Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – The Best Assault Rifles

Game ZXC

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)

By Felister Moraa

Published Nov 13, 2023

Call of Duty is a first-person shooter game requiring highly versatile, easy-to-use weapons like assault rifles to dominate the battle royale. Assault rifles are deadly weapons with a high damage range, fire rate, and fire output and can annihilate opponents, enemy players, and zombies in MW3. Thanks to their impressive power and ability to take down foes quickly and easily, assault rifles have always been the go-to guns for many COD players.

Modern Warfare 3 boasts a whooping 21 assault rifles in total due to the carry-forward feature from Modern Warfare 2. So, players can wreak havoc on the battlefield with their favorite assault rifles from MW2 or unlock new weapons with unique features and attachments in MW3. However, with so many gun options, choosing the right one can be tricky. Here’s a list of the best assault rifles in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

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M13 B

M13 B’s exceptional recoil control and blistering fire rate make it one of the best AS rifles in MW3. It has the second-fastest fire rate in its class and is highly accurate and lightweight. All these combined allow players to move quickly, oppress enemies with firepower, and take them down easily. The only downside to M13 B is its low time-to-kill, which players can improve with the right attachments, such as the 14" Bruen Echelon barrel.

ISO Hemlock

The ISO Hemlock was once a top-tier gun in Call of Duty, boasting impressive firepower, damage output, and accuracy. However, COD devs nerfed it several times, reducing its dominance and power in Modern Warfare. Despite the nerfs, the ISO Hemlock remains a solid assault rifle to tear down enemies in MW3. With the right loadout and class setup, players can transform this rifle into an arsenal weapon with excellent time-to-kill.

FR Avancer

The FR Avancer is a staple COD gun from previous titles with an excellent fire rate. The assault rifle is easy to use and shines in mid and long-range fights. However, the FR Avancer isn’t the best when it comes to damage output, so many players disregard the rifle. Even though Modern Warfare 3 has removed weapon tuning, players can equip the FR Avancer with the best loadout and attachments to improve its stats.

STB 556

The STB 556 is one of the only assault rifles in MW3 with world-class accuracy. The gun is ideal for mid and long-range combat thanks to its little recoil and exceptional damage range. Players can overpower other rifles in this class by equipping the STB 556 with a Harbinger D20 muzzle, a Bruen TS-30 Comb, and an FTAC Ripper 56 underbarrel. These attachments extend the gun’s range and bullet velocity while maintaining smooth handling.

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Kastov-74U

The Kastov-74U features a powerful combination of high stopping power and mobility, making it a top-tier assault rifle in Modern Warfare 3. The gun shines in close-quarters assaults, which makes it an excellent choice for run-and-gun combats and for players who love getting up close and personal. The Kastov-74U has impressive handling speeds but sacrifices recoil and fire rate. Luckily, players can improve this with attachments like the Shorttac 330mm and the Phase-3 Grip. Players should also equip the Kastov-74u with a 45-round mag to increase ammo for dealing with multiple threats in quick succession.

SVA 545

The SVA 545 makes it to the top 3 list due to its hyperburst feature. This feature allows players to fire two shots in succession every time they pull the trigger, which can annihilate opponents on the battlefield. While the hyperburst feature decreases the gun’s fire rate by the third shot, it’s a great option to have to assert dominance since it takes out enemies quickly. The SVA 545 is an ideal assault rifle for players looking for a fast-killing weapon that delivers powerful blows while causing deadly damage. They can unlock weapon camos for the gun and assert dominance in MW3.

M4

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The M4 is a staple and solid assault rifle that has dominated Call of Duty for years. It’s a top-tier weapon in MW3 because it's accurate, consistent, and excellent in medium and close-quarters combat. The M4 is the only assault rifle on this list with a perfect balance of recoil, damage, range, fire rate, and accuracy, but players can push the gun’s power to the next level with suitable attachments and loadouts.

MCW

MCW is the best assault rifle in Modern Warfare 3, boasting solid all-around stats, from damage range and accuracy to recoil, handling, and mobility. It thrives in mid and close-range combats and is an ideal choice for players who want a simple assault rifle to defeat opponents on the battlefield. Players can use the MCW without attachments and still wreak havoc on enemies and Zombies. However, players can push the gun’s limits with an RB Rapidstrike Grip and an HMRES Mod Suppressor.