Best Battlefield 6 guns: All weapons you can unlock and which ones to use

Battlefield 6 guns: Pax Armata soldiers crouching in a line, with only one in focus, who's holding the PW5A3.

Battlefield 6 has a whopping 45 weapons to unlock across all its categories (including sidearms), so you're spoilt for choice—plus, they can be used on any class in standard Open Weapons playlists. It's a big improvement over the measly launch offerings of BF1, BF5, and BF2042, and it makes progression significantly more rewarding.

With so many weapons to unlock, both through career ranks and assignments, it's a no-brainer to sort the wheat from the chaff to find out the best guns in the current meta. So, I've put every weapon to the test, including playing around with attachments, to help you out in the field.

Best Battlefield 6 guns

The best guns I've used so far in BF6 are:

• M4A1 (rank 2, carbine)
• SOR-556 MK2 (rank 25, assault rifle)
• M87A1 (rank 0, shotgun)
• SCW-10 (Close Quarters assignment, SMG)
• PW7A2 (rank 19, SMG)
• DRS-IAR (rank 9, LMG)
• M277 (rank 11, carbine)
• SG 553R (Danger Close assignment, carbine)

M4A1

• Muzzle: Convertor Linear Comp (10)
• Barrel: Light 12.5" Fluted (20)
• Underbarrel: 6H64 Vertical (25)
• Magazine: 30RND Fast Magazine (10)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10) or RO-M 1.75x (10)
• Accessory: 50MW Blue (20)

The M4A1 carbine, unlocked at just Rank 2, is one of the best weapons in the entire game and is firmly planted at the top of the meta. Thanks to its high fire rate and solid damage, the M4A1 is capable of dropping enemies blazingly fast.

Now, you might think that these positives must mean the M4A1 is weak at range. It should be, but it's not. With just a converter or double-port brake and vertical grip, you can negate most of the recoil without hurting your accuracy too much. In other words, you've got the raw firepower and mobility of an SMG with the range of an assault rifle.

SOR-556 MK2

• Muzzle: Standard Suppressor (20)
• Barrel: Extended 18" US-LB (15)
• Underbarrel: 6H64 Vertical (25)
• Magazine: 40RND Magazine (25)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10), 3VZR 1.75x (10), or CCO 2.00x (10)

The SOR-556, better known as the Scar, is a very powerful assault rifle that's quickly become a favourite of mine. I'll admit, though, I hated it at first, largely because the high recoil made it all too easy to miss vital shots.

Once you unlock more recoil-reducing grips, namely the 6H64 Vertical, this powerhouse becomes much easier to use, even at far ranges. So much so that I've been running it with a suppressor and a larger magazine, allowing me to flank and take out packs of enemies relatively easily.

M87A1

• Barrel: Basic 20" Factory (10)
• Underbarrel: Slim Angled (25)
• Magazine: 5 Shell Tube (5)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10)
• Accessory: 120MW Blue (30)

The killer shotgun from the beta returns with a vengeance. Despite a nerf, the M87A1 is still a reliable one-hit kill in close range, and has access to slug rounds for picks at further ranges.

It's strong in its own right given how many of BF6's maps are relatively small and dense, but it really shines as a backup for the Assault class. Using this class's unique assault sling 'gadget', you can carry a long-range primary like an assault rifle, with the M87A1 in your back pocket for when things get messy. Let's just say I wouldn't disagree if people called for this synergy to be dialled back somehow or removed entirely.

SCW-10

• Muzzle: Single-Port Brake (10)
• Barrel: Light 6.8" Fluted (20)
• Magazine: 20 RND Magazine (20)
• Ammunition: Hollow Point (20)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10)
• Accessory: 50MW Green (20)

There's nothing else quite like the SCW-10, a truly miniature SMG that packs an incredible punch for its size. While it only has an almost terrifyingly small 15-round magazine by default, its higher-than-average damage (coming in at 33 damage per shot), an 800RPM rate of fire, and great handling more than make up for it. Seriously, this thing is a monster in the right hands. Plus, you can increase the magazine size up to 25 rounds, too.

Annoyingly, you'll have to complete the Close Quarters 1 assignment to unlock the SCW-10. It's more grindy than restrictive, like most assignments, but getting 300 close-quarter kills with SMGs and inflicting 10,000 damage while aiming with SMGs will take you a while, all the same.

PW7A2

• Muzzle: Single-Port Brake (5)
• Barrel: Basic 180mm Standard (10)
• Underbarrel: Slim Angled (20)
• Magazine: 30RND Magazine (5)
• Ammunition: Hollow Point (20)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10)
• Accessory: 120MW Blue (30)

Based on the MP7, the PW7A2 (not to be confused with the PW5A3, based on the MP5, though that's still good) is a very odd SMG. It boasts a brisk 947RPM fire rate, outpacing even the M4A1, and you'd think that would come with a boatload of recoil. However, it's the exact opposite: the PW7A2 is one of the most accurate, controllable weapons of the bunch. Despite its low damage per shot, this SMG's superb accuracy and fire rate mean you can burst people down at further ranges than you'd expect.

Of course, this high DPS, paired with very good mobility, also lends itself to close quarters, where the PW7A2 is similarly devastating. Plus, since you don't need to use any attachments to rein in the recoil, you're free to focus on even more mobility, or chuck on a suppressor for easier flanking.

DRS-IAR

• Muzzle: Double-Port Brake (10)
• Barrel: Light 16.5" Fluted (20)
• Underbarrel: Ribbed Stubby (30)
• Magazine: 30RND Magazine (5)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10) or RO-M 1.75x (10)
• Accessory: 50MW Blue (20)

The DRS-IAR is a very odd LMG in that it's basically an assault rifle. With more sprightly handling and a typical 30-round magazine, this gun effectively blurs the boundary between the categories, and it's all the better for it, as it's the best LMG in Battlefield 6.

The DRS has the stopping power of an LMG, but it's much more nimble and versatile, which is better suited to Battlefield 6's often smaller maps. Once you get rid of the god awful default 3.5x scope and attach a Double-Port Brake and Vertical Grip, much of the kick is gone too, so it can hold its own at range as well.

M277

• Muzzle: Double-Port Brake (10)
• Barrel: Heavy Extended 16" Custom (10)
• Underbarrel: Alloy Vertical (20)
• Magazine: 25RND Fast Magazine (25)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10) or RO-M 1.75x (10)
• Accessory: 50MW Blue (20)

Like the M4A1, the M277 carbine unlocked at Rank 11 is the perfect blend between an SMG and an assault rifle. It hits incredibly hard even at further ranges, though it does have more recoil than the M4A1 even with optimised attachments, and it has a smaller magazine size.

With that in mind, I recommend reining in the recoil with a converter/brake, vertical grip, and 50MW blue laser, and then bumping up the magazine size to standard levels. Admittedly, it does take quite a bit of effort to fully gear up, but it's still a cut above the rest with just a muzzle and grip.

SG 553R

(Image credit: EA)

• Muzzle: Convertor Linear Comp (10)
• Barrel: Light 240mm Fluted (20)
• Underbarrel: 6H64 Vertical (25)
• Magazine: 30RND Fast Magazine (10)
• Ammunition: Standard (5)
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x (10) or RO-M 1.75x (10)
• Accessory: 50MW Blue (20)

With damage on par with assault rifles (higher than every carbine except the M417 A2, which it ties with) but better mobility, and still a relatively high 720RPM, the SG 553R can throw a lot of damage down range. Even better is that it's designed for mid-ranges, so it's not sacrificing a great deal of precision or control either—both of which you can improve with attachments as well, anyhow.

The hurdle you'll run into is that the SG 553R is locked behind a lengthy grind, as it's the reward for the Danger Close 2 assignment. Using carbines, you'll need to get 250 ADS kills and 10,000 damage, then 300 headshots, and 100 kills with the QBZ-192 or M277 specifically. It's a lot. I'd recommend using the M277 over the QBZ-192 for the final step.

All Battlefield 6 weapons

(Image credit: EA)

Here are all 45 weapons you can unlock in Battlefield 6 and what level you need to reach to add them to your arsenal, organised by category. Keep in mind that you won't have access to all the weapons just by reaching the max level; you'll also need to complete assignments to nab 12 of them.

It's also worth noting that this doesn't include weapon packages, which are essentially different versions of these weapons with pre-allocated attachments (though you can still change them).

Weapon	Type	Unlock Requirements
M433	Assault rifle	Default
B36A4	Assault rifle	Rank 14
SOR-556 MK2	Assault rifle	Rank 25
AK4D	Assault rifle	Rank 35
TR-7	Assault rifle	Rank 50
KORD 6P67	Assault rifle	Rapid Fire 1 assignment
NVO-228E	Assault rifle	Rapid Fire 2 assignment
L85A3	Assault rifle	Rapid Fire 3 assignment
M4A1	Carbine	Rank 2
M277	Carbine	Rank 11
AK-205	Carbine	Rank 22
M417 A2	Carbine	Rank 32
GRT-BC	Carbine	Rank 41
QBZ-192	Carbine	Danger Close 1 assignment
SG 553R	Carbine	Danger Close 2 assignment
SGX	SMG	Default
PW5A3	SMG	Rank 6
PW7A2	SMG	Rank 19
UMG-40	SMG	Rank 29
USG-90	SMG	Rank 36
KV9	SMG	Rank 45
SCW-10	SMG	Close Quarters 1 assignment
SL9	SMG	Close Quarters 2 assignment
L110	LMG	Default
DRS-IAR	LMG	Rank 9
M/60	LMG	Rank 20
RPKM	LMG	Rank 30
M123K	LMG	Rank 38
M250	LMG	Rank 46
KTS100 MK8	LMG	Bullet Storm 1 assignment
M240L	LMG	Bullet Storm 2 assignment
M39 EMR	DMR	Rank 4
LMR27	DMR	Rank 16
SVK-8.6	DMR	Rank 33
SVDM	DMR	Deadeye 1 assignment
M2010 ESR	Sniper	Default
SV-98	Sniper	Rank 26
PSR	Sniper	Deadeye 2 assignment
M87A1	Shotgun	Default
M1014	Shotgun	Rank 42
18.5KS-K	Shotgun	Point Blank 2 assignment
P18	Pistol	Default
ES 5.7	Pistol	Rank 24
M45A1	Pistol	Rank 39
M44	Pistol	Rank 48

Remember that Battlefield 6 features both an Open Weapons and Closed Weapons playlists. Open weapons means all four classes can use any weapon, but each class has a preferred weapon type, for which they'll gain unique benefits when using. Closed weapons, on the other hand, locks certain weapon types to specific classes.

Class	Signature Weapon Type	Bonus
Assault	Assault rifle	Faster draw and fire sooner after exiting sprint
Engineer	SMG	Improved hipfire control
Support	LMG	Faster transition to aim down sights and no sprint speed penalty
Recon	Sniper	Reduced weapon sway, quicker rechambering between shots, and better breath control for steadier aim