The M4A1 was considered the strongest weapon right after the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Is that still the case? We will look at how good the M4A1 is, what attachments and setups can help you excel, and whether it is still the best weapon.
What is the M4A1? The M4A1 assault rifle is one of the strongest weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and its early availability and versatile applications make it suitable for both newcomers and veterans.
However, the M4A1 is highly customizable and many of its attachments and setups result in completely different behaviors, so it doesn’t have a specific playstyle to which it is best suited. With the right settings, it can be used in almost any situation.
How strong is the M4A1? For this guide, we have relied on numbers from YouTubers MutantMedia and TheXclusiveAce. MutantMedia has listed some data on all weapons in a Google Spreadsheet. The values for the M4A1 in its standard configuration are:
- Fire rate: 800
- Damage (to the torso): 28 (up to about 27m), 23 (up to about 50m), 18 (from 50m)
- Required bullets for a kill (to the torso): 4-6, depending on the distance
- TTK (with torso shots): 225ms
- Reload time: 1.39 seconds (0.98 with dexterity)
In the video by TheXclusiveAce, some details are further explained, but the info is partially outdated. For some graphics regarding the values, we have embedded them here for you:
The best attachments and setups for the M4A1
How do I best modify the M4A1? Through the gunsmith feature in Modern Warfare, you can adjust many properties of the M4A1. However, it is essential to note that the various ammunition attachments significantly change the weapon.
Therefore, we have compiled a setup for each ammunition type that fulfills a role best suited to that setup.
Setup 1: Allrounder
- Barrel: Corvus custom Marksman
- Stock: FORGE TAC Close Quarters Optic or Singuard Arms Stalker
- Grip: Textured Grip Tape
- Ammunition: 60-round Magazine
- Optic: Reflex Sight (or optic of choice) or Extra: Full Metal Jacket
With this setup, you can use the M4A1 in any situation and face opponents at any distance. However, specific builds, like an optimal Run&Gun build, will outmatch you in their respective areas unless you play better than the opponent.
When it comes to optics, whether you need or want one is a matter of taste. An optic is useful at longer distances. The best players, however, do without optic attachments.
Setup 2: Stealth/Run&Gun (9mm)
- Barrel: FSS 12.4″ Predator
- Laser: 1mW or Tactical Laser or Underbarrel: Command Foregrip
- Stock: FORGE TAC Close Quarters Optic
- Grip: Textured Grip Tape
- Ammunition: 9mm Parabellum 32 Round Magazine
This setup transforms the M4A1 into more of a submachine gun (SMG), making you extremely dangerous at short distances. The 9mm ammunition deals less damage but is faster and more accurate at close range.
The TTK to the torso is reduced to 184ms (up to about 15m). The perk “Dexterity” can replace any slot except for the stock at your discretion.
The significant advantage of this setup over many SMG setups is the built-in suppressor in the barrel. This offers better protection against detection and allows you to take out opponents more reliably. What suppressors actually do can be learned in our guide.
Setup 3: Tactical Fighter
- Barrel: M16 Grenadier (or Corvus custom Marksman)
- Ammunition: .458 SOCOM 10 Round Magazine
- Extra: Full Metal Jacket
This setup is designed to be deadly at medium and long distances and is especially suited for clearing or holding positions effectively.
Be aware that you only have 10 rounds of ammunition. Especially in tactical multiplayer modes with more static objectives on medium-sized maps, this setup is powerful.
The only important attachments are the three mentioned. The other two are customizable depending on the situation and personal style. For experimentation, we have some suggestions for the remaining slots:
- Grip: Textured Grip Tape
- Muzzle: Compensator (as the SOCOM ammunition significantly increases recoil)
- Any optic for medium or long distances
Secret setups
These setups also exist: There are several variants of the M4A1 that convert it into the secret weapons of Modern Warfare. However, most of them are based on the ammunition conversions presented here.
We do not recommend any of these secret weapons in their respective “original” versions. However, they can serve as a good foundation for you to experiment with new setups.
This is how you create the best build for the M4A1
This loadout provides you with the best class: Since all three styles play differently, you will need different builds for each.
However, they all share the commonality that the 1911 serves as an excellent secondary weapon. You can choose the killstreaks at your discretion.
However, there are differences in the perks, equipment, and field upgrades:
Build 1: Allrounder
- Blue Perk: KRD or Overkill (with a shotgun as a secondary weapon)
- Red Perk: Hardline
- Yellow Perk: Combat Scout
- Equipment: Fragmentation Grenade and Stun Grenade
- Field Upgrade: Specialty Ammunition Rounds and/or Dead Silence (note that there may be a bug with specialty ammunition that is easily fixed)
Build 2: Run&Gun
- Blue Perk: KRD, Looting, or Pace
- Red Perk: Ghost or Reload
- Yellow Perk: Shrapnel
- Equipment: Semtex or C4 and Stim
- Field Upgrade: Dead Silence (or Munitions Box, just without Looting)
Build 3: Tactical
- Blue Perk: Cold Blooded or Fixer
- Red Perk: Kill Chain or Point Friend
- Yellow Perk: Amped or Scout
- Equipment: Claymore and Stim or Heartbeat Sensor
- Field Upgrade: Munitions Box and/or EMP Drone
Pros and Cons of the M4A1
Which is the best assault rifle?
M4A1 vs. RAM-7 comparison: Since the Battle Pass of Season 1 introduced the RAM-7 and Holger-26, the M4A1 has gained a competitor in its class. The RAM-7 is a strong assault rifle with an identical damage profile to the M4A1.
However, the difference lies in the fact that the RAM-7 shoots faster, is quicker to aim down sights, and has a correspondingly shorter TTK.
On the other hand, the RAM-7 has a significantly different shooting profile. Its recoil strongly pulls to the left, unlike all other weapons that tend to pull slightly up and to the right. Generally, it is better suited for short to medium distances.
The M4A1 and RAM-7 stand on approximately equal footing, with slightly shifted areas of effectiveness. They are roughly equal in strength, and it depends on your personal preference which one you would prefer to use. More about the RAM-7 can be found in our weapon review of the new assault rifle.
The G36 – the secret king
What is the G36? With the Battle Pass weapons RAM-7 and Holger-26, new secret variations came along, including the standard rifle of the German Bundeswehr: the G36. This is an assault rifle that can outclass even the M4A1 and RAM-7.
In principle, the G36 is stronger than both weapons but has a disadvantage: It is derived from a light machine gun. Therefore, it does not count for challenges, making it de facto not an assault rifle.
Nevertheless, every fan of the genre should take a look at the G36. How to build the G36 and how good it is can be found in our guide.
Further Alternatives
What other weapons can I play with? If the M4A1 does not appeal to you, both the Kilo 141 and the M13 offer similar characteristics and have similar potential. Both weapons are just behind the M4A1 in their category.
If you prefer the lighter playstyle of an SMG, you should check out the MP5. This is a strong alternative with similar areas of application as the M4A1. A detailed guide to the MP5, its attachments, and setups can be found here.
You can find the strongest weapons of all other categories here:
