Best STG44 loadout, class build in Modern Warfare 3

The STG44 is yet another classic weapon joining the Modern Warfare 3 fray, introduced in Season 5. Initially debuting in the very first Call of Duty as the MP44, it has featured in most games since. Perhaps the thing’s most notable appearance was in World at War where it was widely considered to be the best gun in the game, but how does the STG44 stack up in Modern Warfare 3?

Of course, there are assault rifles aplenty in Modern Warfare 3, so the STG44 has some seriously stiff competition. Can it dethrone the MCW as the jack-of-all-trades king as one of MW3’s best guns? That’s the angle our best loadout takes as we look to simply enhance its existing well-rounded stats, making the STG44 a beast at distance and up close and personal.

Here’s the best STG44 loadout in Modern Warfare 3 and everything you need to know about how to get your hands on this gun in Season 5.

How to unlock the STG44 in MW3

To unlock the STG44 in Modern Warfare 3 Season 5, you must complete Sector 7 of the battle pass. This is one cell below the very top left corner of the grid, so the fastest path is to unlock Sector 2, 4, then 7. As always with new weapons, while you can unlock it faster by buying the premium version of the battle pass, it is available for free if you have enough tokens.

Best STG44 loadout in MW3

Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via playtecharena

Here is the best STG44 loadout in Modern Warfare 3:

• Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Barrel: Bruen Acrux Heavy Barrel
• Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
• Optic: XRK On-Point Optic
• Rear Grip: Citadel Grip

As mentioned above, the STG44 without any attachments is already a solid assault rifle that can hold its own in almost any scenario. So you simply want to improve this aspect with your attachments, most notably the damage, range, and recoil control. The Bruen Acrux Heavy Barrel is the perfect heavyweight attachment for this, because it provides a significant buff to the bullet velocity and damage range, while only dealing minor damage to the ADS speed.

The ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider is a muzzle attachment that handles multiple jobs, but the most important one is how it improves the recoil control. Again, a minor hit to the ADS speed is the trade-off, as is a tiny range debuff, but you can make up for that with other attachments. (Bonus: It also shortens your radar pings when firing, making you harder to find for your foes.)

To counter these ADS speed debuffs, opt for the XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop underbarrel. This slightly affects the horizontal recoil and hipfire and tac stance spread, but the positives far outweigh the negatives thanks to the improved sprint to fire speed, ADS speed, vertical recoil, and gun kick control. That’s backed up by the Citadel Grip, which improves the recoil and gun kick control even further in exchange for a minor idle sway debuff.

Finally, we recommend the XRK On-Point Optic. But really, you can go for whichever optical sight tickles your fancy. The important thing is that you equip something here because the iron sights on the STG44 aren’t the friendliest and actually obscure your view somewhat. The XRK holographic zooms in a little further than a standard red dot, but your preference is most important here.

Best STG44 class in MW3

Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via playtecharena

Here is the best class to use alongside the STG44 in Modern Warfare 3:

• Vest: Assassin Vest
• Handgun: Renetti
• Tactical: Stun Grenade
• Lethal: Frag Grenade
• Field Upgrade: Trophy System
• Gloves: Marksman Gloves
• Boots: Stalker Boots
• Gear: Tac Mask

For a jack-of-all-trades gun, you want a jack-of-all-trades class. What follows is as basic as it gets, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? The Assassin Vest means any kills you get don’t display skulls, and you’re completely immune to enemy UAV and radar effects. Stealth, baby.

The Renetti is the best handgun in the game so should almost always be your choice, while the Stun and Frag Grenade combo is a classic that can’t be beaten. Using a trophy system as your field upgrade is helpful whenever you’re posted up picking foes off from afar or defending an objective, as it destroys any throwables in mid-air.

The Marksman Gloves are always a safe bet for any gun that you’ll expect to use at mid-to-long range because they reduce your sway and flinch while aiming down the sights. While pretty much any footwear is a solid option for this class, we’ve found the Stalker Boots edge out the competition because they help you move quicker when strafing or aiming down the sights. Finally, the Tac Mask will reduce the strength of enemy tactical grenades whenever you don’t have a trophy system defending you.

For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to Tactical Stance, and check our guides on the best Static-HV loadout, best Kar98k loadout, best TAQ Evolvere loadout, best Striker loadout, best SVS 545 loadout, best XRK Stalker loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.

If you’re jumping into the campaign, find all of the items and weapons in “Precious Cargo” and “Reactor,” see how to earn the Back in the Field trophy and the A Shot Blocked achievement, or check out our walkthrough for “Deep Cover.”