Every weapon in Black Ops Cold War

Black Ops Cold War came on release with a multitude of weapons. Since its release their have been six seasons each bringing with it a selection of new and exciting weapons to improve the game.
Since the release of Vanguard even more content has been released in Cold War to keep it fresh and playable for everyone.
In this article I will give an overview of every weapon in Black Ops Cold War to date.
Assault Rifles
Weapon | When unlocked | Gun type |
XM4 | Rank 4 | Full auto |
AK-47 | Rank 7 | Full auto |
Krig 6 | Rank 16 | Full auto |
QBZ-83 | Rank 31 | Full auto |
FFAR 1 | Rank 40 | Full auto |
Groza | Season 1 content | Full auto |
FARA 83 | Season 2 content | Full auto |
C58 | Season 4 content | Full auto |
EM2 | Season 5 content | Full auto |
Grav | Season 6 content | Full auto |
Vargo 52 | Added March 4th 2022 update | Full auto |
The Krig 6 is the undisputed king of the Assault rifles in Black Ops Cold War. With the right attachment its becomes a lazerbeam with next to no recoil and the ability to perform both close and long range. It has huge play in both multiplayer and league play.
The XM4 is another super consistent weapon that has a lot of play in both multiplayer and league.
The Groza, C58 and FARA 83 are the only DLC assault rifles allowed in league play and the Groza is the current META amongst league play players. Both the FARA 83 and Groza are super feasible with excellent fire rates and performance both close and long range. The C58 is a bit more of a niche pick.
The AK 47 and other DLC guns are solid choices for multiplayer with the AK47 in particular sporting a very high damage output
The FFAR 1 has a huge fire rate but is countered by heavy recoil. Strong players can have lots of success with this gun is they can manage the recoil. Players that struggle with gun recoil should avoid this wepon.
The QBZ-83 is a consistent weapon that is very useable but is a bit of a niche as its outclassed by stronger weapons in this category even after being buffed.
Submachine Guns
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
MP5 | Default | Full auto |
Milano | Rank 13 | Full auto |
AK74u | Rank 19 | Full auto |
KSP 45 | Rank 37 | 3 round burst |
Bullfrog | Rank 43 | Full auto |
Mac 10 | Season 1 content | Full auto |
LC10 | Season 2 content | Full auto |
PPSH-41 | Season 3 content | Full auto |
OTS 9 | Season 4 content | Full auto |
TEC-9 | Season 5 content | Burst/3 round/Full auto |
LAPA | Season 6 content | Full auto |
UGR | 6th May 2022 update | Full auto |
The standout king of the Submachine gun is the AK74u. Even after multiple nerfs, it still reigns supreme in both multiplayer and league play. The LC10 is also a contender, but suffered several nerfs to dampen it slightly. unfortunately it was banned from league play but is still very effective in multiplayer.
Most of the DLC submachine guns are highly effective with the TEC-9 being the most effective. It is available in single shot, 3 round burst or full auto. The PPSH-41 doesnt quite fulfil its potential however.
The Mac 10 has a disgusting fire rate which can be deadly in the hands of a skilled player, however much like the FFAR 1 players that struggle with recoil should avoid it.
The milano, bullfrog and MP5 all have some play in multiplayer, and the KSP 45 has become the best 3 round burst weapon thanks to several buffs
Light Machine Guns
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Stoner 63 | Default | Full auto |
RPD | Rank 22 | Full auto |
M60 | Rank 46 | Full auto |
MG 82 | Season 4 content | Full auto |
All of the Light Machine guns are godly in this game in both multiplayer and zombies. The stoner was meta before it recieved a nerf due to a large section of the community unhappy with its dominance. It is still very viable along with the RPD which can be set up to be almost recoilless with the correct attachments.
The MG 82 has the most recoil in class and is a rare anomaly in that as a DLC gun it performs worse than the guns that came with the release of the game.
Tactical Rifles
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Type 63 | Default | Single shot |
M16 | Rank 10 | 3 round burst |
AUG | Rank 28 | 3 round burst |
DMR 14 | Rank 49 | Single shot |
CARV.2 | Season 3 content | 3 round burst |
The Tactical rifles offer a change of play style. Both the AUG and M16 were incredibly deadly before their respective nerfs, although both are still useable, The M16 slightly more so.
The Type 63 and DMR14 offer solid single shot options for more defence players. The CARV.2 is another powerful 3 round burst gun that be used very effectively in multiplayer and zombies.
Sniper Rifles
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Pellington 703 | Default | Single shot |
LW3-Tundra | Rank 25 | Single shot |
M82 | Rank 55 | Semi auto |
ZRG 20mm | Season 2 content | Single shot |
Swiss K31 | Season 3 content | Single shot |
The Meta for sniper rifles has changed repeatedly. The LW3-Tundra was the original choice of sniper, but that got replaced with the ZRG 20mm when that came in season 2.
The Swiss K31 is now the optimal sniper given its fast aim down sight and damage output making it ideal for players looking to “quickscope”
The M82 offers a semi auto option a little like the Barrett 50 cal from Modern Warfare 2 (although not quite as good)
Pistols
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
1911 | Default | Single shot |
Magnum | Rank 31 | Single shot |
Diamatti | Rank 49 | 3 round burst |
AMP 63 | Season 3 content | Full auto |
Marshal | Season 5 content | Single shot |
All the pistols are good options for secondaries. The 1911 and Diamatti are the choice for league play. The marshal when set up with Akimbo can be deadly running round objective multiplayer modes
Shotguns
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Hauer 77 | Rank 7 | Single shot |
Gallo SA12 | Rank 34 | Semi auto |
Streetsweeper | Season 1 content | Full auto |
.410 Ironhide | Season 6 content | Single shot |
All of the shotguns have some play within the game. The Streetsweeper combined with the gungho perk and running round holding a stun grenade makes for a lethal combination in Hardcore modes.
The Hauer 77 and Gallo SA12 are especially strong in Zombies game modes although they can be effectively utilised in multiplayer
Melee
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Knife | Default | N/A |
Sledgehammer | Season 1 content | N/A |
Wakizashi | Season 1 content | N/A |
E-Tool | Season 2 content | N/A |
Machete | Season 2 content | N/A |
Baseball Bat | Season 3 content | N/A |
Mace | Season 4 content | N/A |
Cane | Season 5 content | N/A |
Sai | Season 5 content | N/A |
Battle Axe | Season 6 content | N/A |
Hammer and Sickle | Season 6 content | N/A |
The Melee weapons ae all very similar in as much as they all do the same job. Some have a slightly longer reach etc, but the one you use isnt especially important. Some of the animations for some of them look rather cool when making a kill but all of them require patience and determination to complete the camo challenges for.
Launchers and Specials
Weapon | When Unlocked | Gun type |
Cigma 2 | Default | Single shot |
RPG 7 | Rank 40 | Single shot |
M79 | Rank 52 | Single shot |
R1 Shadowhunter | Season 2 content | Single shot |
Ballistic Knife | Season 3 content | N/A |
Nail Gun | Season 4 content | Full Auto |
The launcher and specials have a niche appeal within the game. The Cigma 2 is the best option for taking down enemy air support/streaks.
The Ballistic Knife has a nostalgic feel from Black Ops 1. The Nail Gun is quite a unique weapon in as much as it can actually be used a little bit like a mini sub machine gun.
What is your favourite Gun in Cold War? Which is your go to for Multiplayer, League or Zombies?!