Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Weapon Guide

Assault Rifles

AK-47

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 689

Reload time: 2.5

Starting ammo: 90 rounds

High damage, but featuring insane upwards recoil, the AK-47 is powerful, yet unreliable at long range. At mid, to short range however, it’s a monster.

M16A4

Damage: 45

Rate of fire: 780

Reload time: 2.03

Starting ammo: 90

With moderate recoil and burst-fire only, the M16 is dependable at close to mid range, and is good for suppressing fire or the off long shot. Controlled bursts make for higher accuracy than the AK-47.

M4A1

Damage: 42

Rate of fire: 780

Reload time: 2.03

Starting ammo: 90

The M4A1 is essentially a fully automatic counterpart to the M16A4 in terms of damage and rate of fire, except it actually has less recoil. Relatively weak, compared to other assault rifles, but accurate.

FAD

Damage: 30

Rate of fire: 1000

Reload time: 3.2

Starting ammo: 120

Matched only by the Type 95 in terms of assault rifle fire rate, the FAD is brutally fast, yet features a painfully slow reload time of 3.2 seconds. It’s also the weakest assault rifle in Modern Warfare 3.

ACR 6.8

Damage: 45

Rate of fire: 705

Reload time: 1.9

Starting ammo: 90

Moderately powerful, the ACR 6.8 has the fastest reload time of any assault rifle in Modern Warfare 3, and boasts the lowest recoil too. This is essentially the game’s equivalent to the FAMAS in Black Ops.

Type 95

Damage: 55

Rate of fire: 1000

Reload time: 2.76

Starting ammo: 90

The Type 95 is an anomaly in that it is a burst fire weapon that also boasts the fastest rate of fire out of all assault rifles in Modern Warfare 3. It is also the second most powerful assault rifle after the MK14.

MK14

Damage: 75

Rate of fire: 545

Reload time: 2.76

Starting ammo: 60

This single shot assault rifle is the most powerful assault rifle in Modern Warfare 3 by 20 damage points. It’s strong, but is suited to mid to long-range battles instead of to-to-toe encounters. Also features a slow reload time.

SCAR-L

Damage: 35

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 2.4

Starting ammo: 90

Another Call of Duty classic here, the SCAR-L is a solid assault rifle with minimal recoil, but low damage. However, an average rate of fire compensates. Also features a moderate reload time.

G36C

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 769

Reload time: 2.433

Starting ammo: 90

Medium power and mid-range rate of fire make the G36C an all-round, multi purpose weapon. Horizontal recoil is minimal, but beware of the gun raising up high when holding down the trigger. Use controlled bursts for maximum effect.

CM901

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 666

Reload time: 2.33

Starting ammo: 90

The CM901 is actually available in some pre-made load outs. It’s one of the most powerful assault rifles out there and it features a decent reload time. Perfect for run n’ gun play.

Sub Machine Guns

MP5

Damage: 42

Rate of fire: 800

Reload time: 2.53

Starting ammo: 90

Powerful, and with a high rate of fire, the MP5 is superb at short to medium range, although it has the higest recoil spread of any SMG in Modern Warfare 3. Use in controlled bursts.

PM-9

Damage: 35

Rate of fire: 1090

Reload time: 3

Starting ammo: 96

With the fastest fire rate of any SMG in Modern Warfare 3, the PM-9 is ferocious in close range combat. However, when holding down thr trigger, the gun will arc wildly upward, so be disciplined and fire sparingly.

P90

Damage: 42

Rate of fire: 857

Reload time: 2.76

Starting ammo: 150

The P90 has the largest clip count out of all the SMG weapons in Modern Warfare 3, and as such has more in common with assault rifles. It is also lightweight and features moderate kick back, making it a good all-round weapon.

PP90M1

Damage: 42

Rate of fire: 1000

Reload time: 3.03

Starting ammo: 108

This gas-powered SMG packs a moderate punch, but boasts an insane fire rate. The trade-off is that it takes over three seconds to reload, meaning you should always find cover before you change the clip.

UMP45

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 2.5

Starting ammo: 96

An absolute monster, the UMP45 was a popular favourite at the Call of Duty XP event in September, and it will likely become a staple of run n' gun fans post-launch. Low recoil and the highestes damge of any SMG make this a must-have.

MP7

Damage: 35

Rate of fire: 895

Reload time: 3

Starting ammo: 120

With almost zero kick back, the MP7 is a dependable asset in the field. Together with a high rate of fire and huge starting ammo count, this is a superb weapon.

Light Machine Guns

M60E4

Damage: 50

Rate of fire: 600

Reload time: 9.3

Starting ammo: 200

With the biggest damage rating out of all LMG weapons in Modern Warfare 3, you might think this is the best choice in its class. However, it takes almost ten seconds to reload, and has the largest recoil. 

MK46

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 859

Reload time: 8.67

Starting ammo: 200

The MK46 has the fastest fire rate out of all LMG weapons in Modern Warfare 3, but again, it suffers from a painfully slow reload time. the only upshot is that the damage is almost on par with the M60E4, and it has minimal recoil.

PKP Pecheneg

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 705

Reload time: 8.06

Starting ammo: 200

With slightly reduced reload time, high damage and low recoil, the PKP is comparable to the AUG in Modern Warfare 2, which makes it absolutely brilliant at long range. 

L86 LSW

Damage: 38

Rate of fire: 800

Reload time: 3.76

Starting ammo: 200

With a drastically reduced reload time compared to other LMG weapons, the L86 LSW is mobile and spits out rounds at a decent rate. The trade-off is that it's the weakest gun in its class. Also features the smallest recoil of any LMG.

MG36

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 769

Reload time: 3.73

Starting ammo: 200

With the quickest reload time out of any LMG, the MG36 won't leave you caught out once the barrell runs dry. Together with high power and a rapid rate of fire, this is a good all-round LMG.

Sniper Rifles

Barrett 50.Cal

Damage: 98

Rate of fire: 1200

Reload time: 3.917

Starting ammo: 30

A massively popular rifle on the Call of Duty circuit, the Barrett 50.Cal will outright kill anyone shot from the waist up with one round. It also has minimal recoil per shot, banking slightly to the right. Slow reload lets it down slightly however.

Dragunov

Damage: 70

Rate of fire: 1200

Reload time: 2.75

Starting ammo: 30

One of the weakest sniper rifles in Modern Warfare 3, but also one of the fastest, the Dragunov spits out high calibre bullets at an alarming rate. Also has medium recoil per round.

AS50

Damage: 98

Rate of fire: 200

Reload time: 3.56

Starting ammo: 15

Probably the weakest choice of sniper rifles in the game, with one of the longest recentre speeds and the weakest strength bullets when striking anywhere other than the head. It's recoil matches the Barrett and its bullets drop much slower that any other rifle, but it's still a poor choice.

RSASS

Damage: 70

Rate of fire: 1200

Reload time: 2.7

Starting ammo: 40

This semi-automatic rifle is one for trigger-happy snipers. There are concessions to be made in its awful drop speed, but it's quick to reload, quick to ready and has more than enough bullets in a clip to send a string of bullets careening towards your target.

MSR

Damage: 98

Rate of fire: 1200

Reload time: 2.268

Starting ammo: 20

One of the strongest sniper rifles in the game, the MSR can take out troops in one hit if you land it in the chest or head area. If you miss, simply follow up thanks to a superb fire rate. However, the MSR has very high recoil.

Shotguns

USAS 12

Damage: 25

Rate of fire: 139

Reload time: 3.2

The USAS 12 is an old favourite for COD fans, but here it's wide range of damage and long reload times means you need to be really sure of your shot before pulling the trigger.

KSG 12

Damage: 28

Rate of fire: 163

Reload time: 0.66

The KSG is something of an anomaly, providing the second highest damage capabilities and a bizarrely fast reload time. Of the two starter shotguns, this is definitely the one you'll want to begin with.

SPAS-12

Damage: 25

Rate of fire: 127

Reload time: 0.667

The SPAS-12 is about as average as the guns come in this category, offering a comparable damage while still being pretty quick to reload. It's recoil is tighter than most, but that doesn't prevent the high verticle recoil of the shotty.

AA-12

Damage: 15

Rate of fire: 400

Reload time: 2.75

What the AA-12 lacks in damage (it is pitifully weak) it more than makes up for in speed. To counter this its reload speed is pretty long, but if you find your accuracy with shotguns isn't up to scratch, then this is the one for you.

Striker

Damage: 25

Rate of fire: 352

Reload time: 0.666

Another fast firing shotgun, except this time with a much higher damage power. It can take a while to reload, and it recoils a little more than the AA-12, but it's ability to stop an enemy should not be ignored.

Model 1887

Damage: 30

Rate of fire: 240

Reload time: 0.65

As the last shotgun to collect, the Model 1887 has a hefty damage threshold capable of bringing anyone down with a single, accurate shot. While its refire rate is slower than some, it's still much more impressive than the more modern guns.

Machine Pistols

FMG9

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 1034

Reload time: 2.73

The FMG9 isn't a brilliant machine pistol, its high recoil spread and long reload time making it a pain to use. However, with the highest clip size and bullet count, as well as decent damage, this might well be the machine pistol to remain your favourite - considering they're almost exclusively used as a quick switching backup weapon in CQC.

MP9

Damage: 33

Rate of fire: 895

Reload time: 2.1

The MP9's minimal recoil spread means it's a little easier to control, while its superfast reload speed means you won't be left without a clip to spray. 

Skorpion

Damage: 30

Rate of fire: 857

Reload time: 2.43

The Skorpion is the jack-of-all-trades for machine pistols, providing an average statistic for everything except damage - which is, in fact, the weakest of the lot. It's fair recoil is perhaps its most redeeming feature.

G18

Damage: 42

Rate of fire: 1000

Reload time: 2.3

As the most powerful machine pistol you'd think the G18 should let itself down somewhere else but, actually, except for a limited clip size, there's little stopping the G18 being your favourite sidearm.

Handgun

USP .45

Damage: 40

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 1.625

The USP .45 is the most basic handgun you can get, its wide recoil meaning there's a lot of control needed to make the most of it.

P99

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 1200

Reload time: 1.83

The P99 might not look very manly, but its fairly heavy damage (comparatively, at least) and fastest rate of fire means its likely to be used by the majority of online players.

MP412

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 4.16

Of the three high-calibur pistols, the MP412 is the least impressive, with an excessively long reload time that hinders its use in close quarters. Kill or be killed, with this weapon.

.44 Magnum

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 3

For when it simply has to die, the Magnum is the handgun for you. Its brute force will stop anyone with a clean shot while the power behind it means you'll get the longest range from any of the pistols.

Five Seven

Damage: 36

Rate of fire: 1000

Reload time: 1.8

As the weakest pistol, the Five Seven's saving grace is its high clip count. Only bother with this one if you've got the trigger finger to keep up.

Desert Eagle

Damage: 49

Rate of fire: 750

Reload time: 1.96

The Desert Eagle matches the power of the Magnum - albeit with a slightly shorter range - while combining it with a much more convenient reload time. Unless you want something faster firing, this is the best pistol to use.

Launchers

SMAW

Damage: 115

Blast radius: 10

Reload time: 3

Starting ammo: 1

The SMAW is an surface to air missile that is much weaker than its peers.

Javelin

Damage: 300

Blast radius: 23

Reload time: 3

Starting ammo: 1

The Javelin is a powerful lock-on weapon.

Stinger

Damage: 155

Blast radius: 10

Reload time: 3

Starting ammo: 2

Used to lock on to a vehicle and shoot directly into the air, where it then flies unerringly towards its target.

XM25

Damage: 55

Blast radius: 3.8

Reload time: 4.33

Starting ammo: 6

The XM25 is a grenade launcher, however, unlike noobtubes of old, this is considerably weaker with a smaller blast radius and weaker damage. The idea is to injure enemies, to finish them off.

M320 GLM

Damage: 110

Blast radius: 7.6

Reload time: 2.63

Starting ammo: 2

A more traditional grenade launcher, this one only comes with two grenades, so make those shots count.

RPG-7

Damage: 135

Blast radius: 6.5

Reload time: 3.292

Starting ammo: 2

This is a freefire rocket, so can be used on infantry as well. With a smaller blast radius, however, you'll need to get the shot pretty close for a kill.