The Black Ops 6 meta is constantly evolving due to the introduction of new weapons and a host of balancing changes that are introduced with every seasonal update. As always, it’s important to stay in the loop with these changes and keep track of the best guns to remain competitive across all BO6 game modes. So, if you want a rundown of the current meta, here is our list of the best guns in Black Ops 6.
Editor’s Note: last updated on July 2, 2025, based on buffs and nerfs in Black Ops 6 Season 4 Reloaded
Best Guns in Black Ops 6 Season 4 Reloaded
With Season 4 Reloaded’s buffs and nerfs, several Black Ops 6 weapons have seen their stocks rise and drop. So, here is the current BO6 meta:
1. Krig C
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
The Krig C has been among the best ARs in BO6 ever since the game’s launch. It’s also gotten anxiously close to being the best gun before, only to be overpowered by a shiny new toy in the shape of the CR-56 AMAX.
But the pecking order finally changed with the Season 3 Reloaded update. The patch buffed the AR’s damage range, bullet velocity, and sustained fire recoil, securing the Krig C’s spot at the summit of the meta. So, if you want a mid-range beast with supreme mobility, there’s no beating this Assault Rifle.
2. CR-56 AMAX
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
If you find yourself within 10 meters of a CR-56 AMAX, you’re likely to get pulverized. The AR hits extremely hard even at medium ranges while offering fairly low recoil. Nerfs to its headshot multiplier have made the gun a tad weaker. So, while it’s still a wrecking ball when paired with the right attachments, it can no longer claim to be the best Assault Rifle in the game.
3. LC10
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Balanced Stock
The LC10 picked up from where it left off in Black Ops Cold War and instantly became the meta SMG in Black Ops 6. The compact weapon comes with the highly desirable combination of excellent mobility and low recoil, with solid handling being the cherry on top. It also boasts some solid TTK figures and can obliterate enemies in quick succession around and beyond the 20-meter mark.
While its raw power pales in comparison to the Ladra or the Jackal, the LC10 remains the most well-rounded SMG in the game.
4. Ladra
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
Released as part of Season 3 Reloaded, Ladra SMG wasted no time scaling to the top of the meta. The weapon can be an absolute menace at close-range encounters thanks to its blistering fire rate, impressively low recoil, and respectable damage.
While it doesn’t boast the best damage range in its class, the right attachments can circumvent those shortcomings. The Ladra also feels incredibly satisfying to use, just make sure to slap on an extended mag since it chews through ammo like there’s a fire sale going on.
5. FFAR 1
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag 1
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
The fully-automatic FAMAS returned as part of Season 4, and it continued the trend of new weapons dominating the multiplayer. The FFAR 1 combines a solid fire rate and impressive TTK to rip through opponents. Its rapid fire rate also makes the weapon more forgiving, giving it an extra edge in terms of accessibility.
That said, its base mobility is rather clunky. This drawback immediately stands out when you compare it with the Krig C and AMES 85. It also suffers in close-range encounters, espeically when stacked up against the absolute meta ARs. So, make sure to use our recommended loadout after leveling it up to get the best out of the weapon.
6. SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Rear Grip: CQB Grip
- Magazine: Full-Auto Extended Mag
- Fire Mods: Grau Conversion
When equipped with the Grau Conversion mod, the SWAT 5.56 transforms into the iconic Verdansk weapon from the OG Warzone days. It also carries all of its hallmarks, including laser-like recoil, formidable TTK, and solid mobility.
The clean iron sights are also present, although they’re simply not as clean as before. Unfortunately, the Marksman Rifle doesn’t pack the firepower to go head-to-head against the meta ARs, but it remains one of the most well-balanced guns in Black Ops 6.
7. KSV
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Stock: Infiltrator Stock
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
The KSV is a surprisingly versatile SMG that can compete at both close and medium ranges. Of course, you’ll need to pair it with the best attachments, but the weapon itself offers insane close-range TTK and solid hipfire accuracy to go with it, alongside a rapid fire rate. Using it without the meta loadout can be rough since the KSV isn’t exactly the most accessible SMG in BO6. But if you’re willing to take on the level grind, it’s more than worth it.
8. C9
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
Speaking of versatile weapons, the C9 lives up to the MP5 comparisons by being the most accessible SMG in the game. It’s basically the first SMG players unlock in BO6, and they can easily rely on it all the way to Master Prestige.
With minimal recoil at close and medium ranges, the C9’s stability is remarkable. Coupled with the gun’s top-tier accuracy and respectable firepower, you’re left with a worthy successor to the iconic Modern Warfare (2019) weapon. Its damage range also received a buff in recent updates, bringing it on par with other SMGs, and cementing its place in the meta.
9. Tanto .22
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
As mentioned in our best Black Ops 6 SMGs list, the Tanto .22 isn’t for everyone. Its slow fire rate can immediately dissuade players from using it, but its raw damage output more than makes up for it. By concentrating your fire around the upper torso region, the SMG can easily gun down enemies relentlessly.
The Tanto’s slow fire rate also means that it’s forgiving than other SMGs, while also making it adept at medium-range encounters. Be sure to equip the meta loadout mentioned above to bring out the gun’s best potential.
10. Jackal PDW
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
Once the undisputed king of the BO6 meta, the Jackal PDW has seen its stocks tank due to some significant nerfs. Chief among them was a reduction to its damage range, which had a detrimental impact on the Jackal’s potency at mid-range encounters. With that being said, its blistering fire rate and competitive TTK ensure that the SMG is still a force to be reckoned with. Just make sure to reel in that recoil using our recommended attachments.
11. XM4
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Stock: Infiltrator Stock
The XM4 offers balance in nearly every department, which makes it a seamless fit for multiple playstyles. Whether it’s aggressive running and gunning or more measured cover shooting, the AR can adapt to all scenarios, primarily due to its blend of solid damage, precision, and mobility. It does pale in comparison to the AMAX or the Krig-C when it comes to close-range encounters, but with some concentrated fire, it can still get the job done.
12. SVD
- Muzzle: Muzzle Brake
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Magazine: Fast Mag I
- Comb: Quickdraw Riser
- Fire Mods: 7.62x54MMR Overpressured
Rounding out our list of the best guns in Black Ops 6 is the latest and greatest iteration of the Dragunov. The SVD is undoubtedly the best Warzone sniper for multiplayer, offering you an unparalleled combination of firepower and swift handling.
The semi-automatic rifle’s fast fire rate allows you to get off shots quickly and, as long as you aim above the waist, rack up those one-shot kills quickly. Naturally, these attributes make it the best quickscoping weapon, so you shouldn’t waste your time on any of its BO6 contemporaries.
And that’ll do it for the best guns in Black Ops 6. What do you think of the current meta? Are you hoping for a specific weapon to get buffed? Let us know in the comments.
