Looking to dominate the battlefield in Modern Warfare 3 with the RAM-9? This submachine gun has quickly become a meta powerhouse thanks to its blistering fire rate and deadly close-range damage. Master the art of controlling its heavy recoil and maximize your mobility with our expertly crafted best RAM-9 loadout and class build, designed to help you shred opponents across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Ready to melt enemies and rack up kills? Here’s the ultimate guide to unleashing the full potential of the RAM-9 in MW3 Season 2 and beyond.
The RAM-9 has quickly become one of the frontrunners in the SMG category and has landed a spot on our list of the best guns in MW3 as of Season 2. We’ve identified the best attachments for this fast-firing weapon of destruction that mean you can use this up close and personal or at quite a distance and maintain both the accuracy and damage you need.
Here is the best RAM-9 loadout in MW3, the best class to use alongside it, and how to unlock the gun in the first place.
How to unlock the RAM-9 in MW3
In Modern Warfare 3, the RAM-9 SMG is unlocked by progressing to Sector B6 in the Season 2 Battle Pass. Once you reach this tier, the RAM-9 becomes available for use and customization. This weapon, modeled after the real-life IWI Tavor CTAR-21, offers a wide range of attachments that can be unlocked as you level it up, allowing you to tailor it to your preferred playstyle. Unlocking the RAM-9 through the Season 2 Battle Pass is the primary method, making it accessible to players who participate in the seasonal content.
To unlock the RAM-9, you must complete sector B6 on the Season 2 battle pass map. This is only two sectors away from the start, so the quickest route is B1-B3-B6, and you’ll only need 15 battle pass tokens to get there. What’s even better is that the RAM-9 is free, so you don’t need to purchase the battle pass with COD points or real money to acquire it, which is the same as our best BP50 loadout. Once Season 2 is over, you’ll likely be able to acquire the RAM-9 via an armory unlock challenge.
Best RAM-9 loadout in MW3
The best RAM-9 loadout in Modern Warfare 3 focuses on maximizing the weapon’s strengths in close-quarters combat by enhancing recoil control, mobility, and firepower. Key attachments include the ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider to reduce recoil, the DR-6 Handstop for stability, the Recon Comb for faster sprint-to-fire speed, a 40 or 50 Round Mag for ample ammunition, and the Retort 90 Grip Tape to improve handling. Complementing this setup with perks like Quick Fix, Double Time, and High Alert, along with equipment such as flash or frag grenades, creates a versatile and powerful class build ideal for aggressive playstyles. This loadout has become the meta choice for players aiming to dominate with the RAM-9 in MW3 multiplayer and Warzone modes.
Here is the best RAM-9 loadout in Modern Warfare 3:
- Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
- Barrel: Speedway V5 Short Barrel
- Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical Grip
- Rear Grip: Retort 90 Grip Tape
- Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
As mentioned above, the goal here is to reduce the recoil, which most of the attachments contribute to. The ZEHMN35 muzzle has the added bonus of shortening your radar pings when you shoot, sacrificing a little ADS speed and bullet velocity, while the Speedway V5 barrel does the same but also buffs the sprint to fire speed. However, thanks to the SL Skeletal Vertical Grip, this is canceled out, and the only real loser here is the hipfire and tac stance spread. Toward the rear of the gun, the Retort 90 Grip Tape again mostly assists with recoil control, as does the HVS 3.4 Pad.
The RAM-9 has 32 bullets per magazine and a fairly quick reload time, which means an extended mag attachment isn’t strictly necessary, but if you find yourself running out of bullets too quickly, consider swapping the Speedway V5 barrel for one. The iron sight is also fairly decent on the RAM-9, but if you prefer an optical sight, any standard red dot will do the job.
Best RAM-9 class in MW3
The best RAM-9 class in Modern Warfare 3 combines high mobility, excellent recoil control, and a fast time to kill, making it a top choice for close to mid-range combat. Key attachments include the Purifier Muzzle Brake S to reduce horizontal recoil, the XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop for improved sprint-to-fire speed and recoil control, the HVS 3.4 Pad stock to stabilize aim and reduce gun kick, the 50 Round Mag for sustained fire, and the Retort 90 Grip Tape to further enhance recoil and firing stability. This setup allows players to maintain aggressive movement while delivering precise, rapid shots, dominating in various combat scenarios across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
Here is the best class to use with the RAM-9 in Modern Warfare 3:
- Vest: Ninja Vest
- Handgun: Renetti
- Tactical: Stun Grenade
- Lethal: Throwing Knife
- Field Upgrade: ACS
- Boots: Stalker Boots
- Gear: EOD Padding
You’ll be doing a lot of running with this RAM-9 loadout, and there’s nothing worse than when someone knows your exact locations thanks to your footsteps, so the Ninja Vest is ideal thanks to its ability to eliminate footstep sounds. It also makes you immune to movement reduction effects, gives you bonus Throwing Knife ammo, and resupplies those Throwing Knives every 25 seconds, so you needn’t worry as much about picking them back up.
The Renetti is the best handgun in the game, so it’s a no-brainer pick here, and the same goes for the Stun Grenade. Obviously, we’ve gone for the Throwing Knife as the lethal option, while our Field Upgrade of choice is the ACS to help you secure those objectives. If you’re playing a mode where the ACS isn’t useful – such as Search & Destroy or Team Deathmatch – swap it out for a Trophy System or Suppression Mine.
The Stalker Boots are immensely useful when you’re on the move and aiming down the sights often, although the Lightweight Boots, Climbing Boots, and Running Sneakers are all helpful too if you prefer something else. EOD Padding will protect you from explosive effects such as grenades, or you can opt for a Tac Mask for more protection from Stun and Flash Grenades. Alternatively, consider the Ghost T/V Camo for UAV protection.
For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to Tactical Stance, and check our guides on the best TAQ Evolvere loadout, best Striker loadout, best SVS 545 loadout, best XRK Stalker loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.
What makes the RAM-9 the top choice for Modern Warfare 3 players
The RAM-9 has become a top choice for Modern Warfare 3 players primarily due to its exceptionally high rate of fire and strong close-range damage, making it a lethal weapon in tight combat scenarios. Its aggressive stat package, compared to the RAM-7, offers players a powerful SMG option for close-quarters engagements. What truly sets the RAM-9 apart is its potential for excellent recoil control when equipped with the right attachments, allowing for precise aiming and sustained fire without sacrificing mobility. This combination of raw firepower and controllability, especially when using builds that focus on firing aim stability and recoil reduction, makes the RAM-9 a formidable weapon that can dominate in both PC and console play. Additionally, its versatility is enhanced by attachments that enable stealth play or maximize ammo capacity, catering to different playstyles.
What specific features of the RAM-9 give it an edge over other SMGs in MW3
Several features give the RAM-9 an edge over other SMGs in Modern Warfare 3:
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High Fire Rate and Damage Output The RAM-9 boasts a very high fire rate and significant damage output in close-quarters combat, making it extremely effective in face-to-face gunfights. It can kill in five shots anywhere to the body within its maximum damage range, offering a fast time-to-kill (TTK).
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Favorable Damage Profile Unlike some SMGs that require upper-body shots for optimal performance, the RAM-9 is more forgiving, as it can achieve a five-shot kill with shots anywhere on the body within its effective range.
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Effective Headshot Multiplier The RAM-9 is one of the few SMGs in Modern Warfare 3 where headshots can significantly improve TTK in close quarters. Landing one headshot combined with three body shots results in a very quick kill.
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Manageable Recoil While it has some recoil that zigs and zags, the RAM-9’s recoil is primarily vertical with limited horizontal deviation, making it manageable and predictable. With the right attachments, its recoil can be greatly reduced, allowing players to challenge targets at longer distances.
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Mobility The RAM-9 has above-average sprint movement speed, which allows players to move around the map quickly.
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Magazine Size It comes with 32 rounds in the magazine by default, providing more stopping power per magazine compared to some other SMGs. A 50-round magazine attachment is available, which doesn’t significantly hinder movement speed.
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Versatility The RAM-9 is effective in various combat scenarios and can be adapted to different playstyles with the right attachments, including stealth and aggressive approaches.
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Aiming Stability The RAM-9 can be configured for more accurate firing with attachments that improve firing aim stability.
