Canon

M20 PDW

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M20/PDW
H5G-Render-SMG.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2]

Type:

Specifications

Length:

56 centimeters (21.9 in)[1][2]

Width:

11 centimeters (4.4 in)[1]

Height:

29 centimeters (11.6 in)[1]

Weight:

1.3 kilograms (2.87 lb)[1]

Ammunition type:

M490 5.7×28mm HV-AP[2]

Capacity:

60 round magazine[1][2]

Service history

In service:

Post-Covenant War conflicts

 

The M20/Personal Defense Weapon (M20/PDW) is a submachine gun produced by Misriah Armory and issued to United Nations Space Command service personnel.[1][2][3] The M20 serves as a replacement for the M7 SMG in the post-Covenant war era. The weapon is issued to UNSC vehicle and aircraft crews, security personnel, and Spartans who expect to encounter close-quarters combat.[4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The M20 is visually similar to its predecessor, though it differs in using a new high-velocity armor-piercing round that increases the amount of kinetic energy imparted to the target, specifically developed to counter the proliferation of military-grade armor among Insurrectionist cells and as a response to Covenant energy shield technology.[1][2] The weapon uses top-mounted magazines of cased 5.7×28mm High Velocity, Armor Piercing (HV-AP) ammunition rather than the side-mounted magazines of caseless ammunition used by the M7. The top-mounted magazine offers an improved reload time and allows the weapon to be more open to customisation and field-modification,[2] with the weapon compatible with nearly all UNSC weapon attachments.[1]

By default, the M20 is equipped with a reflex CQB sight, though as per above this can be swapped out.[2] The weapon's main frame features a retracting stock, folding foregrip, and a smart-link electronics package to allow it to be used with any UNSC helmet. The weapon's lightweight construction allows it to be fired one-handed.[1]

Variants[edit]

The M20's accessibility to production and customisation has opened the weapon up to having a large catalog of subvariants.[2] It is compatible with nearly all UNSC weapon attachments.[1]

Sight options
  • Standard: SMG with CQB sight. Standard configuration best suited for close-quarters combat while leveraging smart-link.SMG with CQB Sight.[3]
  • Morph SMG: SMG with Morph sight. Advanced tactical configuration used by the UEG's elite bodyguard corps.[5]
  • Projection SMG: SMG with Projection sight. SWAT configuration used by UNSC military police and UEG security forces.[4][6]
  • Recon SMG: SMG with Recon sight. Personal defense weapon configuration issued to UNSC pilots.[7]
  • Hybrid SMG: SMG with Holoscope. Personal defense weapon configuration used by Sangheili liaison teams.[8]
  • COG SMG: SMG with COG sight. Interdiction configuration used by Marine and Spartan boarding parties.[9]
Other attachments
  • Long Barrel: Increases range of bullet magnetism and aim assist.
  • Laser Targeter: Increases weapon accuracy by reducing bullet spread.
  • Silencer: Firing the weapon does not make the user show up on enemy radar. However, walking still gives away the user's position.
  • Stabilization Jets: Helps control vertical recoil.
  • Kinetic Bolts: Augments knockback and damage against vehicles.
  • Energy Bayonet: Increases melee damage and range, allowing for a one-hit kill against normal opponents.
  • Extended Magazine: Increases both ready and reserve ammunition capacity by up to 40%.
  • Threat Marker: Tracks targeted enemy personnel for a short time.
  • Sound Dampener: Increases effective range and reduces firing signature.

Gameplay[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to M20 PDW on its gameplay page.

Changes from M7 SMG in Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • Can now be zoomed in using the Smart Scope to have its bullet spread reduced at the cost of added recoil.
  • As of the November 2017 update, headshots with the M20 SMG now deal bonus damage on unshielded targets.
  • Increased damage, killing in 19-20 rounds, (depending on the headshot bonus) instead of 25 rounds.
  • Maximum reserve ammo increased from 180 to 360.
  • Rate of fire is now 920 RPM.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to HCS testing[edit]

  • Maximum reserve ammo decreased to 300 (-14.3%).

Changes from HCS testing to Overtime[edit]

  • Aim assist slightly decreased within effective range.
  • Overall damage slightly reduced, including headshot damage.
  • Accuracy slightly increased as the inner reticles no longer bloom outside of the outer circular reticle.

Production notes[edit]

The weapon's Halo Waypoint Universe article erroneously referred to the M20 PDW as firing the M7 SMG's 5×23mm caseless ammunition.[1] However, the weapon is designed to eject spent shells - a behaviour which can be observed in-game. This discrepancy was corrected in the Halo Encyclopedia.[2]

Trivia[edit]

The M20 bears similarity of both the FN-P90's receiver-style magazine, and foresight, and the MP7's frame.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Screenshots[edit]

  • Halo 5: Guardians concept art of the SMG.

    Halo 5: Guardians concept art of the SMG.

  • A render of the SMG from the pre-Beta development stage of Halo 5: Guardians.

    A render of the SMG from the pre-Beta development stage of Halo 5: Guardians.

  • The SMG seen ejecting shell casings on Trench in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.

    The SMG seen ejecting shell casings on Trench in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.

  • Smart Scope with the SMG on Crossfire in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.

    Smart Scope with the SMG on Crossfire in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.

  • A render of the M20 in Halo 5: Guardians.

    A render of the M20 in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • A render of the Projection SMG in Halo 5: Guardians.

    A render of the Projection SMG in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • A render of the Master Control skin.

    A render of the Master Control skin.

  • Spartan Olympia Vale of Fireteam Osiris using an M20 SMG in the key art for Halo 5: Guardians.

    Spartan Olympia Vale of Fireteam Osiris using an M20 SMG in the key art for Halo 5: Guardians.

  • First-person view of the M20 by Frederic-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

    First-person view of the M20 by Frederic-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

  • Fred-104 using smart scope with the M20 SMG.

    Fred-104 using smart scope with the M20 SMG.

  • Linda-058 using the M20 SMG while aboard Argent Moon.

    Linda-058 using the M20 SMG while aboard Argent Moon.

  • First-person view of the M20 on Coliseum in Halo 5: Guardians.

    First-person view of the M20 on Coliseum in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • Smart scope with the M20 in Halo 5: Guardians.

    Smart scope with the M20 in Halo 5: Guardians.

  • A Freebooter-clad Spartan-IV using an M20.

    A Freebooter-clad Spartan-IV using an M20.

  • A Venture-clad Spartan-IV using an M20 on March on Stormbreak.

    A Venture-clad Spartan-IV using an M20 on March on Stormbreak.

  • Third-person view of the M20 engaged in smart scope.

    Third-person view of the M20 engaged in smart scope.

  • Third-person view of a Stinger-clad Spartan-IV using a Hybrid M20.

    Third-person view of a Stinger-clad Spartan-IV using a Hybrid M20.

  • A Promethean Soldier with an M20 on Raid on Apex 7.

    A Promethean Soldier with an M20 on Raid on Apex 7.

  • M20 SMGs being used on targets in Halo: Recruit.

    M20 SMGs being used on targets in Halo: Recruit.

Halo 5: Guardians variants[edit]

  • First-person view of Projection M20.

    First-person view of Projection M20.

  • Smart scope with the Projection M20.

    Smart scope with the Projection M20.

  • First-person view of the Recon M20.

    First-person view of the Recon M20.

  • Smart scope with the Recon M20.

    Smart scope with the Recon M20.

  • First-person view of the Hybrid M20.

    First-person view of the Hybrid M20.

  • Smart scope with the Hybrid M20.

    Smart scope with the Hybrid M20.

  • First-person view of the COG M20.

    First-person view of the COG M20.

  • Smart scope of the COG M20.

    Smart scope of the COG M20.

  • First-person view of the Morph M20.

    First-person view of the Morph M20.

  • Smart scope of the Morph M20.

    Smart scope of the Morph M20.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halo Waypoint, SMG (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 176
  3. ^ a b c Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: SMG "Rapid fire submachine gun best suited for close-quarters combat wile leveraging Smart-Link."
  4. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Locke & Load (Retrieved on Nov 8, 2020) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Projection SMG "SMG with Morph Sight. Advanced tactical configuration used by the UEG's elite bodyguard corps"
  6. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Projection SMG "SMG with Projection Sight and Energy Bayonet. SWAT configuration used by UNSC military police and UEG security forces."
  7. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Hybrid SMG "SMG with Recon Sight. Personal defense weapon configuration issued to UNSC pilots."
  8. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Hybrid SMG "SMG with Hybrid Sight. Personal defense weapon configuration used by Sangheili liaison teams."
  9. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: COG SMG "SMG with COG Sight. Interdiction configuration used by Marine and Spartan boarding parties."

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List of sidearms and melee weapons produced and used by humans
SMGs and PDWs
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