Fortnite has finally given some quiet attention to a weapon that’s been around all of Chapter 6 but rarely made the spotlight. The Precision SMG received buffs on September 12th, yet the community barely noticed. With the Hollow Twister AR and MK-7 AR entering the loot pool at the same time, most players overlooked the subtle but important changes. Still, those buffs make the Precision SMG a much more competitive option in close-to-mid range fights, especially when paired with the extended magazine boon.
Small Changes With a Big Impact
The Fortnite Precision SMG buff came in three parts: fire rate, range, and magazine size. On paper, the fire rate increase of 0.01 seems insignificant, but it further strengthens the weapon’s biggest advantage—its speed. A small tweak in range also means the gun won’t fall off quite as hard when enemies push past 50 meters, though it’s still weak at long distances compared to ARs.
The magazine size bump from 21 to 23 is the most meaningful. With the extended mag boon, the weapon now holds 28 shots, which makes it viable in sustained fights instead of feeling underpowered. This change alone shifts it from “fun but flawed” to “a solid pick in the right hands.”
Competing With New Additions
Before the September update, the Precision SMG held the unique niche of being the only red dot hitscan gun in Fortnite. That advantage disappeared the moment the Hollow Twister AR and MK-7 AR entered the loot pool. Both offer strong mid-range consistency, which instantly overshadowed the SMG’s former identity.
However, the buffs give it a reason to stay in rotation. It may not dominate from 80 meters away, but in typical Fortnite fights—close to mid-range—it feels snappy and competitive. With quick reload speed and solid hipfire, it plays better than many expect.
Extended Mag Boon Tips the Scales
The extended mag boon is the secret ingredient that transforms the Precision SMG into a legitimate contender. Those two extra bullets scale up with the boon, making the gun far more forgiving. With vending machines scattered around the island, acquiring the upgrade isn’t difficult. Once boosted, the mag size feels standard for its class, letting players stay in the fight longer without constantly reloading.
That’s when the weapon shines. Shockwave pushes become more effective thanks to the SMG’s hipfire reliability, and quick reloads mean downtime is minimal. Players who dismissed it earlier may find the upgraded version surprisingly versatile.
Exotic Precision SMG and Why It’s Better Now
The exotic Precision SMG remains in the loot pool, featuring higher base stats and the ability to mark enemies on hit. Previously, this exotic variant felt wasted because its base form wasn’t strong enough. With the Fortnite Precision SMG buff, though, its exotic counterpart feels like a genuine reward.
Players burned out on the usual AR loadouts can now swap in this SMG for fresh gameplay. While it still loses out to rifles in long-range duels, Fortnite rarely forces those fights unless players commit to them. For most matches, the Precision SMG—especially with its exotic version—offers a fun, competitive alternative.
