Best M4 Loadout and Class Setup in Modern Warfare 3

The M4 has always been one of the most popular weapons in the Call of Duty franchise, and after being the initial staple assault rifle in MW2, the M4 makes a return in Modern Warfare 3. Here’s the best M4 loadout and class setup in Modern Warfare 3.

Best Attachments for the M4 in MW3

Here is the best loadout for the M4 in Modern Warfare 3:

• Barrel: Hightower 20″ Barrel.
• Muzzle: L4R Flash Hider.
• Underbarrel: Kimura RYN-03 Vertical Grip.
• Rear Grip: XTEN Grip.
• Stock: Tempus P80 Strike Stock.

Two of the attachments on the list are meant to help with control with minimal negative impact on the weapon. The L4R Flash Hider and the Kimura RYN-03 Vertical Grip are MW3 attachments that add a ton to the M4 overall. With these on the AR, you have even more room for a heavier barrel.

You want to use the 20″ Hightower Barrel, just like in MW2. It has a ton of additional damage range, bullet velocity, and some recoil control. However, the MW2 attachments tend to have more negatives, so we need to counteract those in the build.

Both the XTEN Grip and the Tempus P80 Strike Stock will add a ton of mobility to the M4 in Modern Warfare 3. Optics are a bit more viable in MW3, so you can swap one in if you want, but you’ll lose mobility or ADS speed in the process.

Best Class and Perks for the M4 in MW3

Here are the Best Perks for the M4 in Modern Warfare 3:

• Vest: Infantry Vest or Engineer.
• Gloves: Assault Gloves.
• Boots: Covert Sneakers.
• Gear: Ghost T/V Camo or EOD Padding.
• Tactical: Flash Grenade or Stim.
• Lethal: Frag Grenade or Semtex.
• Field Equipment: Trophy System.
• Best Secondary: Renetti.

Covert Sneakers and Ghost are the most important perks in the game for nearly any respawn mode. You can experiment more with EOD in modes like Search and Destroy. In respawn modes though, you’ll have to deal with tons of UAV spam.

The rest of the pieces are also fairly straightforward. Stims and grenades are typically what I like to use for equipment. I can dish out zoning damage and heal myself on the fly. Then the Trophy System ensures I’m always covered.

Best Alternatives to the M4 in MW3

This year, the best alternatives to the classic M4 are the MTZ-556 and the MCW. Both of these weapons offer a fast fire rate and accuracy that is above average. You want to use weapons that take advantage of the 5.56 caliber to recreate how the weapon felt in MW2.

How to Unlock the MCW

You can unlock the MCW either by doing three daily/bonus challenges found in the armory or by reaching level 44. There’s a shortcut in that you can pick the gun up in Zombies mode, then evac with it equipped. The gun will then be made available to you for use.

How to Unlock the MTZ-556 in MW3

The MTZ-556 is a great alternative to the M4 in MW3. To unlock it, all you’ll need to do is hit level 12. Once reaching that level, the gun will be given to you automatically without any further requirements. You can also find the gun in Zombies mode and evac with it.

How to Unlock the M4 in Modern Warfare 3

The M4 is unlocked by completing an Operator Kill challenge in MW3 or unlocking the weapon in MW2 through the leveling system. If you played even a little of MW2, you likely already have the weapon unlocked. You can find it past the latest assault rifles in the category.

For another great option early on, check out my guide for the best SVA 545 loadout in Modern Warfare 3.