Modern Warfare 2 employs a completely new Gunsmith and attachment system. Instead of unlocking the same attachment over and over again for different guns, each weapon now unlocks its own unique set of attachments.
Some of these attachments are universal, which means they can be used on any weapon once unlocked. However, this means that you may have to spend time with a gun you have otherwise no interest in leveling, just to access a specific attachment.
Here’s a look at the best muzzle attachments in the game and how to unlock them, courtesy of YouTuber TheXclusiveAce.
How to unlock the best muzzle attachments in Modern Warfare 2
These muzzle attachments are geared toward improving recoil control, or vertical recoil in particular.
While horizontal recoil is generally harder to control than vertical recoil, most guns in Modern Warfare 2 start off with some vertical kick, and will benefit the most from attachments designed to tame vertical movement.
XTEN Ported 290
The XTEN Ported 290 offers vertical recoil control at the expense of aim down sight speed and aiming stability. However, the latter downsides can be compensated by other attachments such as lasers or underbarrels.
It is used on a wide range of weapons in the game, so you should prioritize unlocking this first.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 41 to unlock the STB 556 assault rifle.
- Level the STB 556 to level 20 to unlock the HCR 56 LMG.
- Level the HCR 56 LMG to level 16 to unlock the XTEN Ported 290 muzzle.
Tempus GH50
The Tempus GH50 is very similar to the XTEN Ported 290, with the main difference being weapon compatibility. While the XTEN Ported 290 is equipped on weapons like the M4 and Kastov-74U, the Tempus GH50 is used on the Kastov 762.
Weapons such as the Kastov 762 with high vertical recoil will see a ton of benefit, helping you keep your shots on target.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 19 to unlock the TAQ-56 assault rifle.
- Level the TAQ-56 to level 11 to unlock the TAQ-V battle rifle.
- Level the TAQ-V to level 14 to unlock the Tempus GH50 muzzle.
XRK Sandstorm
SMGs like the Lachmann Sub do not use either the XTEN Ported 290 or the Tempus GH50. Instead, they have the XRK Sandstorm, which also has a focus on vertical recoil control.
Recoil control may not be as important as it is on an assault rifle because you’re going to be engaging at closer distances, but it still helps improve the overall handling and reliability of the weapon.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 25 to unlock the Fennec 45 SMG.
- Level the Fennec 45 to level 10 to unlock the XRK Sandstorm muzzle.
XRK Kraken
The XRK Kraken is a rather niche attachment that is used on only a few weapons in the game. However, one of them is the RAAL MG, arguably the best LMG in Modern Warfare 2.
The RAAL has an incredible time-to-kill of 108ms up to 41 meters, one of the lowest in the game. When paired with the XRK Kraken to keep its recoil in check, the RAAL is a veritable laser beam, even at long range.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 7 to unlock the SP-R 208 marksman rifle.
- Level the SP-R 208 to level 13 to unlock the SA-B 50 marksman rifle.
- Level the SA-B 50 to level 16 to unlock the LA-B 330 sniper rifle.
- Level the LA-B 330 to level 17 to unlock the SP-X 80.
- Level the SP-X 80 to level 11 to unlock the XRK Kraken muzzle.
Sakin Tread-40
The Sakin Tread-40 adds horizontal recoil control to the mix and is a good pick for weapons with more side-to-side sway.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 41 to unlock the STB 556 assault rifle.
- Level the STB 556 to level 4 to unlock the Sakin Tread-40.
There appear to be two versions of the Sakin Tread-40. While they share the same name, players will also need to level the RAPP H LMG to level 14 to unlock the attachment for all guns.
Bruen Pendulum
The Bruen Pendulum is the SMG’s version of the Sakin Tread-40. It is best paired with weapons like the Vaznev-9K, turning it into a terror that melts opponents at close range.
How to unlock
- Reach military rank 5 to unlock the PDSW 528 SMG.
- Level the PDSW 528 to level 29 to unlock the Bruen Pendulum muzzle.
