Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’sfirst season has received a mid-season content drop, featuring two new weapons to unlock. The HRM-9 is a fast-firing SMG with a similar stat profile to MW2’s BAS-P, featuring slightly more damage and far better handling.

It’s a fantastic weapon for aggressive playstyles and Warzone mains alike, and it’s fairly easy to unlock. This guide will explain how to unlock the HRM-9 for all MW3 modes, and we’ll provide two builds that make the HRM-9 a fantastic SMG for core Multiplayer and Warzone. Each build features loadout recommendations as well, including vests, perks, and equipment.

Modern Warfare 3 HRM-9 Battle Pass Icon

How To Unlock The HRM-9

The HRM-9 is awarded inSector A21 of the Battle Pass, locked behind five unique challenges.Unlock most Battle Pass items, the HRM-9 doesnotrequire Battle Pass Tokens to unlock. You simply need to complete that sector’s listed challenges to earn this weapon.

You must first complete these four challenges:

Once these four challenges are complete, you will need toeliminate 20 operators or special zombies while moving with an SMGto unlock the HRM-9. Operator kills refer to enemy players. Any playlist works, including Multiplayer and Warzone. Once MW3’s first season ends, the HRM-9 will become available through an in-game challenge.

Stealth HRM-9 Build

The 50 Round Drum attachment is currently bugged and cannot be unlocked, even if you reach max rank with the HRM-9. We recommend using your favorite optic or laser attachment in its place until this attachment can be unlocked.

The HRM-9 behaves identically to MW2’s BAS-P, right down to its damage profile and RPM. As such, this weapon greatly benefits fromincreased range, firing aim stability, and magazine capacity.This build aims to improve all three.

We start by equipping thePrinceps Long Barrel, increasing the weapon’s range by 25%. This stacks with theSonic Suppressor Smuzzle, granting a whopping 22m of effective range. TheFTAC MSP-98 Handstopwill give back some much-needed mobility, and theFolding Stockwill greatly reduce the weapon’s recoil with a minor hit to ADS speed.

The final attachment slot depends on which game mode you’re playing. For Warzone and Zombies, the50 Round Drumis a no-brainer here. But if you’re playing core Multiplayer and are a compulsive reloader, you might want to use anoptic or laser attachmentinstead.

Loadout Recommendations

This SMG is effectively the BAS-P with far less recoil, so you don’t need to rely on perks to increase your weapon’s performance. Since it’s suppressed, astealth loadoutis a great idea here. TheAssassin’s Vestwill give you permanent Ghost to hide from enemy radar.Covert Sneakerswill then muffle your footstep audio, making it much harder for enemies to find you.

For your other perks,EODis always a great pick for mitigating explosives. If you tend to get flashed or stunned, tryTac Maskinstead. We also recommend eitherAssault Glovesif you love jumpshottingorScavenger Glovesto resupply on the go.Use any equipment you like.

Tac Stance HRM-9 Build

The HRM-9 features best-in-class hipfire accuracy, so making a build that further improves itshipfire and tac stance accuracywill make this a CQC beast. Hipfire will take care of close-quarters fights, while tac stance is ideal for mid-range fights.

For this build, westack every tac stance attachment available to us. TheBruen Bastion Angled GripandS-37C DL Breacher Device Sare best-in-slot for a build like this, improving our hipfire and tac stance accuracy. TheSchlager ULO-66 Laseroffers the best hipfire accuracy for a non-visible laser, and theThorn-90 Barreloffers even more hipfire accuracy.

While the No Stock attachment technically offers the best hipfire accuracy, it comes at the cost of gun kick control, making your weapon violently recoil when fired in tac stance or ADS. That’s why we’ve opted to use theFolding Stockinstead. It greatly reduces your recoil and makes your shots more consistent by increasing your firing aim stability.

Aggression is required for a tac stance build to excel, so we’ll be using a loadout that goes all-in on speed. TheInfantry Vestgives you the Running Sneakers perk for free, doubling your tactical sprint duration and recharge rate.Lightweight Bootswill then buff your movement speed by roughly 7%. That sounds small, but when paired with an SMG or knife, you move incredibly fast.

Assault Glovesare great for jumpshotting, but feel free to use any glove that better suits your playstyle. Finally, useTac Maskto mitigate the effects of Tactical equipment. You can also replace Tac Mask with EOD if explosives are a larger issue for you. As for equipment, useStimsandThrowing Knives.This will give you a quick recovery option after a fight and a one-hit kill melee attack.

Since you don’t have Covert Sneakers or Ghost, you’ll want to useDead Silenceas your Field Upgrade. Use it whenever you’re about to flank the enemy team to safely get around the map. You don’t have a suppressed weapon, so once you start firing, everyone will know your position. Be mindful before you start a gunfight.