Canon

M20 PDW

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M20/PDW
H5G-M20SS.png
A render of the M20 PDW.
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2]

Type:

Specifications

Length:

56 centimeters (21.9 in)[1][2]

Width:

11 centimeters (4.4 in)[1]

Height:

29 centimeters (11.6 in)[1]

Weight:

1.3 kilograms (2.87 lb)[1]

Ammunition type:

M490 5.7×28mm HV-AP[2]

Capacity:

60 round magazine[1][2]

Service history

In service:

Post-Covenant War conflicts

 

The M20/Personal Defense Weapon (M20/PDW) is a submachine gun produced by Misriah Armory and issued to United Nations Space Command service personnel.[1][2][3] The M20 serves as a replacement for the M7 SMG in the post-Covenant war era. The weapon is issued to UNSC vehicle and aircraft crews, security personnel, and Spartans who expect to encounter close-quarters combat.[4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The M20 is visually similar to its predecessor, though it differs in using a new high-velocity armor-piercing round that increases the amount of kinetic energy imparted to the target, specifically developed to counter the proliferation of military-grade armor among Insurrectionist cells and as a response to Covenant energy shield technology.[1][2] The weapon uses top-mounted magazines of cased 5.7×28mm High Velocity, Armor Piercing (HV-AP) ammunition rather than the side-mounted magazines of caseless ammunition used by the M7. The top-mounted magazine offers an improved reload time and allows the weapon to be more open to customisation and field-modification,[2] with the weapon compatible with nearly all UNSC weapon attachments.[1]

By default, the M20 is equipped with a reflex CQB sight, though as per above this can be swapped out.[2] The weapon's main frame features a retracting stock, folding foregrip, and a smart-link electronics package to allow it to be used with any UNSC helmet. The weapon's lightweight construction allows it to be fired one-handed.[1]

Variants[edit]

The M20's accessibility to production and customisation has opened the weapon up to having a large catalog of subvariants.[2] It is compatible with nearly all UNSC weapon attachments.[1]

Sight options
Other attachments
  • Long Barrel: Increases range of bullet magnetism and aim assist.
  • Laser Targeter: Increases weapon accuracy by reducing bullet spread.
  • Silencer: Firing the weapon does not make the user show up on enemy radar. However, walking still gives away the user's position.
  • Stabilization Jets: Helps control vertical recoil.
  • Kinetic Bolts: Augments knockback and damage against vehicles.
  • Energy Bayonet: Increases melee damage and range, allowing for a one-hit kill against normal opponents.
  • Extended magazine: Increases both ready and reserve ammunition capacity by up to 40%.
  • Threat Marker: Tracks targeted enemy personnel for a short time.
  • Sound Dampener: Increases effective range and reduces firing signature.

Gameplay[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to M20 PDW on its gameplay page.

Changes from M7 SMG in Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • Can now be zoomed in using the Smart Scope to have its bullet spread reduced at the cost of added recoil.
  • As of the November 2017 update, headshots with the M20 SMG now deal bonus damage on unshielded targets.
  • Increased damage, killing in 19-20 rounds, (depending on the headshot bonus) instead of 25 rounds.
  • Maximum reserve ammo increased from 180 to 360.
  • Rate of fire is now 920 RPM.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to HCS testing[edit]

  • Maximum reserve ammo decreased to 300 (-14.3%).

Changes from HCS testing to Overtime[edit]

  • Aim assist slightly decreased within effective range.
  • Overall damage slightly reduced, including headshot damage.
  • Accuracy slightly increased as the inner reticles no longer bloom outside of the outer circular reticle.

Production notes[edit]

The weapon's Halo Waypoint Universe article erroneously referred to the M20 PDW as firing the M7 SMG's 5×23mm caseless ammunition.