Best SMGs in Black Ops 6 – Meta submachine gun loadouts

In Black Ops 6, SMGs are your best bet for close-range dominance, and we’ve compiled the meta loadouts for all the best choices.

SMGs have been a central part of the multiplayer meta since the release of Season 1 Reloaded. The very best weapons in this class dominate close-quarters combat thanks to insane fire rates, excellent handling, and TTK figures that outperform most Assault Rifles.

With seven options to pick from, deciding the best one can be tricky. With this in mind, here are the best SMGs in Black Ops 6 along with their meta loadouts.

Best Black Ops 6 SMG loadouts

1. Jackal PDW

• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
• Magazine: Extended Mag 1

CharlieIntel

Among the several SMGs in Black Ops 6, the Jackal PDW stood out during the beta and it has not lost its brilliance yet. There may be competitors in this class with more range, but the Jackal’s unmatched power puts it in a league of its own.

The Long Barrel and Vertical Foregrip are useful attachments that can improve its performance and mitigate its recoil, allowing you to use it more effectively at medium range. After that, you can get those initial shots in with the help of the Quickdraw Grip, which greatly increases the ADS speed.

Since the Jackal, like other SMGs, quickly depletes its ammo supply, you’ll want to equip Extended Mag 1 to take down several enemies before needing to reload.

2. C9

• Muzzle: Ported Compensator
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
• Stock: No Stock

CharlieIntel

The C9 is Black Ops 6’s version of the MP5, a classic CoD gun that has been a part of the meta in recent titles. It carries on that tradition and offers a solid balance across all fronts. The SMG’s superb mobility stands out in particular, making it viable for players who’ve reached Master Prestige and also for beginners starting out at level 1.

Our C9 build prioritizes mobility, with the Ergonomic Grip being the most crucial attachment. When used with the No Stock option, the weapon’s ADS, slide-to-fire, and dive-to-fire speeds are all boosted.

3. Tanto .22

• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Magazine: Extended Mag 1
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
• Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

CharlieIntel

The Tanto.22 is very different from the PDW; it has a slow fire rate but does significantly more damage with each shot. If you want the feel of an SMG but would rather stay competitive on bigger maps, this is the weapon for you because it is ideal for use at medium range.

Its TTK is already lower than most other Black Ops 6 weapons, but with the Rapid Fire mod, it becomes lightning-quick. We opted for the Vertical Foregrip to mitigate the considerable recoil that comes with the increased fire rate.

4. KSV

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Ported Compensator
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: CQB Grip

CharlieIntel

The KSV is a significant step below the top three if we’re being really honest. Its clumsy recoil makes it less controllable than other similar guns, and its slow bullet velocity makes it impractical for use at medium range.

But its high rate of fire makes it an intimidating weapon in close-quarters combat, and the Reinforced Barrel can only improve its speed. To further boost the KSV’s efficiency, the Vertical Foregrip and Ported Compensator significantly lessen the recoil.

5. Saug

• Muzzle: Compensator
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
• Stock: Balanced Stock

CharlieIntel

The Saug is the newest SMG to join Black Ops 6 and it’s fairly solid if you’re looking for a fast-firing weapon built for close-range engagements. That said, it lags behind the C9 in almost metric and falters against the Jackal PDW when it comes to TTK. Its lackluster range also leaves more to be desired, although you can have a ton of fun by running two Saugs using the Akimbo stock.

As for the optimal loadout, our recommendations are focused on improving the recoil. The Compensator and Vertical Foregrip help achieve that goal while the Balanced Stock boosts mobility by enhancing the base movement speed.

All Black Ops 6 SMGs ranked

Rank	Weapon	TTK (MS)
1	C9	246
2	Jackal PDW	264
3	Tanto .22	272
4	KSV	225
5	Saug	264
6	PP-919	288
7	Kompakt 92	220

Meta analysis

The SMG meta has settled following all the changes introduced during Season 1 Reloaded with the Jackal PDW and C9 emerging as the best of the lot. The Jackal took a minor hit after dominating the beta, but its close-range TTK is unaffected, making it just as lethal as ever. On the other hand, the C9 pairs incredible accuracy with rapid TTK, so you really can’t go wrong with either weapon.

If you’re looking for a gun with a higher damage-per-shot ratio, the Tanto .22 isn’t far behind. It also offers a good effective damage range which makes the SMG well-suited for larger maps. In contrast, the KSV struggles at ranged combat but its damage output in close-quarter engagements is pretty competitive. If you’re struggling with the Jackal’s recoil, the KSV is a reliable alternative.

Another SMG worth mentioning is the PP-919. Despite finishing second-last on our list, the weapon really isn’t that bad. It comes with the best-in-class magazine size and manageable recoil, making it a great pick for smaller maps like Nuketown. This is especially true if you equip the Rapid Fire mod to give its close-range TTK a boost.

Before deciding your primary weapon, make sure to check out the overall best guns in the game, alongside the best controller and PC settings to use for an advantage over your opponents.