How to unlock all Modern Warfare 3 weapons: Ranks & Armory Unlocks explained

Jacob Hale
Modern Warfare 3 operator aiming down sights on Terminal map

Modern Warfare 3 added fresh content to the new MW reboot trilogy that fans are already in love with, alongside some other major changes. One of those is the weapon-unlocking system, which now includes daily challenges. Here’s exactly how you can unlock all of the weapons in MW3.

The platform system in Modern Warfare 2 drew much debate from players, with some loving the chance to grind all different weapons to unlock others, while some felt that it was too confusing to fully understand.

While there were initially concerns that this would be carried over to MW3, we now know that it hasn’t and has been replaced by a hybrid system that combines the traditional leveling up with new Armory Unlocks.

Contents

Here’s how you can unlock every weapon in Modern Warfare 3.

Modern Warfare 3 operators fighting

Unlock all Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
SVA 545 Level 4
MTZ-556 Level 12
Holger 556 Level 37
MCW Level 44
DG-58 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
FR 5.56 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)

Unlock all Battle Rifles in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
Bas-B Level 17
Sidewinder Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
MTZ-762 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)

Unlock all Submachine Guns in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
Striker Level 4
WSP Swarm Level 27
AMR9 Level 55 OR purchase Vault Edition
WSP-9 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
Rival-9 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
Striker 9 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)

Unlock all Shotguns in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
Lockwood 680 Level 4
Haymaker Level 39
Riveter Armory Unlocks (Level 25) OR purchase Vault Edition

Unlock all LMGs in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
Pulemyot 762 Level 4
DG-58 LSW Level 7
Holger 26 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
Bruen Mk9 Level 31

Unlock all Marksman Rifles in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
KVD Enforcer Level 4
MCW 6.8 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
DM56 Armory Unlocks (Level 25)
MTZ Interceptor Armory Unlocks (Level 25)

Unlock all Sniper Rifles in Modern Warfare 3

Weapon Unlock Requirement
Katt-AMR Level 4
Longbow Armory Unlocks (Level 25) OR purchase Vault Edition
KV Inhibitor Armory Unlocks (Level 25)

What are Armory Unlocks?

Armory Unlocks and Challenges page in Modern Warfare 3

Weapons locked in the Armory are a little more difficult to get as they don’t require you to simply reach a certain level to then become available to use.

To access the Armory Unlock weapons in Modern Warfare 3, reach Level 25, select the desired weapon you want to unlock, and successfully complete three Daily Challenges.

Upon completion of the three Daily Challenges, victories will subsequently be recognized as additional challenges completed.

Be sure to check back with every update as new content gets added and new guns become available. In the meantime, have a look at some of our other Modern Warfare 3 guides below:

Best Modern Warfare 3 AR class loadouts | How to slide cancel in Modern Warfare 3 | Best controller settings in Modern Warfare 3 | All maps & modes | How to play Modern Warfare 3 at 120 FPS on PS5 | Modern Warfare 3 TTK | How long is the Modern Warfare 3 campaign? | Campaign mission list | How to fix packet burst | How to play MW3 Zombies in third person