M6D Magnum

The M6D Personal Defense Weapon System (abbreviated M6D PDWS), otherwise known as the M6D Magnum Sidearm and commonly referred to as the M6D Pistol, is a United Nations Space Command sidearm and is one of the variants of Misriah Armory's M6 handgun series.

Introduction

The M6D Pistol is a common UNSC sidearm and was probably first put into service around 2524 (based on Fall of Reach). It is a model of the M6 series pistols that were distributed to members of the UNSC Navy and the Spartan-II Program. This particular M6 variation is featured in Halo: Combat Evolved and cameos in a Halo 2 multiplayer map and is considered to be an extremely powerful weapon when compared to other M6 series weapons. It is mostly seen in the hands of crewmen and its flesh damage as well as accuracy and range are much higher than other M6 models. Its rate of fire is also rather high.

Summary

The M6D is a semi-automatic, recoil-operated, magazine-fed, large-bore handgun that is controllable enough to fire rapidly, although at the cost of accuracy. It is most likely striker-fired, due to the fact that there is no external hammer.
The Master Chief wielding an M6D.
It fires M225 SAP-HE (Semi-Armor Piercing, High Explosive) rounds from a 12-round magazine. Operators can achieve an effective rate of fire of 3.5 rounds/sec or 210 rounds/min with an effective range of 90-95 meters; maximum range is 122.5 meters. The weapon’s accuracy allows incredibly precise target engagement and has minute-of-angle accuracy out to its maximum effective range. This, combined with its decent damage against shield systems, makes it a viable option when faced with shielded opponents. It is, however, even more effective against infantry targets wearing hard/soft armor, being able to kill most targets in 1 shot to the head or a couple of shots to the body (depending on the target).

Technical Specifications

The M6D Pistol is a DA only (possibly) UNSC handgun that fires 12.7x40mm semi-armor piercing high explosive rounds from a 12-round magazine. This weapon has a polymer handle, making it comfortable in the user's hands, along with a titanium alloy body, and utilizes the M225 12.7mmx40mm SAP-HE round (.50 caliber). It fires these powerful rounds from a 12 round, single stack magazine that does not fit flush into the magazine housing (A flush magazine fits completely inside the housing and does not protrude out of it).

The M6D is semi-automatic and fires using the short recoil principle. This means that the trigger needs to be pulled after every shot for the next round to be fired. Because it is semi-automatic, the gun will cock itself after every shot due to recoil and will continue to do so until the magazine is empty. The recoil comes from the gases of the rounds fired. The gases force the slide, located on the top of the gun, backward. The slide not only absorbs the force of the gas, but it also uses the force to eject spent casings out of the ejection port and load new rounds into the chamber. It also re-cocks the gun. Of course, before the first round can be fired, a round must be chambered. This is done by inserting a loaded magazine into the grip of the weapon (where most pistol mags are inserted today) and then by pulling the slide back completely and letting it slingshot forward, which will strip a round from the top of the magazine and carry it into the chamber. There is a small, red rectangular box on the flat back of the slide that protrudes out slightly when the weapon is cocked. Once this is done, the safety (which is not visible on the in-game model) must be switched up or off, or the weapon will not fire. Once all the rounds have been spent, the slide catch, a rectangular lever located above the trigger on the receiver, is forced upward and locks the slide by catching a little notch. To reload, the empty magazine must be removed by using the magazine release button located on the grip. Once the empty magazine is removed, a fresh one can be inserted. Once the fresh magazine is inserted, the slide catch is pressed downward, releasing it forward to strip a round. If there is still a round in the chamber when reloading, than a simple ejection of one magazine and an insertion of another, omitting the slide catch portion of a normal reload, is all that needs to be done.

The M6D is a very basic pistol when it comes to technology. It is a large handgun, having an overall length of 26.7cm and possesses a barrel for traditional rifles, improving accuracy by spinning the bullet. It has a chrome silver color and operates like most modern day pistols. It also has rear sights (does not possess front sights due to the scope). The control lever serves as a safety (and most likely a decocking lever). If it is also a decocking lever this would most likely be done by pushing down on the lever past the safety point. This weapon features a KFA-2 2x optical, smart-linked scope. This scope links directly to a Spartan’s HUD or a Marine eye piece. It also has a large grip guard, which helps prevent the user from dropping it and a chrome barrel which helps prevent corrosion. It does not possess company writing like modern day pistols do.

Ammunition

The M6G uses 12.7x40mm M225 SAPHE (Semi Armor Piercing High Explosive) magnum loads. These rounds have a jacket of copper or cupro-nickel around the projectile while the projectile itself is hollow and filled with an explosive compound and a delayed-detonation impact fuse. When the round impacts a target, the jacket will initially help the projectile maintain its shape, allowing it to travel into the target before detonating almost immediately after impact, causing massive tissue damage and system shock. Semi-armor piercing rounds are more effective against infantry targets as compared to armor piercing rounds due to the massive KE dump and catastrophic system damage caused by internally-fracturing rounds, and have the added bonus of posing less risk to friendlies and noncombatants in the vicinity of the target. The explosive properties of the rounds also render them decently effective against personal shielding systems and are capable of damaging lightly-armored vehicles.