The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta packs a serious arsenal across nine weapon classes. Whether you want to run and gun with an SMG, post up with a sniper, or go full chaos with a shotgun, there's a loadout waiting for you. The catch is that most of the best guns are locked behind level progression, so knowing exactly what unlocks when saves you from wasting time grinding toward the wrong weapon.
How many weapons are in the MW4 beta?
The beta covers nine weapon classes: Assault Rifles, SMGs, Shotguns, LMGs, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, Pistols, Launchers, and Melee. That's 22 weapons total, with several available from the moment you log in and the rest tied to specific player levels. The cap to unlock every weapon sits at level 30, which is the requirement for the Signal 50 sniper rifle.
All MW4 beta assault rifles and unlock levels
Assault rifles are the most populated class in the beta with five options, making them the natural starting point for most players. The Han 86 is yours immediately, but the real draw is the M4, which unlocks at level 9 and needs no introduction to anyone who has played CoD in the last decade.
The Hyeon Burst is the only burst-fire option in the AR category, so if that playstyle suits you, it's worth pushing to level 18 early. The Patriot XMR at level 25 sits near the top of the grind but rewards patience.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
All MW4 beta SMGs and unlock levels
Three SMGs cover the aggressive, close-range playstyle. The ISO Nightshade is free from the start. The real surprise here is the PPSH-41 at level 11, a weapon that usually shows up in WWII-era CoD titles. Its presence in a modern-day setting is unexpected, but anyone who has used it before knows how satisfying it can be.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
All MW4 beta LMGs and unlock levels
Two LMGs are available. The Finn LMG is free, and the Type 73 unlocks at the very accessible level 5. LMGs sacrifice mobility for sustained fire, but if you're holding a lane or defending an objective, they're hard to beat.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
All MW4 beta marksman rifles and unlock levels
Marksman rifles split the difference between assault rifles and snipers. The Mar-9 is immediately available, and the Oris 8.6 (listed in some sources as the Oris 8.9) unlocks at level 14.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
All MW4 beta sniper rifles and unlock levels
The KG-7 Vulcan handles sniper duty from the start, but the Signal 50 is the weapon everyone will be chasing. It sits behind the level 30 wall, making it the hardest unlock in the entire beta.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
All MW4 beta shotguns, pistols, launchers, and melee
The remaining classes are leaner. Shotguns have a single entry in the Rezi 12, which is free. Pistols give you the Krait P68 immediately and the .50 GS at level 23 as a secondary upgrade worth grabbing. The PILA launcher and Combat Knife are both available from the start.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Guide: All Weapons & How to Unlock Them
What's the fastest way to unlock weapons in the beta?
The beta uses the same level-based progression system CoD players know well. Every match earns XP toward your player level, and hitting the required level automatically unlocks the corresponding weapon. There's no secondary challenge system for weapons in the beta, so consistent play is the only path.
For players who earned beta rewards through pre-order or early access, those cosmetic rewards don't affect weapon unlock levels, but they do give you something to show off while you grind.
Beta level progression screen
The beta gives you a solid preview of what the full game's weapon roster will feel like. Pair your weapon testing with a look at all MW4 game modes to find the environments where each gun performs best, and check out the full Modern Warfare 4 guides collection for everything else you need heading into the October 23 launch.