Loadouts are always a point of contention in MW3, as they determine how strong you can be during a single match. We wanted to make that just a little bit easier, by detailing the best loadout for each class in Modern Warfare 3.
Modern Warfare 3 Best Loadout for Each Class
From Assault Rifles to Sniper Rifles, there are plenty of weapons for players to get their hands on. Even the guns from MW2 make their way into Modern Warfare 3 to shake up the meta. We expect the release of Season 1 to bring with it massive changes that can determine the best weapons of the patch. For now, we are here to detail the best gun of each class.
Best Assault Rifle Loadout
Now that we are deep in Season 1, the meta for assault rifles boils down to mobility and TTK. There are some really good contenders for the best AR, and many of them meet the criteria for that title. However, we only have one spot so we chose the SVA 545. There are a few reasons this weapon pulls away from the DG 58, Holger 556, and MCW, but mainly it comes down to its ease of use and immediate availability at level 4 for every player. It’s likely the first assault rifle players will max level.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Muzzle: XTEN Ported 290
- Underbarrel: Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip
- Barrel: STV Precision Barrel
- Magazine: 45 Round Mag
- Optic: MK. 3 Reflector
We start with the XTEN Ported 290 muzzle that completely negates a heavy amount of recoil on the SVA 545. Any left is then removed by the Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip. Our STV Precision Barrel is a good mix of damage increase, and further helps with accuracy. Slipping on the 45-round magazine helps with extended gunfights and taking down enemies in droves. Finally, the MK. 3 Reflector is my personal favorite, but we added an optic due to the SVA’s poor iron sights. You can put on whatever optic suits you the most.
Best SMG Loadout
MW3 has a swathe of incredible SMGs, from the Rival-9 to the AMR9, Striker 9 to the WSP Swarm, all with their unique strengths and diverse build options. There is one particular weapon that stands out in the MW3 environment due to its ability to be used at longer ranges and still perform with the best at CQC, so our pick is the Striker. It’s a perfect blend between short-range SMG and medium-range Assault Rifle. Regardless of the type of engagement you’re in, the Striker will do its best to get you out of it alive.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Barrel: Striker Recon Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Xten Phantom-5 Handstop
- Ammunition: .45 Auto High Grain
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Stock: No Stock
The Striker Recon Long Barrel and .45 Auto High Grain ammunition both increase range and the damage-per-shot for the Striker. It’s well-known that this weapon can perform at longer ranges than most SMGs, so we want to capitalize on that advantage. The VLK LZR 7MW and the Xten Phantom-5 Handstop increase the mobility and handling of the Striker by a significant margin. Finally, the No Stock option will have you sprinting across the maps in an instant.
Best LMG Loadout
Introduced during the early weeks of Season 1 we have the TAQ Eradicator, eradicating the competition. It is an Assault Rifle disguised as an LMG, so its handling is incredible and its damage contends with the Bruen Mk9 and the Pulemyot 762. There’s little this weapon doesn’t bring to the table considering its incredible accuracy and ability to dominate any engagement.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Muzzle: Bore-490
- Barrel: Exiler-84 Short Barrel
- Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
- Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
- Magazine: 45 Round Magazine
First off we use the Exiler-84 Short Barrel for a speedier ADS and mobility. To continue that trend we have the XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop and the FSS OLE-V Laser for even better handling, movement speed, ADS, and sprint-to-fire speeds. Due to the above changes the TAQ Eradicator has harsher recoil, so we use the Bore-490 muzzle to tackle that issue.
Finally, since the TAQ Eradicator is an AR disguised as an LMG, we want to equip the 45-round magazine for better handling.
Best Battle Rifle Loadout
With Battle Rifles, there’s only one contender for the best Modern Warfare 3 loadout in its class. So, we’ve chosen the BAS-B to no one’s surprise. It’s an incredible weapon that has the single highest TTK at close to medium range, so abuse this weapon as much as possible before Activision slams it with the nerf hammer. Be warned it has some hefty kick but once you master it, there’s no one that can stop your rampage.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Muzzle: Bore-490
- Barrel: Short 8″ Bruen SZ-45 Barrel
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Magazine: 45 Round Magazine
The BAS-B’s strong recoil needs to be mitigated first and foremost, so we use the Bore-490 to decrease both vertical and horizontal recoil while also decreasing gun kick. The Short 8″ Barrel brings the BAS-B’s handling up to a good standard for it to match quicker rifles of the season. To further help our mobility issues we use the DR-6 Handstop for movement speed, ADS speeds, and walking speeds.
Finally, our optic of choice is the Slate Reflector but can be swapped out for one of your own, and the 45-round magazine keeps the bullets rolling for as long as possible.
Best Marksman Rifle Loadout
The MTZ Interceptor is a finely tuned machine and promises to shave the hairs off of a fly with its accuracy. It has the perfect balance between damage, range, and handling. With a few choice attachments, this weapon can be a dominating machine. Marksman Rifles haven’t always been the best class of weapon, but MW3 and the MTZ Interceptor are changing that perception.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
- Barrel: MTZ Longshot Pro Barrel
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Magazine: 20 Round Magazine
- Optic: Corio Eagleseye 2.5x
First off we have the VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor to keep us off the minimap and for a large reduction in recoil to keep our shots on point. The MTZ Longshot Pro Barrel offers increased stability across the board, further addressing recoil, gun kick, increasing range, and reducing sway. For some mobility increases, we use the DR-6 Handstop for better ADS speeds, movement speeds, and sprint speeds.
Finally, we have the 20-round magazine since 10 bullets are rarely enough, and the Corio Eagleseye 2.5x as our optic of choice.
Best Sniper Rifle Loadout
The Longbow’s appearance shouldn’t be a surprise to players, as it’s the single most competent sniper rifle in the game currently. It can be used to hold down a position like a regular sniper, or can be transformed into a close-range one-shot monster. Other sniper rifles in this class are either too sluggish and slow, or don’t have the required damage to offer this playstyle.
The best attachments are as follows:
- Barrel: Tac-Brute Suppressed Barrel
- Optic: Forge Tac Delta 4
- Stock: No Stock
- Rear Grip: Citadel Grip
- Bolt: SA-M Quickbolt
As stated, the aim is to tune this class into a movement machine, letting you slip and slide through enemies with this sniper. The Tac-Brute Barrel and Forge Tac Delta 4 make an excellent duo to allow fast ADS and a clean optic. No Stock, Citadel Grip, and SA-M Quickbolt double down on this speedy loadout and allow you to quick-scope your enemy.
That does it for our Modern Warfare 3 best loadout for each class guide. Once Season 1 is over and Activision rolls out buffs and nerfs, we will commit to editing this list and keeping you up to date. Be sure to check out our related Call of Duty guides, news, and updates below.
