MAC-10 vs MP9: Which CS:GO SMG is better?

Both the MAC-10 and MP9 are staples in the arsenals of Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists in CS:GO. These cheap yet effective SMGs not only dominate eco rounds but also have the potential to shred through full buys with enough proficiency. However, there has been a never-ending debate as to which SMG is objectively better in the current meta of CS:GO.

Our article will explore the statistics associated with both the MP9 and the MAC-10 and provide players with an unbiased take on which SMG performs the best. To get a more detailed brief, read below.

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MAC-10 and MP9 comparison for a statistical end to the CS:GO debate

MAC-10

Priced at $1050, the MAC-10 is the cheapest SMG in CS:GO. It is exclusive to the terrorist faction with an extremely low price point. The gun features a fairly high rate of fire and a great damage trade-off, paired with a comparatively low movement inaccuracy. The MAC-10 allows for high-tempo plays, making it a worthwhile purchase for anti-eco rounds.

Below are the statistics for the weapon:

• Damage - 29
• Armor penetration - 57.5%
• Rate of fire - 800 rounds per minute
• Accurate range (meters) -11 m
• Reload time - 2.6 seconds
• Magazine capacity - 30
• Reserve ammo limit - 120
• Running speed (hammer units per second) - 240

The MAC-10's damage drop-off and its general inaccuracy are its biggest disadvantages. Furthermore, the gun also slacks in the armor penetration department and naturally tends to fail in full-buy rounds against the Counter-Terrorists in-game.

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MP9

The MP9 is native solely to the Counter-Terrorists in CS:GO. It is the cheapest SMG available to the faction and it definitely offers players more bang for their buck. The gun features an extremely high fire rate and mobility, along with exceptional jumping and movement accuracy. Furthermore, it also has quite an effective drop-off range, making it a great CQC weapon for anti-eco rounds.

Here are the full statistics of the MP9:

• Damage - 26
• Armor penetration - 60%
• Rate of fire - 857 rounds per minute
• Accurate range (meters) -16 m
• Reload time - 2.1 seconds
• Magazine capacity -30
• Reserve ammo limit -120
• Running speed (hammer units per second) - 240

The downside, however, is that the MP9 suffers from a rather high recoil. While it is controllable at short bursts, players need to heavily compensate in order to execute an effective full magazine. Furthermore, its low armor penetration makes it almost ineffective against players kitted with Kevlar.

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Verdict: MP9 takes the edge over MAC-10

Here is a detailed comparison between both the SMGs offered by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive:

Stats	MAC-10	MP9
Damage per shot	29 HP	26 HP
Headshot Damage	65 HP (armored) 114 HP (unarmored)	61 HP (armored) 104 HP (unarmored)
Fire rate	800 RPM	857 RPM
Accuracy	Better	Worse
Reload time	2.6 seconds	2.1 seconds
Effective Range	11 meters	16 meters
Price	$1050	$1250

The MP9 only has a slight edge over the MAC-10 in this comparison. But in an objective sense, the MP9, with its better range, rate of fire, and movement accuracy, will undoubtedly dominate over the MAC-10 in-game. However, It also costs $200 more.

Our overall verdict is that the MP9 is an extremely potent weapon for defending bomb sites. With faster reload speeds and rate of fire, it can shred through anti-ecos in a jiffy. The longer range also helps players effectively engage in gunfights from a medium range.

As for the MAC-10, it excels at close-range combat and is the perfect weapon to run down bombsites in CS:GO, essentially w-keying through everyone and everything in a player's way.