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M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|FS|H2|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:Ammo_-BR.png|thumb|150px|An M634 9.5×40mm KURZ from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.]]
{{FOF-1}}
'''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''', abbreviated as '''M634 X-HP-SAP''' or '''M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP''', and also known as the '''9.5×40mm KURZ''',<ref name="art3">'''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''', ''page 57''</ref>{{Ref/Note|''Kurz'' is a German word for "short".}} is a 9.5×40mm rifle cartridge made specifically for the BR55, the BR75,{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=168}} and the BR85 series.<ref name="waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/battle-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Battle Rifle'']</ref>
'''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''' (abbreviated '''M634 X-HP-SAP''') ammunition is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] .374-caliber rifle projectile that is made specifically for the [[UNSC]] [[Battle Rifle|BR55 Battle Rifle series]].
==Introduction==
Introduced along with the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]] as an improvement over the standard 7.62x51mm [[assault rifle|assault rifles]] in the [[UNSC]]'s inventory, this intermediate round provides good accuracy, controllability, and effectiveness against most [[Covenant]] personnel. Unlike most ammunition types in the Halo games, this is not a real-life [[ammo]] type.


==Physics==
==Overview==
The 9.5mm cartridge's performance is consistent with other special-purpose rifle calibers, offering high power and accuracy in close-combat engagements. In a rifle weighing anywhere between 8.5 to 11 pounds, this would produce manageable felt recoil that could be placed somewhere between that of the modern-day AK-47 and a full-power rifle such as the FN FAL, with a muzzle energy of around 3,200 joules, although it is only an estimation based on the width of the cartridge and how many rounds it takes to kill an opponent.  
The M634 X-HP-SAP was developed in conjunction with the prototype [[XBR55 Battle Rifle]]. As an experimental round, its use is only limited to the [[BR55 Battle Rifle]], the [[BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle]], the [[BR75|BR75 Battle Rifle]], and the [[BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle]]. While the round was designated as experimental around [[2525]], at some point between then and [[2558]], the "experimental" designation was dropped, becoming the M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}


The 9.5x40mm cartridge is used in standard 36-round magazines for the BR55, providing the shooter with twelve bursts before a reload is required. Though fire selection is disabled in game, for simplicity of gameplay and balance, in the Halo Shorts, the BR55 is capable of fully automatic fire.
==Properties==
As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a higher muzzle velocity than the M118 7.62×51mm round while using a smaller cartridge. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that it mixes the properties of an [[armor piercing round]] with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the [[M225 SAP-HE]] used in the [[M6 Series]].


The only weapon that uses this caliber cartridge is the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]], which first appeared in [[Halo 2]] and returned in [[Halo 3]]. The fact that the Battle Rifle does much more damage than the original Assault Rifle could have to do with the higher knockdown power and kinetic energy transfer effect of the larger projectiles.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A 9.5x40mm in Mag.jpg|thumb|A 9.5×40mm cartridge in a magazine used to feed the [[BR55 Service Rifle|BR55 service rifle]] in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' multiplayer.
File:H2A BR55 Spent Brass.jpg|thumb|Spent 9.5×40mm casings ejecting from a [[BR55]] in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
</gallery>


Overall, the 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Armor-Piercing round is an excellent medium-range intermediate cartridge, providing comparable effectiveness to the antiquated Russian 9x39mm round. The 9x39mm SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic armor piercing cartridges, which were developed for a series of special purpose sniper rifles and compact assault rifles, are also similar in use to the 9.5x40mm cartridge in the BR55. In many ways, the Battle Rifle is more of a true Assault Rifle than the MA5 Series, as its shorter, more controllable cartridge provides it with a great deal of accuracy and effectiveness against armored and energy-shielded foes in a wide variety of situations. However, rifle cartridges of this caliber are likely much more powerful than more usual calibers like 7.62mm or 5.56mm. For it to be more 'controllable' than previous rifle rounds, either the BR55 or the cartridge must incorporate some highly effective recoil-damping system that is not discussed or externally visible, as the weapon lacks a noticible muzzle brake. the three prongs on the barrel would be a flash hider rather than for recoil control.
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


The 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Armor-Piercing round has a shorter cartridge and a larger round than the 7.62mm NATO which should make the round bulkier, decrease muzzle velocity, and shorten the range.  However the 40mm case has been downsized to be more compact and could have a more efficient powder hence solving the issue with the smaller case.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


==Related Pages==
{{Ammunition}}
{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
[[Category:Ammunition]]

Latest revision as of 07:11, December 21, 2023

An M634 9.5×40mm KURZ from The Art of Halo 3.

M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing, abbreviated as M634 X-HP-SAP or M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP, and also known as the 9.5×40mm KURZ,[1][Note 1] is a 9.5×40mm rifle cartridge made specifically for the BR55, the BR75,[2] and the BR85 series.[3]

Overview[edit]

The M634 X-HP-SAP was developed in conjunction with the prototype XBR55 Battle Rifle. As an experimental round, its use is only limited to the BR55 Battle Rifle, the BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle, the BR75 Battle Rifle, and the BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle. While the round was designated as experimental around 2525, at some point between then and 2558, the "experimental" designation was dropped, becoming the M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP.[3]

Properties[edit]

As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a higher muzzle velocity than the M118 7.62×51mm round while using a smaller cartridge. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that it mixes the properties of an armor piercing round with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the M225 SAP-HE used in the M6 Series.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Kurz is a German word for "short".

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ The Art of Halo 3, page 57
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 168
  3. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Battle Rifle

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