Best MCW loadout for Modern Warfare 3 Season 3

Nathan Warby
MCW in Modern Warfare 3

The best MCW loadout will reveal the Perks, attachments, and Equipment you need to utilize Modern Warfare 3’s most popular Assault Rifle in Season 3.

Despite receiving a nerf in the MW3 Season 3 update, the MCW remains one of the best weapons in the game. The MCW stands out as one of the most reliable and lethal guns, largely due to its versatility and controllable recoil, making it an ideal weapon to carry into Ranked Play.

If you’re looking to use the best MCW loadout in MW3 Season 3 matches, here are the attachments, Perks, and Equipment you need to run.

Best Modern Warfare 3 MCW loadout attachments

MCW AR in MW3
The MCW AR is the best weapon to use in Ranked Play.
  • Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
  • Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
  • Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector or Slate Reflector
  • Stock: RB Regal Heavy Stock

The best MCW loadout in MW3 is all about increasing its damage range and recoil control, letting you beam players with ease.

The Shadowstrike Suppressor hides your shots from the minimap without any negative stats, and the 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel vastly increases its bullet velocity and range. The RB Regal Heavy Stock significantly improves aiming stability, and the DR-6 Handstop helps with ADS speed and mobility.

Finally, the Optic comes down entirely to preference between the clean Mk. 3 Reflector and classic Slate Reflector. Players can also opt out of equipping an Optic attachment in favor of the 40 Round Mag.

Best Modern Warfare MCW loadout Perks & Equipment

  • Vest: Assassin Vest
  • Gloves: Commando Gloves
  • Gear: EOD Padding
  • Boots: Covert Sneakers
  • Lethal: Frag Grenade
  • Tactical: Stun Grenade

When creating the best MCW loadout in MW3, you’ll want to start by picking a Vest, and the Assassin Vest is perfect for keeping you hidden from UAVs. Then, you’ll want to opt for the Commando Gloves to be able to reload while sprinting.

Next, EOD Padding will increase your resistance to explosives and fire, increasing your survivability. Covert Sneakers round out the ideal Vest and Gear combination, as they’ll keep your footsteps quiet.

The Frag Grenade and Stun Grenade is a tried-and-true combination, allowing you to quickly dispatch enemies in buildings and surprise them by stunning them with the grenade.

How to unlock MCW in Modern Warfare 3

MW3 players must reach Level 44 to unlock the MCW Assault Rifle. This means you’ll have to grind the game and earn a fair amount of XP before you can equip the MCW.

Best MCW alternatives in Modern Warfare 3

We recommend switching to the powerful Holger 556 Assault Rifle if the MCW isn’t cutting it for you in Modern Warfare 3. The Holger also boasts an amazing rate of fire and low recoil. Meanwhile, the BAS-B is another great alternative with outstanding damage values.

For more on Modern Warfare 3, be sure to check out our other guides:

How to slide cancel in Modern Warfare 3 | Best guns in MW3 | Best SMGs in Modern Warfare 3 | Best FOV settings for Modern Warfare 3 | Best controller settings for Modern Warfare 3 | How to get Wonder Weapons in MW3 Zombies | How to get Tac-Stance kills in MW3

About The Author

Nathan is a Senior Writer at CharlieIntel. He’s an expert in EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and Overwatch, as well as superhero games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man. With a master's degree in Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he worked as a Trainee Reporter for Derbyshire Live before moving into games media, with bylines at Dexerto, Cultured Vultures, and more. You can contact Nathan by email at [email protected].