Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

MW3 (2011) MP5

Submachine GunsAvailable once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4Takes camo
Submachine GunsMP5 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) weapon render

How do you unlock the MP5?

The MP5 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011). It is a default 30-round fully automatic SMG. Quick close pressure makes it useful on compact routes, while recoil and falloff ask for shorter bursts when the fight stretches out. Its camo track finishes at Gold (Reach Weapon Level 31 with this smg).

UnlockDefault
Takes camoYes
Weapon level cap31
Gold camoWeapon Level 31 on this weapon
Attachment track8 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 MP5 play in MW3 (2011)?

RoleStarting close-range SMG
Real-world basisHeckler & Koch MP5A2-pattern 9x19mm submachine gun
StrengthsAvailable when Create-a-Class opens; A quick firing rhythm supports aggressive short routes
TradeoffsThirty rounds are the smallest base SMG magazine; Distant automatic strings lose both control and efficiency
Attachment trackRed Dot Sight, Suppressor, Rapid Fire, ACOG Scope, Holographic Sight, Hybrid Sight, Extended Mags, Thermal Scope
Weapon proficienciesKick (Weapon Level 4), Range (Weapon Level 9), Attachments (Weapon Level 12), Focus (Weapon Level 15), Melee (Weapon Level 21), Stability (Weapon Level 28)
Attachments and Weapon ProficienciesSuppressor supports flank routes; Extended Mags adds room for consecutive close fights; Rapid Fire intensifies the close role but spends the magazine sooner
Proficiency notesRange unlocks at Weapon Level 9; Attachments at 12 can combine two supported accessories
Challenge noteReach Weapon Level 31 with the MP5 to unlock Gold. MW3 (2011) does not use a headshot requirement for this camo.
Progression tipKeep fights close and cycle through attachment challenges so this starting SMG earns weapon XP efficiently.
Camo tipCenter before rounding a corner and release the trigger when the target escapes the close-range advantage.
Compared withThe UMP45 fires more deliberately and carries two additional rounds; the MP5 applies follow-ups more quickly.

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

Browse camos

MP5 — common questions

What level does the MP5 unlock at in MW3 (2011)?

The MP5 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 MP5?

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 MP5 the final tier is Gold — Reach Weapon Level 31 with this smg.

Can you unlock the MP5 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.

More Submachine Guns

All Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) weapons →
UMP45 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)UMP45Default · Submachine GunsPP90M1 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)PP90M1Level 28 · Submachine GunsP90 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)P90Level 38 · Submachine GunsPM-9 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)PM-9Level 56 · Submachine GunsMP7 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)MP7Level 74 · Submachine Guns

Skip the grind

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) servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page