The M15 Mod 0 is your reliable partner in Black Ops 7 – versatile, accurate, and perfect for beginners. This guide shows you the best setups.
The M15 Mod 0 is the first assault rifle available to you in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – and you shouldn’t underestimate this starter weapon! As a fully automatic rifle with well-balanced stats across the board, it provides a solid foundation for both newcomers and experienced players. In this guide, you’ll learn how to kit out the M15 Mod 0 optimally, which perks are worth running, and how to use the assault rifle most effectively in combat.
M15 Mod 0 guide: Key facts at a glance
The M15 Mod 0 is a solid all-around assault rifle that’s excellent for beginners but still dangerous in the hands of veteran players. With the right attachments, this starter gun turns into a precision tool for mid-range engagements.
Use attachments like the Bowen Linchpin Stock and Buffer Spring to maximize recoil control. Combine the weapon with defensive perks like Flak Jacket and Tech Mask to hold positions, and run the Drone Pod as a distraction. For close-quarters fights, you should always have the Coda 9 as your secondary – it perfectly covers the M15 Mod 0’s weakness up close.
The stats speak for themselves: With a fire rate of 769 RPM, bullet velocity of 730 m/s, and solid mobility values (4.7 m/s movement speed, 6.9 m/s sprint speed), the M15 Mod 0 offers everything you need to succeed in multiplayer. It may not be a specialist weapon, but it’s reliable, forgiving, and versatile – exactly what you want to climb the ranks in Black Ops 7.
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The M15 Mod 0 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
The M15 Mod 0 is a fully automatic assault rifle that’s unlocked by default and available to you right from the start of the game. Veterans of the Call of Duty series will recognize it immediately – it’s very similar to the classic M4 that appears in almost every entry.
What sets the M15 Mod 0 apart is its versatility. It doesn’t dominate any one category, but it offers reliable stats in accuracy, damage, and fire rate. With a magazine size of 30 rounds and a consistent time-to-kill of around 312 milliseconds out to 46 meters, it’s a safe pick for mid-range fights.
The weapon has been adjusted since launch – among other things, sprint-to-fire time was increased (from 190 ms to 210 ms), movement speed was slightly reduced (from 4.9 m/s to 4.7 m/s), and initial recoil was bumped up. Maximum damage was lowered from 22 to 21, while maximum damage range was increased from 27.9 m to 38.1 m.
Despite these tweaks, it remains one of the strongest options in multiplayer. Its low horizontal recoil makes it very accurate, while the vertical recoil requires a bit of control on your part.
The best attachments for the M15 Mod 0
You’ve got two options: a compact setup with five attachments, or a fully loaded build with eight attachments if you use the “Gunfighter” Wildcard. You unlock this Wildcard at player level 29.
Recommended 5-attachment setup
Muzzle: VAS 5.56 Suppressor
- Keeps you off the minimap with no downsides. Alternatively, you can run the Redwell 5.56 Compensator if you care more about recoil control – especially useful since the gun has noticeable vertical recoil.
Magazine: Mayday Extended Mag
- Boosts your magazine size to 45 rounds – ideal for chaining multiple kills. If 30 rounds are enough for you, you can free up this slot for another attachment.
Rear Grip: Hexcut Grip
- Improves mobility as well as dive-to-fire and slide-to-fire speed. If you care more about pure ADS speed, go for the Peregrine Grip instead, which unlocks at level 20.
Stock: Bowen Linchpin Stock
- Significantly reduces both vertical and horizontal recoil, giving you a noticeably more stable recoil pattern. This attachment becomes available at level 18.
Fire type modification: Buffer Spring
- Improves both horizontal and vertical recoil control with no downsides – an absolute must-have for accurate shots. Unlocks at level 26.
Recommended 8-attachment setup
If you’re using the Gunfighter Wildcard, you can add three more attachments:
Barrel: 18″ Bowen Watchtower Barrel
- Substantially increases damage at range. Most Black Ops 7 maps aren’t large enough for higher bullet velocity to really shine, so this barrel is the better pick over the 16.5″ Fusion Barrel. Unlocks at level 11.
Underbarrel: EAM Steady-90 Grip
- Improves horizontal recoil control while also increasing your movement speed – perfect for aggressive players. This attachment unlocks at level 35.
Laser: 3mW Motion Strike Laser
- Provides a noticeable boost to effective range and recoil stabilization. Keep in mind that the laser is visible to enemies when you aim. If that bothers you, swap it out and keep the Mayday Extended Mag in the magazine slot instead. Unlocks at level 34.
Optional optic: EMT3 Holo Mk.2 or Lethal Tools ELO
- Both optics offer a clean sight picture. The choice comes down to personal preference – try them out and see which one feels better. You unlock the EMT3 Holo Mk.2 at level 22; Lethal Tools ELO appears as part of various creator builds.
Prestige attachment: MFS 5.56 NATO FMJ (fire type modification)
- This attachment only unlocks at weapon Prestige level 1. It increases range, penetration, and flinch while also keeping you off the minimap. Until then, you’re best off sticking with Buffer Spring.
Perks and equipment
To get the most out of the M15 Mod 0, you should build your perks around versatility and survivability:
Perk 1: Flak Jacket
- Protects you from incoming grenades and explosive devices – essential if you play defensively and like to hold down positions.
Perk 2: Tech Mask
- Makes you immune to tactical equipment such as flashbangs and jammers. Particularly useful if you play slower and more methodically. Note: In Black Ops 7, this perk is no longer called “Tac Mask.”
Perk 3: Bankroll
- Helps you earn Scorestreaks faster by granting extra points for assists and kills. Combined with Flak Jacket and Tech Mask, you activate the “Tactician” specialization, which gives you bonus points for kills for 10 seconds after an assist.
Alternative perks:
- Ghost instead of Flak Jacket: Keeps you off enemy UAVs – ideal for stealth-oriented play.
- Dexterity instead of Bankroll: Reduces weapon sway while jumping, sliding, and diving, and lowers fall damage.
- Lightweight, Fast Hands: For even more mobility and faster reloads – perfect for aggressive players.
- Vigilance: Makes you immune to Counter-UAVs and Scramblers while increasing minimap range.
Tactical equipment and Field Upgrade
Field Upgrade: Drone Pod
- The Drone Pod is an excellent distraction tool. It won’t earn you many kills on its own, but it draws enemy attention and buys you a few crucial seconds. With the Overclock “Quick Launcher,” you can deploy it even more frequently.
Tactical: Flashbang
- A classic, reliable choice that works in almost every situation. Perfect for clearing rooms or forcing enemies out of cover.
Lethal: Frag Grenade
- The standard frag grenade is extremely versatile and fits perfectly with a slower, position-based playstyle.
Alternatives:
- Stim Shot (tactical): Heals you instantly and grants a brief movement boost when paired with the Overclock “Combat Performance.”
- Cluster Grenade (lethal): Creates multiple explosions and is great for area denial.
- Assault Pack (Field Upgrade): Supplies you and your team with extra ammo and equipment – useful in longer engagements.
- Pinpoint Grenade (tactical): Effectively gives you wallhacks by revealing nearby enemies.
- Molotov (lethal): Damages enemies and blocks off areas for a short time.
The best secondary weapon: Coda 9
Since the M15 Mod 0 is built for mid to long range, you’ll need a reliable secondary for close-quarters. The Coda 9 is the best choice here.
Why the Coda 9?
The Coda 9 is a fully automatic submachine gun that shines as a backup when enemies suddenly push you up close. It offers a high fire rate and is much faster to swap to than reloading your primary weapon.
Strengths of the Coda 9:
- High fire rate: Perfect for fast kills in close-quarters combat
- Fast weapon swap: Ideal when your primary magazine runs dry
- Compact and agile: Excellent mobility
- Reliable in CQC: Dominates tight spaces and corridors
Weaknesses of the Coda 9:
- Limited range: Quickly loses effectiveness at distance
- Small magazine: Limited capacity by default
- Higher recoil: Requires control during sustained fire
With the Coda 9, you get the perfect complement to the M15 Mod 0, covering its biggest weakness: close-quarters combat. If an SMG player jumps you up close, swap to the Coda 9 instead of reloading – it can easily save your life.
Alternative: If you haven’t unlocked the Coda 9 yet or prefer a different playstyle, the Velx 57 (burst pistol) is a solid alternative for more precise players.
Strategies in combat
The M15 Mod 0 is ideal for players who like to move methodically and make smart use of positioning. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of the rifle:
Stick to mid-range fights: The M15 Mod 0 shines at mid to long range. Avoid straight-up close-range duels with SMGs and instead lean into your range advantage. The weapon has a consistent TTK of 312 ms out to 46 meters – make that work for you.
Play around cover: With Flak Jacket and Tech Mask, you’re well protected while holding positions. Look for vantage points where you can control multiple lines of sight.
Pre-aim everything: Thanks to strong recoil control, you can land accurate shots even at range. Aim down sights before you swing corners to react faster. ADS time sits at 250 ms – factor that into how you move.
Swap to your secondary: If an enemy pushes you up close, draw the Coda 9 instead of reloading. That split-second decision can be the difference between life and death, especially with a reload time of 3,000 ms.
Play with your team: The M15 Mod 0 isn’t designed for lone-wolf flanks. Stick with your teammates, support them with the Drone Pod, and leverage the Tactician specialization to earn Scorestreaks more quickly.
Control your recoil: The weapon’s vertical recoil value is 46.67, with 11.11 for horizontal recoil. Counter this with the right attachments and deliberate counter-pull on your stick or mouse.
How to unlock the M15 Mod 0
Good news: you don’t have to unlock it at all. The M15 Mod 0 is available from the very beginning. Starting at player level 4, you can customize it freely in the gunsmith.
To unlock every attachment, you’ll need to level the weapon up to level 47. For the Prestige attachment MFS 5.56 NATO FMJ, you’ll have to prestige the weapon three times and ultimately reach weapon level 250 – a long-term goal for completionists and camo grinders.
Key unlock levels:
- Level 5: LTI Mini (optic)
- Level 8: Contour Grip
- Level 11: 18″ Bowen Watchtower Barrel
- Level 18: Bowen Linchpin Stock
- Level 19: VAS 5.56 Suppressor
- Level 26: Buffer Spring
- Level 34: 3mW Motion Strike Laser
- Level 35: EAM Steady-90 Grip
