We don't even know if the MA5 is it's own weapon or just a shorthand name for an MA5B or any weapon in the MA series of assault rifle. To say it is it's own weapon, and erase my edit saying it could just be an MA5B or other MA assault rifle, is not good. Please allow me to say that it could just be an MA5B or another assault rifle.
Actually, going by how weapons in the US (and consequently UNSC) military are named, they start with the M then the numbers and letters, IE in this case, the A5. The A, B ,C are the next three versions of it. --Ajax 013 18:35, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
Modular assault weapon system
I think the MA5 series weapons are just modularized variations of the same basic shell and mechanisms for different purpouses, such as the B being for close-up ship-board combat (issued to the pillar of autumns armouries because of it's mission) compared to the C being the actual standard issue weapon across the colonys and the K being a special application weapon. Rather than being different weapons entirely. it is generaly said that the C was a new model, but wouldn't that make it the MA6 or something? Just my two cents, Gunnerey seargeant Maiar 09:45, 12 April 2009 (UTC)