SMG

Summary

The SMG's strength is in its high rate of fire. While individual shots are not enormously damaging, its full automatic mode of fire has led to it being dubbed the "bullet hose" by users in the UNSC. When dual-wielded, it allows the player to drown targets in a veritable torrent of projectiles.

However, the SMG has a number of shortcomings. Its accuracy is strictly limited unless used at close range. Furthermore, full automatic fire leads to enormous recoil, forcing the SMG's muzzle steadily upward. You will need to compensate for this effect by constantly adjusting your aim. Finally, its phenomenal capacity for filling the air with lead means that its magazine can be depleted in what will seem like a heartbeat. If there's no cover available to hide behind while reloading in your current area, you may be better served by another weapon.

Multiplayer Tactics

SMG + Plasma Rifle

• Easily the best. Some argue that the SMG and the Plasma Pistol is, but this combination is the easiest to fight off many opponents in one setting without having to recharge the Plasma Pistol. It also gives you the flexibility of using two weapons at once while simultaneously destroying the opponents shield and health. Remember to reload the SMG and make sure the Plasma Rifle does not overheat.

SMG + Plasma Pistol

• Second best. Best when dealing with one opponent. Be careful of the lapse between the Plasma Pistol's recharge time and the reloading of the SMG. Because of this, players that use this combo cannot immediately deal with another opponent after a kill. This occurs in small maps such as Lockout and Beaver Creek. Also be wary of the fact that the Plasma Pistol will very quickly run out of battery.

SMG + SMG

• Probably the easiest combination to hang onto until you find a Plasma Rifle. This combination is the most predominant in the map Foundation, where there are no Plasma Rifles and SMGs are easy to find among the lots of dead bodies. This combination, however, is difficult to use in other maps because it does not effectively drain enemy shields. If you have the Dual SMG combo against SMG + Plasma Rifle combo head on, you will lose. Also be aware that the recoil effect of the SMG is doubled in this instance, causing inaccuracy.

SMG + Needler

• (Only in Halo 2)
• A half-decent but useful combination. The player is still able to use his SMG to attack without waiting for the Needler to reload.

SMG + Magnum

• This can be the worst combination, or even better than dual SMGs, depending on your skill. If you are able to deplete enemy shields, and aim right at the head with the magnum. This can make or break a starting game, usually on Beaver Creek, where the Magnum is in easy reach from the Spawn Points.

Combating the recoil

• Using the SMG as a fully automatic weapon drags the targeting reticule up. To combat this, some players fire in bursts because the recoil effect cancels when the trigger is released.

Technical Data

Official Designation

• M7/Caseless Sub Machine Gun

Projectile Type

• 5 MM

Dual-Wield

• Yes

Damage

• Low

Range

• Close

Accuracy

• Low

Rate Of Fire

• High

Auto-fire Capability

• Continuous Fire

Magazine Capacity

• 60 Bullets

Ammunition (Additional)

• 180 (3 Magazines)

Reload Speed

• Slow

Melee Attack

• Average

Scope

• No