MW4 Weapon Unlock Levels: All 33 Launch Weapons

According to Activision’s pre-launch tables, Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 with 33 weapons, and 9 of them are ready at Player Level 4, when Create-a-Class opens. The rest unlock one by one up to Level 55. The last three are the Axion at Level 52, the PM-40 Anvil launcher at 54 and the Cronen Squall assault rifle at Level 55.

Every level below comes from Activision’s Ready for Launch weapons post, published October 19, 2026. Seven weapons are listed at two different levels across Activision’s two posts, and we flag each one. If you want the late guns without the grind, a MW4 rank boost takes an account to Level 55.

Which MW4 weapons are unlocked at the start?

Before Level 4 you can only pick premade Default Loadouts. Activision’s post says Create-a-Class “unlocks at Player Level 4”, and these 9 weapons are available the moment it does:

• Assault rifle: Han 86
• SMG: ISO Nightshade
• Shotgun: Rezi 12
• LMG: FiNN LMG
• Marksman rifle: MAR-9
• Sniper rifle: KG-7 Vulcan
• Pistol: SANG 9mm
• Launcher: PILA
• Melee: FSS Carbon Edge 1095 knife

That is one starter weapon in every class, so nobody is locked out of a playstyle on day one. The full set is 24 primary weapons, 8 secondaries (4 pistols and 4 launchers) and 1 melee weapon.

MW4 weapon unlock levels for all 33 launch weapons

The table is sorted by Player Level. “Max weapon level” is how many levels the weapon itself has before Weapon Prestige opens up, along with its Apex Attachment where one is available.

* These six guns show a different level on their own weapon card. † The Warlord is listed at 31 in the progression appendix. In both cases we use the per-class unlock table, pending a check in-game after launch. See the next section.

MW4 Rank Boost (Level 1–55)Rank boost to Level 55, where the Cronen Squall is the last weapon to unlock.Coming soonView offer

MW4 weapons with conflicting unlock levels

Activision gives each weapon’s unlock level three times: in the per-class unlock tables and on each weapon’s card in the weapons post, and again in the level-by-level appendix of the companion progression and Prestige post. For seven weapons the three do not all match. Our list uses the per-class unlock table in every case. These are pre-launch figures, not confirmed in-game values.

The in-game Progression screen in Activision’s own screenshot shows the VEL 46 at Level 5, which backs the table version for that gun. For the other six, including the Warlord, the final number is to be confirmed when the game is live on October 23.

Unlock levels by weapon class

If you are working toward one kind of weapon, this is when each class fills out. Levels marked * or † are disputed in Activision’s own posts, as explained above.

• Assault rifles (8): Han 86 (4), M4 (14), Hyeon Burst (21), Patriot XMR (27), Kastov 762 (34), Oden (39), Axion (52), Cronen Squall (55).
• SMGs (5): ISO Nightshade (4), VEL 46 (5*), Wz.55 Striga (18*), PPSh-41 (30*), X-58 Nyx (46*).
• Shotguns (2): Rezi 12 (4), Warlord (32†).
• LMGs (3): FiNN LMG (4), Type 73 (9), APOC-338 (44).
• Marksman rifles (3): MAR-9 (4), Oris 8.6 (11), Mosin-Nagant (36).
• Sniper rifles (3): KG-7 Vulcan (4), Astaroth .57 (25*), Signal 50 (50*).
• Pistols (4): SANG 9mm (4), Krait P68 (7), .50 GS (41), Mojave .357 (48).
• Launchers (4): PILA (4), RPG-8 (23), JOKR (43), PM-40 Anvil (54).

Assault rifles are the slowest class to complete. Three of the eight arrive after Level 38, and the last one only appears at the level cap. Our guide on how to level up fast in MW4 covers every confirmed XP source for getting there. Perks and equipment unlock on the same level track; see MW4 perks and MW4 Field Upgrades and equipment.

How weapon levels and attachments work in MW4

Unlocking a gun is only step one. Each weapon then levels up on its own, earning a new attachment each time it gains a level if it takes attachments, until it hits the max level in the table above. Launchers and the knife have no attachment types listed. Activision lists a few rules that change how long that takes:

• Attachments unlock once. An attachment you earn on one gun is available on every gun that can use it.
• Bonus Level Up. If a weapon level would give you an attachment you already own, you skip that level.
• Apex Attachment. Reaching a weapon’s max level unlocks its Apex Attachment, which does not use one of the normal attachment slots. Launchers and the knife have none. Our MW4 Apex Attachments guide covers what each one does.
• Weapon Prestige. At max level you can reset the gun to Level 1 for the Pyroclast camos. Apex and blueprint attachments stay unlocked.

The order you unlock guns also matters for camos, since camo challenges run per weapon. Our MW4 camo challenges list has the requirements for each weapon.

Do you lose weapon unlocks when you Prestige?

It depends on which Prestige track you pick after completing Level 55. Regular Prestige keeps every level unlock. Classic Prestige resets them, so you would earn the Cronen Squall at Level 55 again, unless you spend a Permanent Unlock Token on it or own one of its blueprints. In return you get a 20% XP boost and one Permanent Unlock Token per Prestige.

Activision suggests spending that token on perks, field upgrades, killstreaks or equipment rather than guns. Its reason: buying a weapon blueprint from the Store or a Battle Pass makes the base weapon permanently available anyway. Our Classic vs Regular Prestige guide compares the two tracks.

Each weapon also has its own optional Weapon Prestige track after Max Level; see our MW4 Weapon Prestige guide.

MW4 leveling and weapon boosting services

These cover the grind this page describes, from reaching Player Level 55 to maxing out the weapons you unlock along the way.

MW4 Rank Boost (Level 1–55)Player Level 1 to 55, the range that unlocks all 33 launch weapons.Coming soonView offer MW4 Weapon Leveling (Max Level + Apex Attachment)Takes one weapon to max level, which unlocks its Apex Attachment where the weapon has one.Coming soonView offer MW4 All Weapons Leveling BundleLevels every weapon, for players chasing Weapon Prestige and the Apex Attachments available across the arsenal.Coming soonView offer

Frequently asked questions

How many weapons does MW4 have at launch?

33: 24 primary weapons, 4 pistols, 4 launchers and 1 knife, according to Activision’s October 19 post.

What level do you unlock Create-a-Class in MW4?

Player Level 4. Before that you choose from premade Default Loadouts.

What is the last weapon to unlock in MW4?

The Cronen Squall assault rifle, at Player Level 55, the last level before Prestige, according to Activision’s pre-launch tables.

What level is the M4 in MW4?

Player Level 14. It has 72 weapon levels before its Apex Attachment, the M4 Hurricane.

What level does the Signal 50 unlock?

Activision’s unlock table and progression appendix both say Level 50, but the gun’s own card says Level 35. Not confirmed until launch.

Does Classic Prestige relock MW4 weapons?

Yes. Classic Prestige resets level unlocks, so guns have to be re-earned unless you spend a Permanent Unlock Token on one or own a blueprint for it; a Store or Battle Pass blueprint keeps the base weapon permanently available. Regular Prestige keeps all unlocks.

Sources and update history

• Activision, Ready for Launch: All Modern Warfare 4 Operators, Weapons, Equipment, and Multiplayer Create-a-Class Features, October 19, 2026.
• Activision, Ready for Launch: Modern Warfare 4 Progression and Prestige, October 19, 2026 (Multiplayer Progression Table appendix).

Update history: Published October 20, 2026. Facts last checked October 20, 2026 against the sources above.