MCW best loadout in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 2023 (CoD MW3 2023). Includes best MCW build, class setup, attachments, & how to unlock.
Table of Contents
MCW - Weapon Stats & How To Unlock
MCW
Weapon Stats
Basic Information
| Weapon Type | ASSAULT RIFLE |
|---|---|
| How To Get | Level 44 |
| Max Level | 28 |
| Info | This remarkably adaptable assault rifle features phenomenal recoil control and versatility from a lightweight frame chambered in 5.56. |
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Best Guns & Weapons Tier ListBest MCW Loadout & Build
Best MCW Loadout for Multiplayer
| Muzzle | Shadowstrike Suppressor |
|---|---|
| Barrel | Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel |
| Optic | Any |
| Stock | RB Regal Heavy Stock |
| Rear Grip | RB Craw-PSL Grip |
The MCW has less recoil especially compared to other Assault Rifles, making it very easy to use. So you may think this weapon is for beginners, but the TTK will become a lot worse with its limited damage output if you aren't able to land enough headshots. This weapon is best for intermediate to advanced players who have consistent aiming. An update slightly increased the Sprint to Fire Time, but this shouldn't affect the performance too much. The update also nerfed the RB Regal Heavy Stock, but this still helps control the recoil well enough.
This build improves recoil control even further while making up for the short Effective Damage Range using the Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel.
Best MCW Loadout for Zombies
| Barrel | Kimura Blackiron Heavy Short Barrel |
|---|---|
| Stock | A90 Venom Stock |
| Magazine | 60 Round Drum |
| Ammunition | 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds |
| Underbarrel | FTAC MSP-98 Handstop |
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MCW - Compatible Attachments
Muzzle
| Shadowstrike Suppressor | - Leveling the Longbow to Level 24 - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 3 |
|---|---|
| VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 9 |
| HMRES Mod Suppressor | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 24 |
| Sonic Suppressor | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 16 |
| Colossus Suppressor | - Leveling the WSP Stinger to Level 25 - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 6 - Leveling the WSP-9 to Level 26 - Leveling the WSP Swarm to Level 5 |
| ELR Blackfire Compensator | - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 15 |
| Wrathguard Compensator | - Leveling the MCW to Level 28 - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 8 |
| T4LR Saber Compensator | - Leveling the MCW to Level 13 |
| Purifier Muzzle Brake | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 12 |
| FTAC Castle Comp | - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 12 - Leveling the MX9 to Level 10 |
| L4R Flash Hider | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 7 - Leveling the MCW to Level 24 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 10 |
| Monolithic Suppressor | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 8 |
| Broadhead-3DP | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 6 |
| Silentfire XG6 | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 12 |
| Echoline GS-X | - Leveling the M4 to Level 16 - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 3 |
| Zulu-60 | - Leveling the SP-R 208 to Level 19 - Leveling the M13B to Level 3 |
| Harbinger D20 | - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 9 - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 17 |
| Echoless-80 | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 14 |
| FSS Covert V | - Leveling the HCR 56 to Level 13 |
| Gauge-9 Mono | - Leveling the Kastov-74u to Level 17 |
| Ster45 Skyfury Compensator | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 23 |
| Ex-01 Match Compensator | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 17 |
| Casus Brake | - Leveling the Longbow to Level 20 |
| RF Crown 50 | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 16 |
| Komodo Heavy | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 18 |
| XTEN Ported 290 | - Leveling the HCR 56 to Level 16 |
| FJX Fulcrum Pro | - Leveling the M13B to Level 11 |
| Cronen OP44 | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 7 |
| XTEN Havoc 90 | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 8 |
| Sakin Tread-40 | - Leveling the RAPP H to Level 4 - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 14 |
| S-37C DL Breacher Device | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 21 |
| C400 Door Knocker | - Leveling the M16 to Level 5 |
| JCZ-390 Muzzle Device | - Leveling the M13B to Level 15 |
| Corvus Slash Gen. 2 | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 5 |
| Cronen Maw-86 | - Leveling the M13B to Level 6 |
| VLK Koloss Flash Hider | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 16 |
Barrel
| 16.5'' MCW Cyclone Long Barrel | - Leveling the MCW to Level 2 |
|---|---|
| SL Crater Heavy Barrel | - Leveling the MCW to Level 5 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 24 |
| Kimura Blackiron Heavy Short Barrel | - Leveling the MCW to Level 15 |
| Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel | - Leveling the MCW to Level 18 |
| Orchestra-40 Short Heavy Barrel | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 22 - Leveling the MCW to Level 4 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 2 |
| KR Midnight 13'' Barrel | - Leveling the MCW to Level 24 |
| Kimura Silentshot Integral Suppressor | - Leveling the MCW to Level 26 |
Laser
| Schlager PEQ Box IV | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 12 - Leveling the Signal 50 to Level 3 |
|---|---|
| CS15 Scarlet Box Laser | - Leveling the MCW to Level 17 |
| 1MW Laser Box | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 11 - Leveling the M4 to Level 12 |
| STOVL DR Laser Box | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 24 - Leveling the Kastov 762 to Level 9 |
| SL Razorhawk Laser Light | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 10 |
| Pro Sapphire Box Laser | - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 18 |
| Verdant Hook Box Laser | - Leveling the Haymaker to Level 10 |
| SZ 1MW PEQ | - Leveling the SP-R 208 to Level 2 |
| Corio Laz-44 V3 | - Leveling the KV Inhibitor to Level 14 - Leveling the MCPR-300 to Level 3 |
| FSS Ole-V Laser | - Leveling the MTZ Interceptor to Level 11 - Leveling the EBR-14 to Level 10 |
| Canted Vibro-Dot 7 | - Leveling the KVD Enforcer to Level 16 - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 10 |
| Corvus Peq Beam-5 | - Leveling the Lachmann-762 to Level 8 |
| Luminate-44 | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 14 - Leveling the SAKIN MG38 to Level 8 |
Optic
| Slimline Pro | - Leveling the Renetti to Level 4 - Leveling the Lachmann Sub to Level 11 |
|---|---|
| SZ Mini | - Leveling the COR-45 to Level 3 - Leveling the P890 to Level 4 |
| Cronen Mini Pro | - Leveling the WSP Swarm to Level 8 - Leveling the Expedite 12 to Level 7 |
| SZ Sigma-IV Optic | - Leveling the Rival-9 to Level 2 - Leveling the X12 to Level 4 |
| KR V4 1X Riser | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 2 |
| Caucasus Reflex Sight | - Leveling the Pulemyot 762 to Level 5 |
| MK. 3 Reflector | - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 2 |
| KR V4 1X Riser | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 2 |
| Chrios Holo | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 15 |
| Corio ELT-10 2.5 | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 5 |
| KR Mortis Precision 2.5X | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 4 |
| KR Marauder 9 Riser | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 19 |
| AOK 4.0X RQ-9 Recon | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 2 |
| TX4 Havoc | - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 5 |
| Forge Tac Delta 4 | - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 9 |
| Slate Reflector | - Leveling the Striker to Level 12 |
| XTEN ERX-10 Mini | - Leveling the MTZ Interceptor to Level 6 |
| Cronen Mini Dot | - Leveling the Striker 9 to Level 2 - Leveling the FSS Hurricane to Level 3 |
| Sz Minitac-40 | - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 5 |
| KR Minitac-40 Riser | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 3 |
| FSS Spectre Microtherm | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 19 |
| Nydar Model 2023 | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
| XRK On-Point Optic | - Leveling the Bryson 890 to Level 5 |
| Aim OP-V4 | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 5 |
| DF105 Reflex Sight | - Leveling the Kastov-74u to Level 10 |
| Monocle CT90 | - Leveling the Minibak to Level 12 |
| Corvus Sol-76 | - Leveling the Lockwood 680 to Level 5 - Leveling the VEL 46 to Level 5 |
| SZ Recharge-Dx | - Leveling the Fennec 45 to Level 4 |
| SZ SRO-7 | - Leveling the M16 to Level 11 |
| Corio Re-X Pro | - Leveling the .50 GS to Level 4 |
| Corio Enforcer Optic | - Leveling the Vaznev-9K to Level 14 |
| SZ Lonewolf Optic | - Leveling the M4 to Level 2 |
| Kazan-Holo | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 7 |
| SZ Battle Optic | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 19 |
| Corvus Downrange-00 | - Leveling the MX9 to Level 8 |
| XTEN Angel-40 | - Leveling the TAQ-M to Level 11 |
| SZ Holotherm | - Leveling the PDSW 528 to Level 12 |
| Corio Eagleseye 2.5X | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 8 - Leveling the DM56 to Level 19 |
| SL Truesight 2.5X | - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 29 |
| TOS Nightfall 2.5X Thermal Optic | - Leveling the MTZ-762 to Level 7 |
| VLK 4.0 Optic | - Leveling the KATT-AMR to Level 3 - Leveling the Kastov 762 to Level 4 |
| Schlager 3.4X | - Leveling the RAPP H to Level 12 |
| Cronen Zero-P Optic | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 4 |
| SZ Bullseye Optic | - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 20 |
| Corvus Ghostview | - Leveling the KATT-AMR to Level 14 |
| SZ Aggressor-Ir Optic | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 5 |
| Schlager Night View | - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 5 |
| VX350 Thermal Optic | - Leveling the RPK to Level 7 |
| Teplo-OP3 Scope | - Leveling the SA-B 50 to Level 9 |
| Heinrichter Hybrid Scope | - Leveling the KVD Enforcer to Level 3 |
| SZ HM5 Precision Hybrid Optic | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
| DR582 Hybrid Sight | - Leveling the SAKIN MG38 to Level 5 |
| Hybrid Firepoint | - Leveling the Lachmann-762 to Level 14 |
| SZ Vortex-90 | - Leveling the VEL 46 to Level 28 |
| BPZ40 Hybrid | - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 8 |
| SZ Oscar-9 | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 15 |
| Angel-40 4.8X | - Leveling the RAAL MG to Level 6 |
| Thermo-Optic X9 | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 14 |
| Teplo Clear Shot | - Leveling the HCR 56 to Level 9 |
| FTAC Charlie7 | - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 18 |
| HMW-20 Optic | - Leveling the Lachmann-762 to Level 2 |
| Luca Bandera Scope | - Leveling the Lockwood Mk2 to Level 7 |
| DS Farsight 11 | - Leveling the M13B to Level 12 |
| 3X RFL-Optic | - Leveling the SP-X 80 to Level 16 |
| Drexsom Prime-90 | - Leveling the FTAC Recon to Level 12 |
| Ares Clear Shot | - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 5 - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 12 |
| Vigilant-30 C-Iron | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 16 |
| Cronen Intlas MSP-12 | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
| Intlas CAS-14 | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
Stock
| MCW Ironbark Tactical Stock | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 4 - Leveling the MCW to Level 22 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 3 |
|---|---|
| RB Regal Heavy Stock | - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 15 |
| RB Precision Heavy Stock | - Leveling the MCW to Level 12 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 17 |
| A90 Venom Stock | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 16 - Leveling the MCW to Level 2 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 25 |
| SL Warforged Precision Stock | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 20 - Leveling the MCW to Level 9 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 9 |
| SL Collapsed Stockless Mod | - Leveling the MCW to Level 25 |
Rear Grip
| RB Claw-PSL Grip | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 3 |
|---|---|
| RB Rapidstrike Grip | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 14 - Leveling the MCW to Level 13 |
| RB Palm Shelf Grip | - Leveling the MCW to Level 21 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 13 |
Magazine
| 40 Round Mag | TBD |
|---|---|
| 60 Round Mag | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 27 - Leveling the Bruen Mk9 to Level 13 - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 17 - Leveling the FR Avancer to Level 26 - Leveling the Tempus Razorback to Level 17 - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 17 - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 18 - Leveling the M13B to Level 19 - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 12 - Leveling the M4 to Level 21 - Leveling the VEL 46 to Level 18 |
| 20 Round Mag | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 9 - Leveling the MTZ Interceptor to Level 11 - Leveling the Striker to Level 23 - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 9 - Leveling the MCW to Level 5 - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 5 - Leveling the KVD Enforcer to Level 7 - Leveling the WSP Swarm to Level 5 - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 7 - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 18 - Leveling the FTAC Siege to Level 4 - Leveling the 9mm Daemon to Level 23 |
Ammunition
| 5.56 Nato Low Grain Rounds | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 13 - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 5 |
|---|---|
| 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds | - Leveling the MCW to Level 11 |
| 5.56 Nato Round Nose | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 8 |
| 5.56 Nato Mono | - Leveling the MCW to Level 27 |
| 5.56 Incendiary | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 14 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 26 |
| 5.56 Frangible | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 8 |
| 5.56 Hollowpoint | - Leveling the M13B to Level 14 |
| 5.56 Armor Piercing | - Leveling the M4 to Level 9 |
| 5.56 Overpressured +P | - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 6 - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 2 |
| 5.56 High Velocity | - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 6 |
Underbarrel
| XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop | - Leveling the Rival-9 to Level 9 |
|---|---|
| FTAC RS-9 Stealth Angled Grip | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 14 |
| Demo Firm Grip | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 13 - Leveling the Lockwood Mk2 to Level 9 |
| Demo Cleanshot 40 | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 3 - Leveling the Lockwood 300 to Level 8 |
| Kimura Ryn-03 Vertical Grip | - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 6 |
| Bruen Tactical Vertical Grip | - Leveling the MCW to Level 9 |
| Merc Foregrip | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 10 - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 6 |
| VX Pineapple | - Leveling the Haymaker to Level 4 - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 14 |
| SPW 40MM HE | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 24 - Leveling the M16 to Level 13 |
| FTAC MSP-98 Handstop | - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 11 |
| Dr-6 Handstop | - Leveling the WSP Swarm to Level 23 |
| XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 13 |
| XTEN TX-12 Handstop | - Leveling the TYR to Level 14 |
| FTAC SP-10 Angled Grip | - Leveling the KV Inhibitor to Level 15 |
| Bruen Bastion Angled Grip | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 7 |
| Chewk Angled Grip | - Leveling the Longbow to Level 11 |
| Commando Foregrip | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 8 |
| Edge-47 Grip | - Leveling the M13B to Level 16 |
| XTEN Gravedigger | - Leveling the Signal 50 to Level 9 |
| FTAC Ripper 56 | - Leveling the MTZ Interceptor to Level 10 - Leveling the Lachmann-762 to Level 6 |
| Demo Imp-44 Grip | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 6 |
| FTAC Tiger Grip | - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 10 - Leveling the M4 to Level 6 |
| FSS Sharkfin 90 | - Leveling the Fennec 45 to Level 2 |
| Agent Grip | - Leveling the KVD Enforcer to Level 6 - Leveling the X13 Auto to Level 17 |
| Bruen Sync Shot Grip | - Leveling the Striker 9 to Level 10 - Leveling the PDSW 528 to Level 22 |
| XTEN Drop Grip | - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 7 |
| XTEN Nexus Grip | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 2 |
| Phase-3 Grip | - Leveling the MTZ-762 to Level 11 - Leveling the Vaznev-9K to Level 9 |
| Bruen Heavy Support Grip | - Leveling the Striker to Level 8 |
| Kimura Seraphic Vertical Grip | - Leveling the KVD Enforcer to Level 25 |
| SL Skeletal Vertical Grip | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 7 |
| Holger Vertical Grip | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
| Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 12 |
| Lockgrip Precision-40 | - Leveling the Lachmann Sub to Level 9 |
| Hex-40 Grip | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 9 |
| Schlager Tango | - Leveling the Kastov 762 to Level 7 |
| OP-X9 Foregrip | - Leveling the WSP Stinger to Level 7 - Leveling the EBR-14 to Level 6 |
| Operator Foregrip | - Leveling the PDSW 528 to Level 16 |
| TV Wrecker Grip | - Leveling the HCR 56 to Level 10 |
| Bruen Tilt Grip | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 13 |
| Cronen Grooveshot Grip | - Leveling the Bryson 800 to Level 7 |
| EXF Backdraft Grip | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 17 |
| Bruen Warrior Grip | - Leveling the VEL 46 to Level 3 |
| Bipod V9 Grip | - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 19 |
| Core BP2 | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 22 |
| Level Aim Bipod | - Leveling the SP-R 208 to Level 8 |
| Cornerstone Bipod | - Leveling the MCPR-300 to Level 19 |
| XTEN Stable Shot | - Leveling the Victus XMR to Level 6 |
| SPW 40MM Drill | - Leveling the Cronen Squall to Level 26 |
| Corvus Masterkey | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 18 |
MCW - Weapon Progression
| Lv | Feature |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel |
| 6 | RB Claw PSL Grip |
| 7 | MCW Ironbark Tactical Stock |
| 8 | SL Crater Heavy Barrel |
| 9 | 40 Round Mag |
| 10 | L4R Flash Hider |
| 11 | RB RegalHeavy Stock |
| 12 | Bruen Tactical Vertical Grip |
| 13 | KR V4 IK Rise |
| 14 | 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds |
| 15 | RB Precision Heavy Stock |
| 16 | T4LR Saber Compensator |
| 17 | RB Rapidstrike Grip |
| 18 | Kimura Blackiron Heavy Short Barrel |
| 19 | A90 Venom Stock |
| 20 | CS15 Scarlet Box Laser |
| 21 | Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel |
| 22 | 60 Round Drum |
| 23 | SL Warforged Precision Stock |
| 24 | RB Palm Shelf Grip |
| 25 | Orchestra-40 Short Heavy Barrel |
| 26 | 20 Round Mag |
| 27 | KR Midnight 13" Barrel |
| 28 | SL Collapsed Stockless Mod |
| 29 | Kimura Silentshot Integral Suppressor |
| 30 | 5.56 Nato Mono |
| 31 | Wrathguard Compensator |
CoD: MW3 Related Guide
Best & Tier List
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| Guns & Weapons Tracker | Armory Unlocks & Challenges |
| Fast Leveling of Guns | How To Get Akimbo Guns |
| What Is Cooked Grenade In Daily Challenge? | Weapon Rarity Explained |
