Here you will find everything you need to know about the MP5 – one of the strongest weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. We show you the best attachments, setups and classes for various situations as well as the most important advantages and disadvantages of this weapon. We also present alternatives and compare the MP5 directly with the MP7.
What kind of weapon is the MP5? The MP5 is a submachine gun (“SMG”) and currently the strongest weapon of its kind. As an SMG, it is well-suited for clearing out in close combat. However, unlike many other SMGs, the MP5 can also be used at range.
How strong is the MP5? For our guide, we consulted some numbers from YouTuber TheXclusiveAce. Here you can see the strength of the MP5 in its standard configuration briefly outlined:
- Rate of Fire: 833 rounds per minute
- Damage (to the torso): 34 (up to about 13m range), 25 (up to about 19m), 19 (from about 19m)
- Required bullets for a kill (to the torso): 3-6, depending on distance
- TTK (on torso hits): 144ms (up to about 13m), 216ms (up to about 19m), 360ms (from about 19m)
- Reload time: 1.7 seconds (1.15 seconds with sleight of hand)
The average TTK in Modern Warfare is 200ms. Thus, the MP5 is significantly stronger than average. The base damage of all SMGs refers to limbs (arms, legs, etc.) and gets a multiplier on the torso.
Note that the headshot damage is not so high that you could kill an opponent at full health with two shots. You always need at least three bullets. In hardcore modes, the MP5 is lethal to all body parts with one shot at up to 12m.
By the way, you can find more powerful weapons here: CoD Modern Warfare: These are the best weapons from each category
The best attachments and setups for the MP5
How do I best modify the MP5? If you really want to get everything out of the MP5, you can equip it with various attachments using the gunsmith feature. These alter the properties of the weapon.
We have put together two setups for you that are particularly worthwhile for the MP5:
Setup 1: Fast Close-Quarters Combat
- Barrel: Suppressor (integrated, subsonic)
- Laser: 1mW laser or under-barrel: Commando Foregrip
- Ammunition: 45-round magazine
- Grip: Textured Grip Tape
- Perk: Sleight of Hand
With this build, you are particularly advantaged on tighter maps and in realism and hardcore modes, as you are difficult to detect while being fast and deadly at the same time. Ideal for fast-paced and stealthy gameplay.
Setup 2: All-Rounder
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Optic: G.I. Mini Reflex or Grip: Textured Grip Tape
- Stock: Classic Straight Stock
- Ammunition: 10mm 30-round Auto Magazines
- Under Barrel: Commando Foregrip
This build is aimed at remaining deadly even at longer distances. The 10mm ammunition ensures that you only need a maximum of 5 bullets for a kill (to the torso, any distance).
You give up only slightly on mobility and close-combat potential. The optic is useful – good players often go without an optic attachment.
Secret Setup: MP5K
There is also a secret variant of the MP5: the MP5K. This is a version of the MP5 that is particularly suited for pure “Run&Gun”. How to build the MP5K and how good it is, can be found here.
Here you can find more secret weapons in Modern Warfare and how to build them.
How to build the best class for the MP5
What loadouts should I play with? Since you don’t have to and shouldn’t limit yourself to just one weapon, your build consists of additional equipment as well. For both setups, we have selected an ideal configuration for you:
- Build 1: Fast Close-Quarters Combat
- Main Weapon: MP5 (Close Combat)
- Secondary Weapon: 1911 with light trigger, Sleight of Hand and larger magazine or .357 as shotgun
- Blue Perk: Plunderer or Cold-Blooded
- Red Perk: Ghost
- Yellow Perk: Scout or Tracker
- Equipment: Frag Grenade or Semtex and Stun Grenade
- Build 2: All-Rounder
- Main Weapon: MP5 (All-Rounder)
Secondary Weapon: .50 GS, Strela-P or 725 (with Overkill, depending on the situation) - Blue Perk: KRD or Overkill
- Red Perk: Hardline or Killstreak
- Yellow Perk: Shrapnel
- Equipment: Claymore or C4 and tactical equipment of choice
- Field Upgrade: Ammo Box and/or mobile cover
- Main Weapon: MP5 (All-Rounder)
The best playstyle and the best modes
This is how you best play the MP5: With the two builds mentioned above, you have two options for playing the MP5:
- either fast and quick, to surprise and overwhelm opponents
- or tactically and deliberately, to hold or capture positions
Both playstyles are better suited for certain maps and modes. If you want to play the MP5 as your main weapon, it’s best to keep both builds ready and keep in mind what you might need to adjust during a match.
In these modes, the MP5 is strongest: The tactical build is especially suitable for larger maps and even Ground War. It is also suitable for objective-based game modes like Domination or Hardpoint to hold positions.
The faster build is more suitable for tactical modes where no respawn is possible and where important kills are at stake, such as Headquarters.
In the faster match variants, where the focus is mainly on kills, such as Kill Confirmed, Free for All and Team Deathmatch, both builds are strong. Especially in the upcoming 1v1 Duel Mode, you can likely score many victories with the MP5.
Here you can find all multiplayer modes of Modern Warfare at a glance.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Alternatives to the MP5
What other weapons can I equip? If you are not getting along with the MP5 because it is too slow for you, there are some weapons you can replace it with. These include:
- PP-19 Bizon – faster, larger magazine but less accurate
- M4A1 – assault rifle, about the same speed, somewhat stronger but less mobile
- MP7 – stronger at close range and more mobile, weaker at longer ranges
MP5 vs. MP7: Which weapon is better when?
Especially the MP7 is a direct competitor to the MP5, as their areas of application overlap significantly. The biggest difference is that the MP7 is much stronger at close range, while the MP5 excels at longer ranges.
Here the MP5 is better: If you are playing on larger maps like Grazna Raid, Aniyah Palace, or in Ground War, the MP5 is the better choice. On these maps, there are enough open areas where its strengths can be fully utilized.
Here the MP7 is better: If you are playing on smaller maps with many buildings and cover, where you constantly have opponents in front of you, the MP7 is more suitable. It also offers the strongest build for the Run&Gun playstyle.
