Best Assault Rifles in Modern Warfare 2

Discover the top assault rifles in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, including the M4, TAQ-56, M16, Lachmann 556, and Kastov 74U. Get insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

The best assault rifles in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II list is based on the multiplayer beta. The Gunsmith system is crucial, and this list will evolve with the full release and community discoveries. Our current rankings are:

1. M4
2. TAQ-56
3. M16
4. Lachmann 556
5. Kastov 74U

M4

The M4 is a versatile assault rifle with strong damage, range, and mobility, making it suitable for all situations. It's highly customizable and benefits from pre-built attachment blueprints like the Cinders and Cpt Price, giving it a strong start and potential to remain a meta staple.

M16

The M16 excels at one-burst kills at close range and two-burst kills at medium range. It requires good aim, map knowledge, and an understanding of angles to be effective. While powerful in the hands of a skilled player, its burst-fire nature can be challenging for others.

TAQ-56

The TAQ-56 is a strong weapon that requires customization to manage its horizontal recoil after short sprays, which affects medium and long-range fights. With recoil control and accuracy modifications, it becomes a solid mid-to-long-range AR. Its slower fire rate compared to other ARs and SMGs is a weakness in close quarters, making it better suited for slower-paced playstyles and longer sightlines.

Lachmann 556

The Lachmann 556 is a solid A-tier weapon with fantastic accuracy, recoil control, good damage, and a good rate of fire. It also offers fast movement speed, allowing for hybrid SMG/AR gameplay. Its main drawback is its lower damage at medium range if shots are missed, making close-range engagements and headshots crucial for effectiveness.

Kastov 74U

The Kastov 74U functions as a great hybrid weapon, offering SMG mobility with AR firepower. It delivers an M4-like punch with a TAQ-56 fire rate in close-to-mid-range fights and is good for hip firing. However, its versatility means it can be outclassed by meta SMGs at short range and meta ARs at long range. Customization with laser sights and pineapple attachments is recommended for hip-fire builds, while damage range attachments are needed for longer-range effectiveness.

Note that this list is close, and weapon rankings can easily shuffle. The effectiveness of these guns is also influenced by Modern Warfare 2's low Time-To-Kill (TTK) and player playstyle.