BR55HB battle rifle

The BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle (BR55HB SR) is a select-fire rifle utilized by the UNSC Defense Force and manufactured by Misriah Armory. It is a heavy-barreled version of the BR55 Service Rifle.

Service history
The BR55HB SR entered service in 2548, serving alongside the standard BR55 Service Rifle. For decades, the BR55 had steadily gained favor over the long-serving M392 Designated Marksman Rifle. The introduction of the BR55HB SR led to an immediate increase in the BR55's popularity, prompting all branches of the UNSCDF, except the Army, to replace the M392 with the newer weapon.

Design
As with the basic model, the BR55HB SR is employed as a medium-to-long range marksman rifle; though its barrel is 25.9 centimeters (10.2 inches)longer than that of the BR55, the BR55HB SR performs almost identically to its predecessor. It fires M634 9.5x40mm KURZ semi-armor piercing, high-powered ammunition from a 36-round magazine, which fits flush in the receiver. The magazine housing is built directly into the underside of the stock of the rifle and is located behind the grip. Though the BR55HB SR is a select-fire weapon, it is most often used in its three-round burst mode. Despite firing a very powerful cartridge, the weapon is subject to little recoil, even when being fired automatically.

This titanium alloy weapon is gas-operated and features a rotating bolt; therefore, it must be charged before the first round can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is located on the left side of the weapon and does not move during operation, but is pushed back during reloading. The ejection port is located on the right side of the weapon.

Advantages
The BR55HB SR has reasonably high power, a decent rate of fire, and high accuracy with its 2x magnification scope. Its range is its primary advantage, allowing the player to engage at longer ranges by leading shots. The BR55HB SR has a slightly lower recoil than its BR55 predecessor and has less muzzle flash, although the rounds fired are still visible in the air; the rifle's updated design also boosts range and accuracy, increasing the effectiveness of the 9.5mm rounds it fires. The scope of the BR55HB SR allows a skilled marksman to easily take down an unshielded target from medium range, making the battle rifle the best alternative to sniper rifles.

Disadvantages
Attempting to engage a target at longer ranges requires more rounds and less movement as the rounds become inaccurate over longer ranges. In close quarters combat it is fairly surpassed by the Covenant carbine, as the latter weapon is more capable of performing headshots. Furthermore, its magazine can be depleted rather quickly. The weapon requires a good amount of skill in order to use it. The user must have an understanding of how the weapon works, and what to do with it when a situation arises. Each bullet fired from the weapon can act as a tracer, and can give away the shooter's position, putting him at risk of return fire. While effective at long range against light or unshielded targets, the BR55HB's performance against shielded infantry at close range is extremely challenging; the BR55HB, while still very effective, is not the weapon of choice at close range because of its design, and the fact that it can be easily overpowered by the shotgun and energy sword.

Changes from the BR55 Service Rifle in Halo 2

 * New reloading animation
 * Decreased aim assist
 * Slightly less recoil
 * Slightly different firing sound
 * Slightly lower rate of fire
 * Decreased accuracy/greater spread
 * Rounds lack hitscan properties, requiring greater lead on moving targets

Trivia

 * Sometimes the battle rifle will have one or two extra rounds, causing a half burst. This is caused by retrieving ammunition from a Marine NPC. This can also be achieved if fired and simultaneously meleeing. The weapon would have fired one round, and the melee would have cut off the other two.
 * The Marathon logo is located on the gun's left side, to the left of the ammunition counter display and roughly above the trigger guard and on the stock.
 * WETA Workshop made a replica of the BR55HB SR, along with several other weapons, for use in the Halo: Landfall live-action shorts.
 * Though the battle rifle is not usable in Halo 3: ODST, it makes a small cameo in the level, NMPD HQ.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Landfall
 * Halo: Arms Race
 * Halo: Combat
 * Halo: Last One Standing
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Helljumper
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo Legends
 * Prototype