The best Carbines in Battlefield 6, ranked

The Carbine weapon class is one of the most versatile in Battlefield 6, and the best ones compete with the best of almost any other weapon type in the game at any distance.

Carbines are probably the most versatile weapons in Battlefield 6, suitable for almost any situation, and that can perform consistently in any game mode. The best of them shred up close and are deadly out to a frightening distance. We’ve ranked them all here.

The best Carbines in Battlefield 6

You’ll rarely be disappointed by choosing to use most of the Carbines in BF6, though you’ll have a significantly better time if you use the best of them. The upper echelons of the Carbine class have almost no weaknesses, and used properly have almost no equal in combat. Here’s our list.

8. AK-205

The AK-205 has a place in the game, but not a good one. It shoots marshmallows by default, and you should expect to need almost ten hits at range to take down an enemy. I’ve landed three headshots and two bodyshots from mid-range and still not secured the kill. Its only claim to quality is its minimal recoil and high precision, both of which you can improve with attachments. That BF6 is full of close-quarters fights does this weapon no favors.

7. SG 553R

I’m sad to put a three-shot kill weapon so low on this list, but the SG 553R’s damage drop off is severe enough that you’ll quickly be putting out the same damage as the AK-205. And with quite a bit more recoil, at that. It shreds at point-blank range, as you’d expect, but it suffers in almost every other scenario, which is too bad.

6. GRT-BC

Being a fast-firing weapon with middle-of-the-road damage puts the GRT-BC squarely in the “it’s fine” category. It doesn’t kick too much, the damage drop-off is relatively steady, and it feels pretty good from the hip. It doesn’t do anything spectacularly, but it doesn't have many failings, either. In any other game, that would place this weapon in the middle of the pack. In BF6, however, it’s a bit on the lower end.

5. QBZ-192

The QBZ-192 is a good weapon that’s easy to control, hits hard enough, and does its job cleanly and efficiently. It’s not exceptional in any situation, but I found it easier to use than the GRT-BC thanks to its slower rate of fire and slightly less recoil. I’d almost always go with the QBZ over the GRT for those reasons alone, but there are definitely better choices.

4. SOR-300SC

Of the remaining weapons, the SOR-300C is probably the easiest to use, but least consistent. Its best feature is the ability to shred with it up close, thanks to its three-hit kill potential. You will, however, need to deal with a bouncier recoil pattern and a sluggish fire rate. Playing with the SOR was a much-improved experience from any of the other weapons so far, but it still falls behind the top three.

3. M277

I would love to put the M277 higher than third only because it’s a four-shot kill to a frankly absurd distance. You can counter-snipe with the thing if you tap fire and the sniper in question doesn’t move much (a common occurrence). However, I have to dock it points for its wild recoil that makes full-auto fire, and close-quarters fights a crapshoot at best. The M277 Carbine was the first one I leveled, but I’d almost always choose another weapon if I want to play fast.

2. M417 A2

The only reason I put the M417 A2 in second place is its performance up close. The best Carbine in the game just has it beat there. Otherwise, I find the M417 easy to use and has a consistent three-shot kill at a solid distance. It’s a bit bouncy without attachments, and the default mag is on the smaller side, but you can account for those issues, and the faster fire rate makes it more effective up close than its other hard-hitting cousins.

1. M4A1

There can be no other kind of the Carbines than the M4A1. It can out-shoot even the best assault rifles at close range, and once you learn its incredibly predictable recoil pattern, you can compensate and turn it into something resembling a laser beam. It’s not the sexiest weapon in BF6, but sometimes the best things in this world aren’t. And the M4A1 likely couldn’t care less about its appearance. The results speak for themselves.

For much more on Battlefield 6, check out our dedicated game page.