Canon

BR55 battle rifle

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BR55 battle rifle
Marcus Stacker and Butkus in Another Day at the Beach.
A cropped screenshot of a weapon in Halo 2: Anniversary's campaign. Original image by User:JackVibe.
UI asset from Halo: Campaign Evolved of the BR55 battle rifle.
Two variants of the BR55.
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1]

Model series:

BR55

Type:

Bullpup battle rifle

Specifications

Length:

89.9 centimetres (35.4 in)[2][1][3]

Weight:

3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb)[2]

Ammunition type:

9.5×40mm M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing[1]

Feed system:

36-round magazine[1]

Operation:

Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt, locked breech

Effective range:

900 meters[4][Note 1]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War
Post-Covenant War conflicts

 

"When nothing else gets the job done, the BR55 Battle Rifle will do."
— Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe[5][2]

The BR55 Service Rifle is an infantry battle rifle in service within the armed forces of the United Nations Space Command.[1][3] Among UNSC service personnel, the BR55 has accumulated a number of nicknames including the "Monkey Wrench", "BR", and the "Big Boy".[5][2] It is notable for its powerful three-round burst fire and accurate 2× scope, making it more efficient at farther ranges than the MA5 series assault rifles.

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The magazine loaded into the BR55 in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.
A magazine used with the BR55 in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

The BR55 Service Rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, mid-to-long range weapon capable of three fire modes;[3] semi-automatic,[5][2] fully automatic,[6] and a three-round burst-fire.[7][5][2] The weapon is most commonly fired in the latter of these modes.[8][9] The rifle has a bullpup layout, with a detachable 36-round box magazine loaded behind the grip and trigger, with a safety switch located above the handle. While serving to reduce the weapon's length, the rifled barrel of the weapon extends its total length to 89.9 centimetres (35.4 in). It is typically equipped with a three-pronged flash suppressor, though this attachment can be swapped out for others such as a suppressor.[10] As with the other weapons in Misriah Armory's battle rifle line, the BR55 fires 9.5x40mm M634 HP-SAP,[1] and 9.5x40mm SAP-HE.[3]

The BR55 is fitted with an optics rail above the barrel, complete with a mounting point for a telescopic sight. By default, the weapon is equipped with a so-called (and retroactively-named) "classic sight",[11] capable of x2 magnification.[1][8][9] It features no iron sights.

Overall, the weapon is considered to have high accuracy and high rate-of-fire, leading it to be popular among UNSC service personnel.[5][2]

The BR55 was one of the standard infantry rifles of the UNSC during the Covenant war.

Usage[edit]

While newly introduced into UNSC service at the onset of the Human-Covenant War, the BR55 quickly came to dominate all aspects of the military - becoming an extremely popular rifle throughout most of the military's branches.[1] While formally designated a battle rifle, in practice the weapon fulfils the battlefield role of a Designated Marksman Rifle,[4] and by 2548 had entirely eclipsed the pre-existing M392 DMR in all UNSC service except for the UNSC Army[3] - with the BR55HB upgrade fully-replacing it.[12][13][14] Although the heavy barrel variant was an upgrade of the BR55, in practice the two operate almost identically.[3]

As such, by 2552 almost all soldiers in the UNSC had trained in use of the BR55 - ensuring that what defects the weapon has are somewhat mitigated. By this time, the weapon was considered one of the standard firearms in use by UNSC forces.[5][2]

Operational history[edit]

While battle rifles began to see popularity throughout the UNSC beginning in the mid-2400s prior to the Insurrection,[15] the BR55 did not enter service until the onset of the Human-Covenant War in 2525.[1] The weapon was prototyped as the XBR55 battle rifle around the time of the First Battle of Harvest, and was in the hands of Spartan-II supersoldiers by December of that year.[16] During these early encounters with the Covenant, BR55s also fell into the hands of Insurrectionists of the United Rebel Front.[16] As the war progressed, the battle rifle proved itself an extremely popular weapon particularly in the service of the UNSC Navy and Marine Corps, in which it all-but replaced the older M392 marksman rifles. By 2548, the introduction of the BR55's upgraded model the BR55HB fully-replaced the M392 DMR in all services except for the UNSC Army.[12][13][14] In July 2551, John-117 used a BR55 during Operation: METEORITE.[17][18][19]

The BR55's popularity ultimately contributed to the design of its successor models, the BR75 and BR85 battle rifles.[1][20]

In-game information[edit]

The BR55 is featured as a useable weapon in several Halo games, including Halo 2, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo: Campaign Evolved. In Halo 3 and Halo Infinite it was replaced with the BR55HB and BR75 battle rifles, respectively. The weapon serves as a loadout utility weapon functionally replacing the Pistol from Halo: Combat Evolved.

For game-specific information, see the following pages.

H2-BR55BattleRifleSide.png
Halo 2
H2:Battle Rifle
A cropped screenshot of a weapon in Halo 2: Anniversary's campaign. Original image by User:JackVibe.
Halo 2: Anniversary (campaign)
H2:Battle Rifle
A cropped screenshot of a weapon in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer. Original screenshot by User:JackVibe.
Halo 2: Anniversary (multiplayer)
H2AMP:Battle Rifle
A screenshot of the BR55 battle rifle in Halo 5: Guardians. Original image by User:Saphira.
Halo 5: Guardians
H5G:Halo 2 Battle Rifle
UI asset from Halo: Campaign Evolved of the BR55 battle rifle.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
CEV:Battle Rifle

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Silver Timeline[edit]

HTV-SilverTeam logo.png
 This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.

BR55 battle rifles are used by Silver Team and other UNSC personnel in battles against the Covenant.[21]

Trivia[edit]

  • On the side of the BR55 opposite to the charging handle there are two Chinese symbols, "猴王", which translate to "Monkey King".
  • On the level Quarantine Zone in Halo 2, the player can acquire a BR55 from a dead Marine that, when reloaded, can have a total of 236 spare rounds instead of the normal 108 spare rounds.
  • In the Halo 2 E3 Demo, the BR55 was the only weapon shown used in making a melee combo, a feature that was originally meant to be in the final version of the game but was scrapped. It was also shown firing semi-automatically in both the demo and in the E3 2004 multiplayer alpha demo, in which the semi-auto mode was engaged when zoomed.
  • Like the sniper rifle, the BR55 is modeled without a trigger in Halo 2.
  • In Halo: Campaign Evolved, the BR55 reuses the model of the BR75 battle rifle from Halo Infinite. However, the "BR55" decal on the weapon's side means it is most likely intended to be a BR55, despite the model having features of the BR75 that the BR55 lacks.[22]
  • The BR55 was featured in Bungie's 30th anniversary event as the solar pulse rifle BxR-55 Battler in Destiny 2.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Concept art and illustrations[edit]

  • John-117 firing a BR55 in an official artwork promoting Halo 2.

    John-117 firing a BR55 in an official artwork promoting Halo 2.

  • Concept art of a Flood combat form with a BR55 for Halo Wars.

    Concept art of a Flood combat form with a BR55 for Halo Wars.

  • John-117 using a BR55 on Installation 05 in Halo Mythos.

    John-117 using a BR55 on Installation 05 in Halo Mythos.

  • A member of Beta-Red with a BR55.

    A member of Beta-Red with a BR55.

Halo 2[edit]

  • John-117 reaches for a BR55 aboard Cairo Station in the announcement trailer.

    John-117 reaches for a BR55 aboard Cairo Station in the announcement trailer.

  • John-117 wielding a BR55 aboard Cairo Station in the announcement trailer.

    John-117 wielding a BR55 aboard Cairo Station in the announcement trailer.

  • The BR55 in an early build of Halo 2.

    The BR55 in an early build of Halo 2.

  • A render of the BR55.

    A render of the BR55.

  • Renders of the BR55.

    Renders of the BR55.

  • John-117 carrying a BR55.

    John-117 carrying a BR55.

  • First-person view of the BR55.

    First-person view of the BR55.

  • Detail view through the BR55's scope.

    Detail view through the BR55's scope.

  • A Marine holding a BR55.

    A Marine holding a BR55.

  • A Marine holding a BR55.

    A Marine holding a BR55.

  • A Flood combat form wielding a BR55.

    A Flood combat form wielding a BR55.

Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • Concept art of the BR55 battle rifle.

    Concept art of the BR55 battle rifle.

  • Render of the BR55 battle rifle.

    Render of the BR55 battle rifle.

  • First-person view of the BR55.

    First-person view of the BR55.

  • The 2× zoom on the BR55.

    The 2× zoom on the BR55.

  • John-117 wielding a BR55.

    John-117 wielding a BR55.

  • An ODST wields the BR55 on Installation 05 in an early build of Halo 2: Anniversary.

    An ODST wields the BR55 on Installation 05 in an early build of Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • The BR55 being used by Marcus Stacker.

    The BR55 being used by Marcus Stacker.

  • First-person view of the BR55 in multiplayer.

    First-person view of the BR55 in multiplayer.

  • The 2× zoom on the BR55 on Bloodline.

    The 2× zoom on the BR55 on Bloodline.

  • Spartans holding the BR55 in alert carry in multiplayer.

    Spartans holding the BR55 in alert carry in multiplayer.

  • A Spartan firing a BR55 on Stonetown.

    A Spartan firing a BR55 on Stonetown.

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

  • A render of the weapon.

    A render of the weapon.

  • REQ Card of the BR55.

    REQ Card of the BR55.

  • A BR85N in comparison to a BR55.

    A BR85N in comparison to a BR55.

  • A Venator-clad Spartan with the BR55 battle rifle.

    A Venator-clad Spartan with the BR55 battle rifle.

  • A FOTUS-clad Spartan with the BR55 battle rifle.

    A FOTUS-clad Spartan with the BR55 battle rifle.

  • First-person view of the BR55.

    First-person view of the BR55.

  • Smart scope with the BR55 on Riptide.

    Smart scope with the BR55 on Riptide.

Halo Online[edit]

  • BR55 Pioneer from the Premium and Elite Beta test passes.

    BR55 Pioneer from the Premium and Elite Beta test passes.

  • The BR55 Pioneer.

    The BR55 Pioneer.

Halo Wars 2[edit]

  • Jerome-092 using a BR55 battle rifle.

    Jerome-092 using a BR55 battle rifle.

  • Jerome-092 firing a BR55 battle rifle at Atriox.

    Jerome-092 firing a BR55 battle rifle at Atriox.

  • Jerome-092 aiming his BR55 battle rifle at Atriox.

    Jerome-092 aiming his BR55 battle rifle at Atriox.

  • Marines using the BR55 battle rifle.

    Marines using the BR55 battle rifle.

  • An ODST using a BR55 with a sound suppressor during Operation: SPEARBREAKER (left).

    An ODST using a BR55 with a sound suppressor during Operation: SPEARBREAKER (left).

Halo: The Television Series[edit]

  • Production image of BR55 props.

    Production image of BR55 props.

Halo: Campaign Evolved[edit]

  • John-117 wielding a BR55 during Operation: METEORITE.

    John-117 wielding a BR55 during Operation: METEORITE.

  • A closeup of John-117 using his BR55 during Operation: METEORITE.

    A closeup of John-117 using his BR55 during Operation: METEORITE.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe claims that the BR55 battle rifle has a maximum effective range of 200 meters. However, this figure is unlikely given that most 21st century rifles have an effective range far greater than 200 meters. As such, this article assumes that the BR55 has the same range as its prototype, the XBR55.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 168
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 318-319
  3. ^ a b c d e f Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 21
  4. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 13
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 305
  6. ^ Halo: Oblivion, chapter 9
  7. ^ Halo 2, Battle Rifle in-game weapon
  8. ^ a b Halo 2 manual, page 10
  9. ^ a b Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition manual, page 13
  10. ^ Halo Wars 2 - Operation: SPEARBREAKER, campaign level Gatecrashers: Mission select artwork (File link)
  11. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Halo 2 Battle Rifle description "BR with Classic Sight. Reliable firepower never goes out of style. Battle Rifle with full-screen zoom."
  12. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 316
  13. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, DMR (Retrieved on Aug 21, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  14. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 171
  15. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 61
  16. ^ a b Halo: Collateral Damage, issue 1
  17. ^ Halo: Campaign Evolved, campaign level Boarding Action
  18. ^ Halo: Campaign Evolved, campaign level The Most Dangerous Game
  19. ^ Halo: Campaign Evolved, campaign level Heavy Burden
  20. ^ Halo Waypoint, Battle Rifle (Retrieved on Jun 14, 2021) [archive]
  21. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Jan 30, 2022)
  22. ^ Halo: Campaign Evolved marketing, Halo: Campaign Evolved New Missions Trailer

v • d • e
 
List of rifles and carbines used by humanity
MA series MA1 • MA2B • MA3A • MA40 (Longshot)
MA5 series variants MA37 • MA5B • MA5C • MA5D
Other assault rifles HMG-38 Monitor Rifle • VK78 Commando (Impact)
CM 300 • M6J/C • MA5K
BR55 series XBR55 • BR55 • BR55HB
BR75 series BR75 • BR75 Breacher
BR85 series BR85 • BR85HB • BR85N
Other BR series rifles BRXX Lightfire
Other battle rifles "Maestro"
M295 • M392 • M395 (M395B)
Assault rifles MA5C assault rifle • MA40 assault rifle • PDR-6800 • VM3-HB rifle • VK78 Commando
Sniper rifles SRS99 series (Series 7)
Marksmen rifles M392B
See other human weapons: Sidearms • Heavy weapons • Ordnance • Support weapons
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