M4 best loadout in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 2023 (CoD MW3 2023). Includes best M4 build, class setup, attachments, & how to unlock.
Table of Contents
M4 - Weapon Stats & How To Unlock
M4
Weapon Stats
Basic Information
| Weapon Type | ASSAULT RIFLE |
|---|---|
| How To Get | Level 4 |
| Max Level | 20 |
| Info | The flagship rifle of the M4 Platform. This reliable workhorse is a jack-of-all-trades that performs well in most combat scenarios. |
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Weapons Tier List
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Best Guns & Weapons Tier ListBest M4 Loadout & Build
Best M4 Loadout for Multiplayer
| Muzzle | L4R Flash Hider |
|---|---|
| Stock | Tempus P80 Strike Stock |
| Magazine | 45 Round Mag |
| Ammunition | 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds |
| Underbarrel | DR-6 Handstop |
The damage output was increased in an update making this weapon more consistent. Now you can get a kill with 5 shots no matter where you hit the target if you are within the Effective Damage Range. The Bullet Velocity is among the highest among all Assault Rifles. From beginners to experienced players, anyone can get a fast TTK with this weapon. Don't get too far away from the target and always try to fight mid range.
Some potential disadvantages include the slightly short Effective Damage Range, low Mobility, slightly strong recoil and easily running out of bullets because of the high Fire Rate. This build makes up for those factors with the recommended attachments. Since the Iron Sights can be hard to use, you can lose one of the attachments such as the Underbarrel if you prefer to use an Optic.
Best M4 Loadout for Zombies
| Barrel | Tempus Trench Pro |
|---|---|
| Stock | Tempus P80 Strike Stock |
| Magazine | 60 Round Mag |
| Ammunition | 5.56 Nato High Grain Rounds |
| Underbarrel | DR-6 Handstop |
This build focuses on Mobility, which is especially important in Zombies mode, in addition to having a larger Magazine. The best weapons for Zombies mode are exceptionally strong and the M4 is not as good as those top tier weapons, but this should still be effective enough.
The attachments improve the Effective Damage Range, but it is still slightly short compared to other Assault Rifles so keep that in mind. It isn't ideal for aiming for a weak point of an enemy that is far away, such as the Aether Worm.
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M4 - Compatible Attachments
Muzzle
| Monolithic Suppressor | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Echoline GS-X | - Leveling the M4 to Level 16 - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 3 |
| Harbinger D20 | - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 9 - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 17 |
| Ster45 Skyfury Compensator | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 23 |
| 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 |
| Broadhead-3DP | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 6 |
| Silentfire XG6 | - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 12 |
| Zulu-60 | - Leveling the SP-R 208 to Level 19 - Leveling the M13B to Level 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| EX-01 Match Compensator | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 17 |
| T51R Billeted Brake | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 6 |
| Purifier Muzzle Brake | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 12 |
| 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 |
| FTAC Castle Comp | - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 12 - Leveling the MX9 to Level 10 |
| 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 |
| L4R Flash Hider | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 7 - Leveling the MCW to Level 24 - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 10 |
| Corvus Slash Gen. 2 | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 5 |
| Cronen Maw-86 | - Leveling the M13B to Level 6 |
| Dark KX30 | - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 14 |
| VLK Koloss Flash Hider | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 16 |
Barrel
| Hightower 20" Barrel | - Leveling the M4 to Level 15 |
|---|---|
| 11.5" T-H4 Barrel | - Leveling the M4 to Level 4 |
| Tempus Trench Pro | - Leveling the M4 to Level 10 |
| 419mm EXF Barrel | - Leveling the FTAC Recon to Level 6 |
| 14" Carbine Shroud | - Leveling the M16 to Level 3 |
| 11.5" Carbine Shroud | - Leveling the M16 to Level 9 |
| 7.5” Tempus Firebrand | TBD |
Laser
| SL Razorhawk Laser Light | - Leveling the SVA 545 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 |
| 1MW Laser Box | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 11 - Leveling the M4 to Level 12 |
| Luminate-44 | - Leveling the DM56 to Level 14 - Leveling the SAKIN MG38 to Level 8 |
| DXS Flash 90 | - Leveling the Pulemyot 762 to Level 12 - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 11 - Leveling the RAAL MG to Level 4 |
| CS15 Scarlet Box Laser | - Leveling the MCW to Level 17 |
| Pro Sapphire Box Laser | - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 18 |
| Verdant Hook Box Laser | - Leveling the Haymaker to Level 10 |
| Schlager PEQ Box IV | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 12 - Leveling the Signal 50 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 |
| STOVL DR Laser Box | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 24 - Leveling the Kastov 762 to Level 9 |
| Corvus Peq Beam-5 | - Leveling the Lachmann-762 to Level 8 |
| FTAC Grimline Laser | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 10 - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 5 |
Optic
| KR Minitac-40 Riser | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 3 |
|---|---|
| FSS Spectre Microtherm | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 19 |
| MK. 23 Reflector | TBD |
| KR V4 1X Riser | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 2 |
| SZ Lonewolf Optic | - Leveling the M4 to Level 2 |
| Corvus Downrange-00 | - Leveling the MX9 to Level 8 |
| KR Mortis Precision 2.5X | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 4 |
| Corio Eagleseye 2.5X | - Leveling the MCW 6.8 to Level 8 - Leveling the DM56 to Level 19 |
| TOS Nightfall 2.5X Thermal Optic | - Leveling the MTZ-762 to Level 7 |
| AOK 4.0X RQ-9 Recon | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 2 |
| VLK 4.0 Optic | - Leveling the KATT-AMR to Level 3 - Leveling the Kastov 762 to Level 4 |
| Ares Clear Shot | - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 5 - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 12 |
| Slate Reflector | - Leveling the Striker to Level 12 |
| XTEN ERX-10 Mini | - Leveling the MTZ Interceptor to Level 6 |
| 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 Dot | - Leveling the Striker 9 to Level 2 - Leveling the FSS Hurricane to Level 3 |
| 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 |
| Sz Minitac-40 | - Leveling the SO-14 to Level 5 |
| KR V4 1X Riser | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 2 |
| Caucasus Reflex Sight | - Leveling the Pulemyot 762 to Level 5 |
| 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 |
| Chrios Holo | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 15 |
| Corio Enforcer Optic | - Leveling the Vaznev-9K to Level 14 |
| Kazan-Holo | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 7 |
| SZ Battle Optic | - Leveling the BAS-P to Level 19 |
| XTEN Angel-40 | - Leveling the TAQ-M to Level 11 |
| SZ Holotherm | - Leveling the PDSW 528 to Level 12 |
| Corio ELT-10 2.5 | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 5 |
| SL Truesight 2.5X | - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 29 |
| KR Marauder 9 Riser | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 19 |
| TX4 Havoc | - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 5 |
| Schlager 3.4X | - Leveling the RAPP H to Level 12 |
| Forge Tac Delta 4 | - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 9 |
| Cronen Zero-P Optic | - Leveling the TAQ-56 to Level 4 |
| SZ Bullsye Optic | TBD |
| 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 |
| Cronen Intlas MSP-12 | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
| Intlas CAS-14 | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
Stock
| Demo Fade Pro Stock | - Leveling the M4 to Level 19 |
|---|---|
| Tempus P80 Strike Stock | TBD |
| Corio Precio Factory | - Leveling the M4 to Level 7 |
| Demo D50 Buffer Tube | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 27 - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 22 - Leveling the M4 to Level 14 |
| Torrent Span-9 | - Leveling the ISO 45 to Level 12 |
| Ravage-8 | - Leveling the FTAC Recon to Level 8 |
| Demo Precision Elite Factory | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 9 - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 8 |
| PSO Heavy | - Leveling the Tempus Torrent to Level 5 |
Rear Grip
| Sakin ZX Grip | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 2 - Leveling the Striker to Level 20 - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 4 - Leveling the Striker 9 to Level 4 - Leveling the M4 to Level 21 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 8 |
|---|---|
| XTEN Grip | - Leveling the Riveter to Level 18 - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 18 - Leveling the Cronen Squall to Level 6 - Leveling the M4 to Level 16 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 6 |
| D15 Grip | - Leveling the Cronen Squall to Level 15 - Leveling the M16 to Level 17 |
| Phantom Grip | - Leveling the Lockwood 680 to Level 25 - Leveling the Riveter to Level 12 - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 25 - Leveling the KATT-AMR to Level 15 - Leveling the Cronen Squall to Level 14 - Leveling the FSS Hurricane to Level 12 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 22 |
| Support CP90 Grip | - Leveling the FTAC Recon to Level 25 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 15 |
Magazine
| 45 Round Mag | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 18 - Leveling the BAS-B to Level 19 - Leveling the FR 5.56 to Level 8 - Leveling the TR-76 Geist to Level 18 - Leveling the FR Avancer to Level 14 - Leveling the Tempus Razorback to Level 5 - Leveling the Vaznev-9K to Level 8 - Leveling the Chimera to Level 16 - Leveling the M13B to Level 11 - Leveling the M4 to Level 8 - Leveling the Kastov-74u to Level 10 - Leveling the ISO Hemlock to Level 20 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Ammunition
| 5.56 Nato Low Grain Rounds | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 13 - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 5 |
|---|---|
| 5.56 Nato Mono | - Leveling the MCW to Level 27 |
| 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 Nato High Grain Rounds | - Leveling the MCW to Level 11 |
| 5.56 Nato Round Nose | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 8 |
| 5.56 Frangible | - Leveling the Lachmann-556 to Level 8 |
| 5.56 Hollowpoint | - Leveling the M13B to Level 14 |
| 5.56 High Velocity | - Leveling the STB 556 to Level 6 |
Underbarrel
| XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop | - Leveling the AMR9 to Level 13 |
|---|---|
| Demo Cleanshot 40 | - Leveling the Holger 26 to Level 3 - Leveling the Lockwood 300 to Level 8 |
| 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 |
| Phase-3 Grip | - Leveling the MTZ-762 to Level 11 - Leveling the Vaznev-9K to Level 9 |
| OP-X9 Foregrip | - Leveling the WSP Stinger to Level 7 - Leveling the EBR-14 to Level 6 |
| SPW 40MM Drill | - Leveling the Cronen Squall to Level 26 |
| XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop | - Leveling the Rival-9 to Level 9 |
| FTAC MSP-98 Handstop | - Leveling the Sidewinder to Level 11 |
| Dr-6 Handstop | - Leveling the WSP Swarm to Level 23 |
| XTEN TX-12 Handstop | - Leveling the TYR to Level 14 |
| FTAC SP-10 Angled Grip | - Leveling the KV Inhibitor to Level 15 |
| FTAC RS-9 Stealth Angled Grip | - Leveling the DG-58 LSW to Level 14 |
| 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 |
| Demo Firm Grip | - Leveling the DG-56 to Level 13 - Leveling the Lockwood Mk2 to Level 9 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bruen Heavy Support Grip | - Leveling the Striker to Level 8 |
| Kimura Ryn-03 Vertical Grip | - Leveling the MTZ-556 to Level 6 |
| 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 Tactical Vertical Grip | - Leveling the MCW to Level 9 |
| Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip | - Leveling the SVA 545 to Level 12 |
| Merc Foregrip | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 10 - Leveling the TAQ-V to Level 6 |
| 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 |
| VX Pineapple | - Leveling the Haymaker to Level 4 - Leveling the 556 Icarus to Level 14 |
| 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 HE | - Leveling the Holger 556 to Level 24 - Leveling the M16 to Level 13 |
| Corvus Masterkey | - Leveling the Kastov 545 to Level 18 |
| Corvus Torch | - Completing the Armory Unlock |
M4 - Weapon Progression
| Lv | Feature |
|---|---|
| 5 | SZ Lonewolf Optic |
| 6 | Echoline GS-X |
| 7 | 11.5" T-H4 Barrel |
| 8 | 45 Round Mag |
| 9 | FTAC Tiger Grip |
| 10 | Corio Precio Factory |
| 11 | Sakin ZX Grip |
| 12 | 5.56 Armor Piercing |
| 13 | Tempus Trench Pro |
| 14 | Tempus P80 Strike |
| 15 | 1MW Laser Box |
| 16 | FTAC Recon |
| 17 | Demo D50 Buffer Tube |
| 18 | Hightower 20" Barrel |
| 19 | XTEN Grip |
| 20 | 60 Round Mag |
| 21 | 556 Icarus |
| 22 | Demo Fade Pro Stock |
CoD: MW3 Related Guide
Best & Tier List
Weapon Related Guide
| 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 |
