Best Modern Warfare 3 M16 loadout

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Modern Warfare 3 player holding M16 assault rifle
Credit: Activision
January 5, 2024: Season 1 is well underway and is the M16 any good? Find the best loadout and the best attachment combination in our guide.

Intel on the best Modern Warfare 3 M16 loadout is bound to prove useful as players continue to search for the next best weapon to use in multiplayer.

Modern Warfare 3 contains a huge gun list packed with plenty of firepower and despite failing to slot into the meta of previous titles, the M16 assault rifle maintains its place in the category. Armed with a burst-firing mechanism, the rifle possesses high damage output but its tricky recoil means many opt for other weaponry to use across the different maps and game modes.

Before we share more on the best Modern Warfare 3 M16 loadout, check out the best Rival 9 loadout and the latest information on what Season 1 has brought to the game.

What is the best Modern Warfare 3 M16 loadout?

  • Perks: Infantry / Commando / Covert Sneakers / EOD Padding
  • Grenades: Semtex / Stun grenade
Modern Warfare 3 M16 assault rifle inside weapon casing
click to enlarge
Credit: Activision

Best Modern Warfare 3 M16 attachments

The gunsmith contains a wide range of different attachments that will influence the behaviour of the M16 throughout the match. After some testing, we've found a set of five perfect for mid-range action:

  • Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
  • Optic: Slimline Pro
  • Stock: Demo Fade Pro Stock
  • Underbarrel: FTAC MSP-98 Handstop
  • Rear Grip: XTEN Grip

Up first is the Monolithic Suppressor which renders your shots undetectable by the minimap in addition to providing some much-needed recoil control.

The next focus is enhancing mobility which is where the Demo Fade Pro Stock and XTEN Grip come into their own thanks to improvements to sprint-to-fire speed and movement speed while aiming down the Slimline Pro Optic.

Lastly, the FTAC MSP-98 Handstop provides even more improvements to movement speed and gun kick control, making the M16 incredibly easy to use.

Best Modern Warfare 3 M16 perks and equipment

After you've equipped the best Modern Warfare 3 M16 attachments, it's time to find a set of perks and equipment that will maintain your position at the top of the scoreboard. Here's what we recommend.

Perks

  • Vest: Infantry
  • Gloves: Commando
  • Boots: Covert Sneakers
  • Gear: EOD Padding
  • Field Equipment: Trophy System

Infantry is currently the best vest to select in Modern Warfare 3 thanks to the longer Tactical Sprint duration and the faster refresh rate. Commando gloves grant you the ability to reload while sprinting around the battlefield, meaning you don't have to take cover to resupply.

Covert Sneakers silences your footstep audio, which is perfect for flanking and getting behind enemy lines so you can pick off unsuspecting opponents with the M16 in hand.

Last and by no means least is EOD Padding, which increases your resistance to any incoming explosives that are likely to put an end to your killstreak.

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Speaking of explosive resistance, the Trophy System field equipment is the perfect way to protect you and your teammates looking for some coverage while attempting to keep hold of an objective. Throw it on a Domination flag to block up to three pieces of incoming equipment thrown by the enemy.

Equipment

  • Lethal: Semtex
  • Tactical: Stun Grenade

It's hard to go wrong with the combination of Semtex and stun grenade alongside the best M16 loadout. Stick a Semtex to nearby opponents for guaranteed eliminations and if it doesn't get the job done, follow up with a stun to slow the movement of any stragglers attempting to escape your crosshairs.

Is the Modern Warfare 3 M16 meta?

Its firepower is often overshadowed by its tricky recoil, but with the right attachments equipped, the M16 is an underrated weapon. If more players catch on to this fact, there's a good chance we'll see the M16 grow a stronger presence in the meta.

That's everything there is to know about the best Modern Warfare 3 M16 loadout. For more, check out the best Striker loadout and everything there is to know about the first double XP event.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides , Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 , and FPS pages.