LMGs aren't as relevant in multiplayer as they are in Warzone, but they aren't useless either, and most of them are at least viable. Here is our complete ranking of every LMG in Modern Warfare 3. So look no further if you're after the best MW3 LMG.
Modern Warfare 3 is a lot faster than MW2 was from 2022, and so LMGs struggle to stand out in a multiplayer environment, especially against this year's ARs. However, these weapons can still be used effectively if you've got the patience to pitch up behind cover and wait for the enemy. It's a boring way to play, sure, but it works.
Even if you don't love the LMGs in multiplayer, you can still have a great time levelling them up this year thanks to Zombies. LMGs have always been dope in that mode, and this year we're getting a particularly awesome version of zombies (for those who liked Outbreak).
The Best LMGs In MW3
4. Bruen MK9
The Bruen has the lowest damage per shot of the LMGs, but the highest fire-rate. However, the fire-rate is not impressive enough to give this LMG a competitive overall TTK, and you will often feel yourself losing even fights against ARs and other LMGs.
You can get a 60-round mag that improves the weapon quite significantly, but even with this attachment, the Bruen deserves to be last place in the LMG ranking.
The Bruen is just the kind of gun that they would give a broken Aftermarket Part to via the Weekly Challenges, so perhaps it will move up this ranking in the future.
3. DG-58 LSW
The DG-58 is based on the Chinese QBZ rifle, and it captures that cheap, generic look perfectly. It's not terrible, in fact we would say it qualifies as "viable" for multiplayer. But there's nothing impressive about this weapon; the damage is on the lower end, the fire-rate and recoil and are average, and the handling is fairly slow. It does have good reload speeds for a 60-round mag, but this is far less relevant for multiplayer.
If you want an LMG that is on the lighter/faster side of the spectrum, then use the Holger 26, not the DG-58.
2. Holger 26
The Holger 26 seems much better than it was during the beta. This probably because most of the best weapons got nerfed, whereas the Holger received a small buff on launch:
Increased bullet velocity by 13%.
Now, the Holger 26 is in a really good place. It feels as consistent at range and controllable as the Holger 556 AR, but with the mag sizes we expect from an LMG. And don't worry about it being slow and sluggish; like so many things in MW3, it plays like a heavy-AR.
You shouldn't have any problem levelling this gun, as it is completely viable for MP, with the potential to even become meta in Warzone over the year.
- Here is our best Holger 26 loadout
1. Pulemyot 762
The Pulemyot is obviously the best LMG in MW3. We hate to be predictable, but we can't reasonably claim that any other LMG is better.
And why is it so good? Well, the Pulemyot does suffer from poor handling and mobility, like other LMGs, but in exchange for those weaknesses it has one of the best full-auto TTKs in the entire game. The fire-rate isn't anything crazy, but the damage per bullet is simply absurd. And you notice it particularly at range; where other ARs begin falling off and requiring more shots to kill, the Pulemyot still feels as lethal as it does at point-blank range.
Do yourself a favor and check out the Aftermarket Part for this weapon, a conversion kit that turns the Pulemyot into a bullpup with better mobility.
- Here is our best Pulemyot 762 loadout
And that ladies and gentlemen was our ranking of the LMGs in MW3. Are we faded, or on the money? If you want to see how we think this whole class of weapons compares to everything else, check out our complete tier-ranking of every weapon in MW3 as well.
Nicki looks great with an LMG in her hands!