Infinity Ward's 2019 contribution to the storied Call of Duty franchise, Modern Warfare, comes packed in with an impressive arsenal. Among the array of weaponry is something for every type of player, whether it be a sniper, a rusher, or a more medium-ranged specialist.
Not all guns are created equally, however, and even weapons of the same class feel entirely different. The following list will detail the seven best and worst guns in Modern Warfare based on our experience and research. As always, best and worst opinions are subjective to statistics from the community and observation, so no one should take it personally if their personal favorite isn't included or is grouped in with the less favorable armaments.
Updated August 26, 2021 by Payton Lott: It's hard to believe that it has been almost three years since the release of Modern Warfare in 2019. Because Cold War's life cycle is almost over, a lot of players are going back to Modern Warfare. One of the main reasons for the exodus is the fact that Vanguard will run on the MW engine. Playing multiplayer in the 2019 game will help people prepare for the launch of the new Call of Duty. Additionally, it will help beginner Warzone players learn the mechanics of Modern Warfare. As of now, Vanguard, as well as all of the Vanguard weapons are going to be incorporated into Warzone. All of this will likely happen around December of this year. Gamers that are still playing the game, or just returning to MW, should reference the list below. It includes the best and worst guns in Modern Warfare in 2021.
14 Best: MP7
The MP7 was a fan favorite weapon throughout the lifecycle of Modern Warfare. It remains an underused weapon in Warzone as well. The SMG’s fast fire rate and low recoil make it one of the easiest weapons to use in the game.
In multiplayer, the MP7 has a competitive TTK in almost every engagement. In Warzone, range limitations can often be an issue at more than 15 meters. However, the weapon's controllable recoil makes it viable as a sniper support weapon.
13 Worst: Rytec AMR
Introduced in 2020, the Rytec never really had a role in Modern Warfare. It is a slow semi-auto sniper with a lot of recoil. For a while, the sniper had hit detection issues as well. There is absolutely no reason to use the Rytec when guns like the MK2 Carbine exist.
Explosive rounds are pointless, and the gun is basically a gimmick. The same is true in Warzone. The Rytec’s bullet Velocity, kick, and handling are not good enough to compete with meta weapons.
12 Best: Kar 98k
The Kar 98k bridges the gap between the long range snipers and weapons like the MK2. It has a one-shot kill radius that covers the chest, neck, and head of an enemy. At medium to extended ranges, the Kar 98k is the top sniper in the game. Except in ground war, the AX-50 and HDR are unnecessary. Most enemies will be within 100 meters at all times.
In Warzone, the Kar is the best sniper among the Modern Warfare weapons, and it isn’t even close. The ADS speed, movement speed, and clean sights make it one of the preferred options. Keyboard and Mouse players may prefer the Swiss, but controller players will have more success with the Kar.
11 Worst: FR 5.56
Infinity Ward refused to show the poor FR 5.56 love when they were actively updating the game. With a really accurate shot, the FR. 5.56 is a one-burst kill. However, one burst are rare with the gun, and it almost always takes two plus bursts to secure a kill.
Despite numerous calls for changes, the FR remains one of the worst guns in Modern Warfare. The burst rifle has too large of a spread to be reliable outside of 20 meters. If it takes two bursts to kill, the TTK is far too high to compete.
10 Best: MP5
Competitive players know that the MP5 is the king of SMGs in Modern Warfare. Up close, no weapon could match the consistent damage of the MP5.
Unlike the AS VAL and Fennec, the MP5 has a large enough clip to take on three or even four enemies at a time. Even after slight nerfs and tweaks, the MP5 is without a doubt a top option in the game.
9 Worst: EBR
There is just no reason to use the EBR in Modern Warfare. The SKS and MK2 have less recoil, and the FAL has a faster fire rate. Players can pull off some great plays with the gun, but it sits in a grey area between a DMR and AR that offers little utility.
As for Warzone, the EBR can destroy enemies if the user has perfect aim. If gamers miss a shot or two, they will surely die. Good luck re-centering after the atrocious kick too.
8 Best: GRAU 5.56
If the campaign in Modern Warfare seemed too short, that's right in line with many other FPS games, but part of the problem could be using a weapon that is way too powerful. The ridiculous DPS numbers blaze through enemies like a hot knife through cold butter.
And that does not end in the multiplayer. Patch after patch has tried to carefully bring the GRAU down to earth and, patch after patch, the GRAU 5.56 is still the weapon that dispenses the more metallic death for both amateurs and professionals.
7 Worst: Striker 45
As an SMG, the Striker 45 is the top of its class in damage and range. So why, then, in every season since the game was launched, is this gun constantly at the very bottom of the Kill-to-Death ratio charts? It's actually not too hard to understand.
When thinking about weapons to add to the Warzone mode, Infinity Ward probably thought it would be a good idea to add an SMG that had the stats of an assault rifle. The problem is that this hybrid is worse than every other assault rifle at range and worse than every other submachine gun up close.
6 Best: MK2 Carbine
It's easy to get drawn to extremes when crafting a loadout in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, but players who discipline themselves will be rewarded with a win rate that is so high that the community is still trying to explain how such an unassuming weapon is so good.
No matter which well-constructed map players are on, the majority of the fighting is not one-thousand meters away and not point-blank. It's mid-range. And for that, the MK2 Carbine is the best, able to kill most opponents in one or two hits that are snappy and without much recoil.
5 Worst: Crossbow
Stealth is actually a really great way to win the Warzone mode, especially after taking some tips for the pros, but all the pros agree that a gun with a silencer is a better option than this "gun" that is loud, obnoxious, and sets up those who choose it for failure.
Here is the problem; even pro players that are good enough to get a kill with every shot will be killed by the time it reloads. Crossbow players who miss even once are guaranteed to die immediately afterward. It's a cute concept, but it is among the worst choices for weaponry, even for experienced snipers who are better off with a stronger gun without the pathetic bullet drop-off.
4 Best: 725
For people who like to get in close and personal, nothing works better than the 725. With the right attachments, one can become especially mobile with lightning-fast aiming speed. At close range, it is a one-hit kill, and, at a medium distance, the second slug should do the trick.
If one is uncomfortable with such a short-ranged gun, one could always equip the Overkill perk, which allows for a second primary weapon in place of a sidearm. This way, one will have all their bases covered. If Modern Warfare brings back some of those fan-favorite maps, this gun will get even better since it excels in a variety of situations.
3 Best: M4A1
The M4A1 is one of the first weapons players get in the multiplayer mode, but many will stick with it through level fifty-five. It works in every situation, with a firing rate good enough to blast someone to pieces up close and enough range to put up a fight at a distance.
It says a lot about the balancing and fairness of the loadouts when one of the first weapons is adequate against things people get near the end of the progression.
2 Worst: Dragunov
The Dragunov is the closest sniper rifles get to a more mobile, medium-range class, but there is a marksman class of rifle for those who want to get deeper in the middle of the action while still retaining accuracy. This popular rifle usually takes two hits to take down an opponent with full health, which most will recognize as one bullet too many. With two other sniper rifles that can take down foes with one shot, little need exists for a rifle like the Dragunov.
Players only get one of these, and it comes in at just the right time, since shortly after acquiring it a juggernaut shows up to rain on the protagonists' party. It's a tough bout, especially on the higher difficulties, but the shotgun will certainly help matters. This fight takes place in an enclosed space, so dodging the boss's minigun fire is a particularly challenging feat.
1 Worst: .357 Magnum
This gun definitely packs a punch, but pistols have always been unreliable in the franchise. At best, they are reserved for the final shot when one is already in a battle and there is no time to reload. Some can hold their own with just a sidearm, and that's truly commendable, but the average player is better off with a faster pistol.
Like in real life, big handguns are designed to make one feel cool and strong rather than for their usefulness in a real firefight. *The slow fire rate and inconsistency of the .357 make it potentially the worst gun in Modern Warfare.