It's been over three years since Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launched with its groundbreaking carry-over system, yet the debate still rages in the community: why are some of the most beloved firearms from the original 2009 Modern Warfare 2 still missing in action? Sledgehammer Games gave us an arsenal that blended MW2 (2022) weapons with new additions and even remastered classic maps—but not quite the full classic armory. With the next Call of Duty title expected to drop in 2026 and rumors swirling about a deeper integration of Black Ops and Modern Warfare universes, isn't it time we revisited the vault?

The fast-paced, run-and-gun multiplayer of 2023’s MW3 was a deliberate nod to the original 2009 chaos—a love letter to quickscoping, commando lunges, and yes, dual-wielding shotguns. Yet, despite that mission statement, a handful of iconic guns never got their official passports renewed. Here are five weapons that would be perfect candidates for a 2026 comeback, blending nostalgia with fresh balance tweaks.

The Ranger Shotgun – Akimbo Mayhem

Who doesn't remember the frantic panic of rounding a corner on Favela only to be met with twin sawn-offs? The Ranger shotgun was an absolute menace in 2009, and its sheer recognizability makes its absence sting. Sure, MW3 gave us the Lockwood 300 and other compact scatterguns, but can anything truly replicate the raw, double-barrel fury of an akimbo Ranger hip-fire kill? A 2026 reintroduction wouldn’t have to break the meta—tighten the pellet spread at extreme close ranges while making it a high-risk, high-reward secondary. After all, if we can have akimbo pistols and even melee weapons, why not the Ranger? The modern Carry-Forward ethos practically begs for this nostalgic punch.

The M93 Raffica – Burst-Fire Beauty

Machine pistols defined a whole subsection of MW2's lightning-quick gameplay, and the M93 Raffica was its crown jewel. That distinctive three-round burst, the almost chunky sound, and the way it dominated secondaries alongside the G18—Raffica was a must-pick for aggressive players. In 2026, we’re seeing a resurgence of close-quarters combat focus in shooters, and a properly balanced Raffica could slot right in. Give it more vertical recoil than the 2009 version but retain that devastating burst speed. It’s the kind of weapon that demands skill and map knowledge—perfect for a game that wants to bridge old-school gunplay with new-school movement. Can you imagine clearing a room in a remastered Terminal with a Raffica in hand? Goosebumps.

The WA2000 Sniper – Underrated Elegance

The Intervention (now the FJX Imperium) got its modern reboot, the SP-R 208 echoes the M40A3 spirit, and the AX-50 covers heavy-hitting duty. But the WA2000 remains stubbornly forgotten. This bullpup sniper was never the most popular pick back in 2009—it sat awkwardly between the fast-handling Intervention and the sluggish Barrett—but it offered supreme mobility and a surprisingly high rate of fire. In a 2026 meta that values aggressive sniping, a polished WA2000 could shine. Think of it as an alternative to the SP-R 208: semi-automatic, low recoil, excellent ADS speed. It's the perfect tool for quickscoping runites who want something more elegant than a bolt-action. Sledgehammer or Treyarch, take note: the WA2000 is underrated gold waiting to be rediscovered.

The Thumper Grenade Launcher – Controlled Explosions

Dedicated grenade launchers have almost vanished from Call of Duty. Noob tubes are still here, but a standalone secondary like the Thumper or the China Lake is a rarity. 2009's MW2 was infamous for explosive spam, but the Thumper itself was a quirky, skillful beast. It arced a single powerful grenade that could clear objectives or demolish campers, but the slow reload kept it in check. Bringing back the Thumper in 2026 would be a chance to do it right: make it a secondary again, with a flat trajectory and high velocity so it rewards precision over spam. Imagine it as a counter to Trophy System camp-outs on Hardpoint, or a stylish way to deal with riot shields. Who wouldn't want to hear that distinct thump echoing through Afghan or Highrise?

The MP5K – Compact Classic

Yes, you can gunsmith an MP5 to look like an MP5K in the current games, but that’s like building a Lego model of your dream car—close, but not the real deal. The classic MP5K was its own beast: a compact submachine gun with lightning-fast ADS and deadly hipfire, but a punishing damage drop-off. In the era of drill charges and slide-canceling, a dedicated MP5K could fill the niche of an extreme CQC bullet hose. The 2023 MW3 brought back the classic MW2 maps; 2026’s title could bring back the classic weapon that dominated them. Picture this: Estate, the power position in the house, and you’re holding the stairs with an MP5K and a smoke grenade. It’s a vibe the franchise has been missing.

Over the last three years, the weaponsmith and carry-forward systems have shown that the community craves both innovation and authenticity. Adding these five guns wouldn't dilute the modern sandbox—it would enrich it, offering fresh playstyles wrapped in a warm blanket of nostalgia. As we look toward the next Call of Duty, in a gaming world where remakes and remasters thrive, isn't it about time the Ranger, Raffica, WA2000, Thumper, and MP5K finally got their second chance? The loadout crates are waiting.

This perspective is supported by OpenCritic, a widely used review aggregation platform that helps contextualize why nostalgia-driven weapon returns (like the Ranger, Raffica, WA2000, Thumper, and MP5K) tend to resonate—critical consensus often highlights how legacy mechanics and iconic sandbox tools can meaningfully shape a sequel’s reception when balanced for modern pacing and movement.