COD MW2: The Best SMGs for Domination and Run ‘n Gun Playstyles

With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 taking the gaming world by storm since its release in late 2022, players are hot on the trail to find the most powerful, versatile weapons that suit their playstyle.

For aggressive, fast-paced game modes like Domination, Submachine Guns (SMGs) reign supreme for their mobility, fast handling, and close quarters destruction. Slow firing assault rifles don‘t stand a chance against the blistering fire rate of an SMG up close!

Through over 100 hours of gameplay across maps of all sizes, I‘ve identified and ranked the top SMGs every run ‘n gunner should have equipped to consistently top scoreboards. Keep reading to discover breakdowns of each weapon‘s lethal strengths up close and how to enhance them further with the right attachments.

Overview of the Top 7 SMGs

Before diving into detail on each weapon, here‘s a high-level overview of the cream of the crop SMGs available in MW2:

1. Lachmann Sub: The jack of all trades. Excellent mobility, damage range, and accuracy makes this the undisputed best SMG.

2. FSS Hurricane: Incredibly fast ADS and sprint to fire time allows unrivaled aggression.

3. Vaznev 9K: Surprising mid-range versatility combines AR and SMG qualities for adaptable run ‘n gunning.

4. Vel 46: Raw stopping power up close. Lightning fast TTK at the cost of range.

5. Minibak: High capacity, accurate SMG effective for clearing rooms and objectives.

6. Fennec 45: Extreme rate of fire melts in CQC but kicks like a mule.

7. Kastov-74u: As an AR/SMG hybrid, it‘s lethal up close with AR range versatility.

Now let‘s explore why each weapon stands out along with ideal attachments that amplify their capabilities.

#1 Lachmann Sub

• Overview: Iconic and well balanced. Excellent mobility and TTK with range potential. The MP5 of MW2.
• Key Strengths
  • Versatile effective range
  • Great handling and ADS time
  • Minimal recoil and flinch
• Ideal Attachments:
  • FTAC M-Sub 12" Barrel
  • FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
  • Slimline Pro Optic
  • Fully Loaded Kit

Boasting raw SMG stopping power while retaining mid-range versatility, the Lachmann Sub stakes its claim as the undisputed best overall SMG following the MP5 blueprint.

It possesses a lightning quick TTK, slicing through enemies with 4 to 5 shots. Combined with great mobility, ADS time, and stability, it simply outclasses opponents in CQC and successfully engages out to mid-range.

To maximize its potential for aggressive rushing, the FTAC M-Sub 12” barrel increases fire rate, bullet velocity, and effective damage range significantly at a minor cost to ADS time.

I also recommend the Sharkfin 90 grip for added recoil and flinch stability, allowing you to stay on target when under fire at range. An optic isn‘t necessary but a red dot like the Slimline Pro helps acquire targets rapidly during hectic engagements.

Finally, fully loaded provides maximum starting ammo to fuel the Lachmann‘s versatile slaying power from the starting pistol to final kill. This all-around solid performer should be top of mind to equip in any game mode.

#2 FSS Hurricane

• Overview: Unmatched speed and aggression in CQC at a cost of ammo capacity.
• Key Strengths:
  • Extremely fast sprint to fire and ADS
  • Strong mobility, handling, and hip fire
• Ideal Attachments:
  • FTAC Castle Comp
  • FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
  • Slimline Pro Optic
  • Fully Loaded Kit

When raw, unwavering aggression is the name of your game, the FSS Hurricane delivers blinding sprint to fire and ADS speeds perfect for overwhelming enemies in close quarters.

Despite a low ammo capacity, its rate of fire, mobility, and stellar hip fire accuracy while maneuvering make it the ultimate shotgun secondary to swap to when you need sudden, explosive stopping power up close.

The FTAC Castle Comp delivers a significant mobility and hip fire boost while slightly delaying ADS. Combined with the added recoil control and flinch resistance from the Sharkfin underbarrel, you can aggressively challenge enemies, banking on the Hurricane‘s rapid TTK to drop targets before they can react.

An optic certainly isn‘t necessary, but a simple red dot like the Slimline can provide a clearer sight picture when frantically acquiring targets and the Fully Loaded kit provides as much ammo as possible to offset the shallow magazine size.

If your playstyle favors constant movement and overwhelming opponents in their face, the FSS Hurricane has the sheer speed and lethality to enable your success.

#3 Vaznev 9K

• Overview: Surprising versatility and range for an SMG with great ammo capacity. Excels for adaptable run ‘n gun.
• Key Strengths:
  • Strong damage range and bullet velocity
  • Low recoil with great handling
• Ideal Attachments:
  • ZLR8 Torrent Barrel
  • FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
  • Schlager ULO-66 Shells
  • Slimline Pro Optic

With the high damage, range, and stability of an assault rifle combined with SMG handling and mobility, the Vaznev 9K strides between weapon categories making it incredibly versatile for dynamic run ‘n gun offense.

Boasting a large default magazine, predictable recoil and solid iron sights, the Vaznev truly shines once you augment key areas of mobility, damage range, ammo capacity, and stability.

The ZLR8 Torrent barrel notably improves bullet velocity and damage range, enabling more consistent mid-range kills. Combined with the added recoil and flinch control from the Sharkfin underbarrel, you can aggressively challenge fights usually reserved for ARs without being handicapped up close.

I also recommend the Schlager ULO-66 incendiary shells to vastly expand ammo reserves so reloads are less frequent and the mobility to constantly reposition isn‘t hindered. A simple red dot rounds out the package for quickly identifying enemies during intense run and gun skirmishes.

If your playstyle requires an adaptable weapon to slay both up close and at range, the Vaznev 9K nicely fits the bill once augmented properly.

#4 Vel 46

• Overview: Hard hitting CQC killer fast enough to win most engagements under 10m.
• Key Strengths:
  • Raw TTK and lethal 4 shot kill potential
  • Great handling and sprint out time
• Ideal Attachments:
  *VZ. Scope
  • FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
    *.45 Hollow Point Ammo
  • Fully Loaded Kit

The Vel 46 excels in a niche role annihilating enemies up close with a blistering TTK thanks to a 4 shot kill potential and high fire rate. What it lacks in range versatility, it makes up for in raw stopping power.

While on paper the damage dropoff seems significant, in most 6v6 multiplayer maps, sub 10 meter engagements occur frequently. That‘s where the Vel 46 absolutely melts opponents before they can react.

To double down on its CQC prowess, I love pairing the CQB friendly VZ scope for target acquisition with the added recoil and flinch resistance from the Sharkfin underbarrel so I can aggressively challenge gunfights without being handicapped if enemies return fire.

Switching to 45 Hollow Point ammo notably reduces shots to kill by 1 within 12 meters which further stacks TTK speed in your favor. It does hurt long range viability but playing to CQC is the key. Finally fully loaded provides enough ammunition to clear rooms and lock down interior objectives throughout the match.

While SMGs like the Lachmann and Vaznev present versatility, if you play aggressively and want guaranteed CQC lethality, the Vel 46 is purpose built to enable your success.

#5 Minibak

• Overview: Highest SMG magazine size perfect for clearing rooms and objectives. Precision focused.
• Key Strengths:
  • Large 64 round default magazine
  • Very low recoil and great handling
• Ideal Attachments:
  • ZLR8 Torrent Barrel
  • FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
  • Schlager ULO-66 Shells
  • Cronen Mini Pro Optic

While the Minibak has the lowest fire rate of any SMG, its precision and a staggering 64 round default magazine make it a force for locking down interior objectives and clearing rooms.

Recoil is very easily controlled even during sustained fire despite its low fire rate. Combined with a fast reload and great handling, maneuvering and winning multi-kill gunfights is very achievable.

To expand on those strengths, the ZLR8 Torrent barrel improves bullet velocity and damage range to make mid-range kills more consistent. It does hurt ADS time however which plays against the weapon‘s CQC focus.

The FSS Sharkfin grip amplifies stability and flinch resistance while the incendiary Schlager shells nearly double starting ammo reserves. This lets you suppress objectives relentlessly and remove the need to scavenge mid-fight.

Finally, a simple 2x cronen sight helps accurately place shots during hectic room clearing while providing some mid-range versatility. While outslaying quicker killing SMGs requires finesse, the Minibak certainly pulls its weight.

#6 Fennec 45

• Overview: The fastest killing automatic close quarters weapon in MW2. Extreme fire rate with intense recoil.
• Key Strengths:
  • Unrivaled TTK up to 7m
  • Great sprint out, handling, and mobility
• Ideal Attachments:
  • ZLR8 Torrent
  • FSS Sharkfin Grip
  • Slimline Pro or Cronen Red Dot
  • 45 Hollow Point Ammo

Earning its reputation as an ultra-fast firing “pocket LMG,” the Fennec 45 boasts the fastest fully automatic TTK in MW2 out to about 7 meters. Up close, nothing else kills faster.

However, that insane 1300RPM fire rate comes at the cost of unruly recoil that requires strong compensation. But for clearing interior objectives and room to room CQB, that TTK rivals shotgun stopping power.

I recommend the ZLR8 barrel to maximize damage range and bullet velocity which lets you challenge enemies at ranges up to 12m reliably. The hidden hip fire buff also nicely complements aggressive play.

Managing recoil then becomes priority number one. The Sharkfin underbarrel is crucial to resisting camera shake and flinch when aiming down sights. An easier to see reflex optic like Slimline Pro enhances target acquisition.

Finally 45 hollow point ammo reduces shots to kill by 1 within 12 meters to stack that lethal close quarters TTK even more in your favor.

While niche, in tiny maps with interior spaces like Shipment, Standoff, or Mercado Las Almas, the Fennec‘s blistering fully automatic TTK can‘t be matched.

#7 Kastov-74u

• Overview: Despite being classified as an AR, this hybrid SMG has mobility to rival meta SMGs.
• Key Strengths:
  • Excellent handling and fast TTK
  • Versatile and consistent at range
• Ideal Attachments:
  MX Silencer
  VLK 105mm Barrel
  FSS Sharkfin 90 Grip
  45 Round Mags

Despite being categorized as an assault rifle, the Kastov-74u AK platform has handling and mobility rivaling top tier SMGs making it the ultimate versatile run ‘n gun hybrid to unlock.

Boasting the fastest movement speed among assault rifles and stellar ADS time, its TTK outclasses SMGs past 15 meters as well. Plus solid iron sights and range retain accuracy during sustained fire at distance.

For attachments, focus on recoil mitigation, mobility, and ammo capacity. The MX silencer notably reduces recoil on top of hiding you from radar. The 105mm VLK barrel shortens range, but in turn accelerates handling.

I also love the added horizontal and vertical recoil control from the Sharkfin underbarrel. 45 round mags offset the marginal 30 round default capacity which requires frequent reloading mid-fight when clearing objectives.

In all, the Kastov-74u breaks the assault rifle mold with great mobility making it uniquely lethal and consistent enough at most multiplayer ranges to satisfy run ‘n gunners.

Closing Thoughts

And there you have it – my definitive guide to the current best SMGs to equip for run ‘n gun aggressive styles of play in MW2 multiplayer. No matter your budget for loadout unlocks, you‘re sure to find a lethal option here to start slaying your way to the top of scoreboards.

While future balancing patches could shake up or even dethrone top weapons, if your reaction time and aim are solid, these lightning fast bullet hoses have all the right stats to amplify your skill when the action gets up close and personal.

Just be sure to play to the niche strengths I highlighted for each gun and augment them further with the right attachments to truly dominate. Mix and match and find what feels best for you!

Let me know which SMG stands out as your new favorite or if you have any other loadout recommendations in the comments! Want to squad up? Add me on Battle.net. Enjoy the grind and happy fragging!