Modern Warfare 4's Best Guns In Multiplayer

The best guns in Modern Warfare 4 include a lethally-quick marksman rifle, an all purpose assault rifle, and a shotgun that can be wielded for fast hip-fire takedowns.

To make the most of your first few hours in multiplayer, you’ll want to prioritise levelling up only the very best weapons.

This guide explains the eight best weapons to use in Modern Warfare 4 ahead of the arrival of Season 1, picked after extensive testing over launch weekend (and with plenty of tweaking in the Gunsmith).

Modern Warfare 4 Best Guns

When comparing the suite of launch weapons, we spent time trying out all types of guns, from SMGs to assault rifles, and more.

Here are the eight best guns we recommend focusing on in Modern Warfare 4, ranked:

1. Oris 8.6
2. ISO Nightahde
3. PPSH-41
4. Patriot XMR
5. KG-Vulcan
6. M4
7. FINN LMG
8. Rezi 1

Unsurprisingly, it’s clear SMGs are extremely powerful in another Call of Duty game, pairing well with the very fast 'time to kill' speed and new movement mechanics of Modern Warfare 4.

There’s two you’ll want to keep your eye on: the ISO Nightshade and the PPSH-41. The former is one for players that like to aim down sights and strafe, while the latter is one of the fastest firing weapons in the entire game.

The good news is that there are plenty of other options if you don’t fancy sprinting around every map, sliding and hopping while firing two hundred bullets a second. There’s the ever-dependable M4, an assault rifle that is the perfect choice for those looking to learn the ropes. With the right attachments paired with the Patriot XMR, you can really dominate at mid-range, which suits maps like Rooftops and Silkworm.

Modern Warfare 4 already seems to have a more varied set of meta weapons than the last few Call of Duty games. This is evidenced by the fact that the Oris 8.6 marksman rifle has quickly become our favourite weapon to use in Multiplayer. There’s a shotgun on the list, too, with the Rezi 12 being seriously fun once you tweak its setup to improve fire rate and handling.

Perhaps the most surprising entry on this list is the FINN LMG. You’ll unlock the Demolition preset class early on, and it’s a great choice that can rack up kills surprisingly fast. Mostly, it’s the high magazine size that stands out, and the recoil and handling can be tweaked to make the weapon feel just as responsive as one of the many assault rifles available.

Finally, you might want to spend some time with the KG-7 Vulcan sniper rifle. Sniping felt great over the launch weekend, and you don’t have to sit in one place and wait for enemies to wander into your view. Instead, by keeping the handling stat high, and opting for a lower magnification scope, you turn the gun into a high-powered bolt action rifle that can be used while moving from point to point.

Below, you’ll find a bit more detail on each of our picks in order, as well as some recommendations on the best attachments to use for each one. While we won’t be going into full loadouts / builds here, you will find some advice on what to pair with each gun.

1. Oris 8.6

Let’s kick things off by taking a closer look at the Oris 8.6. This is easily our favourite weapon in the game, and it’s definitely a contender for the best meta weapon that’s emerged over the first few days.

It’ll down enemies in one shot if you hit the chest or higher, but it’s also fast firing enough to follow up with a second shot if you don’t quite hit your mark the first time. Here’s how to set it up.

Barrel

EXP Crosstac 22”

Bolt

Lightfire-5 Quick Bolt

Optic

Schlager 7X

Stock

BR7 Invader

Rear Grip

Bruen R7-TC Grip

If you picked up the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 4, you can use the Volt Edge build to match the attachments above. If not, focus on unlocking everything that increases the range, fire rate and accuracy of the weapon.

Pair the Oris 8.6 with the Krait P68 pistol, though make sure to try using the marksman rifle at close range if needed. It’s strangely accurate when fired from the hip, and can usually be relied upon instead of switching to a sidearm. I recommend the Fast Hands, Ghost, and Battle Hardened perks to create a build that tanks explosive damage while keeping you quiet and agile.

2. ISO Nightshade

Now for the first SMG build we’re recommending. The ISO Nightshade is available from the get-go as part of the pre-made Stalker class. This SMG has high stability, best for those that want to aim down sights and play a little more carefully. Here are the best attachments for the ISO Nightshade:

Barrel

ZLR MAG-Z 9”

Muzzle

FSS Crackdown

Underbarrel

FSS TAC90 Grip

Rear Grip

Demo STP-1

Laser

Expedite Squad-304

This SMG has an easy to understand recoil pattern, making it great for mid-range battles in addition to close quarters combat scenarios. It’s certainly not the fastest firing gun in Modern Warfare 4 (we’ll come to that one later), but it is still one of the best options for those that want to use a lighter, snappier weapon.

Once again, use the Krait P68 as a sidearm, and bring Flash Genades and Semtex along with you. For perks, you should try the Quick Fix, Fast Hands, and Blood Rush perks. This will allow you to trigger healing and stamina recovery after a kill, and you can reload your weapon much faster. The Seeker Drone is fun to use with this build as it can scout ahead and highlight enemies in your path.

3. PPSH-41

Now onto the PPSH-41 SMG. This is an extremely fast-firing weapon that’s the best choice if you’re wanting to run, gun, and fire from the hip. The attachments below ensure you have fast sprint to fire speeds, and solid hip-fire accuracy:

Barrel

Hanbit Chimmuk-Intr

Underbarrel

Mire-50 TAC Grip

Magazine

53 Round Mag

Rear Stock

Hanbit RDW-F

Laser

XRK Clutch-LS

Bring the Seeker Drone along with you to scout out the path ahead, and the Krait P68 pistol for emergencies. You can experiment with Flash or Concussion Grenades, as they both make it difficult for enemies to track you as you rush in. Go for Semtex for a more dependable way to take out enemies at choke points, or give the Zip Gun a whirl - it’s a lightning-fast automatic pistol that can be used as a last-ditch attempt to take down a rushing enemy.

Quick Fix, Fast Hands, and Blood Rush are essential for this build, as they’ll keep you moving, regenerating health, and reloading quickly. Fast Hands is particularly worth selecting here, to counteract the slightly smaller magazine size we’ve gone for. This SMG is unbeatable on smaller maps like Transit 213.

4. Patriot XMR

If you’re looking for a high-impact, and highly versatile assault rifle, we recommend trying out the Patriot XMR as soon as possible. It does have a decent amount of recoil that you’ll need to control, though the attachments below make things significantly easier.

Optic

SZ Echelon Holo

Stock

Hanbit B56T-L9

Rear Grip

EXP TR-Wrap

Underbarrel

FSS Tac90 Grip

Muzzle

Het-S6 Comp

We like to use the Overkill perk here and bring along the Rezi 12 shotgun. Use the assault rifle at mid to long range, but swap to the shotgun when moving through smaller spaces. The Seeker Drone is a great way to scout ahead before you head around corners.

For the other two perks, go with Battle Hardened to lessen the impact of explosives, and fast hands so that you can counteract the Patriot XMR’s fast firing rate. This weapon is a good fit for most of the maps featured in Modern Warfare 4 currently.

5. KG-7 Vulcan

Sniping is very fun indeed in Modern Warfare 4, though you will need to level up the KG-7 Vulcan to get the most out of it. As the maps vary in size, experiment with using a 2.1x optic, or a 4x one, moving from spot to spot while firing bolt-action rounds at your foes. Here’s the setup we recommend:

Barrel

Haebang Naseon v.5 26”

Magazine

6 Round Mag

Comb

TT Type 40 Comb

Optic

KV Corsac Holo / Cronen R808

Laser

XRK Clutch-LS

The Vulcan has great range and accuracy, and yes, you can quickscope with this build. Bring the Krait P68, equipped with the GW MDL-2 laser, and the XRK Severance 68 Muzzle. Snapshot Grenades are a good way to make sure you’re not being flanked by sneaking enemies, and you can either bring Proximity Mines or Semtex, depending on whether you want to booby trap sniping spots, or stay on the move.

The High Alert Perk has saved our skin multiple times while moving between cover, highlighting the screen with an orange warning pulse when you’re being spotted by enemies who are lining up a shot. Use Fast Hands so you’re not killed during lengthy sniper reload animations, and then Lethal Reach so you can use your knife automatically by pressing the melee button. Lethal Reach really helps when you’re being rushed, and don’t have time to switch to your sidearm.

6. M4

The M4 is next up on the list, and it’s once again a very dependable choice. This is often referred to as the 'default gun' in any Call of Duty the weapon features in (which is most of them). It’s a perfectly well-rounded weapon that’s great for new players, while still being absolutely lethal in the hands of those that’ve been using it in various forms over the years. Here’s how to set it up:

Barrel

FT Cannonade 7”

Muzzle

FSS IS300

Underbarrel

FSS TAC90 Grip

Stock

Demo HVR2 Stock

Optic

ZLR Type C (clean, clear sight)

If you’re just starting out in Modern Warfare 4, you can choose the pre-made Assault class and you’ll get a decent build already set up for you. As soon as you unlock the attachments above, however, switch to a custom class and get tweaking.

Pair the M4 with the Krait P68 pistol, a Flash Grenade and then either Frag Grenade or Semtex. For perks, pick Quick Fix, Bomb Squad, and Blood Rush. Explosive damage is particularly brutal at the moment, so Bomb Squad is your best bet, unless you’d rather focus on Killstreaks with the Hardline Perk.

7. Finn LMG

The FINN LMG has blown us away with its versatility, and in how viable it is on the majority of the available maps. It’s a very heavy weapon, so customise it with the attachments below to keep a good balance between mobility, handling and damage range.

Barrel

TT Seongun 508MM

Muzzle

Corvus Lvl-40

Underbarrel

Bipod (go prone and mount to turn this gun into an ultra-powerful recoilless rifle)

Rear Grip

Schlager KM60-G

Optic

Slimline Elite

Early on, it’s fine to practise with the FINN LMG by picking the Demolition pre-made class. It comes with a Rocker Launcher as a sidearm, great for taking down attack choppers. After around level 10 on the weapon, however, you should start equipping custom attachments.

For a sidearm, go with the Krait P68 pistol, and try out the Seeker Drone or the Personal Radar to get the jump on hidden enemies. For perks, go for Quick Fix, Bomb Squad and Blood Rush.

One thing to note with this build is the Bipod, which allows you to mount the weapon when prone. Get set up in a good spot, and you can absolutely laser enemies with hard-hitting and fast-firing heavy rounds. This weapon is particularly good on the Silkworm map.

8. Rezi 12

Our final pick is the Rezi 12 shotgun. This is superb in close-quarters engagements, with the ability to add explosive rounds via an Apex attachment. Here’s how to set it up:

Barrel

ZLR 12GA Ported 21’

Stock

ZLR TAC12 PRO

Rear Grip

ZRK Bygone-39

Guard

Demo Service-12G

Muzzle

Haebang Bulsae-10

The Apex attachment Enforcer can be added to this build to give the option of heat-loaded rounds. You can toggle these rounds on and off by pressing Left on the D-pad, but they’re well worth trying out, as they increase the range of the weapon.

Elsewhere, the Riot Shield field upgrade is a great choice, allowing you to close the distance on enemies, and shield your back when you switch to your shotgun. In terms of perks, go with Quick Fix, Blood Rush, and Tracker.

So, with our choices on the table - what weapon takes your fancy now that Modern Warfare 4 is out on Nintendo Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.