Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

MW3 (2011) USAS 12

ShotgunsAvailable once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4Takes camo
ShotgunsUSAS 12 — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) weapon render

How do you unlock the USAS 12?

The USAS 12 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011). It is a default six-shell fully automatic shotgun. Its immediate follow-ups help after an incomplete first blast, but the smallest shotgun magazine empties quickly. Its camo track finishes at Gold (Reach Weapon Level 31 with this shotgun).

UnlockDefault
Takes camoYes
Weapon level cap31
Gold camoWeapon Level 31 on this weapon
Attachment track5 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 USAS 12 play in MW3 (2011)?

Also written asUSAS-12
RoleStarting automatic close-range shotgun
Real-world basisDaewoo Precision USAS-12 selective-fire 12-gauge shotgun, represented in MW3 as fully automatic
StrengthsAvailable when Create-a-Class opens; Automatic follow-ups reduce the delay after a partial hit
TradeoffsSix shells are the smallest base shotgun capacity; Continuous fire creates a fast reload problem
Attachment trackGrip, Suppressor, Red Dot Sight, Holographic Sight, Extended Mags
Weapon proficienciesKick (Weapon Level 4), Focus (Weapon Level 9), Attachments (Weapon Level 14), Melee (Weapon Level 19), Range (Weapon Level 23), Damage (Weapon Level 28)
Attachments and Weapon ProficienciesGrip and Extended Mags support repeated close fights; The exact menu also includes Suppressor, Red Dot and Holographic sights
Proficiency notesFocus unlocks at Weapon Level 9; Range at 23 or Damage at 28 defines the late-track specialization
Challenge noteReach Weapon Level 31 with the USAS 12 to unlock Gold. MW3 (2011) does not use a headshot requirement for this camo.
Progression tipBuild XP on compact routes and use short automatic pairs instead of emptying the magazine into one uncertain target.
Camo tipFire a controlled follow-up only after the first pellet spread fails to finish the fight.
Compared withThe AA-12 is the later eight-shell automatic shotgun; the USAS 12 is available immediately.

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

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USAS 12 — common questions

What level does the USAS 12 unlock at in MW3 (2011)?

The USAS 12 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 USAS 12?

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 USAS 12 the final tier is Gold — Reach Weapon Level 31 with this shotgun.

Can you unlock the USAS 12 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 Shotguns

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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