Best M16 Loadout: Modern Warfare 3 & Warzone 2

The M16 is currently an C-Tier weapon. We breakdown our best M16 loadout and provide all the attachment tuning and recommended perks, tactical, and lethal equipment.

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The M16 is an AR and was released with the launch of MW2 on October 28th, 2022. It may be used in Warzone 2 and weapon progress carries over into MW3.

M16 Key Takeaways

  • The M16 is currently a B-Tier option in the MW3 meta and a B-Tier option in the Warzone 2 meta
  • The current best loadout attachments for the M16 in MW3 are: FSS OLE-V Laser, Cronen Mini Dot, FSS Sharkfin 90, 5.56 Armor Piercing, and Sakin ZX Grip
  • The current best loadout attachments for the M16 in Warzone 2 are: FTAC Castle Comp, Cronen Mini Pro, FTAC Ripper 56, Corio Precio Factory, and 60 Round Mag

For a meta AR loadout check out the Kastov 762.

Best M16 Loadout Warzone

  • Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
  • Barrel: Cronen Mini Pro
  • Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56
  • Stock: Corio Precio Factory
  • Magazine: 60 Round Mag

Best M16 Loadout MW3

  • Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
  • Optic: Cronen Mini Dot
  • Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
  • Ammunition: 5.56 Armor Piercing
  • Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip

Best M16 Loadout MW2

  • Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
  • Optic: Cronen Mini Dot
  • Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
  • Ammunition: 5.56 Armor Piercing
  • Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip

Unlocking the M16

To unlock the M16 players first need to unlock the 556 Icarus by leveling up the M4 to level 15.

Players can then level up the 556 Icarus to level 12 to unlock the M16. 

M16 Camo Challenges

Players must reach the required weapon level before challenge progress can be made towards unlocking the camo.

M16 Multiplayer Camo Challenges

CamoChallengeUnlock Level
Modern WoodlandGet 50 kills with the M162
Marsh DigitalGet 10 double kills with the M166
Dank ForestGet 30 kills while crouched with the M1611
IntoxicateGet 20 kills while mounted with the M1615
GoldGet 3 kills without dying 10 times with the M16Complete all base camo challenges
PlatinumGet 25 longshot kills with the M16Complete 8 Gold challenges with ARs
PolyatomicGet 25 headshot kills with the M16Complete 51 Platinum camo challenges
OrionN/AComplete 51 Polyatomic camo challenges

M16 Zombie Camo Challenges

CamoChallengeUnlock Level
Guttural ShriekIn Zombies, Get 250 kills with the M162
Maggot DigitalIn Zombies, Get 100 kills on enemies affected by your tactical with the M166
BogIn Zombies, Get 200 Critical kills with the M1611
Putrid RotIn Zombies, Get 10 kills without reloading 10 times with the M1615
Golden IvoryIn Zombies, Get 100 kills and successfully extract with the M16 in a single deploymentComplete all zombie base camo challenges
Spinel HuskIn Zombies, Get 300 kills with the M16 while it’s Pack-A-PunchedComplete 8 Golden Ivory challenges with ARs
ArachnidaIn Zombies, Get 10 Special or Elite Zombie kills with the M16Complete 51 Spinal Husk camo challenges
BioluminescentN/AComplete 51 Arachnida camo challenges

Looking to test your M16 loadouts?

Zleague.gg has one of the largest communities of Warzone players on our mobile app. Download the app today and try the LFG feature to form new squads.

You can also test out your loadouts in competitive play with Z League’s Warzone tournaments. All of Z League’s tournaments leverage proprietary skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) algorithms to ensure that you’re always placed in a division with similarly-skilled players.