MW3 (2011) M16A4

Assault RiflesAvailable once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4Takes camo

Assault Rifles M16A4 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) weapon render

How do you unlock the M16A4?

The M16A4 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011). It is a default 30-round burst rifle. It rewards centering all three rounds before pulling the trigger; an incomplete burst leaves a pause that automatic rifles do not share. Its camo track finishes at Gold (Reach Weapon Level 31 with this assault rifle).

UnlockDefault

Takes camoYes

Weapon level cap31

Gold camoWeapon Level 31 on this weapon

Attachment track11 weapon-level unlocks

Reviewed July 27, 2026. Primary mechanics were checked against extracted stock MW3 menu, progression and weapon-definition data, with official Activision, Xbox and platform material used for identity and progression context. Manufacturer and military sources support cautious real-world identifications. Gameplay advice is editorial. Scope: original 2011 competitive multiplayer under the final ruleset, not Modern Warfare III (2023), Campaign, Special Ops, Survival or mods.

Sources: Activision — Modern Warfare 3 (2011) · Official Activision PlayStation 3 manual · Official Modern Warfare 3 PC manual · Xbox Wire — MW3 weapon progression system · AlterWare — extracted stock MW3 menus and progression data · AlterWare — extracted MW3 statstable.csv · Extracted stock MW3 weapon definitions · Contemporaneous MW3 multiplayer guide · Call of Duty Wiki — Winter Camouflage history · Call of Duty Wiki — Marine Camouflage history · Call of Duty Wiki — Choco Camouflage history · Accuracy International — company history · Barrett — M107A1 operator manual · KelTec — KSG operator manual · FN — Five-seveN product history · B&T — MP9 operator manual · U.S. Army — XM25 system overview · U.S. Army — M320 GLM portfolio

How does the M16A4 play in MW3 (2011)?

RoleStarting three-round-burst precision rifle

Real-world basisColt M16A4-pattern 5.56 service rifle, represented in multiplayer as a three-round-burst weapon

StrengthsA fast internal burst concentrates several shots on one aim point; Controlled firing suits medium and long sightlines

TradeoffsA missed burst exposes the delay before the next trigger pull; Moving close targets are less forgiving than they are with full-auto fire

Attachment trackRed Dot Sight, Suppressor, M203 Grenade Launcher, ACOG Scope, Rapid Fire, Heartbeat Sensor, Holographic Sight, Underbarrel Shotgun, Hybrid Sight, Extended Mags, Thermal Scope

Weapon proficienciesKick (Weapon Level 4), Impact (Weapon Level 9), Attachments (Weapon Level 12), Focus (Weapon Level 16), Breath (Weapon Level 22), Stability (Weapon Level 28)

Attachments and Weapon ProficienciesA clear optic helps keep each burst centered; Suppressor is useful for deliberate flank routes when its range tradeoff fits the class

Proficiency notesFocus at Weapon Level 16 helps preserve burst placement under fire; Stability at 28 favors fixed long sightlines

Challenge noteReach Weapon Level 31 with the M16A4 to unlock Gold. MW3 (2011) does not use a headshot requirement for this camo.

Progression tipBuild weapon XP through complete bursts and attachment challenges instead of rushing repeated trigger inputs.

Camo tipUse the gap between bursts to correct the sight rather than firing again from the same missed position.

Compared withThe Type 95 also fires three-round bursts; it unlocks later and has a different burst rhythm.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full MW3 (2011) camo directory.

Browse camos

At a glance

Game	MW3 (2011)
Class	Assault Rifles
Unlock	Default
Takes camo	Yes
Role	Starting three-round-burst precision rifle
Fire mode	Three-round burst
Magazine	30 rounds
Weapon level	Max 31
Gold camo	Weapon Level 31
Attachment track	11 unlocks
Proficiencies	Kick (Lv 4), Impact (Lv 9), Attachments (Lv 12), Focus (Lv 16), Breath (Lv 22), Stability (Lv 28)
Camo ladder	Classic — Lv 3 · Snow — Lv 5 · Multicam — Lv 6 · Digital Urban — Lv 8 · Hex — Lv 10 · Choco — Lv 13 · Snake — Lv 18 · Blue — Lv 24 · Red — Lv 27 · Autumn — Lv 30 · Gold — Lv 31

Want it done for you?

Our MW3 (2011) MW3 Unlock All service includes Prestige 20, max level, max tokens and Double XP/Weapon XP, with every weapon, attachment and camo plus colored classes (Xbox 360 Recovery), from $19.99.

See MW3 (2011) services

M16A4 — common questions

What level does the M16A4 unlock at in MW3 (2011)?

The M16A4 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) multiplayer. The level cap is 80, and prestige is up to 20 in the final multiplayer ruleset; 10 at launch.

How do you unlock camos on the M16A4?

Camo progress is per-weapon. Every camo-eligible weapon earns Classic (Weapon Level 3), Snow (Weapon Level 5–6 by class), Multicam (Weapon Level 6–8 by class), Digital Urban (Weapon Level 8–11 by class), Hex (Weapon Level 10–16 by class), Choco (Weapon Level 13–20 by class), Snake (Weapon Level 18–23 by class), Blue (Weapon Level 21–25 by class), Red (Weapon Level 26–27 by class), Autumn (Weapon Level 29–30 by class), Gold (Weapon Level 31) in order as that weapon levels up. Weapon levels are tracked per weapon, so each camo must be unlocked separately on each gun. On the M16A4 the final tier is Gold — Reach Weapon Level 31 with this assault rifle.

Can you unlock the M16A4 for me?

Yes — our MW3 (2011) MW3 Unlock All service covers Prestige 20, max level, max tokens and Double XP/Weapon XP, with every weapon, attachment and camo plus colored classes (Xbox 360 Recovery), from $19.99. See the service.