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In this episode we're covering the MP7.

This fully-automatic SMG built quite a reputation in its MW3 incarnation, where its low recoil and high rate of fire made for a potent combination.

It returns as the first SMG unlock in Black Ops 2 - and while it remains a formidable close-range option, this MP7 lies firmly within its intended niche.

The MP7, or 'Maschinenpistole 7' is a German weapon, first introduced in 2001 by Heckler und Koch.

Technically a Personal Defence Weapon, or PDW, rather than a traditional SMG - the MP7 fires a smaller, higher velocity cartridge - the 4.6 by 30 millimetre round.

This round relies on speed rather than mass for its kinetic energy, and as such offers enhanced performance against body armour and lower recoil than standard pistol calibres.

All this in a compact package, with ample magazine capacity - the MP7 is an ideal weapon for modern close-quarters battle.

In-game, the MP7 is a low damage weapon: it requires 3 to 4 shots at close range to kill, and up to 6 outside of the weapon's relatively short range.

This means the MP7 is very much specialised for close-quarters combat: keeping the enemy within your 4-hit kill zone should be your priority.

In addition, like the rest of the SMGs, the MP7's ability to penetrate cover is poor: for the most part, you will want to land shots directly upon your opponent.

The MP7 makes up for these shortcomings with its rate of fire: at approximately 940 rounds per minute, you will outperform most other weapons in this regard.

The rapid fire attachment will boost this rate of fire to the incredibly high 1250 rounds per minute - but be warned, this will halve the weapon's effective range, severely limiting your mid-range capability.

This innately high rate of fire is paired with a narrow hipfire spread, like all of the SMGs: this means the MP7 is amongst the most effective weapons when fired from the hip.

While you may need to land quite a few shots to kill, the MP7's suitability for spraying means the low damage certainly isn't a problem.

Nor are any of the MP7's handling characteristics: universally fast and generally easy to use.

Recoil is moderate, largely due to the weapon's high rate of fire - this can make it difficult to land the required 6 shots upon distant targets.

You should generally seek to avoid long-range combat - stay within your effective range and the MP7 will generally stay on target.

Aim time is a little slower than typical SMGs in games past - it will take 220 milliseconds to aim down your sights, only slightly faster than an assault rifle.

This isn't a problem, however - as with the SMGs you should fire from the hip first, and wrest your aim onto target as needed.

Switch times are average for the SMG class, and your base movement speed will be the fastest possible, at 100%.

Magazine capacity is 40 rounds, above average for the SMG class and a boon given the high rate of fire. Extended Clip confers a 35% advantage, taking your capacity to 54 rounds between reloads.

While not the highest capacity in the SMG class - that accolade goes to the PDW-57 - the MP7 also boasts a very fast reload indeed, at just 1.72 seconds.

This trait is crucial for a close-range weapon, where every second spent reloading poses a critical risk of ambush: so this speedy reload is a welcome trait.
You will want to avoid long-range firefights with the SMGs - rushing headlong into your enemy's sights will not prove terribly effective.

Instead, use the extra stamina Extreme Conditioning grants to take the longer, lower traffic routes to your enemy - this will help you to strike your enemy where they least expect it, and increase your odds of winning gunfights.

Don't rush headlong into the enemy's spawn, however - with the absence of Dexterity you will need to be careful about sprinting near your opponent.

Instead, learn to anticipate engagements when you're close to the enemy, and leave sprinting to times when you need to cover some ground.

Be careful when reloading, too - with the Extended Clip attachment you have the luxury of engaging multiple enemies between reloads.

If you successfully dispatch an enemy with an unsuppressed weapon, you will alert and draw in nearby foes, who will be hoping to catch you off guard: instead, stay alert, keep your gun ready - and give the would-be assailant a swift rebuttal.

The MP7 is a weapon with some ideal traits for close-quarter gunfights - it is quick to handle and performs very well from the hip.

Its per-shot damage may be relatively low - but this means you are less reliant on a lucky bullet, and instead can benefit from extremely consistent close-range performance.

Few weapons can keep up with the MP7, and when paired with the laser sight you will be unstoppable.

For all its forgiving traits in CQB, the MP7's flaws do start to emerge once you try to tackle enemies at a distance.

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This time, we're covering the B23R.

This 3-round burst pistol is a future derivative of the M93 Raffica seen in Modern Warfare 2, and in Black Ops 2 multiplayer it is unlocked at level 19.

The Beretta M93R is an Italian weapon, essentially a burst-fire variant of the Beretta 92, better known as the M9 in service with the US military.

The B23R is a semi-fictional derivative of the M93 design - and from the designation, we can infer that it was introduced in 2023.

The R stands for 'raffica', which is the Italian word for burst, or volley.

The B23R model is some distance removed from the existing M93R design - it more closely resembles a custom M1911 pistol in some respects.

Also of note is the folded front foregrip present on the weapon - sadly this stabilising feature doesn't see any use.

In-game, damage is moderate. The B23R is capable of killing with 3 shots at a close range, meaning a single well-aimed burst to centre mass should kill.

At a longer range, you'll need up to 6 shots to kill.

Note that there is no headshot multiplier, so aiming for the head is a fruitless endeavour - and as a smaller target going for headshots may even hamper the weapon's effectiveness.

Rate of fire is very high within the burst, at 1022 rounds per minute.

This works out at a respectable 703 rounds per minute overall, as there is a short but mandatory burst delay.

Hipfire spread is good, on par with the other pistols - although to ensure maximum burst lethality it is usually best to aim your shots.

Recoil is moderate, with the weapon tending upwards - but the burst-fire mode will help to keep your accuracy in check, with the weapon settling between bursts.

The kick can spoil your chances of landing 3 hits with a single burst from a middle range out, however - and coupled with the lower damage, the B23R's effectiveness suffers greatly outside of a close range.

Aim time is very quick, at 125 milliseconds: and you'll move at 100 percent of the maximum base speed.

Magazine capacity is generally sufficient, at 15 rounds (or 5 bursts): with Extended Clip, you'll get 21 rounds (or 7 bursts) instead.

Reloads are relatively quick, at 1.63 seconds - although in a typical firefight you will want to make your first magazine count.

As a backup weapon, the Beretta works just fine without any attachments - but if you have points to spend and don't want to elect Dual Wield, then the magazine-related attachments - either Fast Mags or Extended Clip - will usually yield the biggest improvement.

The B23R is a devastating backup weapon, capable of killing very quickly at a close range with a well-aimed burst.

No other pistol can put 3 rounds into a target as quickly as the Beretta, and within its 3-hit kill range, you'll be able to outpace even most SMGs in terms of time to kill.

However, outside of a close range the B23R loses its effectiveness very quickly indeed - with low damage and moderate recoil meaning you'll need multiple bursts to kill.

With a small but significant delay between bursts, this can mean you'll be left vulnerable - so it's best to limit the Beretta to close-range engagements only.

Still, this will usually be the case when using a pistol as a backup weapon - and within this role the B23R performs very well.

While its lack of versatility might hamper its use as a surrogate primary, a mobile loadout will help to close the gap and to preserve your effectiveness.

Should an opponent pop up and surprise you, a quick switch and 3 rounds from your trusty backup...

...might just burst their bubble.