With Modern Warfare 3 fresh out of the oven, players are wondering what weapons to use. We’ve got a list of the top ten most effective guns in the game right now, ranging across all weapon types.

• Related Reading: Modern Warfare 3: How to Get the MCW Early and Other Guns and Items Without Grinding

These weapons were all carefully compared by the lovely team over at WarzoneLoadouts, but we tested each of these ourselves to make sure they felt good. Here’s the top ten meta weapons right now:

Modern Warfare 3 Best Guns (Pre-Season):

10. WSP Swarm (SMG)

This SMG is quick-firing and has a pretty low TTK, but its short range keeps it from being closer to the top of our list. Still, if mobility is your thing, this gun will work well in a loadout for you.

Here are the recommended attachments:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
• Stock: FSS Fortress Heavy
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Marauder Grip

9. Striker (SMG)

The Striker can be a really balanced SMG with pretty solid range when equipped right. Its recoil isn’t too bad, either, and it feels good to use. All in all, it’s just a solid all-rounder for those that like SMGs over ARs.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
• Barrel: Striker Recon Long
• Stock: RB Crotalus Assault
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Magazine: 48 Round Mag

8. Holger 26 (LMG)

The Holger 26 stands out among the LMGs because it can be built with enough mobility to compare to the slower ARs. While it does have a recoil problem at longer ranges, mounting with this gun and holding a corner will net you plenty of kills, especially with the quicker reload of a smaller magazine.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
• Barrel: Holger Factory
• Stock: Holger 556 Factory
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag

7. MCW (Assault Rifle)

Like the Striker, the MCW’s best feature is that it feels like butter when you use it. It has pretty minimal recoil, even with no attachments, making it sort of a laser to use. While it’s been nerfed a little since the beta, it still holds up as a great gun to use.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
• Barrel: Second Line Mammoth Heavy
• Stock: A90 Venom
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag

6. Striker 9 (SMG)

The Striker 9 is a faster version of the Striker that trades recoil stability and accuracy for fire rate and an ever-so-slight damage boost. It’s much worse at longer ranges than its cousin, but up close, it shreds.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
• Barrel: Striker Recon Long
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip

5. SVA 545 (Assault Rifle)

The SVA 545 absolutely melts enemies at close range. Its long range recoil is a little bit unwieldy when firing full auto, but its damage is still not bad, so it can work at longer distances as well. All in all, it’s a very solid gun.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
• Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector
• Stock: Mane V6
• Underbarrel: Chewk Angled Grip
• Magazine: 45 Round Mag

4. BAS-B (Battle Rifle)

The BAS-B is a little slower than most assault rifles, but its unparalleled low recoil and high damage output make it really effective in the field. Additionally, it’s got a pretty good build in one of the default loadouts, making it easy to level up fast. All in all, this is probably the best gun to start with, even if it isn’t at the top of the meta.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
• Barrel: Wyvern’s Respite Long
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 45 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: STT88 Grip

3. Rival-9 (SMG)

The Rival-9 is okay on its own, but with the proper build, it’s the best SMG in the game right now. It has a high fire rate and a high damage output, making it the optimal weapon for close range encounters.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor S
• Stock: EXF Close Quarters Assault
• Underbarrel: Chewk Angled Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip

2. Longbow (Sniper)

The Longbow is an absolute sniping machine with the right attachments. It’s not bad on its own, but you throw on a 10 Round Mag and some ADS speed attachments, and suddenly the speed with which you’re clicking on enemies’ heads is blinding. For good old quickscoping fun, there’s no better option.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Barrel: Pro-99 Long
• Stock: No Stock (NOTE: This IS an attachment, not an empty slot!)
• Magazine: 10 Round Mag
• Ammunition: 7.62x54MMR High Grain Rounds
• Rear Grip: Demo 650

1. Holger 556 (Assault Rifle)

As of right now, the Holger 556 takes the cake for the best gun in MW3. It can kill in just two headshots or three body shots from an absurdly long range, and its high rate of fire and low recoil only make it that much more useful. The sooner you get this gun and its ideal attachments into your hands, the better.

Here’s the recommended loadout:

• Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
• Optic: Slate Reflector
• Stock: RB Addle Assault Stock
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag

These are the top ten guns to be using in Modern Warfare 3 right now. As always, we recommend finding what feels best for you and using that above all else, but if you need a little guidance, these guns are tough to beat.

For more MW3 news, check out our guide on the best console settings to optimize your gameplay. Expect our review to hit the site soon.

Thanks to WarzoneLoadout for these fantastic stats and builds!