In this guide, you’ll find our ranked list of the best SMGs in Modern Warfare 2. There are some that we’ve yet to try, so expect updates in the coming days, but we’re sure that the current best SMG won’t move from the top spot. While Modern Warfare 2 is now available for all, bare in mind that Season 1 is just a few weeks away. Check back regularly for any changes to this list as the game receives balance patches and updates.
Best SMG in Modern Warfare 2
The best SMG in Modern Warfare 2 is the Lachmann Sub. That might not sound familiar, but the Lachmann Sub is Modern Warfare 2’s version of the MP5. It’s ferociously fast and capable of unleashing huge damage at lightning speed. Since the time to kill is incredibly fast in Modern Warfare 2, you should be able to drop enemies with just a few hits from the Lachmann Sub, making it the ideal weapon to use as you charge around corners and blitz through the map. Below, you can see our ranked list of the best SMGs in Modern Warfare 2:
Lachmann Sub - best SMG
The Lachmann Sub isn’t just the best SMG. It’s one of the top guns in Modern Warfare 2 overall, as it can get kills at lightning speed. We’ve already explain that a bunch up above, so we’ll point you towards our best Lachmann Sub loadout in Modern Warfare 2 instead. With attachments such as the FTAC M-Sub 12" and the SA Schalldampfer 99 suppressor, you can snag kills even faster and dominate in every match. If you want to remain competitive and use the meta guns in Modern Warfare 2, you’ll need the Lachmann Sub in your loadout. Make sure to learn how to unlock the MP5 in Modern Warfare 2 if you want this top weapon in your class setup.
FSS Hurricane
While the Lachmann Sub is the best SMG right now, the FSS Hurricane is also a very strong contender and currently ranks at S tier on our list of the best guns. The FSS Hurricane already has some advantages over the Lachmann Sub, with a 50-round magazine, increased damage, and better range making those with the FSS Hurricane more capable of holding objectives and busy lanes. The Lachmann Sub takes the top spot thanks to its speed and control, but it’s tight between the two. Make sure to check out our FFS Hurricane loadout if you want to use this weapon!
Vaznev-9K
The Vaznev 9K might be a little slower than most SMGs, but it’s a solid AR/SMG hybrid that packs a whopping punch. With attachments that trick out the Vaznev to focus on speed and mobility, you can turn this weapon into a snappy SMG that obliterates enemies at close range. Since it has high recoil control and accuracy compared to most other SMGs, you should also find that it’s perfect for dealing with opponents at medium-range, making it a great weapon for most Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer maps. If you’re excited to try this gun, take a look at our guide on the best Vaznev-9K loadout in Modern Warfare 2!
Fennec 45
The Fennec 45 has a blisteringly fast fire rate that makes it an obvious pick for most SMG users. It has reasonable damage and excellent mobility, making it perfect for charging around and shredding through enemies on the front lines. However, it doesn’t have great recoil control or accuracy, meaning it might struggle at a distance without any attachments. Make sure you stick to close-range encounters while leveling it up if you want to survive, as it isn’t as versatile at range as some of the other options mentioned above. Make sure to check out our guide on the best Fennec 45 loadout!
PDSW 528
The PDSW 528 has amazing bullet velocity, which makes it rather exceptional right now for dropping enemies before they can react. But, while bullets fly fast towards your opponent, its lower recoil control makes it harder to actually land those shots on target. The PDSW 528 also has lower range than some of the other picks mentioned above, which drags it down in the current meta. If you want to use this SMG, check out our guide on the best PDSW 528 loadout in Modern Warfare 2!
VEL 46
The default VEL 46 feels a little too slow to compete in Modern Warfare 2’s current meta, but the attachments used in our VEL 46 loadout guide will change that. With some tweaking, it becomes a powerhouse that can shred through enemies in just a few shots as you charge around the map. Of course, that takes some serious leveling to unlock all the attachments, so you might get more kills by sticking with the MP5 or FSS Hurricane mentioned above.
Minibak
The Minibak is the slowest-firing SMG in Modern Warfare 2, which makes it pretty irredeemable off the bat. It has high accuracy and recoil control, but with lower damage and a worse fire rate than most of its competitors, the Minibak doesn’t have a place in the current meta. The clear element that sets it apart is the default 64-round mag, but most of the top SMGs listed above can achieve similar numbers with a single attachment. To test out the perfect setup, take a look at our Minibak loadout guide!
MX9
The MX9 is the worst SMG in Modern Warfare 2 right now, with lower range, recoil control, mobility, handling, and bullet velocity than most other weapons on this list. The bullet velocity alone is enough to doom this weapon in the current meta, but the fact that it feels so clunky to use right now also makes it really hard to recommend. Attachments might be able to make it feel snappier, but without improving both the speed and bullet velocity together by a substantial amount, the MX9 seems doomed to sit at the bottom of this SMG tier list. That wraps up our guide on the best SMG in Modern Warfare 2. You’ll need more than just one gun if you want to consistently top the scoreboards, though. If you want to build the best loadout, take a look at our lists of the best killstreaks and best perks in the Modern Warfare 2. If you’re still trying to unlock all of this gear, check out our guide on how to level up fast in Modern Warfare 2. For a well-rounded gun that’ll help see you through all this ranking up, check out our best Modern Warfare 2 M4 loadout guide. Activision Blizzard are currently the subject of a number of legal actions, labour disputes and allegations of workplace harassment. Rock Paper Shotgun will continue to write about these issues, as well as covering Activision Blizzard games as part of our commitment to cover subjects of interest to our readers. The latest news can always be found under our Activision Blizzard tag.
