The Battlefield 6 open beta has shown off some weapons that feel a bit unbalanced, but one stands out for being dependable and powerful without feeling unfair. The M87A1 shotgun is causing quite a stir with its slug rounds able to cause one-shot kills across the map, but it’s not the only weapon worth talking about.
Turns out, the M4A1 carbine might be the real star here. This weapon strikes a balance between the range of an assault rifle and the handling speed of an SMG, which suits most of the beta’s small to medium-sized maps quite well. The M4A1 is the first carbine players unlock, yet it holds some advantages over the other option, the M417.
Each shot deals 25 damage, and it fires at a rapid 900 rounds per minute. It’s surprisingly helpful up close thanks to decent hipfire accuracy, and it also competes well at medium range. Recoil can be a problem, but equipping a Compensated Brake and a vertical grip can tame it nicely. Soft Point bullets, which become available early, increase the headshot damage multiplier to 1.7x, making it even deadlier. A 36-round magazine allows you to unload a lot of bullets quickly.
Playing aggressively with the M4A1 by darting in and out of cover feels natural given its quick handling. It’s simple but helpful. Here’s a loadout that seems to work well after testing all attachments:
- Muzzle: Compensated Brake
- Barrel: 14.5″ Carbine
- Underbarrel: Ribbed Vertical
- Magazine: 36RND Magazine
- Ammunition: Soft Point
- Ergonomics: Improved Mag Catch
- Scope: RO-M 1.50x
Of course, you can tweak this setup depending on your playstyle. Maybe swap the muzzle for a Standard Suppressor if you want to sneak around more, or pick a different vertical grip for better recoil control. Hopefully, EA won’t nerf this gun too much, or I might have to switch back to the M417.
What do you think? Could the M4A1 become the go-to weapon for Battlefield 6 players? It’s kinda refreshing to find a gun that feels powerful without being blatantly overpowered, especially with all the shotgun chaos. Feel free to share your thoughts and favorite loadouts in the comments below!
