Bullet penetration is a weapon stat in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, but a rating alone does not tell you how a specific surface will affect a firefight. The useful approach is to compare the listed penetration values, then test one surface at a time instead of guessing from its appearance. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 weapon comparison data includes ratings for eight weapons, giving you a starting point for those checks.
Quick Answer: The listed penetration values range from 9 in for the Axion to 21 in for the Oden, Kastov 762, Cronen Squall, and Patriot XMR. Treat those values as a comparison, not proof that a weapon will penetrate every cover type or retain a specific amount of damage.
How does bullet penetration work in MW4?
Bullet penetration describes how well bullets pass through cover and thin surfaces. The provided weapon glossary says higher penetration keeps more damage after a bullet passes through, but it does not give damage-loss figures for particular surfaces.
That distinction matters. A penetration rating helps compare weapons, but it does not tell you how many shots a target will take behind a specific wall. The latest supplied comparator entry is marked updated October 29, 2026, with October 28 patch notes, so check for later balance changes before relying on old comparisons.
Axion penetration stat
How can you recognize cover you can shoot through?
The research material does not identify specific penetrable walls, materials, or map locations. You cannot reliably label a surface as penetrable from this information alone. Check it directly rather than assuming that thin-looking cover behaves the same everywhere.
For map context, use the MW4 maps guide. It can help you look at locations, but the penetration result for a particular surface still needs to be checked in-game.
A practical check is to compare shots against the same target with and without the surface between you. Keep the weapon, target, and firing conditions consistent, and repeat the check. If the result changes, record the surface and weapon instead of treating the result as universal.
Which MW4 weapons have different penetration ratings?
The current comparison lists penetration from 9 in to 21 in across these eight weapons. That gives you a useful first filter, but it does not establish which weapon wins against a particular obstacle.
| Weapon | Bullet penetration | What the rating tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Axion | 9 in | Lowest listed value in this comparison |
| M4 | 13 in | Listed value sits between the lowest and highest ratings |
| Hyeon Burst | 13 in | Same listed value as the M4 and Han 86 |
| Han 86 | 13 in | Same listed value as the M4 and Hyeon Burst |
| Kastov 762 | 21 in | Tied for the highest listed value |
| Oden | 21 in | Tied for the highest listed value |
| Cronen Squall | 21 in | Tied for the highest listed value; has a listed 45 ms open bolt delay |
| Patriot XMR | 21 in | Tied for the highest listed value |
The mistake most players make is treating a higher stat as a guaranteed wallbang. The glossary describes how penetration relates to damage retention, but the comparison does not provide a surface-by-surface damage profile. Use the rating to choose weapons to test, not as a substitute for testing.
Does ammunition change bullet penetration?
The supplied comparison lists weapon penetration values, but it does not list ammunition types or explain how ammunition affects penetration. There is no supported basis here for recommending a particular ammo choice or claiming that an attachment changes cover performance.
Keep your test focused on the weapon and surface. If you change a loadout or ammunition setting during a comparison, note the change rather than attributing the result to the weapon’s listed rating alone.
For mode-specific context before setting up a test, see the MW4 game modes guide. The listed mode information does not establish which mode has a dedicated penetration-testing area.
Kastov 762 penetration rating
How do you test penetration without wasting ammo?
Use a repeatable comparison, and change one factor at a time. This will not give you universal results for every surface, but it helps separate a weapon difference from a change in test conditions.
- Pick one surface and one weapon. Record the weapon name and its listed penetration value.
- Compare shots with and without the surface. Keep the target and firing conditions as consistent as you can.
- Repeat the check. A single result is a poor basis for a weapon choice.
- Change one variable. Compare a second weapon against the same surface, or test a different surface with the original weapon, but do not change both at once.
- Write down what happened. Record the weapon, surface, and observed result. Do not generalize that result to untested cover.
What are common bullet penetration mistakes?
- Assuming appearance proves penetration. The supplied information names cover and thin surfaces generally, not specific materials.
- Treating the highest rating as a guaranteed pass-through. The 21 in rating is a comparison value, not a promise about every wall.
- Changing several variables at once. If the weapon, surface, and firing conditions all change, the result is hard to interpret.
- Assuming ammunition or attachments affect penetration. The provided data does not explain either interaction.
- Using stale comparisons without checking updates. The supplied entry references October 28 patch notes and an October 29 update. Weapon values may change with later updates.
What should you remember about MW4 penetration?
Use the stat as a starting point, then verify the exact surface. The listed leaders are the Oden, Kastov 762, Cronen Squall, and Patriot XMR at 21 in; the Axion sits at 9 in. Those numbers can narrow your test choices, but the supplied data does not establish material-specific results or damage loss.
For more Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 guides, check the guide collection and revisit your comparisons after weapon updates.
FAQ
Does higher bullet penetration mean more damage through every wall?
No such universal result is established by the supplied data. It describes higher penetration as retaining more damage after passing through cover, but gives no figures for specific surfaces.
Which listed MW4 weapons have the highest penetration?
The Oden, Kastov 762, Cronen Squall, and Patriot XMR each list 21 in. That makes them candidates for comparison, not guaranteed choices for every wall.
Is there a confirmed ammunition choice for penetrating cover?
No ammunition comparison is included in the supplied weapon data, so there is no supported recommendation here.
