Best Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Weapons Tier List: Season 1 Rankings
MW4 DMZ weapons tier list for Season 1: every gun ranked S to D for PvP, the best AR, SMG, LMG, shotgun, sniper and pistol, plus Gunsmith tips.
In this guide 10 sections
This best Modern Warfare 4 DMZ weapons tier list ranks the guns you can carry into Hajin after the Season 1 update, judged first by how they do against rival Operators. DMZ isn't a copy of 6v6. Infinity Ward's patch notes from October 23 say Multiplayer and DMZ get "bespoke weapon tuning", and the Season 1 weapon balancing tables sit in the Multiplayer section of the notes. So a gun that rules 6v6 can sit lower here, and the reverse. We don't run our own damage tests. We combined two DMZ lists refreshed for Season 1, then checked them against Activision's weapon data and patch notes.
This guide covers DMZ only. For 6v6 rankings, see our MW4 best weapons tier list.
Quick summary
- S tier on both Season 1 lists: Han 86, Cronen Osprey and FiNN LMG (CODMunity, wzstats.gg, both updated November 10).
- Versatility wins. Activision's Hajin deep dive describes cramped hospital wards and city streets as well as open farmland with long sightlines. Our takeaway: a gun that copes at several ranges beats a specialist.
- The launch-week favorites are still strong. The M4, PPSh-41, X-58 Nyx and ISO Nightshade now land in A, close behind the top three.
- Snipers suit a second slot. No sniper ranks above B on our combined list, though the Signal 50 still leads its class.
- A is not a downgrade. S and A sit close together, and a gun you aim well with beats a top pick you can't control.
Modern Warfare 4 DMZ weapons tier list
A DMZ gun has to handle more than one kind of fight. Activision's Hajin deep dive (October 5) describes close fighting through multi-level hospital wards, street-to-street combat in Deadtown, and open farmland with long sightlines at Imjin. It also lists four tiers of AI soldiers, from basic grunts up to faceless armored troops. You'll shoot through a lot of armor and a lot of ammo between player fights. Range, damage per shot, recoil you can hold and a large magazine all matter more than raw speed in a small room.
That is the big difference from 6v6. GAMES.GG notes that Multiplayer fights mostly happen inside about 20 meters, which suits light builds with the stock stripped off. Take that kind of build into Hajin and it struggles once a rival squad engages from across a field, so DMZ rewards the slower, steadier setups Multiplayer players often skip.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Han 86, Cronen Osprey, FiNN LMG |
| A | M4, Kastov 762, VEL 46, PPSh-41, Hyeon Burst, Rezi 12, X-58 Nyx, Axion, ISO Nightshade, Cronen Squall |
| B | Patriot XMR, Oden, Warlord, Wz.55 Striga, Type 73, CSG-35, MAR-9, Signal 50, KG-7 Vulcan, Astaroth .57 |
| C | APOC-338, Mosin-Nagant, Oris 8.6 |
| D | Krait P68, SANG 9mm, Mojave .357, .50 GS |
| Utility, not ranked | PILA, RPG-8, JOKR, PM-40 Anvil, FSS Carbon Edge 1095 |
Launchers and the knife stay out of the ranking. CODMunity doesn't rate them for DMZ, and wzstats.gg puts all five in D. A launcher still earns its slot in Hajin, where Activision says the PILA and RPG-8 rockets detonate on contact with vehicles at any range.
How this DMZ tier list works
We used two DMZ lists that cover the Season 1 weapons: CODMunity's MW4 DMZ tier list and the wzstats.gg DMZ meta, both marked as updated November 10. Neither site explains its method on the page, so read them as community rankings, not test data. Each S counts five points and each D one. We add the two scores: 10 puts a gun 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.
The two sources disagree in places. CODMunity has the ISO Nightshade in B, while wzstats.gg puts it in its top group. CODMunity rates the VEL 46 and Cronen Squall S, and wzstats.gg has them in A and B. The Type 73 and the snipers sit in C on CODMunity and in A on wzstats.gg. Split guns like these end up in the middle, and they're the first to move.
The launch-week lists looked different. Destructoid (October 22) had Han 86, M4, PPSh-41, ISO Nightshade and X-58 Nyx as its S tier. GAMES.GG (October 25) ranked for DMZ PvP first and AI second, and its top tier was Han 86, VEL 46, Hyeon Burst, Warlord and PPSh-41. The Han 86 is the one gun every list puts at the top.
| Tier | What it means here |
|---|---|
| S | Top tier on both Season 1 lists. An easy first pick for any deployment |
| A | Top on one list and second on the other, or second on both. Strong, with a narrower job or a harder learning curve |
| B | Good in its role. Best as a second weapon or for a planned task |
| C | Usable, but the lists see better options in the same class |
| D | Hard to justify over a long gun or a shotgun |
This table is a decision aid, not a final verdict. Check the date on any DMZ tier list you read, ours included.
Best S-tier weapons in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ
Stats below come from Activision's launch weapons post, which covers both modes. Its fire rates are base values, and DMZ tuning can differ.
Han 86
The Han 86 is the best overall MW4 DMZ weapon on current data. It's first on wzstats.gg's DMZ list and S on CODMunity's. Activision's card lists a 5.56 rifle with 30 rounds and 740 RPM, open from Player Level 4, described as reliable from close quarters to longer fights.
Han 86 stats, as GAMES.GG lists them: a damage rating of 33, which it calls the lowest damage of the ARs, with accuracy at 57 and handling at 64. GAMES.GG says that accuracy and handling lead the assault rifle class and outweigh the modest damage. That lower damage is the trade-off. It's slower than the M4 and the SMGs up close, so carry something quicker for buildings. GAMES.GG also finds the stock 30-round magazine tight when several AI soldiers rush you at once, so a larger magazine is one of the first upgrades worth unlocking. Its Apex, the Han X20 Skybreaker, fires a 20mm airburst shell that Activision calls effective at flushing enemies out of cover.
Cronen Osprey
The Cronen Osprey came with Season 1, and both lists already rank it S. Infinity Ward's Season 1 patch notes call it a 5.56 rifle with a "best-in-class fire rate" that keeps control, accuracy and mobility. The notes give no exact numbers, so check the Gunsmith stats before you spend DMZ Cash on a build.
FiNN LMG
The FiNN LMG is the surprise of the Season 1 lists. CODMunity rates it S and wzstats.gg puts it sixth in its DMZ meta group. Activision describes a light, stable, belt-fed 5.56 LMG with 100 rounds at 587 RPM, open from Level 4. That belt is the point in DMZ: you can clear an AI squad and still have rounds left when a rival team shows up. Its Apex, FiNN Adverse, raises the fire rate past normal limits, but sustained fire can overheat it and force a cooldown.
Best A-tier weapons in MW4 DMZ
Four of Destructoid's five launch-week S-tier guns now sit in A, joined by the Kastov 762, which both launch-week lists already rated A. All five remain excellent picks.
M4
The M4 is third on wzstats.gg's DMZ list and A on CODMunity's. Activision lists 30 rounds at 810 RPM and an unlock at Level 14. It does almost everything at a decent level, which is why it's so hard to put in a fight it can't handle. GAMES.GG warns that its middling damage shows more in DMZ's long sightlines and armored AI fights than in 6v6. Activision's FOB guide uses it as the Gunsmith example: a base M4 costs around 5,000 DMZ Cash, with five paid attachment slots and an Apex slot.
PPSh-41
The PPSh-41 is the SMG for pushing buildings and Strongholds. It's A on both lists. Activision's card lists 71 rounds at 1,110 RPM, the fastest of the launch SMGs (GAMES.GG counts 70 rounds). GAMES.GG puts its damage rating at 29 and its range at 34. You can keep firing through a whole room of enemies before you reload. The cost is range, so pair it with a rifle or a sniper. Its Apex, PPSh-41 Ember, fires a burst of incendiary rounds that leaves fire on the ground for area control.
That pairing matters most at the end of a run. Activision's Hajin deep dive warns that other squads may use exfil sites as ambush points, and that exfil flares are loud and visible from far away. Its earlier DMZ deep dive adds that rival teams hunting Lieutenant Dog Tags often strike at busy exfil points. Arrive with a full magazine in your close-range gun, a long gun for anyone watching from cover, and fresh armor plates.
ISO Nightshade
The ISO Nightshade is the most divisive gun here. wzstats.gg ranks it its top SMG for DMZ PvP and second on its PvE page, while CODMunity has it in B. Activision lists a 9mm SMG with 30 rounds at 923 RPM, open from Level 4, built around control and mobility. GAMES.GG argues its movement edge matters less at DMZ ranges. Its Apex, ISO Trace, tags targets you hit and tracks them on the optic, and the launch patch notes fixed it not working as intended in DMZ.
X-58 Nyx
The X-58 Nyx is A on both lists. It has an integrated suppressor, 40 rounds and 800 RPM (Activision). GAMES.GG calls it the most accurate SMG in the game, with near-zero recoil, but says its damage falls off sharply past about 15 meters. Spend the slots you'd normally use on recoil control on range instead. If you'd rather keep it for rooms and stairwells, a hipfire-focused build is the other route. Activision's summary table puts its unlock at Level 46, while its stat card says Level 34, so check the Progression menu. The Season 1 notes fixed its X-58 Void Apex dealing more damage to DMZ AI than intended.
Kastov 762
The Kastov 762 is fifth on wzstats.gg's DMZ list and A on CODMunity's. Activision calls it a 7.62x39mm rifle with heavy hits and firm recoil, 600 RPM and a Level 34 unlock. Destructoid and GAMES.GG both say the kick takes real control. GAMES.GG adds that its visual recoil makes moving targets hard to track, and that accuracy attachments help at the cost of other stats. If you can hold it, it puts down armored targets quickly.
Best MW4 DMZ weapons by category
Our S tier doesn't cover every class, so here is the top gun in each one. We pick by combined score first and break ties with wzstats.gg's class rank.
| Category | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Han 86 | S on both lists and first on wzstats.gg |
| Best assault rifle | Han 86 | Ties the Cronen Osprey on score, ranked first in class by wzstats.gg |
| Best SMG | VEL 46 | S on CODMunity and A on wzstats.gg. The ISO Nightshade is wzstats.gg's first-ranked SMG |
| Best LMG | FiNN LMG | S on both |
| Best shotgun | Rezi 12 | A on both. The Warlord is B overall |
| Best marksman rifle | MAR-9 | A on wzstats.gg, C on CODMunity, ahead of the Mosin-Nagant and Oris 8.6 |
| Best sniper rifle | Signal 50 | Ties the KG-7 Vulcan and Astaroth .57, ranked first in class by wzstats.gg |
| Best pistol | Krait P68 | First pistol on both lists, though pistols rank low overall |
A specialist that leads its class can be worth more than an S-tier gun when you know the job. The Signal 50 is the clearest example. Activision's card lists a .50 Cal rifle with a recoil-reducing barrel and seven rounds, and none of our S-tier guns can do its job. The Rezi 12 is the close-range answer. Activision calls it a fast-cycling semi-auto 12-gauge with six shells, open from Level 4, and GAMES.GG rates it the best secondary shotgun next to a long-range primary. LMGs come with a cost of their own. GAMES.GG calls the Type 73 the strongest LMG at launch but says its weight slows you down around Hajin, which is worth weighing on a map this large. The FiNN LMG is the lighter belt-fed option.
Example: a squad plans to clear a Stronghold, then extract. One player runs a Han 86 with a Rezi 12 for the rooms inside. Another carries a PPSh-41 with a Signal 50 to cover the exfil from range. Between them, they can fight at every distance.
Our read: if you want a single primary, start with the Han 86. If AI-heavy Orders are the plan, wzstats.gg's DMZ PvE page puts the M4, ISO Nightshade, Kastov 762 and Type 73 at the top.
How you get these weapons in DMZ
DMZ doesn't hand you your Multiplayer classes. Activision's FOB guide (October 9) explains the rules:
- Weapon levels and unlocked attachments are shared between Multiplayer and DMZ.
- To buy a base weapon at the Gunsmith, you first extract with that gun's Weapon Manual. After that you can buy it as often as you like. The Gunsmith opens at DMZ Player Level 10.
- Gunsmith builds take up to five attachments. Weapons found in Hajin can carry up to eight.
- Other sources include the Free Loadout, your Stash, the Vendor (from DMZ Level 5, with stock that changes daily), enemies, Lieutenants, slain players and military containers.
Your favorite gun may not be ready to buy on day one, so plan to extract with its Weapon Manual early. For full builds, see our best MW4 loadouts guide, and for Apex details, our MW4 Apex attachments guide.
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 and the rest of the Call of Duty page. Read the publisher's rules before you buy any service from anyone, FullBoosts included. A marketplace listing isn't publisher permission.
FAQ
What is the best weapon in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ? Right now, the Han 86. It's first on wzstats.gg's DMZ list, S on CODMunity's, and at the top of every launch-week DMZ list we checked. It covers mid and long range well, so pair it with an SMG or shotgun for close fights.
What is the best assault rifle for MW4 DMZ? Again the Han 86, with the Cronen Osprey level with it on score. Both lists rank the two S. The M4 and Kastov 762 come next, A on CODMunity and in wzstats.gg's top group.
What is the best SMG in MW4 DMZ? The VEL 46 scores highest on our combined list, while wzstats.gg ranks the ISO Nightshade first. The PPSh-41 and X-58 Nyx are A on both lists, so pick by playstyle: the PPSh-41 for aggressive pushes, the Nyx for quiet, accurate play.
What is the best sniper for Modern Warfare 4 DMZ? It's the Signal 50, wzstats.gg's top sniper. The KG-7 Vulcan and Astaroth .57 tie it on score, and all three are B. Carry one as your second weapon rather than your only gun.
Is the MW4 Multiplayer tier list the same for DMZ? No. Infinity Ward says each mode has its own weapon tuning, and the Season 1 balancing tables appear in the Multiplayer section of the notes. The ISO Nightshade is a top pick in 6v6, for example, but CODMunity has it in B for DMZ.
