Black Ops 7 Zombies’ Best Weapon Class Will Surprise You
As Call of Duty Zombies has evolved in the 17 years between World at War and Black Ops 7, so too has the meta, with the guns that are considered the best weapons to go for via the Mystery Box, Wall Buys, or Weapon Loadouts regularly changing. In the earliest days of the mode, where ammo was extremely scarce and survival was easier said than done, LMGs were king. Players would jump for joy when getting an MG42 in World at War or an RPK in the original Black Ops, while the LSAT was a powerhouse in the few Black Ops 2 maps it could be used on. Black Ops 3 was a last hoorah of sorts for this weapon class, as the Dingo was iconic, though it’s also the game where shotguns started to take over. The KRM-262 was an ideal wall-buy while the Haymaker was a boss-melter available in the box, and in BO4, the Mog 12 was another essential wallbuy. Black Ops Cold War and BO6 continued this trend via the Huaer 77, ASG 89, and Maelstrom, though Black Ops 7 marks the birth of a new meta star: pistols.
Black Ops 7 Zombies’ Best Shotgun Isn’t Even a Shotgun… It’s the Jager 45 Pistol
The shotguns available in Black Ops 7 are quite poor, with only the M10 Breacher being worth using. The Echo-12’s two-round burst makes it awkward to use against a horde, and while the rapid-fire Akita shotgun is satisfying to mow down a group of enemies with, it eats through ammo extremely fast. Fortunately, the era of shotgun-lovers isn’t over, as the M10 is joined (and outshined) by the Pack-a-Punched Jager 45. Much like the SVD went from sniper to shotgun when upgraded in Black Ops 6, the Jager 45 trades out its typical pistol rounds to fire Shotgun pellets, feeling like a satisfying successor to the Black Ops 2 weapon the Executioner. It has all the benefits of a pistol, being quick to ready, move with, and swap to while feeling like a traditional shotgun.
An ideal Zombies loadout for the Jager 45 pistol is as follows:
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: 9.6” MFS Vital Ace Barrel
- Magazine: Goliath-X Extended+
- Rear Grip: Ranger Lite Grip
- Laser: Vector Sync Lazer
- Fire Mods: .45 Cal FMJ
- Stock (Prioritize once unlocked): Dual Wield
Certain attachments have been known to not match their description in BO7 Zombies, so if the FMJ turns out not to have the promised Penetration Power, swapping to the Match Grade Trigger for its rapid fire capabilities would be recommended.
Being able to tear through the undead with not just one, but two shotgun pistols makes the Jager 45 the strongest and most satisfying base weapon available in Black Ops 7. While some will surely wish it fired explosives like the Mustang and Sally, the shotgun overhaul is a ton of fun that will be preferable for those seeking to rack up tons of headshots. Perhaps the best thing about the Jager 45 is that there’s no need to level up in Black Ops 7 to obtain it, or spend a Permanent Unlock token on it, as it’s one of the game’s starting weapons. This means that players can start leveling it up immediately and working toward Dual Wield, maybe even tossing on a Double Weapon XP token to reach shotgun pistol nirvana even faster.
Black Ops 7 Zombies Has Another Stellar Pistol to Use (and One to Avoid)
While the 3-round burst Velox 5.7 is an unfortunate follow-up to the Jager 45, as its damage is comparable to something like an RK5 from Black Ops 3, the third and final pistol is right there with the Jager as one of the best Zombies weapons in Black Ops 7. The Coda 9 is a spiritual successor to the KAP-40 — something highlighted by its NO KAP Pack-a-Punch name — and it certainly lives up to the lofty expectations. Once Pack-a-Punched, this gun has an incredible amount of ammo, which would be justifiable if it lacked damage. However, its DPS is also top-notch, meaning that players can tear through several hordes before they need to visit an ammo box. By the time they get through all of its ammo, especially if they’re aiming for the head, a Max Ammo will have likely dropped at their feet to keep the fight going.
A similar loadout to the Jager 45 is recommended, as Zombies attachments like suppressors are always a must for the extra damage and barrels that boost headshot damage are viable for all guns. The Coda 9 is plenty satisfying without dual-wield, though, so players can just focus on boosting its stats to make an already-effective gun stronger.
Call of Duty Zombies’ pistols have always flirted with being meta, as there have been handguns throughout the years that have really wowed players. The Mustang and Sally (M1911), Boomhilda (Mauser C96), and Z-Harmony (Strife) all come to mind as some of the greats. Having two supremely powerful pistols on day one is quite surprising, though, as the last time this arguably happened was in Black Ops 2 with the M1911 and Executioner — and even then, the M1911 was quite dangerous without PhD Flopper. Assuming that a revolver comes to Black Ops 7 post-launch, a weapon type that regularly proves strong in the mode, the pistol class will only get better. With the Coda and Jager so dominant, though, it’s already the most impressive weapon class in BO7 Zombies.
- Released
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November 14, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs