Content:
Key Takeaways
Plenty of guns can win a fight, but only some of them keep winning them match after match. This guide goes through the Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer arsenal weapon by weapon, grades each gun, and explains where it shines and where it lets you down. You will also find picks for beginners, backup weapons and the guns that are still waiting for a fair grade.
- Best rifle: the M4 is the best all-round assault rifle for mixed fights and a sensible first weapon to learn.
- Best SMG: the ISO Nightshade leads the SMGs for aggressive routes and close objective fights.
- Best sniper: the KG-7 Vulcan is the first sniper to try if you can make your opening shot count.
- Newcomers: the Han 86 is the easy starter rifle, while the Kastov 762 rewards players who can handle heavier recoil.
- Alternatives: the PPSh-41 and X-58 Nyx give you two different ways to keep up close pressure or flank with control.
- Defence: the FiNN LMG fits defensive positions where you have time to prepare for the next push.
Modern Warfare 4 Weapon Tier List
The ranking below rates guns by how useful they are in regular multiplayer. Four things drive the grade: how hard the recoil is to manage, how the weapon handles, how far it stays effective, and how much a missed shot costs you. A gun with a clear job and a forgiving feel climbs; a gun that only works in narrow situations drops a letter, however fun it is.
The table covers every weapon that has been graded. Weapons without enough multiplayer data are kept apart in the unranked sections further down. The game is still in beta, so numbers and grades may change with patches.
| Tier | Weapon | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| S | M4 | Versatile rifle for mixed distances |
| S | ISO Nightshade | Aggressive close-range SMG |
| S | KG-7 Vulcan | Sniper for a prepared angle |
| A | Han 86 | Beginner-friendly rifle |
| A | Kastov 762 | Hard-hitting rifle, heavy recoil |
| A | Hyeon Burst | Burst weapon for set-up fights |
| A | PPSh-41 | SMG for crowded objectives |
| A | X-58 Nyx | Low-recoil flanking weapon |
| A | Krait P68 | Emergency pistol backup |
| A | PILA | Launcher against airborne threats |
| B | Patriot XMR | Planned mid-range rifle fights |
| B | FiNN LMG | Holding an approach |
| B | Type 73 | Supporting from a prepared spot |
| B | Rezi 12 | Indoor shotgun fights |
| B | MAR-9 | Accurate semi-automatic shooting |
| B | Oris 8.6 | Mobile marksman rifle |
| B | Signal .50 | Sniper from a prepared position |
| B | .50 GS | Deliberate pistol shots |
| B | Combat Knife | Close ambushes only |
Note: The PILA and the Krait P68 sit in the A row, but they are backup tools rather than main guns, so judge them against other secondaries, not against rifles.
Some of the strongest guns here are locked behind player-rank unlocks, so your first choice depends on what you already own. If the weapon you want is still out of reach, a Soldier Rank boost gets you to the rank that opens it, and that leaves you more options when you compare assault rifles, SMGs and sniper rifles.
S-Tier Weapons
The S grade goes to the guns that lead our recommendations for their role. Between them they cover flexible rifle play, close pressure on objectives, and dedicated sniping. Three weapons make the cut:
- M4
- ISO Nightshade
- KG-7 Vulcan
M4
The M4 is our pick for the best assault rifle in MW4, and the reason is range flexibility. You can hold a middle lane with it, then push onto the objective without swapping your plan or your weapon. Specialist guns force you to build a round around their strengths; the M4 does not, which also makes it a very good first rifle to learn the game with.
ISO Nightshade
If you like to take the fight to the enemy, the ISO Nightshade is the strongest SMG in MW4 at close range. In the final beta build it dealt 21 base damage at 10.1 meters. Pick covered routes that make the opponent turn around to face you at the worst possible moment, because that is where an SMG wins most of its duels. Treat the beta figure with care, as numbers may change with patches.
KG-7 Vulcan
The KG-7 Vulcan is our favourite sniper for anyone confident with a first shot. It works best from an angle you have prepared in advance: fire when the enemy is coming through, then relocate once they start looking your way. It gets easier still when a friend covers the entrance behind you, so you are not distracted while lining up the next target.
A-Tier Weapons
A-grade guns are strong alternatives for when you want a different firing rhythm or a specialist backup. Some need tighter recoil control, others suit flanking or team support. The A list is:
- Han 86
- Kastov 762
- Hyeon Burst
- PPSh-41
- X-58 Nyx
- Krait P68
- PILA
The Krait P68 and the PILA are covered in the secondary weapons section below, since they back up a main gun instead of replacing it.
Han 86
The Han 86 is one of the best beginner rifles in MW4, mostly because its rate of fire makes it easier to learn how a rifle fight works. Keep your crosshair near likely entry points and practise following an enemy through a burst. It was buffed in the last beta update for damage at two distances, though the exact ranges were never spelled out, so expect the numbers to move again.
Kastov 762
The Kastov 762 earns its A grade through strong hits, as long as you can handle the recoil. Start the fight with your sights already on the target, and at longer ranges shorten your bursts before the recoil drags the shots off target. If you enjoy a rifle that rewards discipline, this is the one to practise.
Hyeon Burst
The Hyeon Burst suits players who set themselves up before shooting. Land the first burst on target and keep tracking while you prepare the next one; if you lose the target between bursts, the fight turns uncomfortable fast. It is best used again and again in areas where cover lets you reset.
PPSh-41
Among the best SMGs in MW4, the PPSh-41 suits objectives where several enemies tend to show up in the same spot. Its generous ammunition capacity helps when a second opponent follows the first through a door. Still, keep an eye on how much ammo remains before you take the next corner, because a long spray feels great right up until the empty magazine catches you halfway through a push.
X-58 Nyx
Bring the X-58 Nyx when your route loops behind the enemy and you want to hit their defenders from the back. Its low recoil keeps tracking easy. Pick a path with cover, and decide on an escape route before the first shot in case the fight turns against you.
B-Tier Weapons
B-grade weapons do their best work when your route supports their narrower strengths. Prepared positions, indoor fights and deliberate shots give them room to perform, and outside those situations they fall behind the higher tiers. The B list is:
- Patriot XMR
- FiNN LMG
- Type 73
- Rezi 12
- MAR-9
- Oris 8.6
- Signal .50
- .50 GS
- Combat Knife
The .50 GS and the Combat Knife are discussed with the other secondaries further down.
Patriot XMR
The Patriot XMR fits the assault rifle style built around planned mid-distance fights. Choose your angle, and make sure your opening shots count before you commit to sustained fire. Its recoil asks for more focus while you track a target, so use it where cover is close by and the fight happens on your terms.
FiNN LMG
The FiNN LMG is well suited to defence, especially when many enemies arrive in quick succession. Set up before the assault comes, but leave yourself room to fall back. The last beta patch nerfed its close-range damage, so it is no longer a real replacement for an assault rifle. Hold the area first, then advance when the situation lets you.
Type 73
The Type 73 works best when you support an objective from a prepared position. Let your teammates take the first corner while you watch the route behind them. Its lower damage after beta tuning makes rushed frontal pushes hard to justify, which is why it sits below the leading rifles for general play. Keep it in the bag for planned defensive setups.
Rezi 12
Indoors, the Rezi 12 shotgun gets better once you control the distance where the fight happens. Watch the entrances, take cover and force your opponents to cross the range you want. The grade is a B because so many ordinary multiplayer fights do not happen at that range.
MAR-9
The MAR-9 is made for anyone who enjoys accurate semi-automatic shooting. Use it when you can clearly see an enemy approaching, then slip back behind cover. It gets harder once the enemy moves into your line of sight suddenly and you have to shoot in a hurry.
Oris 8.6
For mobile precision play, the Oris 8.6 is the first marksman rifle we would recommend. Plan the first shot and keep cover available while you prepare the second. Hit location matters, so do not expect every body shot to finish a healthy opponent. If your first attempt fails, change the angle before you hand the enemy an easy return shot.
Signal .50
The Signal .50 suits snipers who prepare a position before the enemy arrives. Watch one useful crossing and keep a short escape route open. For a general sniper pick we would still choose the KG-7 Vulcan first, but the Signal stays a fine alternative if its handling feels better to you and your team can protect the nearby entrances.
Best Secondary Weapons
A good secondary solves the problem your primary leaves behind. A pistol helps when reloading would expose you, while a launcher helps the team deal with airborne threats. Choose your backup around that job before worrying about its tier letter.
Krait P68
The Krait P68 is our pick for the best pistol in MW4 when you need an emergency backup. Swap to it when an opponent is already close and your primary magazine has run dry. Keep the sights on target and fire at a pace you can control. When the immediate threat is gone, return to cover and get your main weapon ready for the next fight.
.50 GS
The .50 GS suits players who can place a deliberate pistol shot under pressure. Its recoil makes hurried follow-ups harder to manage, so take the extra moment to settle the sights whenever your position allows. If emergency pistol fights already feel chaotic, choose the Krait P68 first.
PILA
The PILA launcher earns an A-grade utility rating by countering airborne threats with guided missiles. Move into cover before you line up an air target, finish the shot, then reposition if enemies start checking your location. Taking out enemy air support can make an objective push easier for everyone nearby.
Combat Knife
Of the melee weapons, the Combat Knife is good for close ambushes once you have a route behind your opponent. Scout the next corner before you commit to the final charge, since open routes give enemies plenty of time to prepare. Use it for specialist challenges only, not as a general plan.
Once your loadout feels reliable, Prestige becomes the longer-term target. A Prestige leveling service can take you to the Prestige you want and the rewards tied to that milestone, which suits players who would rather spend their own sessions on favourite guns and modes.
Best Weapons for Beginners
The Han 86 and the M4 are the best MW4 weapons for beginners, because both teach ordinary rifle fights. Start by keeping your crosshair near the next likely entrance, then practise staying on target without firing for longer than you can control. Use the order below to match your preferred routes.
- Han 86: a rifle to learn first, thanks to its forgiving rate of fire.
- M4: the next step once it is available, especially when your route mixes rooms and medium lanes.
- ISO Nightshade: for newcomers who prefer close objective play and can reliably take covered approaches.
Tip: Do not chase the highest grade straight away. A weapon you can control for a whole match will beat a stronger one that you spray wildly.
Some of the best builds depend on attachments that take time to unlock. A weapon leveling service helps you reach the level you want on your chosen gun and widens your Gunsmith options. Fully leveling a supported gun also unlocks its Apex Attachment, which gives you one more way to shape the build.
Unranked Weapons
Some weapons need more comparable multiplayer data before they get a fair grade. These four stay unranked for now:
- Axion
- Wz. 55 Striga
- Sang 9mm
- Mojave .357
Axion
The Axion assault rifle was available in the default loadout. That means a fixed setup with limited room to compare custom builds, and broader multiplayer evidence is needed before it can stand next to rifles with fully open progression.
Wz. 55 Striga
The Wz. 55 Striga appeared in the first campaign mission. Campaign encounters give you a useful look at a weapon, but they are a different test from player-versus-player fights. Its multiplayer grade stays open until it can be judged against other SMGs under comparable conditions.
Sang 9mm
The Sang 9mm was also available in the default loadout. Quick cycling and manageable handling make it a reasonable emergency backup, but a fuller comparison of custom builds is needed before it gets a multiplayer grade.
Mojave .357
The Mojave .357 is a revolver with the Outlaw Apex Attachment. Outlaw enables rapid fan-firing from the hip, which gives you close-range follow-up shots. Its grade stays open until the full setup can be compared with other pistols.
Additional Unranked Weapons
A further group of weapons has too little multiplayer information for a solid tier placement, and there are no confirmed details on how to get them. These guns stay in the unranked pile until more information turns up:
- Oden
- Cronen Squall
- VEL 46
- Warlord
- Mosin-Nagant
- Astaroth .57
- RPG-8
- JOKR
- Combat Axe
Note: Because the game is in beta, any of these could jump straight into the tier list after a patch, so check the rankings again after major updates before you commit to a long grind.
Best Guns by Weapon Class
The right gun depends on the role you want to play, so pick the weapon class first, based on the distance you usually fight at. The table shows our first choice for each class and the situation where we would reach for it.
| Weapon class | First choice | When we would pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Assault Rifle | M4 | Routes mixing close and medium engagements |
| SMG | ISO Nightshade | Room pushes, flanks and close objectives |
| Shotgun | Rezi 12 | Indoor routes with frequent close fights |
| LMG | FiNN LMG | Holding an approach before opponents arrive |
| Marksman Rifle | Oris 8.6 | Moving between planned precision angles |
| Sniper Rifle | KG-7 Vulcan | Watching a crossing with a prepared opening shot |
| Pistol | Krait P68 | Quick backup when the primary needs a reload |
| Launcher | PILA | Helping the team counter airborne threats |
| Melee | Combat Knife | Specialist ambush routes and close camo work |
If you want to work through the whole arsenal, the Ultimate Bundle covers a lot of that grind in one go, and the Call of Duty store lists the other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gun in MW4?
The M4 is the best overall gun, while the ISO Nightshade leads the close-range picks.
What is the best assault rifle in MW4?
The M4 leads the assault rifles for mixed engagements, with the Han 86 as a beginner-friendly alternative.
What is the best SMG in MW4?
The ISO Nightshade is the best SMG for aggressive close-range multiplayer.
What is the best sniper in MW4?
The KG-7 Vulcan is the top sniper pick for prepared angles and accurate opening shots.
How many weapons does MW4 have at launch?
Modern Warfare 4 is set to launch with 33 weapons.
Does MW4 beta weapon progress carry over?
No. Player Rank and weapon progress are reset, but eligible beta rewards carry over.
Are these also the best MW4 Warzone and DMZ weapons?
No, these rankings cover regular multiplayer only. Warzone and DMZ need their own recommendations because combat conditions differ there.
In short, take the M4 for versatility, the ISO Nightshade for close combat and the KG-7 Vulcan for sniping. Pick a weapon that matches the route you play most often, and learn its recoil and range before anything else.