If you want to dominate up close in Black Ops 6, then you can’t go wrong with a meta SMG, with these being among the best weapons in the game.

This year’s Call of Duty doesn’t have the biggest lineup of guns, but the ones that are there all serve a unique purpose. While Assault Rifles are great all-rounders, its SMGs that are the kings of close-quarters engagements.

But with several to choose from and all of them being at least viable, it can be really hard to figure out which are the best SMGs to use. To help you out, we’ve ranked them all and put together the best loadouts for the standout options.

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Best SMG loadouts in BO6

1. Jackal PDW

Dexerto

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip

The Jackal PDW was the standout weapon during the beta, and it remains the best SMG even now in Season 2 Reloaded. There’s a good reason why this is the SMG that pros prefer, with its predictable recoil and competitive TTK making it an accessible yet powerful option. It doesn’t quite have the same punch as the C9 or KSV, but its recoil is much easier to control as it kicks almost exclusively vertically.

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If you value consistency and ease of use above everything else, this is the best submachine gun you can use. This weapon’s exceptional ease of use also makes it easier to keep shots on target from further away, meaning the Jackal PDW has better range than you might expect, especially with the Long Barrel equipped.

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2. C9

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• Muzzle:Compensator
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Flig Mag
• Rear Grip:Ergonomic Grip

Although it’s the first SMG you get your hands on, its impressive versatility makes the C9 one of the top options. Regardless of whether you are just getting started or have already reached Master Prestige, it is a fantastic weapon that dominates up close. The C9 has very few weaknesses, with it being the most well-rounded submachine gun in the game.

The best C9 build doubles down on its versatility by improving several key stats across the board. The Compensator and Vertical Foregrip boost recoil control, the Flip Mag improves reload speed, and the Long Barrel provides a massive boost to range. With this loadout, you’ll be able to outgun assault rifles and SMGs alike, both up close and even at medium range if you’ve got the skill required.

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3. KSV

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• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Compensator
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip

When it comes to raw power, it doesn’t get much better than the KSV. This formidable SMG is capable of downing an enemy in just 225 ms. That’s the second-fastest TTK of any submachine gun, only beaten by the Kompakt 92. However, this is a way better gun than the Kompakt, as it is more accurate, has more range, and offers higher mobility stats across the board.

While the KSV is dominant up close, it does struggle somewhat at medium range. This can be improved by using the Long Barrel and the Compensator, which boost damage range and recoil control, respectively. All things considered, this isn’t quite absolute meta, but its vast upsides make it a fan favorite for those who love playing aggressively.

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4. Tanto .22

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• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Compensator
• Barrel:Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

In many ways, the Tanto .22 is the polar opposite of the Jackal PDW, boasting a slower rate of fire but much higher damage per shot. This makes for a weapon that’s perfect for mid-range duels, so if you like the feel of an SMG but don’t want to be left exposed on larger maps, this is the pick for you.

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It already kills faster than most other Black Ops 6 guns, but the Rapid Fire mod brings the TTK down to blistering speeds. The extra recoil this produces can be largely offset by using a Compensator, which keeps the Tanto feeling nice and accurate. You’ll also want to use the Ergonomic Grip to improve handling, as this gun can feel a little sluggish without it.

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5. Saug

Dexerto

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip

The Saug isn’t the best weapon from a statistical standpoint, but it does feel really good to use. With its fast fire rate and impressive accuracy, this is both a strong option up close and at medium range, which isn’t the case for most other SMGs. Sometimes a gun manages to be great even if its stats are nothing special, and that’s exactly the case with the Saug.

Its impressive adaptability makes it comparable to the C9, with both excelling in a wide range of areas. However, the Saug isn’t quite as good, with its slower TTK being a hindrance in more competitive lobbies. If you do try this gun, we highly recommend using the Vertical Foregrip, as it has a lot of horizontal recoil, which makes being accurate more difficult than it needs to be.

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All Black Ops 6 SMGs ranked

RANK	WEAPON	TTK (ms)
1	Jackal PDW	264
2	C9	246
3	KSV	225
4	Tanto .22	272
5	Saug	264
6	PPSh-41	252
7	PP-919	288
8	Kompakt 92	220

Meta analysis

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The Jackal PDWand C9are frontrunners in Season 2 Reloaded’s meta, with both being fantastic options if you want to dominate using an SMG. They offer a great balance of damage, recoil control, and range that makes them competitive on every map and mode you’ll play.

While not quite on the same level, the Tanto .22, Saug, and KSV are all very good guns that are more than capable of dominating just about any lobby. Likewise, the new PPSh-41added in Season 2 only barely missed out on our top 5, with its incredible fire rate making it a good alternative to the Saug. Most of these guns are interchangable, so feel free to try them all and see what works best for you.

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As for the PP-919, it’s a solid option with Rapid Fire equipped, but it still loses out to most other SMGs because it’s lacking in the damage department. In contrast, the Kompakt 92 has the fastest TTK of any submachine gun yet is still the worst overall option due to its poor range and sporadic recoil.

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That’s everything you need to know about the best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6. For more guidance, check out our BO6 gun tier list that ranks all of the game’s weapons from best to worst, as well as how the assault rifles compare to one another.

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