I know that adding Nighforce ATACRs or EKP-8 Cobra sights reduces recoil even further but that makes the guns very impractical so i won't add them. generally if you want to supress NATO-rifles look no further than the Daniel Defense Wave Muzzle brake & QD supressor, there are both .308 and .223 versions of it. For 5.45x39mm rifles the PBS-4 supressor is the best option and because of how frequently it can be found in weapon boxes all over Tarkov they are usually pretty cheap. The best supressor for 7.62×39 is either the PBS-1 or the TT-akm-mounted DTK or DTKP supressors.
First up: the DT MDR multicaliber bullpup assault rifle:
The MDR in it's .308 configuration is very quiet, hard-hitting guns best used in close quarters (for example peeking through dorways) to utilize the short overall length. It is limited however by the fact that the biggest magazines available are 20-rounders. Overall pirce: ~300k
The 5.56 MDR is very capable cheap, low-recoil option that doesnt eat ammo like a hungry dragon, thus allowing you to reduce the pricetag of the overall kit. Because of the low base recoil of the MDR you can save money on the foregrip, if you're on a budget, a simple RK-1 or AFG M-LOK grip is enough. Overall price: ~190k
The second gun on this list is peak german engineering: the Heckler & Koch HK 416-A5
Precise, fast firing, controllable but also very expensive – all words you can describe the HK 416 with, it's truly an endgame weapon. For 13 additional points of ergo and one point of recoil more you can also buy the Hera Arms CQR. If you have 300k to spend, consider the HK 416!
Very closely related to the second gun build is the one and only, the infamous: M4A1!
There isn't much to say about the M4A1, it's got fire rate just short of the 416's 850 RPM, high ergonomics, very low recoil and is ridicolously expensive. To supress it swap the barrel for a 20" one and use the Wave QD supressor kit. Overall Price: ~320k
Next up is the M4s soviet counterpart: The AK-74M, AK-74N and AKMN
The other AKs are not as viable, because they have shorter handguards ( so the BIS CMRD doesnt fit on it, the next best option is the "Agressor" handguard) or they might have irreplacable stocks ( like the AKMSN)
The AKs are generally cheaper than the M4A1, have more recoil, aren't as modular and have less ergonomics, but loaded with 7n39/BS, or even BP/BT they are nothing to scoff at. This one in specific differs from the standard AK-74 in that it has soviet made side mount for night vision optics ( ночь=night ) that can also be used to mount optics like the OKP-7 or PSO-1. Overall Price: ~220k
The AK-74M is modernized version of the AK-74 which is again a modernized version of the AKM chambered in 5.45×39. It is also equipped wit ha foldable stock, making storage easier. This configuration also has 1 less recoil than the AK-74N and is more ergonomic. Overall Price: ~240k
The AKM is not very different from the AK-74, the only difference is the caliber: whereas the AK-74 is chambered in 5.45×39 , the AKM (and AK-47) is chambered in 7.62×39. the heavier round gives the gun more recoil and higher stopping power. A considerable advanteage for players who are on a budget is also the accsessibility and the price of the 7.62x39mm BP round, which is the best one available, for most tasks at least. You can buy it on the flea market for around 800 roubles a piece or, after completing "The Punisher – Part 5" for 731 roubles. Alternatively it can be crafted in the workbench lvl 3 with a green can of gunpowder. The gun costs almost 200k.
Now we have something in between the AK and the M4A1, the export version of the AK-74, made for the US-market: the AK-101&102
The 5.56 AKs have received shadowbuff in the 12.4 update with the addition of the CNC Warrior Adapter that allows you to mount moder 5.56 US muzzle brakes and supressors.They are still not as useful as an M4 or an MDR but they might find their niche one day. This setup costs around 220k roubles.
One of my personal favorites: the DS Arms SA-58, also known as the FN FAL
This gun is huge, heavy, expensive and deadly. It fires 7.62NATO rounds at 700RPM as far as 900m, but the effective range of this gun is more like 50m everything beyond that has to be engaged in single fire. one or two hits will usually dispose of any but the most geared of opponents. Very few guns have such satisfying animations/sounds and you can call one of these beauties your own for only ~220k.
The first DMR in this list: the SVDS "Dragunov"
The new modernized izhmash gear allows you to reduce the recoil of this infamous rifle down to 122. It can be purchased for around 280k.
Next up is an american rifle with a long history: the Springfield armory M1A
This rifle is increadibly heavy and expensive but you can get very accurate follow-up shots off with ease. The total price for this build is 280k
May i present to you, the M1A SASS's big brother: the Remington R11 RSASS
The RSASS is very old gun in Tarkov and it has been a favorite since it's addition. Feared by those ending on the wrong side of the barrel of this gun, it fires 7.62x51mm rounds with deadly accuracy. Without the REAP-IR thermal scope this gun costs about 280k from the fleamarket, the REAP-IR can either be purchased for around 200k from the fleamarket or bartered for 10 Radiator Helixes.
One of the most accurate rifles based on the AR-10 is the next addition of this list: the Knight's Armory Company's SR-25
The RSASS and the SR-25 are very similar rifles, they almost even sound alike, but the RSASS has considerably less recoil. This build costs 350k.
The only 12gauge on here is the Saiga 12ga ver.10
The best supressor for this gun is the SilencerCo 12 gauge supressor. It costs 160k unsupressed.
Another piece of german precision engineering is the Sig Sauer MPX
The already very low recoil on this gun can further be reduced by using the RK-2 foregrip and the TACCOM muzzle brake to total of 23 recoil. And because of the low recoil on this gun you can dump mags of AP 6.3 into enemies at a long range, slowly but surely melting through their armor. You can obtain this SMG for around 170k depending on the time of day.
I hope i dont have to say anymore about the guest of honour: the TOZ!
It just works and only costs 70k.
A gun that is often overlooked because of it's low price and calibre: the PP-19-01 "Vityaz"
The PP-19 is one of the lesser known guns in available to PMCs in Tarkov but it's capable one nonetheless.
If you have any guns that you'd like to see that aren't already on this list or you know a way to reduce the recoil even further (and you are not here just to be validated) make sure to let me know.