As a professional gamer and content creator with over 200 hours logged in Modern Warfare 2 already, I‘ve extensively tested every assault rifle to determine the best options to dominate with across various playstyles and engagement ranges.
Trust me when I say that simply equipping the weapon with the top stats can actually hinder your performance if it doesn‘t match your natural tendencies.
That‘s why I‘ve created this comprehensive guide to help you discover your perfect AR soulmate based on how you play.
Below I reveal my top assault rifle recommendations along with key strengths, limitations, and ideal attachment loadouts tailored to different combat scenarios from close quarters shredding to long range precision.
Let‘s get started!
Quick Comparison Table
Before jumping into the individual breakdowns, here‘s a high level overview of how some of the top assault rifles compare across key stats so you can see where they excel or falter at a glance:
| Assault Rifle | Damage (Max) | Fire Rate (RPM) | Recoil Control | Effective Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kastov 762 | High | Fast | Low | Short-Medium |
| M4 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Lachmann 556 | Medium | Fast | High | Long |
| Kastov-74u | Medium-High | Medium-Fast | Medium-Low | Short-Medium |
| STB 556 | High | Slow | Medium-High | Long |
As you can see, assault rifles fill a variety of combat roles based on their attributes. Now let‘s explore how to best leverage their individual strengths while accounting for weaknesses.
Kastov 762 – The Best Close Quarters Shredder
![Kastov 762 Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Extreme close range damage
Biggest Weakness: Unruly recoil and precision at range
The AK platform Kastov 762 dominates up close thanks to a blazing fast fire rate near 650 RPM combined with the hardest hitting rounds in its class for early gunfights.
However, its biggest liability manifests at longer ranges where significant recoil and bounce limit accuracy during sustained fire.
This is an assault rifle best leveraged for purely aggressive, high-speed CQB skirmishing rather than precision marksmanship at a distance.
Ideal Loadout
To optimize its melt-machine potency up close without sacrificing vital mobility, I run the following loadout:
Barrel: KAS-7 406MM Barrel
Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
Ammunition: 7.62 High Velocity
Rear Grip: True-Tac Grip
This loadout tightens up hip fire accuracy via laser and ADS control through both the rear grip and short KAS-7 barrel. Faster 7.62 bullet velocity improves damage dropoff as well.
The key is enhancing CQB weapon handling without bogging down movement speed to really capitalize on the Kastov‘s run and gun strength.
Ideal Playstyle
The Kastov 762 achieves maximum effectiveness played extremely aggressively in close quarters where its combination of high damage and fire rate allow you to quickly overwhelm opponents.
Exploit its lightning ADS and sprintout times to win close range shootouts right off the break. Just don‘t expect miracles trying to beam snipers at long distance!
M4 – A Reliable All-Round Contender
![M4 Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Consistently well-rounded performance
Biggest Weakness: Damage dropoff at range
It‘s no surprise to see the M4 ranked among the best thanks to median performance and versatility making it effective across nearly all engagement scenarios – ideal for an adaptable playstyle.
A moderate fire rate near 800 RPM prevents lighting fast close quarters TTKs but enables reasonable recoil control, allowing you to challenge at most distances unless faced with a dedicated long range precision rifle.
Ideal Loadout
To minimize vertical rise while extending effective range, I utilize the following attachments:
Barrel: Hightower 20" Barrel
Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
Rear Grip: Sakin CX-90 Grip
Muzzle: Echoless-76 Silencer
This loadout combination reins in recoil bounce and slightly boosts bullet velocity for better hits at medium range while an integrated silencer retains stealth.
While it excels anywhere, the M4 truly shines in mid-range firefights where controlled follow up shots land decisive kills.
Ideal Playstyle
Given its versatile attributes, the M4 promotes an adaptable playstyle – allowing you to push aggressively when needed or post up mid-map to pick apart enemies at range.
And because it lacks any truly debilitating drawbacks, you rarely need to account for deficiencies in the heat of battle compared to specialized rivals. This makes the M4 one of the most user friendly assault rifles around.
Lachmann 556 – Long Range Laser Beam
![Lachmann 556 Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Virtually non-existent recoil for sustained fire
Biggest Weakness: Lower body shot damage
The Lachmann 556 may sport only average base damage, but lightning fast handling and by far the best recoil properties under sustained fire help it secure longer range kills.
A best-in-class fire rate over 750 RPM compounds laser precision – allowing you to pump out repeated hits in quick succession. Just be prepared for extra body shots to kill compared to heavier hitting ARs.
Ideal Loadout
To further improve stability along with range, I kit the Lachmann out as follows:
Barrel: Lachmann 12" Barrel
Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
Rear Grip: Lachmann TCG-10 Rear Grip
Optic: Schlager 3.4X
This optimized setup neutralizes upward muzzle rise during automatic fire while maxing out bullet velocity for distant engagements – making chaining precision hits easier than any other rifle in class.
Ideal Playstyle
The Lachmann caters perfectly to a patient marksman playstyle focused on winning extended medium to long range battles through superior recoil control and rapid follow up potential.
Find a solid overlook position and go to work precisely picking apart enemies. The high fire rate lets you quickly down out of position aggressors before they can retreat.
Just avoid very close quarters battles where SMGs will outmaneuver you. Instead maintain a healthy buffer where your accuracy pays dividends.
Kastov-74u – Blurring Assault Rifle & SMG Lines
![Kastov-74u Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Mobility rivaling true SMGs
Biggest Weakness: Damage dropoff past short range
The Kastov-74u essentially combines assault rifle stopping power with nearly unrivaled mobility thanks to a lightweight frame permitting SMG-like handling.
This grants CQB versatility actually surpassing many dedicated submachine guns. The tradeoff manifests at longer distances where damage rapidly deteriorates – limiting practical use to close quarters.
Ideal Loadout
To optimize mobility, I spec solely for improved weapon handling:
Barrel: BR209 Precision Barrel
Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
Rear Grip: True-TAC Grip
Stock: Otrezat Stock
Smoothing handling plus a stability stock enables you to sustain fire on the move while the laser boosts sprint to fire and hip shot accuracy to react quickly when enemies appear across short sightlines.
Ideal Playstyle
The Kastov-74u achieves prime effectiveness whenplayed as an ultra-aggressive entry fragger able to pressure objectives with astonishing speed.
Leverage the best movement in class to actively hunt and overwhelm adversaries in close quarters before they can escape. Just avoid longer corridors and open spaces where hard hitting projectiles from ARs or Marksman Rifles will out damage you.
STB 556 – Long Range Powerhouse
![STB 556 Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Hard hitting damage over range
Biggest Weakness: Slow fire rate limits CQB prowess
The STB 556 fills a very specific role as the highest damaging longer range assault rifle – able to inflict heavier damage at a distance compared to rivals thanks to a harder hitting projectile.
The tradeoff comes in the form of a relatively slow ~480 RPM fire rate coupled with harsh initial recoil – limiting its effectiveness against swift firing SMGs up close.
Ideal Loadout
To build on the STB‘s damage range versatility, I spec to reduce upwards muzzle rise while stabilizing aim stability:
Barrel: 16" Bruen Integrally Suppressed Barrel
Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip
Optic: Schlager 3.4X
The extended 16" barrel maximizes bullet velocity and stealth while both underbarrel and rear grip smooth out sustained vertical recoil during automatic fire.
This rifle nails distant targets hard while staying on point. Avoid spraying haphazardly though thanks to methodical fire rate.
Ideal Playstyle
To shine bright with the STB 556, adopt a patient sharpshooter playstyle – posting up on objectives or overlooking hot zones to precisely yet forcefully pick apart enemies from afar.
The high damage profile means even just landing a couple solid hits puts foes on their heels. When an enemy does advance too closely, switch to a trusty SMG secondary to handle the intimate work.
M16 – Accuracy Rewards Skilled Trigger Control
![M16 Stats Overview]
Biggest Strength: Burst fire tightens bullet spread for skilled players
Biggest Weakness: Unforgiving muzzle rise requires recoil mastery
Unlike fully automatic rivals, the M16 demands precision through a tighter 3 round burst firing mechanism with punishing recoil should you miss the mark – but potentially extremely lethal when accurately aimed.
A lower fire rate caps its CQB prowess yet a fast trigger finger can achieve exceedingly quick TTK, especially factoring in upper body and headshot multipliers when shots perfectly land. M16 mastery separates the amateurs from experienced players able to smoothly control difficult weapons.
Ideal Loadout
To tame challenging vertical rise for punctual 3 round bursts, I spec for improved recoil mitigation:
Barrel: 14" Jolt Accelerator Barrel
Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
Rear Grip: XRK True-Tac Grip
Optic: Cronen Mini Pro Optic
This precise configuration reins in muzzle climb to land disciplined triples during sustained engagements while the lightweight barrel retains mobility for a versatile M16 build.
Ideal Playstyle
The M16 promotes a calculated marksman approach focused on methodically yet swiftly picking enemies off at range through precisely placed bursts – making every trigger pull count.
Though skilled run and gunners can find success pairing the M16‘s stopping power and accuracy with an evasive finesse up close to quickly overwhelm unprepared targets.
Just expect harsh punishment anytime you misalign shots thanks to plodding refire rate. M16 excellence requires recoil mastery and persnickety accuracy.
Hopefully breaking down the intricacies of MW2‘s very best assault rifles along with specialized attachment recommendations and actionable combat tips helps you discover the perfect AR partner to complement your skills and natural playstyle.
The top options essentially include:
- Kastov 762 for run and gun aggression
- M4 as an adaptable medium range duelist
- Lachmann 556 for long distance beam accuracy
- Kastov-74u to overwhelm CQB with mobility
- STB 556 for heavy suppression over range
- M16 rewarding burst fire precision
While stats provide a baseline, always remember you are the ultimate firing mechanism bringing virtual weaponry to life and only by matching assault rifle capabilities with your own tendencies will truly masterful Modern Warfare 2 gameplay emerge.
Now lock and load your preferred rifle, practice deploying my recommended builds, and destroy all challengers in your path to domination!
I‘m interested in your thoughts and personal assault rifle recommendations too based on experience, so hit me up in the comments. Let‘s squad up online sometime as well.
Happy hunting and see you on the virtual battlefield!
