MA5 series

The MA5 series is a series of air-cooled, gas-operated assault rifles produced by Misriah Armory that are used by the United Nations Space Command Defense Force. It is part of the larger MA Series.^[1] The MA5 series rifle is the workhorse of the UNSC Marine Corps and the Navy and has been in service for more than fifty years.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

The MA5 series rifle is a close- to medium-range weapon. It is most effectively used by fully automatic sustained fire at close range, or by using short, controlled bursts at medium range, and for this cause, it is more effective at close range. It is a balanced starting weapon that can be used effectively in the hands of a skilled marksman.

Firing mechanism

The MA5 series rifle is a bullpup rifle and is made of Titanium-A alloy - the rifle is a gas-operated weapon with a rotating-bolt and therefore must be cocked before the first shot can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is situated on the left side of the rifle and moves during operation. Once the first round is fired, the gases from that round and those to follow impinge upon a gas piston, which pushes back the bolt carrier, rotating the bolt inside which unlocks it and extracts the spent brass from the chamber and ejects it. As the bolt carrier group is propelled forward, it chambers another round. This cycle continues until the magazine is empty. Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle must both be pulled back and locked or must be fully cycled after a fresh magazine is inserted to chamber the next round. The magazine itself is located at the butt of the rifle and the magazine release button is located above the magazine well and has an arrow pointing down toward the housing.

The electronics suite is integrated along the top rail guard of the weapon. The MA5 is designed for the toughest of situations, able to be subjected to elements that would otherwise cause a weapon to malfunction, or render a weapon inoperable. It is used by Marines and other Naval personnel with improper equipment to uploading a targeting reticule to the user's heads-up display or neural interface.^[2]

Ammunition

Main article: M118 7.62x51mm FMJ-AP

The MA5 series rifle uses the M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket, Armor Piercing rounds. These rounds are designed to pierce body armor so the rounds are reasonably large, and are surrounded by a molded jacket of either steel or titanium, which enhances its armor-piercing capabilities. More "exotic" ammunition types, like shredder rounds, are available for use, however these modifications are available only by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR).

Development history

The MA5 entered service with the UNSCDF in 2437 and has remained the primary service rifle ever since.^[3]^[4]^[1] The MA5 series was preceded in service by the MA3A Individual Combat Weapon System,^[5] which itself was preceded by the MA2B and the MA1.^[1]

Known models

MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA37, the UNSC Army's designation of the MA5, was introduced in 2437 and is still favored heavily by the Army despite newer iterations of the series. The MA37 receives a thirty-two round magazine.^[1]
MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5B is commonly used by the UNSC Navy and Marine Corps. It saw more frequent usage before and during the early years of the Human-Covenant War. Following the introduction of the MA5C, it is often relegated to use in short-range combat. The MA5B receives a sixty-round magazine.^[1]
MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5C is an improvement upon the MA5B, featuring a heavier barrel with a one-in-seven twist, a stronger spring mechanism, and a sturdier, more ergonomically designed handguard. It receives a thirty-two round magazine; the reduced magazine capacity in relation to the MA5B is part of an effort to prevent wearing of the magazine spring.^[6] It is used by the Marine Corps and the Navy in short-to-mid range combat.^[1]
MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System - The MA5D is the successor of the MA5C, and is in service with the Navy as of 2557. The MA5D receives a thirty-two round magazine.^[7]
MA5K Carbine - The MA5K is a carbine variant of the MA5 that used almost exclusively by Special Forces units. It receives a thirty-round magazine^[1] and is seemingly modular, capable of being assembled in various configurations.^[8]