The best SMGs in Black Ops 6

Best Black ops 6 smgs BO6
(Image credit: Activision)

The best Black Ops 6 SMGs are fast and flexible, allowing for quick takedowns while maintaining a highly mobile playstyle. A perfect match for the Call of Duty BO6 Omnimovement features, in other words. While there are many amazing weapon types among the best Black Ops 6 guns, the top-tier submachine guns truly stand out thanks to their high speed, predictable recoil, and excellent damage output. Some even come with a surprisingly quick reload time and large magazine size. 

Mind you, even the best SMGs need some attachments to unlock their full potential, which is why this guide will show you the best Black Ops 6 SMGs along with their recommended loadout. 

Black Ops 6 KSV

Black Ops 6 KSV

(Image credit: Activision)

Starting things off with the BO6 KSV, which is the most manageable of the SMGs on this list. This is largely due to its predictable recoil pattern, and the way it handles. Generally, you’ll be hitting targets at either close or medium range. This means the KSV can cater to a variety of playstyles. We recommend boosting the ADS speed, so that you can pick targets and take them down in controlled movements.

Recommended KSV attachments (eight with Gunfighter Wildcard):

  • Muzzle: Muzzle Break
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Flip Mag
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator
  • Laser: Strelok Laster
  • Fire Mods: Soviet Overpressured

Black Ops 6 Tanto 22

Black Ops 6 Tanto 22

(Image credit: Activision)

Now onto the Tanto 22, which is definitely the strangest SMG in Black Ops 6. It’s slow firing, extremely hard-hitting, and on paper it really shouldn’t make any sense at all. In the hands of an Operator, however, the Tanto 22 just feels right, with an unbelievable amount of stopping power. You’ll be using this one at mid-range mostly, so boosting its bullet velocity really opens up the weapon. If you find yourself favoring hipfire with the Tanto 22, then feel free to swap out the Optic for a Laser, We recommend the Steady Aim Laser.

Recommended Tanto 22 attachments (eight with Gunfighter Wildcard):

  • Optic: Accu-Spot Reflex
  • Muzzle: Muzzle Brake
  • Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Precision Foregrip
  • Magazine: Fast Mag I
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Stock: Balanced Stock
  • Fire Mods: .22 WMR Overpressured

Black Ops 6 Kompakt 92

Black Ops 6 Kompakt 92

(Image credit: Activision)

If we had to pick one SMG to rule them all in Black Ops 6, it’d be the Kompakt 92. It boasts the fastest fire rate of any weapon in the game, and as long as you can get relatively close to your opponent, it really can’t be beaten. Setting it up correctly is extremely important, especially concerning the weapon’s accuracy, which is very low in the base weapon. The magazine can be an issue as well, so an Extended Mag is essential. Try to hipfire with the Kompakt 92 as often as you can. It’s a truly fun weapon to use once you get the hang of the speed required to wield it correctly.

Recommended Kompak attachments (eight with Gunfighter Wildcard):

  • Optic: K&S Red Dot
  • Muzzle: Muzzle Brake
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Precision Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
  • Rear Grip: CQB Grip
  • Stock: No Stock
  • Laser: Fast Motion Laser

And, if you want other SMG options there's always the Black Ops 6 C9 or the BO6 Jackal, both rewarding guns that just don't quite make the top three. 

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Jake Green
Contributor

Jake Green is a freelance writer with a love for Fortnite, Resident Evil and anything made by FromSoftware. Hailing from the overcast shores of Brighton in the United Kingdom, Jake can be found covering everything from features to guides content around the latest game releases. As seen on NME, Eurogamer, and VG247, Jake specializes in breaking games down into approachable pieces for guides, and providing SEO advice to websites looking to expand their audiences.