of the weapon, often making "trash" guns suddenly viable in the top-tier meta.
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The Heavy Hitters: LMGs and Shotguns
LMGs are in a weird spot. The TAQ Eradicator has a cool mechanic where it starts firing fast and then slows down to maintain accuracy. It’s smart design. But most players find LMGs too slow for the current movement-heavy gameplay. The DG-58 LSW is the exception—it handles surprisingly well if you strip off the heavy stocks.
As for shotguns, the Reclaimer 18 (the SPAS-12 for the veterans) is the king of style. You can toggle between pump-action for range and semi-auto for clearing rooms. It’s versatile. The Riveter, on the other hand, is basically a full-auto AR that shoots buckshot. It’s infuriating to play against on Shipment.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Loadout
If you want to actually win more trades, stop looking at the total number of all guns in MW3 and start focusing on these specific moves:
- Check the "Detailed Stats" in Gunsmith. Don't trust the little green and red bars. Look at the actual milliseconds for ADS (Aim Down Sights) and the damage drop-off numbers.
- Stick to MW3-native weapons for Multiplayer. The MW2 guns generally have more visual recoil and slower handling. They weren't designed for the 150-health system.
- Experiment with Tac-Stance. On guns like the Bruen Mk9 or the Haymaker, Tac-Stance offers a perfect balance between hip-fire mobility and ADS accuracy.
- Prioritize Bullet Velocity in Warzone. If you're playing on the big maps, anything under 700m/s is going to feel like you're throwing rocks. Use the Sonic Suppressor or High Grain rounds.
The meta changes every few weeks, but the fundamentals don't. Pick a gun that matches your pace. If you're a "cracked" movement player, go with the Superi 46. If you like to hold lanes and play the objective, the STG44 is your best friend.
Stop overthinking the 130+ options and master three. That’s how you actually climb the ranks.