As Call of Duty Zombies has evolved over its 17-year lifespan-from World at War all the way to Black Ops 7-so has the weapon meta. The guns considered "top-tier" in Zombies have shifted dramatically with each generation of the mode.

But starting with BO3's KRM-262 and Haymaker, shotguns slowly became the new kings, culminating in powerful heroes like the Mog 12 in BO4 and the Huaer 77 in Black Ops Cold War.

Then Black Ops 7 Zombies arrived-and with it, a new meta completely.

For the first time in Zombies' history, pistols are not just viable but dominant. And no gun represents this shift more than the surprising new star…

Black Ops 7 Zombies' Best "Shotgun" Is Actually a Pistol - The Jager 45

The shotgun category in Black Ops 7 is widely viewed as underwhelming. Only the M10 Breacher holds up under pressure, with the Echo-12's awkward 2-round burst and the Akita's aggressive ammo consumption hurting their long-term usefulness.

Enter the Jager 45 pistol weapon so strong that it outperforms nearly every shotgun in the game after Pack-a-Punch. When upgraded, the Jager 45 stops firing pistol rounds altogether and instead blasts shotgun pellets, turning it into a spiritual successor to the legendary Executioner from Black Ops 2.

This single mechanic changes everything. The Jager 45 retains all the advantages of a pistol:

·Lightning-quick ADS

·Fast swap speed

·Smooth mobility

·Tight handling in close-quarters

But it hits like a 12-gauge beast.

The result? The Jager 45 melts hordes, shreds the Ursa mini-boss, and clears objectives faster than nearly any other base weapon available on Day 1.

Best Jager 45 Zombies Loadout in Black Ops 7

To maximize its shotgun-pistol potential, this is the ideal BO7 Zombies build:

·Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor

·Barrel: 9.6" MFS Vital Ace Barrel (Prestige unlock)

·Magazine: Goliath-X Extended+

·Rear Grip: Ranger Lite Grip

·Laser: Vector Sync Laser

·Fire Mod: .45 Cal FMJ (or Match Grade Trigger if FMJ is bugged)

·Stock (Once unlocked): Dual Wield

Dual-wielding the Jager 45 turns you into a walking blender, capable of liquefying crowds at close range while retaining the mobility that makes pistols the most fluid weapons in Black Ops 7 Zombies.

With Treyarch confirming that some attachment descriptions aren't currently accurate in Zombies, keep an eye on FMJ-if the promised penetration isn't there, swap to the Match Grade Trigger for faster firing.

Why the Jager 45 Is a Game-Changer

The Jager is a starting weapon, meaning:

·No leveling required to unlock it

·No Permanent Unlock token needed

·You can begin grinding attachments immediately.

·Dual Wield comes quickly.

·The Vital Ace Barrel can be earned early.

For players leveling weapon XP tokens and farming Ursa kills around Tessie, Carver, or the Ashes of the Damned landmarks, this pistol delivers unmatched speed and efficiency.

The Coda 9 Is Another Top-Tier BO7 Pistol (But Avoid the Velox 5.7)

While the Velox 5.7 is a disappointment, burst damage feels like an upgraded RK5 from BO3 Coda 9 is a breakout star. The weapon feels like a modernized KAP-40, a connection that the Pack-a-Punch name "NO KAP" makes abundantly clear.

What makes the Coda 9 special?

1. Massive Ammo Pool

Once Pack-a-Punched, this pistol holds an insane amount of ammunition-comparable to full auto SMGs.

2. Great Damage at All Ranges

It doesn't sacrifice DPS for magazine capacity. You can mow down several waves before needing to reload or visit an ammo crate.

3. Max Ammo Drop Frequency

Because the Coda 9 kills so efficiently, Max Ammo drops arrive before you ever fully deplete your stock.

Recommended Attachment Setup

Like the Jager, the winning formula revolves around:

·Suppressors for bonus damage

·Headshot-boosting barrels

·Accuracy-enhancing grips

·Extended magazines

Dual Wield is optional; the Coda 9 is strong enough without it.

Why Pistols Are the Strongest Weapon Class in Black Ops 7 Zombies

Pistols have always flirted with the Zombies meta. Classics like:

·Mustang and Sally (M1911)

·Boomhilda (Mauser C96)

·Z-Harmony (Strife)

All delivered iconic power moments. But rarely have two pistols launched at top-tier status on Day 1.

The last time this happened? Arguably, Black Ops 2, with the Executioner and M1911-though the latter was deadly to the user without PhD Flopper.

In Black Ops 7, however, pistols require no gimmicks. They're simply powerful:

·High fire-rate

·Strong Pack-a-Punch performance

·Excellent mobility

·Efficient ammo use

·Boss deletion potential

·Early access for all players

And if BO7 eventually adds a revolver post-launch weapon class that historically dominates-then the pistol category could become the most stacked in Zombies history.

Final Thoughts

With Operators like Takeo and Carver leading the charge across Ashes of the Damned, players will want every advantage they can get. Whether you're grinding XP, unlocking camos, or experimenting in Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies, the Jager 45 and Coda 9 offer unmatched value from the very first match.

If you want the fastest way to test builds, farm camos, or level weapons without stress, many players choose to buy CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies for quick optimization.