Key Takeaways for CS:GO Weapons Guide: SMGs
- The Mac-10 and MP9 are the only exclusive weapons for Ts and CTs, respectively.
- The UMP-45 has better close-range damage and armor penetration than two rifles.
- The P90 is the most expensive SMG at $2350.
A Brief Overview of SMGs in CS:GO
Submachine guns, more commonly referred to as SMGs, are fully-automatic weapons a player can purchase on the in-game buy menu as their primary weapon. These guns are in the middle of the pack with regards to damage and efficiency, as they definitely present a bigger threat compared to pistols but still don’t quite reach the explosiveness rifles possess.
There are seven SMGs available for use in-game, with only two coming as exclusives to either the Terrorists or Counter-Terrorist. Advantages of using SMGs include their very forgiving accuracy while moving, high rate of fire, and of course budget-friendly price.
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Mac-10
The Mac-10 comes as the cheapest SMG in the game and is available on the T-side with a 30-round magazine and 100 in reserve. For a mere $1050, only $350 more expensive than a Desert Eagle, one can enjoy a weapon with a high rate of fire whilst dealing a fair amount of damage in close-range fights.
It doesn’t come without drawbacks, however, as its armor penetration is nearly nonexistent especially from longer ranges and it comes with a hefty recoil. A favorite in early rounds and non-professional play, the Mac-10’s disadvantages make it not the most viable of options when the stakes are a lot higher.
UMP-45
The UMP-45, or UMP for short, is among the best SMGs in the game and will only set you back $1200. It comes with 25 bullets in the magazine and quadruple that amount in reserve, but its ammunition count is probably the only thing not to love about it. It has the highest damage output and armor penetration of all SMGs and even beats out two rifles, the FAMAS and Galil AR, in close quarters.
The UMP’s slower fire rate compared to the rest of the list gives the weapon a much-needed balance to counter its already impressive damage output, and even that isn’t much of a setback on its own. The UMP’s spray is very much learnable and controllable, making it a workable option even from mid-range.
MP9
The MP9 is the Counter-Terrorist equivalent of the Mac-10 as it occupies the same buy slot when changing sides. It costs $1250 and comes with 30 rounds in the magazine and 120 in reserve, with the weapon mostly garnering use in quick rounds such as site rushes and anti-eco situations.
Pretty much built for running around and wreaking havoc all across the map, the MP9 has high accuracy while running, jumping, and pretty much everything else a player can do in the game. Despite its low damage and armor penetration, the pace in which bullets fly out still gives the MP9 a decent amount of playing time.
PP-Bizon
The PP-Bizon boasts the highest ammunition capacity of all SMGs with 64 in the magazine and 120 in reserve, which also makes it among the largest in the entire game. It comes at a cheap price point of only $1400, with its best features being a speedy rate of fire and reload time alongside its minimal recoil and accuracy dropoff while moving.
The PP-Bizon falls short in some of the most crucial aspects of any weapon though such as damage, armor penetration, and range making practically every other SMG on this list a much more preferred choice. Due to its drawbacks, it comes with a reputation of being more a ‘meme gun’ used only by most for a quick laugh with the exception of a select few that wield it on a consistent basis.
MP7
The MP7 is one of the pricier SMG options in the game at $1500, but it also comes with a good chunk of things to like about it. It comes off as slower than the other weapons on this list while moving but makes up for running speed with a decent damage output, fire rate and accuracy on the go. Even with 30 bullets in the magazine and 120 in reserve, the MP7 mostly gets usage time in close-quartered scenarios due to its slow reload time.
MP5-SD
The MP5-SD, commonly referred to as just the MP5, is the only SMG to come with a silencer and the counterpart to the MP7 as both weapons take up the same buy menu slot costing $1500. Its differences to the MP7 are very minimal, with both having the same ammunition count, rate of fire, and armor penetration. The MP5-SD deals slightly less damage but improves by a slim margin on reload time, running speed, and accuracy.
P90
The P90 is the most expensive weapon on this list coming at $2350, yet still remains an extremely popular choice and one of the best SMGs in-game. For a price point that belongs in rifle territory one gets merely 50 bullets in the magazine and 100 in reserve, which doesn’t seem like the greatest of bargains until weapon stats are considered.
Its steep cost is backed up by high fire rate and armor penetration, however what makes it truly stand out lies in its accuracy. The P90 is accurate from close-to-mid-range while standing still or running which makes it a favorite on faster-paced rounds.
