Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's second season has brought a new beast to the SMG category: the RAM-9. This little guy, chambered in 9mm, is like the RAM-7's more aggressive, up-close-and-personal cousin. If you're the type of player who loves to get in the enemy's face, the RAM-9 might just become your new best friend. But here's the catch—just like its assault rifle sibling, this weapon has a recoil pattern that can be a real handful if you don't know how to tame it. The key to making it shine? Picking the right attachments to turn it into a close-quarters monster.
Unlocking the RAM-9 in 2026
First things first, you gotta get your hands on this thing. As of the 2026 season, the process remains straightforward.
The RAM-9 is unlocked by completing Sector B6 in the Season 2 Battle Pass. You'll need to spend your hard-earned Battle Pass Tokens to claim rewards and work your way through the sectors. If you're laser-focused on just the RAM-9, it'll take you about 15 Battle Pass Tokens to reach and clear Sector B6.
Once you've got it, the grind begins. The RAM-9 has a total of 24 levels to unlock all its goodies. But here's a pro-tip that'll save you a ton of time: most attachments for the RAM-7 work perfectly on the RAM-9. So, if you've already maxed out the RAM-7, congratulations! You've basically done half the work already. It's like getting a head start on your homework.
Build #1: The Accuracy Monster
Alright, let's get down to business. The first build is all about making the RAM-9 as accurate as possible. Think of it as putting training wheels on a wild horse—you're keeping all that power but making it way easier to control.
This build's main goal is simple: lower the weapon's recoil as much as possible. We're talking about turning that jumpy SMG into a laser beam that's a nightmare for anyone in your crosshairs. The secret sauce? Firing aim stability. This stat is the real MVP here, as it tightens your bullet spread while you're holding down the trigger.
Here’s the loadout that makes it happen:
| Attachment Slot | Attachment Name | Key Pros | Key Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | Zehmn35 Compensator Flash Hider | Shortens Radar Pings, +Vertical/Horizontal Recoil Control, +Firing Aim Stability | -Aim Down Sights Speed, -Bullet Velocity |
| Underbarrel | Bruen Heavy Support Grip | +Gun Kick Control, +Aiming Idle Sway, +Horizontal Recoil, +Firing Aim Stability | -Aim Down Sights Speed, -Vertical Recoil |
| Magazine | 40 Round Mag | More bullets for the fight! | -Reload Quickness, -ADS Speed, -Movement Speeds |
| Rear Grip | Retro 90 Grip Tape | +Firing Aim Stability, +Gun Kick Control, +Recoil Control | None listed! |
| Stock | Hunker-5 Stock Pad | +Gun Kick Control, +Recoil Control, +Tac Stance Spread | -ADS Speed, -Sprint-to-Fire, -Hipfire, -Firing Aim Stability |
Why This Works:
The core trio here is the Bruen Heavy Support Grip, Retro 90 Grip Tape, and Zehmn35 Compensator Flash Hider. These three work together to pump up your firing aim stability and recoil control, making the gun's kick predictable and manageable. The muzzle has a nice bonus of hiding your flash and shortening those pesky radar pings. The Hunker-5 Stock Pad adds another layer of recoil control, helping you challenge enemies at those slightly longer ranges where the RAM-9 might normally struggle. Just slap on the 40 Round Mag (or your magazine of choice) to make sure you have enough ammo to finish the job.
Recommended Loadout for the Accuracy Build:
You can't just have a great gun; you need the right soldier to wield it. Here’s the perfect setup:
Perks & Gear:
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Vest: Ninja Vest (Gives you silent footsteps for free!)
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Boots: Tactical Pads (Allows full ADS while sliding. Perfect for aggressive plays.)
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Gear: EOD (Survive those grenade and rocket spammers.)
Equipment:
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Secondary: Your choice! A pistol for quick swaps or a launcher for utility.
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Lethal: Throwing Knife (The Ninja Vest gives you extra!)
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Tactical: Stim (Instant health recovery in a pinch. Can't beat it.)
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Field Upgrade: Dead Silence (For those moments when you really need to be a ghost and counter UAVs.)
This setup lets you play fast and aggressive. With silent footsteps from the Ninja Vest and the slide-ADS from Tactical Pads, you can fly around the map. Since this gun build isn't using a suppressor, Dead Silence is your best friend for staying off the radar when you need to make a big play.
Build #2: The Silent Assassin
Maybe you're the sneaky type. The player who likes to flank, get behind the enemy, and disappear before they even know what hit them. If that's you, this stealth-focused RAM-9 build is your new calling card. It focuses on stealth and accuracy without turning your SMG into a sluggish mess.
This build won't be quite as pinpoint accurate as the first one, but it trades a bit of that raw control for the priceless ability to stay off the enemy's minimap. It's the ultimate tool for guerilla warfare.
Here’s the stealth setup:
| Attachment Slot | Attachment Name | Key Pros | Key Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel | Boreal-6C Suppressed Barrel | Undetectable by Radar, +Aim Walking Speed, +Sprint to Fire Speed, +ADS Speed | (Typically trades some range and bullet velocity) |
| Underbarrel | Bruen Heavy Support Grip | +Gun Kick Control, +Aiming Idle Sway, +Horizontal Recoil, +Firing Aim Stability | -Aim Down Sights Speed, -Vertical Recoil |
| Magazine | 40 Round Mag | Essential for multi-kills. | -Reload Quickness, -ADS Speed, -Movement Speeds |
| Rear Grip | Retro 90 Grip Tape | +Firing Aim Stability, +Gun Kick Control, +Recoil Control | None listed! |
| Stock | HVS 3.4 Pad | +Gun Kick Control, +Aiming Idle Sway, +Firing Aim Stability, +Recoil Control | -Movement Speed, -Sprint Speed, -Aim Walking Speed, -Sprint to Fire Speed |
Why This Works:
Everything starts with the Boreal-6C Suppressed Barrel. This is what makes you a ghost. It has an integrated suppressor, so your shots never show up on the radar, and it even gives you a nice boost to your mobility and handling stats. To control the recoil we lose from not using the dedicated muzzle attachment, we double down with the Bruen Heavy Support Grip, Retro 90 Grip Tape, and the HVS 3.4 Pad. This combination keeps the gun accurate enough to win fights at medium range. And of course, the 40 Round Mag is non-negotiable for taking on multiple enemies.
Recommended Loadout for the Stealth Build:
For the ultimate stealth operative, we tweak the perks just a bit.
Perks & Gear:
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Vest: Ninja Vest (Silent footsteps are a stealth build's best friend.)
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Boots: Tactical Pads (Maintain that aggressive sliding playstyle.)
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Gear: Ghost (This is the key change!)
Equipment:
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Secondary: Your preference.
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Lethal: Throwing Knife
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Tactical: Stim
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Field Upgrade: Dead Silence
The big switch here is trading EOD for Ghost. Why? Because with your suppressed barrel keeping your shots hidden, Ghost keeps you hidden while you're moving. It's a one-two punch of invisibility. You can sprint, flank, and reposition without ever triggering a UAV or a Portable Radar. Pair this with Dead Silence for your field upgrade, and you become virtually undetectable. Remember to use those Throwing Knives for quick, quiet finishes.
Final Thoughts for 2026
So, which RAM-9 is for you? 🤔 It really comes down to your playstyle.
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Love holding angles and winning straight-up gunfights? Go with the Accuracy Build. It turns the RAM-9 into a reliable powerhouse.
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Prefer to be the unseen threat, picking your moments and causing chaos from behind? The Stealth Build is your weapon of choice.
Both builds take what is already a formidable and aggressive SMG and refine it for a specific purpose. The RAM-9, with its high fire rate and damage profile, absolutely shreds in close quarters. The trick is just managing that recoil and building around your strengths. Whether you're a run-and-gun brawler or a silent predator, the RAM-9 in 2026's Modern Warfare 3 has a setup that will let you dominate the competition. Now get out there and start unlocking Sector B6!