Modern Warfare best guns explained: Our best assault rifle, sniper rifle, shotgun, SMG and LMG weapon recommendations

The best weapons you should aim for in multiplayer.
Having to learn what the Modern Warfare best guns are is the first obstacle to overcome in your pursuit to greatness in ranked play.
If you end up running around with the wrong weapon then even the fastest reflexes won't guarantee you a win - that's why you'll want to know exactly what to use in each class.
You can expect everyone else to have this knowledge as well, so don't put yourself at a disadvantage without knowing the best weapons in Modern Warfare ahead of time.
On this page:

• What are the best guns in Modern Warfare?
• How good are the new Grau 5.56 and Striker 45?
• Best Assault Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: M4A1
• Best Sniper Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: AX-50
• Best Marksman Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: MK2 Carbine
• Best Shotgun in Modern Warfare recommendation: 725
• Best SMG in Modern Warfare recommendation: MP5
• Best LMG in Modern Warfare recommendation: M91
• Best non-traditional weapon in Modern Warfare recommendation: Crossbow

If you're looking for more info about weapons, the new Modern Warfare Blueprints feature is worth discovering.

What are the best guns in Modern Warfare?

With Season 2 now upon us, things have changed a bit from launch. Where long sight-lines and a sharp eye used to be the key to victory, the new maps and some balance changes mean that you're more likely to need fast reflexes and a weapon to match.
One thing that hasn't changed is the sheer brilliance of the M4A1, which remains one of the easiest to use and most reliable weapons in Modern Warfare Season 2.
It's usually best to pair this with an SMG or Shotgun if you plan to be running around a lot. You can still find some good sight-lines if you prefer to play as a sniper, but it's a little trickier than it used to be.
 

The M4A1 is the weapon you are looking for.

More often than not you'll be finding yourself on the receiving end of the M4A1, which is why you'll want to be using it yourself. Not only is it easy to get your hands on, but it's also viable no matter what rank you are.
To give you a little more detail though, we've included a pick from each of the primary weapon categories, so you can find something that fits you and your style of play. That means if you want to play a sniper, you can, and if you prefer to cuddle people with shotguns, then we can help you out there too.
Even in this second Season, the M4A1 remains a truly monstrous weapon, so make sure you pair it with a different primary weapon using the Overkill perk you unlock at level 8, as this allows you to use two primary weapons.

How good are the new Grau 5.56 and Striker 45?

Before we get into the best of each class, let's look at the most recent new additions with the arrival of Season 2 first:
Grau 5.56 analysis
How to unlock the Grau 5.56: Reach tier 15 of the Season 2 battle pass
The Grau 5.56 is a well-rounded Assault Rifle that is lightweight, easy to use, and has excellent range. It does, however, fire a little slower than most of its siblings and as a result, is unlikely to be anyone's choice over the intensely reliable M4A1.
Of course, if you really want an Assault Rifle with range, then this is probably one of your best options.

Striker 45 analysis
How to unlock the Striker 45: Reach tier 31 of the Season 2 battle pass
If you're looking for an SMG with absurd damage, then the Striker 45 is for you. It's got a hell of a lot of kick behind each round, but it struggles when it comes to fire rate as a result.
Unfortunately, it is also held back by slow handling speed, meaning that in those moments where you really need an SMG, you'll likely be dead before you can even aim it. It's a fun weapon if you know where your targets are, but really suffers as a secondary weapon due to the poor handling.

Now then, let's dive into each of the classes to see why each of these guns is worth talking about:

Best Assault Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: M4A1

How to unlock the M4A1: Reach Character Level 6
The M4A1 is simply excellent in nearly every situation, and is far more stable than is reasonable, which makes it attractive for pros and amateurs alike.
It's almost hard to believe you get it so early on in the progression, but you'll want to take advantage of it - unless you prefer to use underdog weapons, or a different weapon type entirely.

Best Sniper Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: AX-50

How to unlock the AX-50: Reach Character Level 37
Snipers have the AX-50, which isn't unlocked until far later in the progression but has incredible stopping power. More often than not a single shot from it will put an enemy down and it has good mobility when compared to the other options.
This makes it a great choice for people who like to fire once and then move to a new position.

Best Marksman Rifle in Modern Warfare recommendation: MK2 Carbine

How to unlock the MK2 Carbine: Reach Character Level 15
The MK2 Carbine is a particularly powerful marksman rifle and is a good choice if you want to try something a little bit different. It is, however, a rather slow firing, so you'll want to make sure you fit the title of marksman if you're going to use it.

Best Shotgun in Modern Warfare recommendation: 725

How to unlock the 725: Reach Character Level 17
If you prefer close-range combat, then the 725 Shotgun offers formidable stopping power with a surprising range. It's double-barreled and has a fairly tight spread when firing too, this allows it's effective range to be much higher than most shotguns and makes it far more versatile as a result.

Best SMG in Modern Warfare recommendation: MP5

How to unlock the MP5: Reach Character Level 12
On the other hand, the MP5 SMG is an excellent option if you're not as confident in your ability to hit a target at close-range but still like to tussle. While it lacks the speed of the MP7 it has a bit more oomph behind each bullet and offers an easy-to-manage recoil as well. A great choice for enclosed spaces.

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Modern Warfare Season 2 has arrived! To get fully involved, you'll need some COD Points first, and once you have, learn about Modern Warfare's best guns. There a lot to learn in multiplayer too, including the best guns in Modern Warfare, how to access Modern Warfare Hardcore modes and Modern Warfare Ground War. Finally, there's the story, with a handful of Modern Warfare campaign missions to complete, as well as how to kill a Juggernaut in Modern Warfare.

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Best LMG in Modern Warfare recommendation: M91

How to unlock the M91: Reach Character Level 25
Finally, the M91 LMG sacrifices mobility in favour of pure stopping power and even has a substantial range to boot. Just keep in mind that trying to use it in a close-quarters battle is likely to lead to you losing your life.
As it stands, it's very hard to recommend any LMG over any of the other weapon classes, but the option is there if you want it.

Best non-traditional weapon in Modern Warfare recommendation: Crossbow

How to unlock the Crossbow: Get 5 kills in 25 different matches using a marksman rifle with a reflex optic
Technically speaking, the Crossbow is part of the Marksman Rifle family. That means mid-long range and a focus on accuracy above all.
It can be tricky using one of these rifles anyway, but the Crossbow is particularly challenging to master due to its slow wind up on each shot. However, it does also tend to be a one-hit kill, and you can even upgrade it to use special bolts for even more impact.
The fact the Crossbow is silent makes it useful if you are willing to put the time in to master it - but it's a rather hard sell compared to the other weapons due to its sluggish nature.

That should be plenty of firepower to keep you going. And if you want to fast track your way to certain armaments, learning about Modern Warfare Blueprints can help.