Editing M6D magnum

|length={{Convert|26.70|cm|in}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=164}}

|ammotype=[[12.7x40mm|12.7×40mm]]{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm15}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|feed=12-round [[Wikipedia:Magazine (firearms)#Detachable box magazines|detachable box magazine]]{{Ref/Reuse|H5GWarzone}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|rate=[[Wikipedia:Semi-automatic firearm|Semi-automatic]], [[Wikipedia:Automatic firearm|fully-automatic]]{{Ref/Reuse|hammerstorm}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

{{Quote|I don't keep it loaded, son. You'll have to find ammo as you go.|[[Jacob Keyes]] after giving his M6D to [[John-117]].{{Ref/Reuse|HCElvl1}}}}

The '''M6D Personal Defense Weapon System''',{{Ref/Book|AoH|Page=99}} commonly referred to as the '''M6D Pistol'''{{Ref/Book|Id=CEM|Halo: Combat Evolved manual|Page=17}}, is a [[United Nations Space Command]] firearm and one of the variants of [[Misriah Armory]]'s [[M6 series|M6]] handgun series.{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC321|Enc11|Page=321}}

[[File:Pistol.png|thumb|left|x150px|M6D Schematic view]]

The M6D is a recoil-operated, magazine-fed handgun,{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}} chambered in [[12.7x40mm]] ammunition, typically employed with [[12.7x40mm#M225 SAP-HE|semi-armor-piercing, high-explosive (SAPHE) rounds]] of that chambering, and feeding from 12-round detachable box magazines.{{Ref/Game|Id=HCE|HCE|[[Halo: Combat Evolved Pistol]] in-game weapon}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC321}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} It has also been known to be chambered in the .450 Magnum load.{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoR20|HTFoR|Chapter=20}} The weapon is somewhat unusual for a handgun in that it is capable of both semi-automatic and automatic firing.{{Ref/Site|Id=hammerstorm|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians/updates/hammer-storm|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Hammer Storm|D=13|M=3|Y=2016}}{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The M6D is one of the M6 series' upscaled variants,{{Ref/Reuse|ENC321}} being larger than non-upscaled M6s by roughly 117%.{{Ref/Site|Id=BNetODST|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - Auto Mag|D=25|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Archive:Bungie.net/Halo 3: ODST: Field Guide#Ordnance}} The M6D is also an officer's model, and in this capacity was employed by Captain [[Jacob Keyes]] on the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}.{{Ref/Level|Id=HCElvl1|HCE|Pillar of Autumn (Level)|Pillar of Autumn}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC321}} Like other officer's model M6s, the weapon is fitted with smart-linked [[KFA-2 x2|KFA-2 optic]] for utilization by those employing a [[heads-up display]].{{Ref/Reuse|ENC321}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=116}}

[[File:M6D Open.png|thumb|left|250px|An empty M6D with its slide locked back.]]

As with most human weapons, the M6D is discharged when a trigger positioned at the top of the grip is depressed by the index finger. The energy of the expanding propellant gasses from the cartridge causes the slide to reciprocate into the open position, expelling the spent casing of the round just fired. The weapon's recoil mechanism then moves the slide back into place, stripping a fresh round from the magazine and chambering it to make the weapon ready to fire once again. This process occurs with almost imperceptible speed and can be repeated with successive trigger-pulls until the weapon is emptied,{{Ref/Reuse|H5GWarzone}} at which point the slide will lock back,{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm3|HSS|Chapter=3}} awaiting the insertion of another magazine. When a fresh magazine is inserted, the slide will then travel forward when the user presses the [[Wikipedia: Slide stop|Slide release]], stripping the first round from the magazine and chambering it. If the weapon is reloaded before it is completely empty, this process will not occur as the cycle of the slide is uninterrupted. When the weapon is employed in its fully-automatic fire-mode, the trigger does not need to be repeatedly pulled for continuous firing.<ref name="H5GWarzone">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', [[Warzone]] gameplay</ref> To prevent accidental firing, the weapon has a safety mechanism which is manually engaged when the firearm is not in active use.{{Ref/Reuse|Flood2}}

To utilize the weapon's KFA-2 optic, the user must be equipped with headwear or eyewear capable of displaying a [[heads-up display]] via a [[Smart-linking|smart-link]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} When activated, the weapon projects the view from the scope at x2 magnification on the user's visor with a circular targeting reticle.{{Ref/Reuse|H5GWarzone}}{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}

[[File:HCEA-Concept-PoA-Chief-Profile.jpg|thumb|x250px|[[John-117]] making use of [[Jacob Keyes]]' M6D on the ''[[Pillar of Autumn]]''.]]

The performance of the M6D has been repeatedly indicated to rely heavily on proficiency of its user. [[John-117]] believed that, in the hands of someone who knew how to operate it, the M6D possessed a great deal of stopping power and was one of the [[UNSC]]'s most effective infantry weapons, being almost as effective as an [[MA5 series|assault rifle]] when firing SAPHE ammunition.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm15|HSS|Chapter=15}} Likewise, a proficient shooter can also use the M6D to engage targets from a surprising distance when making use of the mounted KFA-2 optic. Its aptitude in this application is so great that, circumstantially, it is preferable to pick off lightly-protected semi-distant enemy targets with this weapon than an assault rifle.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Flood1|HTF|Chapter=3}}

As with many non-specialized human firearms, this weapon can be somewhat inefficient against targets equipped with [[Energy shielding|personal energy shielding]], requiring in one instance the expenditure of a full magazine to incapacitate an [[elite minor]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=Flood2|HTF|Chapter=2}} However, headshots with the weapon can be very effective,{{Ref/Reuse|Flood1}} making careful shot placement of high importance when engaging [[Covenant]] forces.{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}} They are, of course, not very effective at engaging Covenant vehicles, with rounds fired from the weapon simply ricocheting off the exterior of targets such as the {{Pattern|Ekesan|Umbra}} troop transport.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Oblivion13|Oblv|Chapter=13}}

==Operational history==

The M6D saw a significant amount of service throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], and was largely unrivalled in its use - with a notorious reputation among UNSC service personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} It was used by [[SPARTAN-II]] operatives throughout [[Operation: SILENT STORM]] and the subsequent [[Skirmish over Netherop|mission to Netherop]] in [[2526]].{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm15}}{{Ref/Reuse|Oblivion13}} Spartans continued to use the weapon, this time chambered in .450 Magnum ammo, during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR20}} Most notable, however, is its usage during the [[Battle of Installation 04]]. Throughout the engagement, it was employed heavily by [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC marines]] and [[UNSC Navy|Navy personnel]].{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} Captain [[Jacob Keyes]] notably offered his M6D to [[John-117]] to use to evacuate [[Cortana]] from the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, which he then went on to utilize on the surface of the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|Flood2}}

==Production notes==

The pistol went through [[Cut Halo: Combat Evolved weapons#Pistol|many changes]] to its visual design throughout the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'']]. In one of these early renditions, the weapon was named the ''50 Magnum Mega Class M4A'' - a reference to the [[marathongame:.44 Magnum Mega Class|.44 Magnum Mega Class]] present in ''[[Marathon]]''.{{Ref/Marketing|Bungie|Bungie ViDoc: O Brave New World}} In ''Halo 2'' the pistol was functionally replaced with the [[BR55 battle rifle]], with ''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World|The Art of Halo]]'' noting that ''Halo 2'' now featured "''a [[Battle Rifle|rifle]] that handles like a rifle, a [[Pistol|pistol]] that handles like a pistol, and an [[SMG]] that handles like an SMG.''.{{Ref/Book|AoH|Page=103}}

===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' depiction===

[[File:Modified M6G2.png|thumb|An M6D as it appears in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.]]

In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the M6D is represented by a repurposed ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[M6G2 magnum]] model, with markings on the weapon changed to reflect that it is an M6D. It features a black, smooth grip, a shorter magazine, and is polished to a higher sheen than the more prominent depiction from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. In all respects save for the "M6D" marking on the slide, it resembles the M6G2.{{Ref/Game|Id=CEA|HCEA|in-game model}} In early production of the game, the model for the [[M6G magnum]] from ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' was used as a placeholder for the weapon, and can be seen in several early screenshots (including the game's cover art).

 

The M6D was functionally recreated in the [[Anniversary Map Pack|multiplayer component]] of ''Anniversary'', for use in specific playlists in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. The weapon retains the model, sounds, and animations of ''Reach''{{'}}s standard M6G pistol, but has damage values tweaked to allow for a 3-shot kill similar to its performance in the original ''Combat Evolved''.{{Ref/Marketing|HCEA|BTS: Anniversary Multiplayer}}

 

*A lone M6D appears as an easter egg in ''[[Halo 2]]'' on the map [[Tombstone]]; it (and an accompanying pistol crate) can be seen behind the fenced-off section that raises over the central trench on the map. The weapon is model-only, and has no gameplay functionality.

*The M6D was featured in Bungie's 30th anniversary as the exotic sidearm Forerunner in ''Destiny 2'' obtained by reaching Brave I in Dares of Eternity. The Catalyst upgrade for the gun allows Guardians to throw a frag grenade after achieving a kill with the Forerunner, and when obtaining it, multiversal agent Xûr implies that he retrieved the sidearm and its upgrade from the ''Pillar of Autumn''.