Actually, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare offers you 41 weapons that you can unlock and equip by default. However, with a little tinkering, you can build 19 completely new weapons.
What are these “secret” weapons? The secret weapons are modified versions of existing weapons. Weapons can already be made into unique variants through blueprints. However, you can also redesign them into entirely new weapons.
The Gunsmith feature in Modern Warfare allows you to swap almost all components of the weapons.
This way, you can create weapons that actually do not exist in Modern Warfare, but in reality, some are derived in the same way from the standard models.
Update: This article was first published on November 24, 2019, and was expanded on December 23 with the G36.
The secret weapons of Modern Warfare
This is how the weapons are built: Through the Gunsmith feature, you can choose various attachments for the weapons and modify them. However, you often need to reach certain levels with the weapon first.
You level up the weapons by simply using them in the various multiplayer modes or in Coop. You only need the attachments mentioned by us for the weapons. All others are freely selectable.
A list of some weapons along with attachments in English can be found on reddit by user HeyoItsMrMayo. Most of the images of the weapons used here are from him.
G36 (Assault Rifle)
What kind of weapon is this? The G36 is the standard rifle of the German Armed Forces and currently the weapon that could outrank the M4A1 as the strongest weapon in its class. However, in Modern Warfare, the G36 is classified as an LMG since it is derived from the Battle Pass weapon Holger-26.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: Holger-26
- Magazine: 30-round magazine
- Sight: Solozero K398 4.0x Integral
G36K (Short)
What kind of weapon is this? The G36K sacrifices a bit of range and damage compared to the standard G36 and the Holger-26 for mobility and accuracy. It is worthwhile for faster playstyles.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: Holger-26
- Barrel: XRK Ultra Light
- Sight: FSS Integral Reflex
- Ammunition: 30-round ammunition
G36C (Compact)
What kind of weapon is this? The G36C is the most mobile variant of the G36 and sacrifices even more precision, range, and even a bit of control for mobility. It is found more in the SMG category, offering slightly less mobility than the MP7 in the Run&Gun build, but with slightly more damage and range.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: Holger-26
- Barrel: FTAC 8.98″ Spitfire
- Stock: FSS Infantry
- Ammunition: 30-round magazine
Gaz’s Modified G36C
What kind of weapon is this? Gaz’s modified G36C is essentially identical to the G36C. It only has an optic attachment that many strong players would do without. The special thing is that the operator Gaz used this weapon as a signature weapon in the old Modern Warfare titles.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: Holger-26
- Sight: APX5 Holosight
- Barrel: FTAC 8.98″ Spitfire
- Stock: FSS Infantry
- Ammunition: 30-round magazine
Colt 9mm SMG
What kind of weapon is this? The Colt 9mm SMG is the MP variant of the M4 assault rifle. It has a faster rate of fire than the M4 but deals less damage and has a shorter range. However, it is comparably strong like other SMGs.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: M4A1
- Barrel: 11.5″ Commando
- Stock: FORGE TAC Close Quarters Sight
- Ammunition: 9mm Parabellum 32 round magazine
Beowulf AR 15.50
What kind of weapon is this? The AR 15.50 is a slightly heavier variant of the M4, shooting slower but with stronger ammunition. It is often used as a hunting rifle. You can eliminate enemies at longer distances with fewer shots.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: M4A1
- Barrel: Corvus Custom Marksman
- Stock: Singuard Arms Invader
- Ammunition: .458 SOCOM 10 round magazine
M16
What kind of weapon is this? The M16 is similar to the AR 15.50, being slower and heavier than the M4. Its distinctive feature is a burst fire mode.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: M4A1
- Barrel: M16 Grenadier
- Stock: M-16 Body
- Extra: Burst
Note: In this configuration, the M16 is nearly useless. However, if you add the .458 SOCOM ammunition, you get a burst mode that guarantees kills in Modern Warfare if 3 shots hit the body or 2 hit the head.
MCX SBR Rattler (“Honey Badger”)
What kind of weapon is this? The MCX SBR is basically the weapon that fans of the series might know as the “Honey Badger” from Call of Duty: Ghosts. It is a standard suppressed submachine gun.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: M13
- Barrel: Tempus Cyclone
- Stock: FFS Close Quarters Stock
- Ammunition: .300 Blackout 30 round magazine
RPK
What kind of weapon is this? The RPK is the LMG version of the AK-47. As such, it is a kind of “light” light machine gun, generally stronger than the AK-47 and a bit faster handling than most LMGs. It is perfect for holding positions and even competes with the PKM.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: AK-47
- Barrel: 23″ RPK Barrel
- Stock: Field LMG Stock
- Ammunition: 75-round drum magazine
- Underbarrel: Bipod
AK-74u
What kind of weapon is this? The AK-74u is the MP version of the AK-47. It is lighter, fires faster, but is otherwise worse in almost all areas than the assault rifle. It has a shorter range, deals less damage, and is already very inaccurate at medium range.
This is how you build it
- Base weapon: AK-47
- Barrel: Compact 8.1″ Barrel
- Stock: Base Stock
- Ammunition: 5.45x39mm 30 round magazine
AK-12
What kind of weapon is this? The AK-12 is basically the modern variant of the AK-74, which in turn is an evolution of the AK-47 with new ammunition. The AK-12 is more precise compared to the AK-47 and has a higher rate of fire while maintaining similar range.
This is how you build it
- Base weapon: AK-47
- Barrel: Speznas Elite
- Stock: FORGE TAC Ultra Light
- Ammunition: 5.45x39mm 30 round magazine
RPD
What kind of weapon is this? The RPD is the predecessor of the RPK and also a light machine gun. Unlike the RPK, you cannot access an underbarrel attachment because of the different barrel, which makes the RPD a bit less flexible.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: AK-47
- Barrel: 23″ Romanian
- Stock: Field LMG Stock
- Ammunition: 75-round drum magazine
Steyr AUG
What kind of weapon is this? The Steyr AUG is essentially the base version of the AUG available in the game. The AUG is derived as the MP version of the Steyr AUG assault rifle, but in Modern Warfare, it is better in all respects. The Steyr AUG can only kill at greater distances with fewer shots, but currently suffers from some calculation bugs.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: AUG
- Barrel: 622mm Long Barrel
- Sight: Integrated 3.0x Sight
- Ammunition: 5.56 NATO 30 round magazine
MP5/10
What kind of weapon is this? The MP5/10 replaces the standard ammunition of the MP5 with 10mm rounds, making it somewhat slower and heavier to handle, but significantly improving its range and damage, especially at distance.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: MP5
- Ammunition: 10mm 30 round auto magazine
MP5 Subsonic
What kind of weapon is this? This is again a variant of the MP5, fitted with subsonic ammunition. It offers the advantage of being able to operate unnoticed and leaving no traces when shooting. In return, the effective range is reduced.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: MP5
- Barrel: Suppressor (integr., subsonic)
MP5K
What kind of weapon is this? The “K” in MP5K stands for “Kurt”. It is thus a shortened, more compact version of the MP5 that was often built into briefcases in real life for use as a concealed weapon. In Modern Warfare, it is quieter but also weaker in damage than the MP5. In return, you move much faster with it – it is suitable for a “Gun and Run” playstyle.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: MP5
- Barrel: FFS Mini
- Stock: FTAC Folding
- Muzzle: Tactical Suppressor
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
L86 LSW
What kind of weapon is this? The L86 LSW (“Light Support Weapon”) is essentially a “real” MG version of the SAR-87, which in its standard variant resembles an assault rifle. It offers a higher firing capacity and range but sacrifices mobility.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: SAR-87 (SA87)
- Barrel: SAR-87 25.4″ Factory
- Stock: FFS SA87 Heavy Stock Pro
- Ammunition: 60-round magazine
- Underbarrel: Bipod
Mk14 EBR
What kind of weapon is this? The Mk14 EBR is the slightly stronger, more accurate variant of the EBR-14. It is stronger in combat at long and medium ranges but makes shooters vulnerable to short-range attacks.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: EBR-14
- Barrel: FORGE TAC Precision 22 inch
- Stock: FFS Raider Chassis Pro
- Ammunition: 20-round magazine
- Sight: Scope (or other sniper scopes)
- Underbarrel: Bipod
Scar PDW
What kind of weapon is this? The Scar PDW is a lighter version of the heavy assault rifle FN Scar 17 and actually fires with 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition, which, however, is not available for the Scar in Modern Warfare.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: FN Scar 17
- Barrel: FORGE TAC Close Quarters Pro
- Stock: FTAC Folding Stock
Note: The Scar can even be transformed into a sniper rifle with a scope, 20″ barrel, XRK Obelisk Pro stock, and a bipod, similar to what’s known from Counter-Strike.
Bonus: “The Executioner”
What kind of weapon is this? The “Executioner” is a weapon that players might recognize from Black Ops 2. It is a .357 that has been converted to a shotgun.
The shotgun/pistol is extremely effective at short range and even outshines the best pistols in Modern Warfare for this purpose. However, since it is a sidearm, we only included it here as a bonus.
This is how you build it:
- Base weapon: .357 (Revolver)
- Ammunition: Shotgun rounds
How strong are these weapons?
Here’s how useful the “secret weapons” are: Many of the secret weapons are just a nice gimmick to create weapons that are not directly in the game.
Accordingly, some of them are not necessarily strong or as good as other configurations could be. The YouTuber Drift0r tested some of the weapons in his video:
However, there are also exceptions, like the slightly improved M16, the “Executioner,” or the RPK, which are truly strong and offer a solid or even better alternative to existing weapons.
