Season 4 Reloaded of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has changed the meta in many ways. If you want to grind Ranked, dominate respawn lobbies, or lock down lanes in Hardpoint, submachine guns (SMGs) are the king in the close-quarters sandbox. With mobility buffs, recoil rebalances, and attachment reworks in Call of Duty Season 4 Reloaded, you can completely fine-tune your SMG loadout in Black Ops 6 and get yourself a strong melee weapon.
The latest update has stirred the pot, and many SMGs are now contenders for the best gun in the game. So, whether you’re a run-and-gunner or a mid-range flanker, here are the top SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6 Season 4 Reloaded, along with builds that will help you win more gunfights and control the map.
LC10
The LC10 is back from the CoD: Cold War and is evolved into a laserbeam hybrid SMG that dominates from short to mid-range. What makes this gun great in Season 4 Reloaded is its low recoil and amazing handling, which lets you stay locked onto targets even during their slide or sprint moves.
Where it works the best:
- Small-to-mid maps
- Players who prefer mobility and sustained gunfights
- Great hipfire and laser-accurate ADS
Recommended LC10 Loadout:
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Balanced or Infiltrator Stock
The LC10’s ability to take gunfights outside the 20m range makes it more flexible than high-recoil SMGs. It doesn’t win every duel, but it seldom puts you at a disadvantage.
KSV
If you’re looking for melt potential and don’t mind managing a little kick, the KSV is hands-down the fastest-killing SMG that’s usable. With a theoretical TTK of 225ms, this gun can erase people if you hit your shots.
Where it works the best:
- Face-to-face brawls and peek fights
- Skilled players who can control fast-firing weapons
- Fast rotations and flank routes
Recommended KSV Loadout:
- Optic: Kepler Microflex (optional)
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger or Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Infiltrator Stock
The KSV has a high skill ceiling, but once mastered, it’s almost unfair. Be careful though, you’ll need to compensate for range drop-off and moderate recoil past 20 meters.
C9
With the right attachments, C9 becomes one of the most well-rounded SMGs in the game. It’s stable, fast, and deadly at medium range — kind of like a mini-assault rifle.
Where it works the best:
- Mixed-range maps like Enclave and Seizure
- Players who want easy use with low recoil
- Great pick for fast pub stomping
Recommended C9 Loadout:
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Flip Mag (for fast reloads)
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
With this build, the C9 becomes a zero-recoil laser and lets you play aggressively or passively based on the arena situation. It’s currently banned in Ranked Play, which says a lot.
Ladra
The Ladra SMG excels in fully close-range encounters. It’s one of the fastest-firing guns in BO6, with controllable recoil and great strafe speed ideal for chaotic maps.
Where it works the best:
- Close-quarters maps
- Players who like to slide-cancel around corners and chow down
- Pushing objectives aggressively
Recommended Ladra Loadout:
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
The Ladra loses some edge beyond 15-20 meters, but if you keep fights close, you’ll delete opponents faster than they can react.
Jackal PDW
The Jackal PDW used to be top-tier, but Season 3 nerfs hit its range and TTK hard. Still, it’s an incredibly consistent and easy-to-control SMG that’s acceptable for players who value comfort and predictability.
Where it works the best:
- Mid-sized maps or in a support role
- Players who want solid recoil control without baffling fire rate
- Good all-arounder, even after the nerf
Recommended Jackal PDW Loadout:
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
The Jackal won’t win every fight up close against a KSV or LC10, but its ease of use makes it worth it for new players or the old guys returning from earlier seasons.
Tanto .22
Looking for something off-meta that still claps in the right hands? Enter the Tanto .22, which has a slow fire rate but heavy damage output. It’s no doubt an SMG built for medium-range accuracy, rewarding high-skill aimers.
Where it works the best:
- Medium-range fights and open angles
- Tactical players who aim for upper torso and headshots
- Best used in slow-paced matches
Recommended Tanto .22 Loadout:
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Fire Mod: Rapid Fire
The Rapid Fire mod brings the TTK to meta levels, while the Compensator tames the recoil. It’s an acquired taste, but when you set your grip on it, it’s surgical.
Other Worth SMGs
While the guns listed above dominate the SMG meta in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, there are a few honorable mentions I consider worth mentioning:
- Saug – Fast, nimble, and fun to use, but doesn’t pack the same punch at range.
- PPSh-41 – Classic spray-and-pray. Recoil is messy, but the fire rate is wild.
- PP-919 (Bizon) – Highly low recoil, but underwhelming TTK; it’s easy for beginners.
- Kompakt 92 – Technically fastest TTK, but almost unusable due to harsh recoil and range falloff.
These options can be good in the right situations such as small maps or casual modes, but these are not to hang with the big three (KSV, LC10, C9) in Ranked or tournaments.
