Best guns in Modern Warfare: Weapon tier list

Even with the overwhelming success of Modern Warfare 2, certain fans of the Call of Duty franchise prefer to go back to earlier titles, with Modern Warfare standing out as a favored option. To cater to these fans, we have compiled a comprehensive tier list that ranks every weapon in the game, revealing the top 10 best guns.

During the global pandemic that started in 2020, Modern Warfare reignited the enthusiasm of numerous individuals for the Call of Duty series. Consequently, it has remained popular even after the conclusion of its content cycle, despite the fact that its successor, Modern Warfare 2, has achieved unprecedented sales records.

Analyzing the diverse arsenal of weaponry in Modern Warfare and ranking them from best to worst has become a simple task, as the game no longer receives dedicated seasons or updates.

We have assessed and ranked all the weapons in Modern Warfare, taking into consideration their power levels, and now we present the top 10 in descending order.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare: Weapons tier list

There are plenty of weapons to choose from in Modern Warfare, from Shotguns to Sniper Rifles.

The Gunsmith system in Modern Warfare provides players with a wide array of weapons that can be completely customized. To categorize these weapons, we have created a tier list before revealing the top 10.

It is important to mention that these weapons excel in Core Modern Warfare, but it’s worth noting that Hardcore mode significantly alters the weapon balance.

S-Tier: M4A1, Grau 5.56, AS VAL, MP5, MP7, SP-R 208, MK2 Carbine, Sykov
A-Tier: PKM, R9-0 Shotgun, Renetti, Kar98k, Kilo 141, 725, AX-50, Kali Sticks
B-Tier: Origin 12 Shotgun, M13, HDR, RAM-7, CX-9, Riot Shield, AK-47, FAL, AUG, AN-94, RAAL MG, Oden, JAK-12, Holger-26, 50 GS, RPG-7, Strela-P, JOKR, SKS, FN Scar 17
C-Tier: CR-56 AMAX, Fennec, Bruen Mk9, PP19 Bizon, FiNN LMG, Uzi, ISO, Model 680, M91, SA87, Striker 45, M19, X16, 357, Dual Kodachis, Combat Knife
D-Tier: EBR-14, P90, Crossbow, VLK Rogue, FR 5.56, Rytec AMR, Pila, 1911, MG34
F-Tier: Dragunov

In Modern Warfare, S-Tier weapons reign supreme as the ultimate choices – the pinnacle of excellence. Meanwhile, A-tier weapons possess immense power and high viability, capable of rivaling the effectiveness of S-Tier weapons when handled skillfully.

When built and utilized effectively, B-Tier guns are practical and highly effective. On the other hand, with a few improvements, C-Tier weapons have the potential to gain more popularity.

D-Tier weapons may not be very effective, but you can still experiment with them and derive some enjoyment, whereas F-Tier guns should be completely avoided in your loadout.

Best weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

10. PKM – Best LMG in Modern Warfare

The PKM features clean and unobtrusive Iron Sights.

Throughout Call of Duty multiplayer, LMGs have consistently held a significant role by leveraging their extensive ammunition capacity to continuously eliminate opponents, all while evading the need for frequent reloads.

If you’re playing Modern Warfare, the PKM is the ideal choice for your LMG. With its impressive firepower and large magazine capacity, the PKM stands out among other LMGs. What makes it even better is that it can be customized to be a fast and agile option, allowing you to move freely without being restricted to holding down specific areas while mounted.

9. R-90 – Best Shotgun in Modern Warfare

The “Doof Doof” R-90 Shotgun holds a significant place in the memories of numerous Modern Warfare and Warzone players. When equipped with Dragon’s Breath rounds, this weapon transforms into an unstoppable force, especially in close-quarters combat.

If a player successfully escapes the destructive force of the R-90, their health will still be gradually diminished by the ongoing fire shells.

8. MK2 Carbine

Raking up kills with the MK2 Carbine is extremely satisfying.

If you desire a weapon that combines the elements of quickscoping and traditional sniping effectively, the MK2 Carbine is an excellent option. This lever-action Marksman Rifle is well-suited for both the fast-paced mayhem of Shoot the Ship and the strategic gameplay of Search and Destroy.

Despite being slower compared to the Kar98k and SPR-208, its capacity to deliver a one-hit chest-shot makes it highly forgiving.

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7. Sykov – Best Pistol in Modern Warfare

The Sykov is the ultimate secondary weapon. Despite arriving late in Modern Warfare’s lifecycle, this pistol has quickly become a game-changer in multiplayer and Warzone.

The Sykov is an automatic Pistol equipped with 80 Round Drum magazines, making it suitable for dual-wielding. Its ability to unleash a tremendous amount of firepower surpasses that of numerous SMGs and Shotguns in close-quarters combat. Nevertheless, its damage diminishes rapidly over distance.

6. Grau 5.56

The Grau 5.56 is as steady as they come in Modern Warfare.

The Grau 5.56 stands out in Modern Warfare’s multiplayer with exceptionally clear Iron Sights, making it a precise and formidable weapon. If your goal is to effortlessly eliminate opponents with unmatched accuracy from any distance, the Grau is an excellent choice.

Thanks to the Gunsmith system, it has the capability to transform into an SMG, making it suitable for a wide range of playstyles.

5. MP7

The MP7 secures the fifth spot on our list of top Modern Warfare weapons due to its impressive fire rate and minimal recoil. For those who prefer a versatile gameplay style, engaging in battles at various distances within a single game, the MP7 is an ideal choice.

While it may not outperform certain SMGs and Shotguns in close quarters, this weapon excels in terms of range capabilities. Its manageable recoil pattern and rapid rate of fire make it effortless to engage opponents at medium distances.

4. MP5 – Best SMG in Modern Warfare

Unsurprisingly, the MP5 is the top SMG in the game.

For quite some time now, the MP5 has held its position as the top-performing SMG in Modern Warfare. Despite not boasting the same rapid fire rate as certain other SMGs, its remarkable efficiency within the restricted spaces of Modern Warfare’s maps is undeniable.

If your goal is to swiftly and precisely navigate the map, then the MP5 is the ideal weapon for you. Although it may not possess the same long-distance capabilities as the MP7, it excels in close-quarters combat and will emerge victorious in most one-on-one encounters.

3. SPR-208 – Best Marksman Rifle in Modern Warfare

The SPR-208, a Marksman Rifle in Call of Duty, is specifically designed for quickscoping, a popular technique. While it has a slightly slower aim-down-sight speed compared to the Kar98k, its bolt time, damage, and magazine size contribute to a well-balanced weapon for quickscoping.

2. AS VAL

The AS VAL is the strongest post-launch weapon in Modern Warfare.

Ranked second on our list, the AS VAL proves to be a formidable weapon in Modern Warfare. Despite its limited magazine capacity of 30 rounds, this lightweight Assault Rifle effortlessly obliterates enemies due to its remarkably quick time to kill.

If you engage in individual battles in Search and Destroy, the AS VAL proves to be unbeatable against the enemy. Its only drawbacks are minor recoil and a small magazine size, but considering it’s a perfect hybrid between an SMG and AR, these limitations are negligible.

1. M4A1- Best gun in Modern Warfare

It should come as no shock to those familiar with Modern Warfare that the M4A1 is a versatile weapon that surpasses all others, proving itself as the ultimate gun in the game.

The M4A1 is a versatile Assault Rifle that adapts to various playstyles with its clean Iron Sights, minimal recoil, and excellent mobility. Whether you prefer close-range combat in multiplayer or long-range precision in Ground War, this classic Call of Duty weapon guarantees success.


Here are the top 10 weapons available for use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare! If you’re interested in more Call of Duty content, be sure to explore our other guides.

Top weapons in Warzone 2 | Optimal controller settings for Warzone 2 | Recommended PC settings for Warzone 2 | Achieving a nuke in Warzone 2 | Finest Assault Rifles in Warzone 2 | Superior SMGs in Modern Warfare 2 | Top-notch Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 2 | Premier Shotguns in Modern Warfare 2 | Supreme Marksman Rifles in Modern Warfare 2 | Elite Sniper Rifles in Modern Warfare 2

Image Credit: Activision