Modern Warfare 4 Best Weapons Tier List: Season 1 Rankings
MW4 best weapons tier list for Season 1: every gun ranked S to D, top AR, SMG, LMG, marksman and sniper picks, patch changes and unlock levels.
In this guide 9 sections
This Modern Warfare 4 best weapons tier list ranks the guns you can take into 6v6 Multiplayer after the Season 1 update. That covers the 33 launch weapons Activision listed when the game came out on October 23, plus the Cronen Osprey and CSG-35 that arrived with Season 1, whose launch patch notes are dated November 5. We don't run our own TTK tests. Instead, we combined two tier lists that were refreshed after Season 1 and checked them against Infinity Ward's patch notes, so you can see why each gun sits where it does. Warzone and DMZ reward different things, so treat this as a Multiplayer list only.
Quick summary
- Top of the meta right now: the Hyeon Burst, Cronen Osprey and ISO Nightshade are the only guns both source lists put in their highest tier (Dexerto, November 9; CODMunity, November 10).
- Best per class: Cronen Osprey (assault rifle), ISO Nightshade (SMG), Type 73 (LMG), Rezi 12 (shotgun), Mosin-Nagant (marksman rifle), KG-7 Vulcan (sniper rifle), Krait P68 (pistol).
- Two balance passes so far: October 28 lifted all five launch SMGs and trimmed the Han 86, Oden, APOC-338 and FiNN LMG. Season 1 then buffed most of the field, the M4 and Kastov 762 included (Infinity Ward patch notes).
- Early unlocks worth leveling: the ISO Nightshade is open from Player Level 4 and the M4 from Level 14 (Activision).
Modern Warfare 4 weapon tier list
Activision's launch weapons post lists 33 weapons: 24 primaries (eight assault rifles, five SMGs, two shotguns, three LMGs, three marksman rifles and three sniper rifles), 8 secondaries (4 pistols, 4 launchers) and one knife. The Season 1 patch notes add the Cronen Osprey assault rifle and the akimbo CSG-35 SMG. Activision's Season 1 overview also names two in-season event rewards, the JAK 12 shotgun and the ZLR Talonhawk melee weapon, without a date. Neither source list ranks those two yet, so they're left out of the table until they do.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Hyeon Burst, Cronen Osprey, ISO Nightshade |
| A | M4, Axion, VEL 46, KG-7 Vulcan, Mosin-Nagant, Kastov 762, Oden, Patriot XMR, PPSh-41 |
| B | Oris 8.6, Signal 50, Cronen Squall, X-58 Nyx, Han 86, Wz.55 Striga, Krait P68 |
| C | CSG-35, MAR-9, FiNN LMG, Rezi 12, Type 73, Astaroth .57, SANG 9mm, Warlord, APOC-338 |
| D | Mojave .357, .50 GS |
| Utility, not ranked | PILA, RPG-8, JOKR, PM-40 Anvil, FSS Carbon Edge 1095 |
Launchers and the knife sit outside the ranking because nobody picks them to win a straight gunfight. Launchers are for vehicles and Killstreaks. Dexerto puts all four in its D tier and the knife in C.
If you want one weapon that does a bit of everything with few weak spots, start with the assault rifles near the top. Assault rifles fill seven of the twelve S and A places, and they cover more of a 6v6 map than an SMG or a sniper can.
How this MW4 weapon tier list works
We combined two Multiplayer lists that were updated after the Season 1 patch: Dexerto's MW4 weapon tier list (last updated November 9) and CODMunity's MW4 Multiplayer tier list (last updated November 10). CODMunity says it draws on weapon and attachment stats, competitive data and its own testing. Dexerto doesn't describe a method. Each S counts five points and each D one, and we add the two scores together. A gun both sites call S scores 10 and lands in our S tier, 8 to 9 is A, 6 to 7 is B, 4 to 5 is C, and 2 to 3 is D. Two current lists agreeing is a stronger signal than one writer's opinion, and the patch notes show which way each gun has moved.
The two sites don't always agree. Dexerto puts the Mosin-Nagant in S and CODMunity has it in B. The X-58 Nyx gets A from Dexerto and C from CODMunity. The Signal 50 goes the other way, A from CODMunity and B from Dexerto. Guns with a split like that end up in the middle of our list, and they're the first to move after a patch.
| Tier | What it means here |
|---|---|
| S | Both lists rank it in their highest tier: strong out of the box and easy to recommend |
| A | Top tier on one list and second on the other, or second on both. Strong, but asks a little more of your aim or your build |
| B | Solid middle picks. Good for variety, for camo progress, or once you've maxed your main |
| C | Usable, but held back by weak stats or an awkward role in 6v6 |
| D | Hard to make work against the guns above |
This table is a decision aid, not a final verdict. A C-tier gun you aim well with will often do better for you than an S-tier gun you can't control. The two lists are also only a snapshot, so check the date and patch on any tier list you read.
What the patches changed
Infinity Ward's October 28 notes call it the first broad weapon tuning pass, aimed at "normalizing hit location damage" and improving SMGs. All five launch SMGs had their arm and hand damage multipliers raised from 0.95 to 1, and the PPSh-41 got faster aim-down-sights speed. On the other side, the Han 86 and Oden lost torso damage, the APOC-338 lost damage, and the FiNN LMG lost range.
The Season 1 launch notes (November 5) were mostly buffs:
| Weapon | Season 1 change | Effect on the list |
|---|---|---|
| M4 | Head multiplier 1.25 to 1.3, max damage range 25.91 m to 27.94 m | Holds its high A place |
| Kastov 762 | Medium damage 24 to 25, head multiplier 1.33 to 1.35 | Stronger at mid range |
| Hyeon Burst | Medium damage 24 to 25; the Hyperburst Apex dropped from 30 to 23 max damage | The base rifle gained, the Apex lost |
| ISO Nightshade | Minimum damage 13 to 14, max damage range 10.54 m to 11.68 m | Kept its S place |
| Oris 8.6 | Minimum damage 58 to 63, max damage range 19.05 m to 22.61 m | Stronger at longer range |
| APOC-338 | Minimum damage 33 to 32, head multiplier 1.35 to 1.3 | The only straight nerf, and it falls further |
Best guns in Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer
The guns below lead their class on our combined list, plus two rifles worth knowing about. Fire rates, magazine sizes and unlock levels come from Activision's launch weapons post. One caution: a few guns (the VEL 46, PPSh-41, Wz.55 Striga, X-58 Nyx, Astaroth .57 and Signal 50) show one unlock level in that post's summary tables and a different one on their stat cards, so check the Progression menu in game for those.
Cronen Osprey - best assault rifle
The Cronen Osprey is the newest gun here. It came with Season 1, and both lists already put it in S. Infinity Ward calls it a 5.56 rifle with a "best-in-class fire rate" that keeps its control, accuracy and mobility. The patch notes don't give an exact rate of fire, so check the Gunsmith stats before you build it.
Hyeon Burst - best burst rifle
The Hyeon Burst fires bursts at 375 RPM and unlocks at Level 21. Every burst you land hurts, but a miss costs more time than it would with a full-auto rifle. Its Apex attachment, the Hyperburst, opens each trigger pull with a very fast three-round burst and then switches to slower full-auto fire. Season 1 cut the Hyperburst's damage while making the base rifle stronger, so test both setups.
M4 - best all-round pick
The M4 fires at 810 RPM, carries a 30-round magazine, and unlocks at Level 14 (Activision). It's no longer a consensus S pick, since only Dexerto ranks it there, but it got buffs in both patches and still works as a reference build: you can set it up for long lanes or strip it down for close fights. Its Apex, the M4 Hurricane, rebuilds it as a top-loading, high-capacity version in 5.7x28mm. Activision says the design borrows from bullpup rifles and that it fires faster and handles lighter than the standard M4.
ISO Nightshade - best SMG
The ISO Nightshade fires at 923 RPM from a 30-round magazine and is available from Level 4, the level where Create-a-Class opens. Both lists rank it S. Activision describes it as a mix of control, mobility and close-range stopping power, and Season 1 stretched its maximum damage range a little. If you want a close-range alternative, the VEL 46 (952 RPM, 40 rounds) is S on CODMunity's list.
Kastov 762 - best high-damage rifle
The Kastov 762 is a 7.62x39mm rifle firing at 600 RPM, and it unlocks at Level 34. It hits harder per shot than the M4 and kicks harder too, so it suits players who can pull recoil down and like a slower fire rate. Both patches helped it: October 28 added 11% to its max damage range, and Season 1 raised its mid-range damage.
Type 73 - best LMG
No LMG is strong right now. Dexerto has all three in B, and CODMunity puts the FiNN and Type 73 in C and the APOC-338 in D. We pick the Type 73 because of where each gun is heading. It fires at 821 RPM from a 60-round magazine and gained head damage in Season 1, while the FiNN and APOC-338 were nerfed on October 28. The Type 73 unlocks at Level 9 and is at its best holding a lane at medium to long range, where Activision says its rounds hit hardest.
Mosin-Nagant - best marksman rifle
The Mosin-Nagant is a five-round bolt-action that unlocks at Level 36, and Season 1 stretched its max damage range from 36.83 m to 40.13 m. The lists split on it (S and B), so if a slow bolt doesn't suit you, the Oris 8.6 (A and B) is the lighter choice. It unlocks at Level 11, carries ten rounds, and Activision built it for precision shots in tight or mobile fights.
KG-7 Vulcan - best sniper rifle
The KG-7 Vulcan is open from Level 4, holds ten rounds, and cycles faster than the three-round Astaroth .57 (41 RPM against 34). CODMunity ranks it S and Dexerto A. For classic long sightlines, the Signal 50 is a .50 Cal rifle with a recoil-reducing barrel. Its Apex, Signal Inferno, adds damage against vehicles and Killstreaks, which is worth more in DMZ than in 6v6.
Rezi 12 - best shotgun
Shotguns are a thin class in 6v6 at the moment, and neither list rates one higher than B. The Rezi 12 gets our pick over the Warlord for two reasons: Dexerto has it in B while the Warlord sits in C (CODMunity puts both in C), and the patches have pushed the two in opposite directions. Activision describes the Rezi 12 as a fast-cycling semi-auto 12-gauge. It fires at 150 RPM, holds six shells and is open from Level 4. Season 1 stretched each of its middle damage ranges by 8 to 17% and raised its minimum damage from 14 to 16. The Warlord, a dual-tube pump gun with 14 shells that unlocks at Level 32, went the other way on October 28, when one damage range on its 12G Slug Rounds was cut by 10%. The Rezi 12 Enforcer Apex turns the Rezi into a pump-action and adds a side-saddle of explosive slugs, which Activision says lets it fight well past normal shotgun range.
Krait P68 - best pistol
The Krait P68 is the strongest sidearm on both lists, with a B from each. The SANG 9mm gets a C from both, and the .50 GS and Mojave .357 end up in our D tier. Activision's card lists the Krait as a semi-automatic .45 with a ten-round magazine that unlocks at Level 7, and its subsonic rounds keep the skull icon from showing over players you kill. Season 1 lengthened its maximum damage range from 8.89 m to 9.4 m and lifted its lower-torso multiplier from 1 to 1.1. Its Apex, the Krait P68 Commando, puts a knife in your off hand for extra melee damage and lunge range. Our best MW4 loadouts guide has a complete Krait build, so we won't repeat it here.
What to level first in MW4
Each weapon needs a set number of weapon levels to max out: 64 for the ISO Nightshade and 72 for the M4, for example. Maxing a weapon unlocks its Apex attachment, which doesn't take an attachment slot (every Apex is covered in our MW4 Apex attachments guide). Attachments unlock once and carry over to every weapon that uses them, so the first gun you level makes the next build easier. Weapon Prestige earns exclusive camos, but it relocks the attachments and resets the weapon to level zero (Activision).
Example: a new player can pick the ISO Nightshade at Level 4 and play small maps with it. Moving to the M4 at Level 14 then covers longer lanes, and the attachments you've already unlocked carry over. In DMZ, any weapon or attachment unlocked in either mode can be bought at the Forward Operating Base Gunsmith with DMZ Cash.
Want a hand with this?
If you'd rather not grind out every weapon level yourself, MW4 weapon leveling is listed on FullBoosts, along with other Call of Duty weapon leveling services. Read the publisher's rules before you buy any service from anyone, FullBoosts included. A marketplace listing isn't permission from the publisher.
FAQ
What is the best gun in Modern Warfare 4? After Season 1, the Hyeon Burst, Cronen Osprey and ISO Nightshade are the only guns both Dexerto and CODMunity rank in their top tier. For one rifle that handles most maps, the M4 is still a strong A pick, and Infinity Ward buffed it in both October and November.
What is the best SMG in MW4? Both lists rank the ISO Nightshade S. The VEL 46 is next (S on CODMunity, A on Dexerto), and the PPSh-41 has the fastest fire rate of the launch SMGs at 1,110 RPM (Activision).
What is the best assault rifle in MW4? The Cronen Osprey from Season 1, which both lists rank S. The Hyeon Burst also makes S in both, but as a burst rifle it punishes missed shots more.
How many weapons are in Modern Warfare 4? 33 at launch: 24 primaries, 4 pistols, 4 launchers and one knife (Activision). Season 1 added the Cronen Osprey and CSG-35 at its start, and Activision's season overview lists the JAK 12 shotgun and ZLR Talonhawk melee weapon as event rewards later in the season.
What weapon should I level up first in MW4? The ISO Nightshade, because it unlocks at Level 4 and sits in S on both lists. After that, level the M4 from Level 14, since shared attachments carry over to it.
