Modern Warfare 3 best guns in the beta

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. best guns in Modern Warfare 3, won’t be something we can tell you for definite until the full release in November, but we can tell you what’s worth aiming for right now in the MW3 beta.

With the PlayStation-exclusive weekend wrapped up, we’ve had plenty of time with the weapons available — anything unlocked up to level 20, that is — and have found the best weapons in the beta for you to try.

With that in mind, with the second beta weekend’s max level being raised to 30, there will be a few more weapons (including the AMR-9 SMG, Riveter shotgun, and Longbow sniper rifle) not on this list. They will not be accessible to most players for a while, so our list is still valid as you rise the ranks.

Modern Warfare 3, the best guns of the Beta

What are the best weapons? Modern Warfare 3,The beta is as follows:

1. MCW (assault rifle)
2. Striker (SMG)
3. BAS-B (battle rifle)
4. MTZ Interceptor (marksman rifle)
5. MTZ-556 (assault rifle)

We’ve stuck the MCW at the top of our rankings because, for the most part, it’s your jack-of-all-trades gun. You can kit it out for long-range engagements — which our suggested attachments below are apt for — or to deal with enemies up close if needed.

The VERSA is the best choice if your primary focus will be on combat in close quarters, with the exception of a few ranged attacks. Striker Second instead. It’s a second instead BAS-BYou can also find out more about the following: MTZ InterceptorThe assault rifles are better for longer distances, despite their classification as assault weapons. MTZ-556The Striker is also better for shorter ranges due to the rapid rate of firing.

Let’s go through each weapon, one-by-one.

1. MCW (assault rifle)

Activision image via Polygon

Start off with the MCW as your first assault weapon. Modern Warfare 3, doesn’t have real weapon names, so the MCW is best known as the ACR from previous installments. All in all, the MCW can be described as a reliable assault weapon that’s fully automatic with consistent recoil and damage.

With the correct attachments, MCW can be transformed into a laser. Any of the heavy barrels do the job — we’d recommend the Second Line Mammoth — along with any vertical grip, though we found the Bruen Pivot to be the best (which requires leveling the SVA 545 to level 12 first). For the other attachments, an optical sight is a great choice for improved visibility. It’s also advisable to use a combination muzzle/stock/rear-grip that helps with bullet velocity and recoil.

Visit our MCW weapon loadout page to learn more about how you can outfit this gun.

2. Striker (SMG),

Activision image via Polygon

Modern Warfare 2. 2009 fans don’t only have all 16 original maps to look forward to in Modern Warfare 3,The best weapon from the game, the UMP45 (now called the Striker), has returned. It’s not quite the ridiculous killing machine it was back then, but it’s still very consistent, and certainly a better SMG than the Rival-9, which is only good in small rooms thanks to its ridiculous fire rate.

You’ve more flexibility with attachments when it comes to the Striker, but much like the MCW, we found it most effective when kitted out to also deal with enemies at a further range than it would otherwise be used for. The combination of a barrel with vertical grip plus the right muzzle/stock/rear attachments can achieve this. Alternatively, if you want to decimate enemies up close with the Striker, stick a 20-round mag, laser, and specifically select ‘no stock’ in the stock attachment option.

Visit our Striker weapon loadout for detailed information.

3. BAS-B (battle rifle)

Activision image via Polygon

Each of the guns on this list is similar. They are all fully automatic weapons that work best in different distances. BAS-B does not differ from other weapons. The first battle rifle on the list, this is the gun you want to switch to if our MCW build above still doesn’t have enough range for you. It doesn’t fire quite as quickly as the MCW, but each bullet packs way more of a punch, and once you have some recoil-managing attachments on there, you can put a longer-range optic on it such as one of the 2.5x options.

When you’re in the opening levels of using the BAS-B though, we have just a few recommended attachments. The Bruen Venom Long Barrel is a no-brainer thanks to the range it adds, and the 30-round mag — or the 45-round once you unlock it — ensures you can mow down multiple enemies without needing to reload. We’d also recommend the Ravage-20 Heavy Stock, which you unlock once the BAS-B has reached level seven.

4. MTZ Interceptor

Activision image via Polygon

MTZ Interceptor, the MTZ Interceptor’s only semi-automatic firearm on this list. In lieu of the sniper rifle options not being particularly impressive in the beta, this marksman rifle strikes a lovely balance between range — especially once you stick an optic on it — and versatility. It’s a one-shot kill to the head as long as you’re not too far away, and two shots to the torso up close if you get caught by surprise.

You should attach attachments as quickly as you can to the MTZ Interceptor to combat its vertical recoil. These are your best options for unlocking them quickly: the MCW Blackjack Stock and the Bruen TR-24 assault grip. As a side note, stick the Gunner vest on and equip a shotgun as your other primary weapon: you’ll be sorted for all combat encounters then, and it’s especially strong on Skidrow, where you can go from long-distance to close-quarters combat in an instant.

5. MTZ-556 (assault rifle)

Activision image via Polygon

Want an assault weapon that can also be used to compete at close range? You need the MTZ-556. It can fill the hole between the Striker and the MCW, but beware — it kicks like a mule if you don’t have any recoil control attachments equipped. Aim for the same sort of attachments we’ve listed above for the MCW, and you’ll find yourself with an assault rifle a little more suited to close-quarters combat.

If you’re looking to get up close, the MTZ-556 can be turned into an SMG. Stick the MTZ Carbine Ultralite barrel and MTZ Skeletal Folding Stock on, along with the 20-round mag, and while you’ll be reloading a lot, your gun will also sound like a chainsaw as it rattles through bullets. You’ll have to give up on the idea of taking out enemies at a distant.

That’s our list of the best weapons in Modern Warfare 3,. If you’re reading this while you wait for open beta access and want to jump in now, you can access with a Modern Warfare 3, pre-order. That said — you won’t have long to wait if you want to play for free!