Guide to Primary Weapons in Modern Warfare 2

Written by: Lynda Mc Donald • Edited by: Michael Hartman
Updated Jul 4, 2011 • Related Guides: Modern Warfare 2 | Call Of Duty

A detailed five-page guide to the primary weapons available in online multiplayer mode, including Assault Rifles M4A1, FAMAS, SCAR-H, TAR 21, and FAL. You will find tips, stats, pros, cons and advice.

Assault Rifles are the most frequently used primary weapon by online players in Modern Warfare 2. The reason they are so popular is because they are great for both long and short range kills and usually have good accuracy and very little recoil. Assault rifles also have moderate reload times and medium mobility. They are the perfect choice for anyone just beginning to play Modern Warfare 2 online.

M4A1

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The M4A1 is the default assault rifle that you begin with. It's not bad for a default weapon either. It is very accurate but it's strength leaves a little to be desired. Its average damage stat means that you'll need to have the stopping power perk on all the time or you may find yourself getting very frustrated. The M4A1 boasts high fire rate and mobility stats making it a very good all round weapon.

FAMAS

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The FAMAS is unlocked at level 4 and it fires a three round burst. Weapons that fire in bursts are not suitable for everyone – especially players that just like to hold down the trigger so they can 'spray and pray'. Using the FAMAS effectively means that you have to have pretty good accuracy yourself as there is a slight pause between each shot and not being accurate means you can easily be killed during this pause.

The main advantage of the FAMAS is its damage stat which is very high. With the stopping power perk on you can kill a player in close or average distance with one burst if all three bullets impact. The FAMAS can be quiet difficult to get used to if your used to just spraying bullets around but it is definitely a weapon worth taking the time to master just for its damage stat.

SCAR-H

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The SCAR-H is unlocked at level 8 and most players recognise it as the 'best' assault rifle available in Modern Warfare 2's online mode. The SCAR's damage and accuracy stats are high – it is one of the few weapons that can be used online in Modern Warfare 2 without the stopping power perk and still get good results. The SCAR's main disadvantage is it's small magazine's of only 30 rounds and its fire rate means you tend to need to reload often. It's range is also very high and it's low recoil means that you can pick targets off from a considerable distance effectively.

If you're new to the Modern Warfare 2 online experience I highly recommend using the SCAR-H as soon as you unlock it.

TAR-21

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The TAR-21 is unlocked at level 20 and is another favourite among the Call of Duty online community. It has a pretty high damage stat coupled with a good fire rate stat so it is another of the few weapons in Modern Warfare 2 that can be used without stopping power successfully. It also has a good range stat but long range kills are difficult unless you're firing single shots as the TAR-21 does have serious recoil. The TAR's recoil and low accuracy stat is it's biggest disadvantage. Anyone who plans on using the TAR extensively should learn to fire in controlled bursts to overcome the recoil. The TAR is also one of the few weapon in Modern Warafare 2 that fair's well with a silencer. Silencer's limit a weapon's range but it seems to leave the TAR's range at a very acceptable level.

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Cheap submachine gun Dec 30, 2011 3:32 PM

RE: Guide to Primary Weapons in Modern Warfare 2

This post as a guide is really helpful...It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same unwanted rehashed information. Wonderful read!<br>I would like to appreciate the great work done by You,Please continue posting like this..

Michael Hartman Mar 21, 2011 5:05 PM

Thanks for your comments.

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6969696969 Mar 21, 2011 12:21 PM

your mom

CHODE MUFFIN

Sam Aug 25, 2010 1:50 AM

ugh, the .50 cal is powerful, but in real life, the round that the intervention shoots is actually more powerful at a distance than the .50 cal. round, also the intervention is extremely accurate, i think the damage should have been boosted a bit more. the WA2000 is also a personal favorite because you find your target and pop off a few, its very low recoil and pretty accurate, that coupled with the usual upper body 1 hit kill is a gem

why do you ask? Aug 17, 2010 2:58 PM

asdf is a douche

your so retarded, obviously the M21 is weaker then other snipers because it isnt technically a sniper rifle. it is an EBR (enhanced battle rifle) which means it is just a assualt rifle but it can be modified into a sniper rifle MODE, and in real life it is used for stealth missions as it is virtually silent with or without a suppresor

Anonymous Apr 30, 2010 2:21 PM

asdf is a tard

the wa2000 is the best sniper in the game you get just as many 0ne shats with it as you do with the intervention or the barret and its recoil is close to none

asdf Apr 27, 2010 2:26 PM

m21 ebr

m21 is by far the worst in the game. it is only worth using if you sit in the back like a pro and do absolutely nothing for your team. stopping power doesnt affect the m21 (similar to the FAL) and (if you know what your doing) you use with coldblooded and silencer and sit in the back picking people off not doing anything for your team at all. its worth almost nothing and sniping with either the barret or intervention does alot more damage. i can guarantee its at least twice as difficult to kill a moving enemy with 2 straight hits with a m21 then it would 1 hit from a REAL sniper rifle. you said you get 1 hit kills in the leg and the foot. thats the biggest lie ive ever read. no way in hell do you get 1 hit kills with the m21 in the foot or leg. you need upper chest or headshot if your lucky to be that accurate as i can tell neither of you are real snipers. you also said you can empty the clip in 3 to 5 seconds. thats terrible. i can empty a barret extended mags in 2 if not less. you dont see any good snipers running around with m21s or wa2000s do you? its because they're awful guns. good day to you sir.,

Lynda Mc Donald Apr 24, 2010 7:43 AM

M21 EBR

Considering these responses I think I will definitely have to reconsider my stance on the M21. As someone who tends to lean towards the one-shot-one-kill ideal when it comes to sniping I have always been unhappy with the M21. But I think that everyone here has a very good point about the M21's accuracy and low recoil.

Zach a.k.a GH Carnage Apr 22, 2010 8:21 AM

I don't know if you know the Sniper Rifles by their trait in real life or just from the game. The M21 EBR is used because of the high accuracy it holds and as said, the 2nd fatal shot can be shot pretty quick. I use it a lot with a Silencer because I happen to have a pretty quick trigger finger and can shoot nearly the whole clip within 3-5 seconds. I do think the Fire Rate should be higher than what they truely have for it, but it is a BIG improvement from COD4.

Matthew ****** Apr 13, 2010 10:30 PM

The M21 is not a bad sniper rifle, it's actually surprisingly good. The extremely low recoil make's it possible to get a second shot at your target with ease. Also I do get alot of one-shot kills with the M21, I also get alot on one-shot kills even when I hit the leg or foot. So in my opinion it is a very good sniper rifle

Anonymous Apr 13, 2010 3:48 AM

People use the M21 because it barely has any recoil after a shot so you can follow up quite a few rounds without losing your target from your scope.

Guide to Primary Weapons in Modern Warfare 2

M4A1

FAMAS

SCAR-H

TAR-21

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