# Best SMGs in MW4

URL: https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/smgs/
Updated: 2026-11-04

Three questions, three named sources, for the 5 SMGs with community builds. The table is ordered by pick rate.

- **Most picked (CODMunity pick rate)**: VEL 46 at 7.4% of Multiplayer picks (CODMunity, read November 4, 2026). Next is the ISO Nightshade at 6.2%.
- **Fastest community-reported time to kill (ggranked)**: VEL 46, 753 ms in ggranked's list, that site's own measure.
- **Highest DMZ tier (DMZ Radar)**: ISO Nightshade, X-58 Nyx, and PPSh-41, tier S in DMZ Radar's DMZ PvP list (3 weapons share it).

Community-reported Sources: [CODMunity](https://codmunity.gg/mw4), [ggranked](https://ggranked.com/games/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4/meta/weapons) and [DMZ Radar](https://dmzradar.com/meta.html), read November 4, 2026.

## SMGs ranked by pick rate

5 SMGs with community builds, ordered by CODMunity pick rate, largest first; a weapon with no reported rate comes last. The ggranked column is the base weapon.

*SMGs in MW4: pick rate, community tier and time to kill, DMZ tier, fire rate and magazine*

| Weapon | Pick rate (CODMunity) | ggranked tier | ggranked TTK | DMZ Radar tier | Fire rate (RPM) | Magazine |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VEL 46](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/vel-46/best-build/) | 7.4% | Tier S | 753 ms | Tier B | 952 | 40 |
| [ISO Nightshade](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/iso-nightshade/best-build/) | 6.2% | Tier S | 761 ms | Tier S | 923 | 30 |
| [Wz.55 Striga](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/wz-55-striga/best-build/) | 5.4% | Tier A | 821 ms | Tier C | 651 | 25 |
| [X-58 Nyx](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/x-58-nyx/best-build/) | 3.5% | Tier A | 836 ms | Tier S | 800 | 40 |
| [PPSh-41](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/ppsh-41/best-build/) | 3.1% | Tier A | 819 ms | Tier S | 1,110 | 71 |

## Each SMG in detail

### VEL 46

Activision describes the VEL 46 this way: SMG known for maneuverability and smooth, predictable recoil in fast-paced fights. Its Apex Attachment is the VEL 46 Snap: Tactical sling for very fast weapon transitions in exchange for stocks. Enables Quick Draw when used with Overkill.

CODMunity's highest-tier Multiplayer build for it is the Versatile build (Absolute meta tier): Muzzle: XRK Herder 40; Barrel: VB-46 Series 11; Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip; Stock: EXP U-Turn Stock; Laser: XRK Clutch-LS. In CODMunity's data that build makes damage range, bullet velocity, and vertical recoil better and sprint to fire speed and ads speed worse.

Pick rate 7.4%, rank 1 of 5. ggranked tier S, 753 ms, rank 1 of 5. DMZ Radar tier B, down since the previous list. Fire rate 952 RPM, rank 2 of 5, magazine 40.

[VEL 46 best build](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/vel-46/best-build/)

### ISO Nightshade

Activision describes the ISO Nightshade this way: Full-auto SMG with a fast rate of fire that balances controllability, mobility and close-range stopping power. Its Apex Attachment is the ISO Trace: RFID ammunition tags targets on impact and shows their movement and direction as a red dot on the optic display.

CODMunity's highest-tier Multiplayer build for it is the Versatile build (Absolute meta tier): Muzzle: XRK Herder 40; Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip; Magazine: 40 Round Mag; Rear Grip: Demo STP-1; Stock: EXP G2-44 Stock; Apex Attachment: ISO Trace. In CODMunity's data that build makes magazine size, vertical recoil, and horizontal recoil better and sprint to fire speed, reload time, and ads speed worse.

Pick rate 6.2%, rank 2 of 5, 1.2 points below the VEL 46. ggranked tier S, 761 ms, rank 2 of 5. DMZ Radar tier S, unchanged. Fire rate 923 RPM, rank 3 of 5, magazine 30.

[ISO Nightshade best build](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/iso-nightshade/best-build/)

### Wz.55 Striga

Activision describes the Wz.55 Striga this way: Low-fire-rate SMG with best-in-class mobility and recoil control; subsonic rounds hide enemy skulls on kills. Its Apex Attachment is the WZ.55 Striga Rampage: Paired-frame akimbo conversion that doubles close-quarters output while keeping the platform agile. Harder to control.

CODMunity's highest-tier Multiplayer build for it is the Versatile build (Contender tier): Muzzle: 330TC2 Gridlock; Barrel: GW Sender 500; Magazine: 35 Round Mag; Rear Grip: Matuzek 532-L Grip; Laser: XRK Clutch-LS. In CODMunity's data that build makes magazine size, damage range, and bullet velocity better and ads speed, reload time, and sprint to fire speed worse.

Pick rate 5.4%, rank 3 of 5, 2.0 points below the VEL 46. ggranked tier A, 821 ms, rank 4 of 5. DMZ Radar tier C, unchanged. Fire rate 651 RPM, rank 5 of 5, magazine 25.

[Wz.55 Striga best build](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/wz-55-striga/best-build/)

### X-58 Nyx

Activision describes the X-58 Nyx this way: Covert SMG with an integrated suppressor and strong sound reduction at close to mid range. Its Apex Attachment is the X-58 Void: Subsonic modification: very quiet fire, hides skulls on enemy deaths and minimizes directional hit indicators.

CODMunity's highest-tier Multiplayer build for it is the Mobility build (Very good tier): Barrel: Doksa 4F 305mm; Magazine: 60 Round Mag; Rear Grip: Mugi-X Wrap; Stock: No Stock; Laser: Schlager VISIV-5. In CODMunity's data that build makes magazine size, sprint to fire speed, and ads speed better and vertical recoil, horizontal recoil, and reload time worse.

Pick rate 3.5%, rank 4 of 5, 3.9 points below the VEL 46. ggranked tier A, 836 ms, rank 5 of 5. DMZ Radar tier S, unchanged. Fire rate 800 RPM, rank 4 of 5, magazine 40.

[X-58 Nyx best build](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/x-58-nyx/best-build/)

### PPSh-41

Activision describes the PPSh-41 this way: Veteran SMG with the highest rate of fire of the launch roster and a generous magazine. Its Apex Attachment is the PPSh-41 Ember: Underbarrel launcher that fires a rapid burst of pyrotechnic projectiles which keep burning briefly for area control.

CODMunity's highest-tier Multiplayer build for it is the Versatile build (Meta tier): Optic: ZLR Type C; Barrel: Hanbit Chimmuk-INTR; Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip; Stock: Hanbit Janggun-H9; Laser: Schlager VISIV-5. In CODMunity's data that build makes vertical recoil, horizontal recoil, and bullet velocity better and ads speed worse.

Pick rate 3.1%, rank 5 of 5, 4.3 points below the VEL 46. ggranked tier A, 819 ms, rank 3 of 5. DMZ Radar tier S, unchanged. Fire rate 1,110 RPM, rank 1 of 5, magazine 71.

[PPSh-41 best build](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/weapons/ppsh-41/best-build/)

## Attachments shared across SMGs

Attachments in builds of more than one SMG, across every Multiplayer and DMZ build CODMunity lists for the class.

*Attachments that appear in builds of more than one weapon among the SMGs*

| Slot | Attachment | Builds | Weapons |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Laser | Schlager VISIV-5 | 14 | ISO Nightshade, VEL 46, Wz.55 Striga, PPSh-41, and X-58 Nyx |
| Underbarrel | FSS Fireline Grip | 13 | ISO Nightshade, VEL 46, PPSh-41, and X-58 Nyx |
| Muzzle | FTAC Silent Recon | 7 | Wz.55 Striga and PPSh-41 |
| Optic | ZLR Type C | 6 | Wz.55 Striga, PPSh-41, and X-58 Nyx |
| Stock | No Stock | 6 | ISO Nightshade and X-58 Nyx |
| Laser | XRK Clutch-LS | 5 | VEL 46, Wz.55 Striga, PPSh-41, and X-58 Nyx |

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Which MW4 SMGs is picked most?**

A: VEL 46 at 7.4% of picks in CODMunity's list. A pick rate is a share of picks.

**Q: Which MW4 SMGs has the lowest time to kill?**

A: VEL 46 at 753 ms in ggranked's list, that site's own measure.

**Q: Is there one best SMG in MW4?**

A: No. Most picked (CODMunity pick rate): VEL 46. Fastest community-reported time to kill (ggranked): VEL 46. Highest DMZ tier (DMZ Radar): ISO Nightshade, X-58 Nyx, and PPSh-41.

## More best loadouts

- [All best loadouts](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/)
- [Fastest time to kill](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/fastest-ttk/)

Other classes: [Assault Rifles](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/assault-rifles/), [Shotguns](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/shotguns/), [LMGs](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/lmgs/), [Marksman Rifles](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/marksman-rifles/), [Sniper Rifles](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/sniper-rifles/), [Pistols](https://codloadout.gitlab.io/mw4/best/pistols/).

Pick rates and builds: CODMunity, read November 4, 2026. Tiers and time to kill: ggranked and DMZ Radar, read November 4, 2026. Official numbers: Activision, updated October 24, 2026.