Assault Rifles · Modern Warfare 4
M4 in MW4: Unlock Level, Weapon Levels, Camos & How Long to Max
Everything that gates the M4, straight from Activision's launch data: when it joins Create-a-Class, how many weapon levels sit between you and its Apex Attachment, which camo challenges its class pulls, and a straight answer to how long the grind takes.
Quick facts
- Class
- Assault Rifles
- Unlocks at
- Player Level 14
- Weapon levels
- 72
- Apex Attachment
- M4 Hurricane
- Role
- Balanced all-round rifle
Verified against Activision's launch guide · 2026-10-20
Best M4 loadout
All-round build · updated 2026-11-01
- Barrel18 LE Crosswind
- LaserSA Laz-500
- OpticSZ Prima-4 Dot
- Rear GripZLR Phase Grip
- UnderbarrelFSS Fireline Grip
When do you unlock the M4?
The M4 joins Create-a-Class at Player Level 14. Until then it only shows up in Default Loadouts or picked up off the ground. Rank XP, not weapon XP, is what unlocks it.
See every unlock level on the MW4 unlock roadmapWeapon levels and the M4 Hurricane
The M4 has 72 weapon levels. Each one unlocks an attachment or a camo milestone; the final level unlocks its Apex Attachment, the M4 Hurricane, and opens Weapon Prestige.
Weapon Prestige camos on the M4
After Max Level you can prestige the weapon. Each step of the Pyroclast chain is earned on this weapon alone:
Pyroclast
Reach Max Level 72, then enter Weapon Prestige 1
Pyroclast Terminus
Reach Weapon Prestige 1 Max Level (72)
Pyroclast Scatter
Reach Weapon Prestige Master Level 150
Pyroclast Cascade
Reach Weapon Prestige Master Level 250
Assault Rifles camo challenges
Completionist camos are earned per weapon. Gold needs all 8 Military and 3 Special camos first; Platinum and Harmonic Break use the Assault Rifles class challenge.
- Gold
- 15 kills in a single match (Multiplayer) · 100 kills in DMZ
- Platinum
- 50× Headshots (Multiplayer) · 100× in DMZ
- Harmonic Break
- 25× Double kills (Multiplayer) · 50× in DMZ
Mode Mastery camos (Mercurial Drift → Orion Reforged) are account-wide chains that open once you hold Divergence. They are not tracked per weapon, so they are not listed here.
Track the M4 in the MW4 camo trackerHow long does it take to max the M4?
A transparent estimate from the weapon's 72-level ladder. Two columns, because the answer depends almost entirely on how many kills you land per match with the gun.
| How long does it take to max the M4? | Public matches | Bot lobbies |
|---|---|---|
| To Max Level (72) — Apex unlocked | 48 matches≈ 8.8 h | 12 lobbies≈ 2 h |
| To Weapon Prestige 1 Max — Pyroclast Terminus | 96 matches≈ 17.6 h | 24 lobbies≈ 4 h |
Assumptions: 1.5 weapon levels per public match (11-minute games) versus 6 per bot lobby (10 minutes, 60–100+ kills on the gun). A Double Weapon XP token halves both columns. Estimates, not measurements — refreshed 2026-10-26.
To max the M4 you need about 12 bot lobbies — the 3 Hours package covers it (≈18 lobbies) for $44.99
Get 3 HoursM4 FAQ
What level do you unlock the M4 in MW4?
The M4 unlocks at Player Level 14 in Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer, per Activision's launch progression table.
How many weapon levels does the M4 have?
72. Reaching the final level unlocks the Apex Attachment (M4 Hurricane) and opens Weapon Prestige for the M4.
How long does it take to max the M4?
Roughly 48 public matches (about 8.8 hours) at 1.5 weapon levels per match, or around 12 bot lobbies at 6 levels each. Double Weapon XP halves both.
What are the M4 camo challenges?
Gold needs 15 kills in a single match after all Military and Special camos. Platinum asks for 50× Headshots (Multiplayer) · 100× in DMZ and Harmonic Break for 25× Double kills (Multiplayer) · 50× in DMZ — the Assault Rifles class challenges.