Though it's been out for just a few days, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 already has a clear weapon hierarchy. While the meta is sure to change frequently, just as it has for every Call of Duty multiplayer in history, right now there are a handful of weapons that the community deem to be the most powerful for Modern Warfare 2 newcomers, and the M4 is right at the top of that list.
A staple of the Modern Warfare series, both old and new, the M4 is one of Modern Warfare 2's starting assault rifles, and it remains excellent long after players have hit its max level cap. While the M4 is one of the most accessible weapons in the game, being great from the get-go, even the most die-hard Call of Duty fans might need a little help to find the best attachments for their particular playstyle. And with Modern Warfare 2's progression system being a tad more convoluted than previous entries, getting the best M4 loadout isn't as straightforward as fans may think.
The Best Modern Warfare 2 M4 Attachments and Builds
As mentioned above, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's attachment unlocking system is a little more complicated than previous entries. Players are immediately able to progress the M4 to level 20, where they'll unlock a good few attachments for each aspect of the weapon. However, to unlock some of the best attachments for the M4, players will need to also level up other weapons the same platform.
The best starting build for the M4, using only the attachments that are given to the player by leveling it up to 20, makes use of a stick, grip, barrel, underbarrel, and muzzle. Players will want to equip the OP-X9 Foregrip as their M4's underbarrel, as it increases the weapon's hip fire accuracy, aim walking steadiness, recoil steadiness, and hip recoil control. The Xten Grip offers increased sprint to fire speed and aim down sight speed.
The Demo D50 Buffer Tube gives the M4 increased aim down sight speed, sprint to fire speed, movement, and hip recoil control. The Echoline GS-X muzzle isn't totally necessary, but it does reduce the M4's recoil a little. The best attachment for the M4 by far, however, is the Hightower 20" Barrel, which increases bullet velocity, damage range, hip fire accuracy, and recoil control. If players prefer an optic sight on their M4, then the muzzle is the one to swap out.
Once players have started to level up some other weapons, then they can refresh their M4 loadout with some even more powerful attachments. The best close-range build for the M4 right now actually uses a few of the same attachments as the starter build. For those who want speed over accuracy, the Demo D50 Buffer Tube stock is still the way to go for close-range fights, and the Hightower 20" Barrel still offers the best stats overall.
The Xten Grip gets swapped out for the Phantom Grip, which just offers a greater increase of the same stats and is unlocked when the FSS Hurricane hits level 12. The Echoline muzzle should also be swapped out for the FTAC Castle Comp, which doesn't suppress the M4's sound, but it does offer greater vertical and horizontal recoil control. And lastly, players might want to swap out the OP-X9 Foregrip for a VX Pineapple grip as it offers a greater increase in the same stats, albeit for decreased aim down sight and hip walking speed.
In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward has also introduced Weapon Tuning, which allows players to adjust each individual component, and choose what traits it favors via a simple slider. This system will let players customize their M4 even further, but it's been temporarily removed for balancing. The M4 is a powerful weapon right out of the gate, and though the meta will likely change soon, the M4 almost always stays an incredibly worthwhile weapon.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.