- "The M6 is either the world’s biggest pistol or the world’s smallest rifle — I’m not sure which."
- — Unknown UNSC serviceman[1]
The M6 Personal Defense Weapon System is a series of handgun produced by Misriah Armory.[2][3][4] Common slang terms for the M6 series handguns include go-mag, hand cannon, power drill, HE pistol, and heavy pistol.[5][3]
Overview
- "The longevity of the M6 has always been more about pork barrels and Slipspace travel than reliability or the so-called brilliance of its design."
- — Anonymous UNSC serviceman[1]
The M6 series have seen major widespread distribution through the UNSC Armed Forces as lighter firearms, although they are not always seen as primary weapons, because of their lighter penetrating power.
Design details
- "It’s strange. Normally a big bore means access to a greater variety of exotic munitions, but we just don’t see that variety in the field."
- — Unknown UNSC serviceman[1]
The M6 series weapons are recoil-operated and magazine-fed, and typically fire 12.7×40mm projectile ammunition, and despite the large caliber, oftentimes "exotic" ammunition is not utilized. They are also remarkably large and overpowered to an extent, appearing to be redolent of a cross between a pistol and a rifle in size. In addition to power, the M6 line of weaponry is designed to be exceedingly rugged and reliable, and the guns are able to remain operational after Slipspace transitions and high-g aerial maneuvers, as well as the rigors sustained during standard combat. However, the heavy weight limits its distribution amongst personnel, and the M6 weapons have a tendency to drop casings on the wielder's foot,[1] leading some UNSC personnel to favor the M7 SMG, which operates on a caseless system.
They have remained remarkably unchanged during their decades of service, although there are a large number of variants. The M6 series handguns are issued in three different finishes: hard chrome, black polymer, and electroless nickel.[1][4] Some variants of the M6 series have been 'up-sized' to approximately 117% their normal size to better facilitate use by Spartans.[3]
History
- "The M6 has been in service for about a hundred and forty years… it’s amazing to think how little it has changed in all that time."
- — Anonymous UNSC serviceman[1]
They have seen usage in the UNSC since 2414.[6][1][2][4][6] The M6C was almost universally adopted during the Human-Covenant War,[7] though the M6G and M6G2 thrived during the war.[8]
In the year following the War, the M6H2 was dominant magnum in use with all branches[8] and in 2555 the M6H was designated the standard side arm of all UNSC branches.[4][8]
Variants
- "The M6 has been around forever; the number of variants and configurations is dizzying... have you ever seen an M6J(C) — the Army’s carbine variant?"
- — Unknown UNSC serviceman[1]
- "The A's and B's are way more comfortable to shoot, but you don’t see many of them outside of civilian security forces anymore."
- — Anonymous UNSC serviceman[1]
- M6A magnum - Used mostly by civilian security forces,[1] standard issue/black polymer finish.[3][2]
- M6B magnum - Used mostly by civilian security forces,[1] KFA-2 x2 scope, hard chrome finish.[3][2]
- M6C magnum - 'Up-sized', armed with High Penetration ammunition, black polymer finish.[3][2]
- M6D magnum - 'Up-sized', and officer's model armed with High-Explosive ammunition and featuring a KFA-2 x2 scope.[3][2]
- M6E magnum - Standard issue/electroless nickel finish.[3][2]
- M6F magnum - Officer's model, smart-linked scope KFA-2/electroless nickel finish.[3][2]
- M6G magnum - 'Up-sized', standard issue with electroless nickel finish[3][2] and armed with High Explosive ammunition.[1]
- M6G2 magnum - Modification package of the UNSC Army's standard M6G magnum, intended for service within the UNSC Marine Corps.[10][8]
- M6H magnum - 'Up-sized', officer's model with smart-linked scope KFA-2/electroless nickel finish.[3][2]
- M6H2 magnum - Recoil operated, semi-automatic[11] with 12 round magazine and smart-linking abilities.[12]
- M6I magnum - Select-fire variant; detachable shoulder-stock/black polymer finish.[3][2]
- M6J/C carbine - UNSC Army carbine variant.[1] 355mm barrel, detachable shoulder-stock/electroless nickel finish.[3][2]
- M6K magnum - Police 'undercover' variant; 6 round magazine capacity/black polymer finish.[3][2]
- M6P pocket pistol - Pocket pistol variant.[13]
- M6/Z magnum - Machine pistol variant.[14]
The M6C magnum.
The M6C/SOCOM or M6S magnum.
The M6D magnum.
The M6G magnum.
The M6G2 magnum.
The M6H magnum.
The M6H2 magnum.
Whispered Truth.
The M6/Z magnum.
Gameplay
- Main articles: Magnum, Halo: Combat Evolved Pistol
The Magnum has been featured as a usable weapon in almost every single Halo title.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bungie.net, M6G Personal Defense Weapon System (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Halo Waypoint, Magnum: (defunct, backup on Archive.org (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Bungie.net, Halo 3: ODST Project Page (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Magnum (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), UNSC Weapons, p. 307 (2009); p. 321 (2011)
- ^ a b Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, PART 10: THE SPARTAN ARMORY, Infantry Weapons (p. 186)
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 164
- ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 165
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 166
- ^ Bungie.net, The M6G Pistol: "The modification package to the latest revision of the M6 pistol series: The M6G PDWS." - Page embed link text (Retrieved on Jan 24, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Locke & Load (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians: gameplay
- ^ Halo: Retribution, chapter 1
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Food for Thought (Retrieved on Oct 7, 2022) [archive]
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