Best SMGs in MW3 Season 5

If you enjoy fast-paced gameplay and fluid movement in Modern Warfare 3, the SMG category has plenty of picks for you. Following the Season 5 update, choosing the best SMG in MW3 can be difficult, especially since the update introduced a new competitor and various balance changes.

To give you a helping hand, here are all the game’s SMGs ranked from best to worst.

Best MW3 SMGs ranked

The best SMGs as of Season 5 are the Superi 46, Static-HV, and FJX Horus. Here’s how they stack up against the rest of the Submachine Guns.

Rank	SMG
1	Superi 46
2	Static-HV
3	FJX Horus
4	Lachmann Shroud
5	WSP-9
6	Rival-9
7	AMR9
8	WSP Swarm
9	RAM-9
10	Striker
11	Striker 9
12	HRM-9
13	Lachmann Sub
14	Vaznev-9K
15	VEL 46
16	Fennec 45
17	ISO 9mm
18	ISO 45
19	FSS Hurricane
20	PDSW 528
21	BAS-P
22	Minibak
23	MX9

Rankings explained

10. Striker

• How to unlock: Reach Level 4
• Base Damage: 46 Headshot, 39 Upper Torso, 36 Lower Torso, 36 Upper Legs
• Range: 10.9m Effective Damage Range, 35.6m Minimum Damage Range, 570 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 645.2 rpm
• ADS Speed: 204 ms

The Striker comes in at number 10, offering a reliable damage profile that can perform well at close and medium ranges, especially with our best loadout for it.

Its rate of fire is lacking, however, making it a worse option for close-range fights in comparison to other SMGs on the list.

9. RAM-9

Activision

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 5 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 37 Headshot, 31 Upper Torso, 29 Lower Torso, 29 Upper Legs
• Range: 11.4m Effective Damage Range, 45.7m Minimum Damage Range, 450 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 909.1 rpm
• ADS Speed: 190 ms

An SMG version of the popular Assault Rifle, the RAM-9 packs a punch in terms of damage and range, and also has a competitive rate of fire that shreds enemies up close.

However, its damage drops off unless you’re hitting headshots and the upper torso, making it less consistent than the top picks. You can improve its output by using our best loadout for the RAM-9.

8. WSP Swarm

• How to unlock: Reach Level 27
• Base Damage: 33 Headshot, 30 Upper Torso, 30 Lower Torso, 27 Upper Legs
• Range: 5.6m Effective Damage Range, 34.3m Minimum Damage Range, 450 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 1090.9 rpm
• ADS Speed: 175 ms

An extremely close-range option is the WSP Swarm, which has a rapid-fire rate and fast ADS speed that allows you to zoom around and pull your gun up fast. It’s great for close-quarters combat but fails to be of much use outside of that.

We built it to focus on its close-range prowess, so make sure you give our best WSP Swarm loadout a go if you want something to dominate Shipment and Rust.

7. AMR9

Activision

• How to unlock: Reach Level 55
• Base Damage: 43 Headshot, 36 Upper Torso, 33 Lower Torso, 33 Upper Legs
• Range: 15.2m Effective Damage Range, 35.6m Minimum Damage Range, 625 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 833.3 rpm
• ADS Speed: 240 ms

As we edge our way toward the top five, the AMR9 is a reliable SMG with decent damage, range, and rate of fire. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s one of the better SMGs in the game that performs well on smaller maps, especially with our recommended attachments.

6. Rival 9

Activision

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 3 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 37 Headshot, 31 Upper Torso, 29 Lower Torso, 29 Upper Legs
• Range: 11.4m Effective Damage Range, 45.7m Minimum Damage Range, 450 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 909.1 rpm
• ADS Speed: 190 ms

The Rival 9 is a close-range beast, and although it just misses out on a top-five place, it’s worthy of being called one of the best SMGs in the game. This is mainly thanks to its fast mobility, rate of fire, and great damage range that allows it to perform at medium range so long as you can control the recoil.

Speaking of controlling the recoil, give our best Rival 9 loadout a go, as it’s packed with the best attachments.

5. WSP-9

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 3 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 54 Headshot, 46 Upper Torso, 42 Lower Torso, 42 Upper Legs
• Range: 24.1m Effective Damage Range, 38.1m Minimum Damage Range, 540 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 599.5 rpm
• ADS Speed: 220 ms

While its fire rate may take a little practice to nail down, the WSP-9 can deal a significant amount of damage in close-quarters situations, while also having great mobility and range. This allows you to move effectively and hold your own on small maps where a weapon like the WSP-9 can truly shine.

If you’re interested in giving this weapon a go, try out best loadout for the WSP-9.

4. Lachmann Shroud

Activision

• How to unlock: Get 30 hipfire kills in multiplayer or exfil with it in Zombies
• Base Damage: 39 Headshot, 36 Upper Torso, 36 Lower Torso, 33 Upper Legs
• Range: 15.2m Effective Damage Range, 40.6m Minimum Damage Range, 540 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 800 rpm
• ADS Speed: 200 ms

Despite being forgotten since MW3’s launch, the Lachmann Shroud has claimed a spot among the top five best SMGs. Our best loadout for the Lachmann Shroud turns the gun into a full-auto beast, boasting outstanding damage, and range, and it brings plenty of mobility while being easy to use.

3. FJX Horus

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 5 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 37 Headshot, 31 Upper Torso, 31 Lower Torso, 29 Upper Legs
• Range: 11.4m Effective Damage Range, 30.5m Minimum Damage Range, 480 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 983.6 rpm
• ADS Speed: 170 ms

The FJX Horus arrived in Season 3, and while it may have gone under the radar, several damage and range buffs have pushed it to compete among the top SMGs for players who like to keep moving and engage in close-range fights.

The Season 5 update did hand the SMG some nerfs which have seen it drop a place in the rankings, but using our best FJX Horus loadout, you should have no problems taking enemies down.

2. Static-HV

• How to unlock: Complete Sector 6 of the Season 5 Battle Pass
• Base Damage: 46 Headshot, 39 Upper Torso, 36 Lower Torso, 33 Upper Legs
• Range: 7.6m Effective Damage Range, 35.6m Minimum Damage Range, 600 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 821.9 rpm
• ADS Speed: 200 ms

MW3’s latest Submachine Gun is the Static-HV, which arrived in Season 5 as one of the best SMGs in the game thanks to its extremely fast TTK and excellent mobility.

One of the most advantageous aspects of this weapon is its base magazine size of 50 rounds. This means you can take on multiple enemies without reloading, and it also frees up an attachment slot, which we use effectively in our best loadout for the Static-HV.

1. Superi 46 – Best SMG in MW3

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 5 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 45 Headshot, 39 Upper Torso, 39 Lower Torso, 30 Upper Legs
• Range: 18.8m Effective Damage Range, 50.5m Minimum Damage Range, 630 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 666.7 rpm
• ADS Speed: 200 ms

The Superi 46 continues to dominate as the best SMG in MW3 despite being nerfed on multiple occasions. This gun has excellent damage range, low recoil, and a fast fire rate, which give it a consistent TTK across close and mid-range distances.

Its mobility was nerfed slightly in the Season 5 update, but it wasn’t enough to prevent it from being the top choice. With our Superi 46 loadout, it retains great strafe speeds that make it an absolute monster on smaller maps and the perfect close-range weapon.

You’re now ready to finesse enemies using SMGs. if you want to be more effective at a distance, try the best Assault Rifles or Snipers, as both can offer swift TTKs at range.