Top 10 best weapons in CoD: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at launch offered players a wide variety of weapons for multiplayer battles. These include both well-known guns from previous games in the series and completely new ones. In this ranking, we'll talk about the best choices among all types of firearms. 

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But first, it's important to mention that there is no universal or dominant weapon. Everything will depend solely on your choice and playstyle. Experience and familiarity can turn a gun with weak stats into a real death machine in the hands of a skilled player!

Holger 556 

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Opening the list is the assault rifle Holger 556. Players have come to love it for its balanced ergonomics, reliable range, and solid damage. Overall, assault rifles have always stood out as a class of weapons suitable for most situations. There are hardly any tasks they can't handle.

The Holger 556 is based on the real-life prototype of the HK G36, which has appeared in many games, both in the CoD series and other shooters. In real life, it's a versatile platform capable of performing tasks as both a marksman rifle and an assault rifle, and sometimes even as a light machine gun! It's no wonder the developers brought it back.

MTZ-556 

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Next on the list is another assault rifle with a real-life counterpart. The MTZ is quite unique, as its characteristics are more reminiscent of a submachine gun. It falls short of the Holger in range and accuracy but makes up for it with a high rate of fire.

What gives the MTZ an advantage over the SMG class is its damage, which surpasses that of submachine guns. This makes the rifle a great choice for those who like to rush but still want the ability to hit targets at a distance without sacrificing too much damage.

Striker 

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Among submachine guns, UMP and MP have long held leading positions in the Modern Warfare series. These guns have appeared in various versions in different CoD games, and every time their pick rate has been impressive. In Modern Warfare 3, the UMP-45 reappears under the name Striker, and it's still a fantastic weapon.

This is a balanced submachine gun. Its recoil is easy to control, its damage is among the highest in the class, and its rate of fire is at that sweet spot where you're not emptying the magazine in two seconds, but you're also not firing as slowly as pouring honey from a jar.

Rival-9 

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This 9mm submachine gun performs excellently among its "colleagues" in the class. The Rival combines everything we love about SMGs: great rate of fire, low recoil, solid damage, and good ergonomics.

Most players who like to clear rooms quickly tend to choose the Rival for its easy recoil control. SMGs don't require exceptional handling skills and are ideal for fans of fast-paced action.

Longbow

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We've long known that sniper rifles are divided into precision and marksman rifles. While the former requires special skill, as the player won't have a chance to fire another shot immediately at the same spot after shooting, the latter is a different story.

The Longbow is suitable for those who like to shoot from a distance and deal heavy damage without staying in one place for too long. The rifle is well-balanced, and its semi-automatic feature, along with a large magazine, helps ease the frustration of missing a shot. Additionally, its reliable damage won't leave enemies a chance to escape, even if you're not always hitting dead center.

BAS-B 

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Combat rifles remain popular among CoD players. They are the perfect middle ground between sniper and assault weapons. Among others, the BAS-B has long held a leading position with fans of this class. Despite its limited ammo capacity, the BAS-B boasts almost perfect ergonomics and an impressive rate of fire.

If you wish, the BAS-B can be used as both a marksman rifle and for rushing. The choice of playstyle is up to the player. However, always remember that the gun's recoil matches its damage.

Lockwood 680

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We can't overlook the shotgun class. Although this weapon type is not the most popular among players, there are some worthy representatives that can pleasantly surprise many with their gameplay. One standout is the Lockwood 680. Thanks to its flexibility in terms of modifications and its insane damage, this pump-action shotgun can easily be considered one of the best choices on smaller maps.

While the Lockwood 680 lags behind other shotguns in terms of fire rate, it makes up for it by packing enough power to send enemies flying with a single shot. Players should just keep in mind the need to pump the action between shots, but certain perks and practice can quickly mitigate this drawback.

Riveter

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For those who want to spray an entire room with lead, there’s the Riveter, which can rightfully be considered a terror in any room a player needs to clear. Thanks to its large magazine and high fire rate, this shotgun can easily be seen as an SMG equivalent within its niche.

While the Riveter has lower damage compared to the Lockwood, this is offset by its fire rate, ammo capacity, and mobility. This weapon is perfect for players who love to shoot fast and loud.

DG-58 LSW

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This light machine gun has carried over from previous entries and features some of the most balanced stats among other models. It’s favored for its accuracy, ergonomics, and rate of fire. The DG-58 only falls short of its "colleagues" in magazine capacity, though not by much — 60 rounds in the base model is more than enough to take out multiple opponents.

Other advantages of the DG-58 include its mobility and ease of use. With this gun, you won’t need to seek out a position to lie down and shoot (otherwise, the recoil will send your barrel skyward after the first three shots, as happens with other machine guns). The DG lets players run and engage in dynamic play as if they were wielding an assault rifle!

COR-45

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Last on the list, but not least in significance, is the COR-45 pistol. Modeled after the GLOCK — one of the best pistols in the world — the COR-45 meets all the users’ expectations. It’s loved for its comfort, accuracy, and of course, its damage. Arguably, it’s the best secondary weapon for any player.

Also, don't forget that it comes with a large magazine, allowing players to engage in extended firefights even when their primary weapon's ammo has long run out.

Even after reviewing this top list, it's impossible to say that any particular weapon will give a player a clear advantage, as we mentioned at the beginning. Yes, it might be frustrating when you're killed by a weapon that seems too easy to handle. But everyone should remember that personal skill is what ultimately matters.

Equip yourself wisely, choose what suits you best, and most importantly — play for your own enjoyment!

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