Canon

M45E shotgun

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Revision as of 05:44, November 1, 2024 by BaconShelf (talk | contribs)
M45D Shotgun
HReach-M45TacticalShotgunProfile.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2][3]

Type:

Shotgun

Specifications

Length:

118 centimeters (46.4 in)[1][2][3]

Ammunition type:

M296 8-Gauge 18.5mm Magnum[1][3]

Capacity:

6[1][3] or 12[2] shells

Feed system:

Dual tubular, non-detachable magazines[4]

Operation:

Pump-action[3]

Optics:

None (Smart-link-compatible)

Service history

In service:

 

The M45E Tactical Shotgun,[2] or Tactical Shotgun, 8 Gauge, Pump Action, M45,[4] is a firearm built by Misriah Armory and used by the armed forces of the United Nations Space Command. It is one of several firearms in the broader M45 family, the other notable variant being the more common M45D shotgun.[3]

Overview

Design details

The M45E was the design template on which many of the UNSC's shotguns would be based on, with Weapon System Technology copying the design for their own DTM series and M90/M90A shotguns.[2] It boasts a dual tubular, non-detachable magazine above the barrel which is capable of storing six M296 8-Gauge Magnum shells[1][3] - though some models are capable of storing twelve, similar to their M90 counterparts.[2] Reloading is done by inserting shells into the top of the weapon. The magazine and barrel are surrounded in a heat shroud with a pump action below and a picatinny rail atop for mounting optical attachments.

The M90 shotguns built by Weapon System Technology are functionally almost identical to the M45, save for their larger magazine size,[1] and it is common for armouries across the UNSC to stock both models.[2]

Service history

The M45E was originally designed for expeditionary forces operating on the colonial frontier. It has since been adopted primarily for use by the UNSC Army, with some notorious private security firms also using it too.[3] It was also used by the UNSC Marine Corps, with most experienced veterans recognising its heritage and reliability.[2]

It was used by UNSC forces to great effect in urban operations during the Insurrection,[2] and Human-Covenant War.[1] It was heavily used by Army garrisons on Reach during the Fall of Reach, and was a particularly favourite weapon of Emile-A239, a SPARTAN-III working under the Special Warfare Group Three as part of NOBLE Team. M45Es were also stocked aboard UNSC Pillar of Autumn in preparation for Operation: RED FLAG; during preparations for the mission, the ship's supply of M90s were largely hoarded by the ship's SPARTAN-II complement - leaving the rest of the infantry garrison aboard to use the M45Es. Despite the two being functionally equivalent, Major Antonio Silva held it as a sticking point for his larger distaste of the Spartan program.[5]

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources