The MCW is going to be the "default" AR that most players will gravitate to. It's well-balanced and has very little recoil. Here is the best MW3 MCW loadout.
The MCW is the ACR; it has almost no recoil and is well-balanced in all the stats that matter. And so for obvious reasons, we expect this to be the most popular weapon in MW3 throughout the game's lifecycle.
Here is our favorite MCW loadout for MW3, we've focused on extending the range and improving damage as much as possible. If you want to see how this weapon compares to everything else, check out our tier-ranking of every gun in MW3.
Note: We update our loadouts whenever a new MW3 patch affects the weapon or the relevant attachments.
MW3 MCW (ACR) Loadout: The Best Attachments
| Slot | Attachment | Stats (Pros) | Stats (Cons) | How To Unlock |
| Barrel | 16.5" MCW Cyclone | ↑↑ Bullet Velocity & Range ↑↑ Aiming Idle Stability ↑ Firing Aim Stability | ↓↓↓ Tac Stance Spread↓↓ Hipfire Spread↓ Aim Walking Speed | MCW Level 2 |
Optic | Slate Reflector | ↑ Precision Sight Picture | Striker Level 12 | |
| Rear Grip | RB Talon X-3 Grip | ↑↑ Firing Aim Stability↑↑ Gun Kick Control↑ Recoil Control | ↓↓ Aiming Idle Sway | MCW Level 3 |
| Ammunition | .556 Nato High Grain | ↑↑ Bullet Velocity↑ Damage Range | ↓↓ Recoil Control | MCW Level 11 |
| Underbarrel | FTAC SP-10 Angled Grip | ↑↑ Horizontal Recoil↑ Aim Walking Steadiness↑ Aiming Idle Stability↑ Gun Kick Control | ↓ Vertical Recoil | KV Inhibitor Level 14 |
The recoil is so manageable with the MCW that we're actually happy to sacrifice a little recoil control here in favor of bullet velocity and damage. You may want to use a 40 round mag with the MCW, but if this is the case then try using the ironsight and dropping the optic first. We personally prefer a red-dot, but we think many players will be happy with the ACW's ironsight.
MW3 MCW (ACR) Loadout: The Best Equipment, Field Upgrade & Perks
Our recommendation for how you should finish this loadout:
| Slot | Option |
| Tactical | Flash Grenade |
| Lethal | Breacher Drone |
| Field Upgrade | Trophy System |
| Vest | Infantry Vest |
Gloves | Quick Grip Gloves |
| Boots | Stalker Boots |
| Gear | EOD Padding |
We aren't doing anything too fancy here, and we've taken all the choices you would expect for an AR, including Stalker Boots for faster strafe and a Trophy System. You could take Hardline (called Mission Control in MW3) over EOD if you want to get streaky, but we think EOD is the better choice for most.
If you want to see exactly what effects you will benefit from, check out our hub on all the perks in MW3 here.
This MCW loadout will serve you well on every map in MW3, good luck grinding for the attachments!