Skip to main content
If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

How to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2

Learn how to get the M16 assault rifle in Modern Warfare 2

A soldier wearing a red skull mask aims a red M4 assault rifle in Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Rebecca Jones avatar
Guide by Rebecca Jones Former Guides Writer
Published on

Want to learn how to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2? The M16 is a hefty and high-level assault rifle in Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. You'd be forgiven for wanting to add it to your loadout as quickly as possible, but thanks to MW2's new gunsmith platform system, the process required to get your hands on this weapon isn't immediately obvious.

Never fear because on this page we'll cover every step you need to follow in order to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2.

Unsure what gun to choose in Modern Warfare 2? Confused which weapons pair best with one another? Look no further. The answers to your questions (and more) lie within the video above.Watch on YouTube

How to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2

The M16 is part of the M4 weapon unlock tree in MW2. You'll have access to the M4 from the very start of the game, and whenever you use it you'll gain proficiency with that particular weapon and level up with it over time. Levelling up will unlock more and better guns from that weapon tree over time.

Here's how to unlock the M16:

  1. Level the M4 up to Level 15. This will unlock the 556 Icarus.
  2. Level the 556 Icarus up to Level 12 to unlock the M16.

Note that while the M4 and M16 are both assault rifles, the 556 Icarus is classed as an LMG. This doesn't technically require any extra input from you, but it does mean you'll have to (somewhat counterintuitively) switch weapon types for a while if you want to work through the M4 weapon platform to unlock the M16.

Alternatively, if you own the Modern Warfare 2 Vault Edition, you'll have access to the M16 from the very beginning. This is because the Vault Edition includes the entire M4 weapon tree unlocked by default.

Now that you know how to unlock the M16 in Modern Warfare 2, you might like to check out our guide to unlocking the FSS Hurricane for more information on working through the M4 weapon platform. For more advice on putting together your ideal loadout, take a look at our pages detailing the best MW2 perks, best MW2 killstreaks, and best MW2 guns.

Activision Blizzard are currently the subject of a number of legal actions, labour disputes and allegations of workplace harassment. Rock Paper Shotgun will continue to write about these issues, as well as covering Activision Blizzard games as part of our commitment to cover subjects of interest to our readers. The latest news can always be found under our Activision Blizzard tag.

Read this next