Personal Defense Weapons | Weapons Battlefield 4 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
The Personal Defense Weapons (PDW) are a type of weapon designed for fight over very short distances and it is available for engineers only. A quite stunning fact is that (apart from completing all engineer assignments ) you first need to kill 200 enemies using Carbines to unlock the last LMG.
The PDW are similar to assault rifles, or carbines, in terms of the damage they deal so, the user of an SMG is not bound to lose if pitted against an enemy with a larger-caliber weapon, on condition that the optimal range is maintained. Apart from that, the PDW weapons are one of the most accurate weapons for the hip-shooting so, sometimes it may even be better not to lose time to lift the optical instruments to the eye, thanks to which you will gain additional fraction of second of advantage over the enemy. This fraction of second can often tip the scales to your side, especially in the "Hardcore" mode.
In this chapter, you will find a list of the hidden characteristics of the weapons, the comparison (described in the Commentary) and a few hints concerning the suggested accessories. Still, you should remember that these are only common-sense hints whose aim is, predominantly, not to bring harm (e.g. by emphasizing the downsides of the PDW) but, there is nothing in your way if you just want to experiment in order to adjust the weapon to a more specialist use, which in turn decreases its universal character. The hints that refer to the accessories concern only those, whose mounting directly translates into altering the weapon's statistics, i.e. the barrel, the underslung element and the laser (although in this case, the laser, which increases the hip-shooting, accuracy is a basic piece of equipment). The remaining accessories are completely optional, dependent on the preferences ad your experience with the game.
MX4
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | --- |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | medium |
FULL RELOAD TIME | medium |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | very high |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | high |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | very high / low |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
MX4 is the first available SMG and, as such, it does not stand out too much, when compared to the competition. Its rate of fire is relatively high and the first bullet is quite precise to hit the target but, the price to pay for this is low stability and quite a "kickback". Apart from that, it discernibly recoils to the left while in the AUTO mode. It is best for extremely short distances and there probably are few engineers that will find this one useful, after unlocking the next PDW models - unless you prefer to remain faithful to its modern looks.
Suggested accessories: Laser, Angled grip or Stubby grip, Muzzle brake.
PP-2000
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 4 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | very long |
FULL RELOAD TIME | very long |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | very low |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | very low |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | medium / very low |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
PP-2000 is a sub machine gun that is very easy to operate. It has low rate of fire but, in turn, its vertical and horizontal recoil is negligible, thanks to which you can conduct precise automatic fire. Also, the accuracy of the initial bullet leaves very little to wish for. The only shortcoming of this weapon is that it has one of the longest reload times, as for, a PDW, which is alleviated by the volume of the magazine.
Suggested accessories: Laser, ERGO grip.
UMP-45
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 11 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~40 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | very short |
FULL RELOAD TIME | very short |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | low |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | very high |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | very low / very low |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | short |
UMP-45 is an SMG of the lowest rate of fire but, at the same time, one of the easiest when it comes to controlling of the AUTO fire, ad one that deals most damage in its own class. The accuracy of the initial shot is perfect , thanks to which it can well be used for medium ranges. During the AUTO fire, the vertical recoil lifts the barrel but, it is easy to prevent by lowering the sights. With a bit of practice, it is one of the most precise PDW weapons, but not while hip-shooting.
Suggested accessories: Laser, ERGO grip, Muzzle brake (only if countering the vertical recoil is problematic).
CBJ-MS
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 19 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <12,5~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | short |
FULL RELOAD TIME | short |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | high |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | medium |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | very high / very high |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | long |
CBJ-MS is a very unique UZI variation. The first thing that attracts attention is the capacious drum magazine, which can be surprisingly fast replaced. It gets worse when it comes to the gun's precision, because of the strong horizontal recoil, which results in difficult handling. The accuracy of the initial bullet is also nothing to sweep you off your feet so, the best idea is to use it in narrow corridors, or avoid shooting in very long series.
Suggested accessories: Laser, ERGO grip, Compensator .
PDW-R
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 28 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~50 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | medium |
FULL RELOAD TIME | medium |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | medium |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | low |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | very low / high |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | long |
PDW-R is definitely useless for precision use but, it shines at close range. When it comes to the remaining characteristics, it is a relatively well-balanced SMG but, it has a relatively strong horizontal recoil to the right, while shooting AUTO fire. It requires a bit of practice to control its diagonal recoil.
Suggested accessories: Laser, ERGO grip, Compensator .
CZ-3A1
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 37 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | short |
FULL RELOAD TIME | very short |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | very high |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | very high |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | high / very high |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
The Czech-made SMG CZ-3A1 is the fastest weapon in its class, which results in a strong horizontal recoil to the right. While fighting at close quarters, CZ is a beast, due to its rate of fire. For the same reason, it uses up its ammo very quickly so, if you live long enough, be prepared to use the secondary weapon frequently or for asking the support for additional batches of ammo.
Suggested accessories: Laser, Angled grip, Muzzle brake.
JS2
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | 48 000 |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | medium |
FULL RELOAD TIME | medium |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | medium |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | high |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | low / medium |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
JS2 comes second, when it comes to the rate of fire, in the PDW class (joint with the P90) so, as can be expected, its precision is low. Its recoil is not as uncontrollable, though, as in the case of the CZ-3A1, because its horizontal spread is lower, although it spreads a little to the right. In return for this inconvenience, you receive the most capacious magazine.
Suggested accessories: Laser, Angled grip or Stubby grip, Muzzle brake.
P90
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | Complete the "Peace Maker" mission (The campaign mode) |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~60 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | long |
FULL RELOAD TIME | very long |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | high |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | medium |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | very high / very high |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
P90 is another SMG of high rate of fire and a capacious magazine. Ideal at extremely short distances (although, in theory, its range is a bit longer than that of most PDWs) but, due to a quite strong vertical recoil, and low accuracy of the initial shot, it is useless at longer ranges. Ideal for hip-shooting.
Suggested accessories: Laser, ERGO grip, Compensator .
UMP-9
STATISTIC | VALUE |
POINTS NECESSARY TO UNLOCK | Complete the "Engineer - Expert" assignment |
MAXIMUM REACH/EFFECTIVE RANGE | <8~55 meters |
TACTICAL RELOAD TIME | very short |
FULL RELOAD TIME | short |
RECOIL AFTER THE FIRST SHOT | very low |
RECOIL OF SHOTS IN SUCCESSION (BURST, AUTO) | very low |
RECOIL TO THE LEFT/RIGHT | low / low |
STABILIZATION TIME AFTER THE LAST FIRING | medium |
UMP-9 is, not without a reason, a reward for the most demanding assignment to be completed by the engineer. It is much faster than UMP-45, its magazine is bigger, it reloads almost instantaneously and its recoil is negligible. After mounting the appropriate accessories, the weapon feels as if was firing laser beams. The pure precision in the case of aiming through the optical sights and probably, the only PDW weapon that can be used to harry the enemy snipers and the other long-range soldiers.
Suggested accessories: Laser or Magnifier X2, Stubby grip, Compensator or Muzzle brake.