Highlights

  • SMGs in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are highly effective due to their rapid-fire and damage capabilities, making them dominant in close-quarter battles.
  • The PDSW 528, Minibak, and Lackmann Shroud are some of the best SMGs in MW3, each with their own unique features and advantages.
  • Players should consider factors like range, recoil control, accuracy, and handling when choosing the best SMG for their playstyle in MW3 .

SMGs are often seen as one of the most overpowered sets of weapons due to their damage capabilities, and their rapid fire. Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to the best SMGs in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, allowing players to dominate the battlefield with fast-moving and highly accurate weapons. Modern Warfare 3 provides a grand arsenal of weapons, with SMGs just being the tip of the iceberg.

Related
Call Of Duty: 12 Silliest Things That Have Happened In The Franchise

Call of Duty is usually a serious game, but that doesn't mean it can't have its moments of wackiness, outlandishness, or comic relief.

If players want a hard-hitting, controlled, and fast-firing weapon, then SMGs are the safest bet and give players the opportunity they need to get a step closer to victory, with or without a team to assist them in MW3. However, with such a wide variety of SMGs, which of them are the best to bring into the fight?

6 PDSW 528

5.7x28mm

pdsw 528 smg
  • How to Unlock: Reach level 55

The PDSW 528 is one of the most standard and best SMGs in Modern Warfare 3, thanks to its rapid-fire and compact polymer frame. Players can expect great things from the high-velocity ammunition, allowing them to rapidly take out any enemy that might be held up in a close-quarter building. The PDSW 528 may not be perfect when it comes to mid-range, but as a close-range weapon, it can well and truly dominate over the competition.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

40%

80%

37%

60%

40%

62%

64%

50

100

5 Minibak

9mm

minibak smg
  • How to Unlock: Level the Kastov-74u to Level 18

Players can adore the uniqueness of the Minibak SMG. The design has been home to some of the best SMGs in Call of Duty history, and what’s most notable is the high-capacity magazine, which allows players to have a default amount of 64 rounds in every magazine. The high rate of fire and straight blowback system allow players to navigate through close-quarter spaces, and truly wipe out the competition, although it may not be the most beloved weapon when it comes to long-distance battles, try and get close and personal with the Minibak.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

40%

65%

35%

45%

50%

60%

62%

64

128

4 Lachmann Shroud

Subsonic Ammo

lachmann shroud smg
  • How to Unlock: Reach level 55

The Lackmann Shroud SMG is a unique weapon due to the fact that it provides natural stealth to anyone who wields it. This weapon has a built-in suppressor, allowing players to run around sharp corners and take their enemies out without them, or their allies, even being aware of what hit them in the first place.

Related
8 Forgotten Call Of Duty Games

With a new Call of Duty game hitting the market almost annually, it's no surprise that a few titles may have gotten lost amongst the best.

The range and damage may lack slightly, but the stealth abilities certainly make up for it, especially with the accuracy that comes with the burst-fire model.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

50%

70%

40%

50%

55%

60%

62%

30

60

3 AMR9

9mm

amr9 smg
  • How to Unlock: Reach Level 4

This fully automatic submachine gun has great potential for those seeking a close-range weapon with average stats. The AMR9 can shred any and all enemies that are within close contact, and whilst it may not seem it with the stats, the range, and recoil control make it fairly effective in the long run.

2:33
Related
18 Call Of Duty Games With Underappreciated Single-Player Campaigns

Although contemporary Call of Duty titles are mostly known for their multiplayer content, some COD games have underrated singleplayer campaigns.

Using the AMR9 will warrant a slight bout of skill due to the accuracy needed to control this beast, and devastate those in the way, or trying to escape.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

50%

75%

40%

60%

45%

62%

60%

30

90

2 Striker

.45 Auto

striker smg
  • How to Unlock: Reach Level 4

The Striker is a competent SMG that players can enjoy with both close and mid-range battles. It boasts of a hard-hitting and controllable capability when it comes to shooting targets on the move. Whilst the Striker is not overly fast, its damage capabilities and over-average stats allow it to be one of the best SMGs in Sledgehammer Games' MW3.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

50%

65%

40%

55%

50%

65%

75%

30

70

1 Rival-9

9mm

rival-9 smg
  • How to Unlock: Reach Level 25

Lightweight and agile, the Rival-9 is built for the sole purpose of clearing rooms, and clearing them quickly. The Rival-9 is yet another SMG with a grand fire rate, and handling on par with the best Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 3. Players should try out the Rival-9, especially with its recoil control, allowing players to not only dominate tight spaces and room clears but to hold down the line when it comes to more open spaces. Just try not to out-snipe a sniper with this one in this shorter campaign COD title.

Damage

Fire Rate

Range

Accuracy

Recoil Control

Mobility

Handling

Rounds

Reserve

45%

80%

30%

55%

40%

65%

75%

30

90

modern warfare 3
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
November 10, 2023
Developer(s)
Sledgehammer Games
Publisher(s)
Activision
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter