Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War PPSh-41

Submachine GunsUnlocked at Level 53No weapon camos
Submachine GunsPPSh-41 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the PPSh-41?

The PPSh-41 unlocks at Level 53 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). The fastest-firing SMG in the roster uses a 35-round box magazine and wins by flooding close routes with bullets. Its lower per-bullet damage and rapid ammunition use demand tracking and reload discipline; the 70-round Round Drum turns it into a sustained-pressure weapon. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 53
Weapon camosNot in this game
The correct multiplayer attachment thresholds are 25 kills for Aperture Sight and 75 kills for Round Drum; some general challenge tables shift them later.

Reviewed July 26, 2026. Weapon ranks and Marksman requirements were checked against original World at War multiplayer rank and challenge tables plus contemporaneous platform guides; historical models were cross-checked against museum and firearm-reference records. Loadout advice is editorial. Multiplayer only — not Campaign, Zombies, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), or later games.

Sources: Official World at War manual · Prima official game guide sample · Contemporaneous multiplayer guide · World at War challenge reference · Weapon camouflage reference

How does the PPSh-41 play in World at War?

RoleExtreme-fire-rate close-range SMG
Real-world basisSoviet PPSh-41 submachine gun
StrengthsVery high fire rate is forgiving during close tracking; Round Drum doubles capacity after only 75 kills
TradeoffsConsumes ammunition extremely quickly; Lower per-shot damage makes distant fights inefficient
AttachmentsAperture Sight — 25 kills; Round Drum — 75 kills; It has no Suppressor tier; Round Drum is the distinctive progression target
Challenge noteExpert I-III use 25, 75 and 150 headshots for 100, 500 and 1,000 XP. They unlock no weapon camo.
Use tipStart firing only when you can keep the target centered. The fire rate covers small aim errors but wastes a magazine quickly if you spray before contact.
Compared withIt fires faster than the Thompson, MP40 and Type 100; the MP40 is more economical when each bullet must carry more damage.

No multiplayer weapon camos — Expert headshot challenges award XP, not skins. See the camo, perk and Pack-a-Punch distinctions.

Read the camo explainer

PPSh-41 — common questions

What level does the PPSh-41 unlock at in World at War?

The PPSh-41 unlocks at Level 53 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008) multiplayer. The level cap is 65, and prestige is up to 10 on all main multiplayer platforms.

Does the PPSh-41 take camos?

No — the PPSh-41 cannot equip weapon camouflage in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). Its Marksman kill challenges unlock attachments, while Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

Can you unlock the PPSh-41 for me?

Yes — our World at War Unlock All service covers prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99. See the service.

More Submachine Guns

All Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapons →
Thompson — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)ThompsonLevel 1 · Submachine GunsMP40 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)MP40Level 10 · Submachine GunsType 100 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Type 100Level 25 · Submachine Guns

Skip the grind

Our World at War Unlock All service includes prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99.

See World at War servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page