M6C magnum

The M6C Magnum Sidearm is a stripped-down version of the M6D Pistol equipped by the crew of the Pillar of Autumn during their battle with the Covenant on Installation 04, the Magnum does not have a scope, nor are its bullets explosive - and it therefore lacks the very features that made its counterpart so deceptively deadly in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Introduction
The fact that this is a different pistol than the M6D seen in Halo: Combat Evolved may not be that the Marine Corps replaced it, but rather that Navy personnel are issued the M6D while Marines, being a separate branch of the military with separate administrative authority, are issued the M6C.

Advantages
The magazine of this handgun can hold 12 rounds and has moderate stopping power. In close quarters with a dual-wieldable configuration, it is extremely effective when employed against shielded or unshielded foes. It is quite useful for placing exact headshots. At Medium and semi-long ranges, the M6C is also effective, but not as effective as the M6D, used in Halo: CE. The Magnum also has a Very High accuracy rating.

Disadvantages
The Lack of a scope, and shorter barrel makes the Magnum harder to use than the M6D in longer ranged combat. People argue that it is more balanced than the M6D, which was overpowered (according to some). The M6C tops the SMG, and the Battle Rifle at close ranges, at medium ranges, it is pretty much equal to the Battle Rifle, and much better than an SMG.

Ammo
The M6C Magnum Sidearm is obviously the predecessor of the M6D Pistol, and it therefore has the cons that were were resolved in the Pistol. One of the cons was ammo types. The M6C uses 12.7mm*40mm Semi Armor Piercing, High Power rounds. These rounds, although lacking the stopping power of the HE-SAP M6D rounds, are still, in the right hands, just as useful. The Semi Armor Piercing renders it decently effective against shielded opponents, the High Power complementing it.

The HP-SAP round is still able to pierce metalloid armor (used by that of Grunts and Jackals and Drones) and can kill them with one shot to the head, usually. On Normal, it takes about 8 Magnum rounds to kill a shielded Elite and with the Magnums higher rate of fire, is made easier. 1 Magnum shot will kill a normal enemy with low, or no shields.

Close range
This weapon is effective at close ranges, Duals are even better for Close range. This gun kills Very fast at close ranges.

Medium ranges
Perhaps where the Magnum is the best, it is effective at medium ranges, and almost equal to the battle rifle, although it lacks the scope. The High accuracy added on to the High fire rate makes this weapon very good at Medium ranges.

Long ranges
OK. This gun is not the best weapon at long ranges, but it still works due to its high accuracy. The lack of a scope may make this gun harder to wield at long ranges than the Battle rifle.

Character Compatibility

 * Elites
 * Spartans
 * Marines
 * Grunts
 * Jackals
 * Drones (have animation, but never used)
 * Flood Combat Form (Human)
 * Flood Combat Form (Elite)

Note: You can give Magnums to Grunts and Jackals when you encounter the flood on The Sacred Icon. Drones have animations for the Magnum.

Trivia

 * This weapon was first introduced in Eric Nylund's Halo: First Strike novel. It was noted the pistol "weren't the standerd-issue HE pistols", and had "oversized barrels--easily 30 percent larger and longer", they also had "grips of self-molding plastasteel", and whatever it shot was "high caliber". Unlike the game's actual performance of the pistol, the novel described it as "far better than the standard-issue sidearm".

Related Links

 * M6D Pistol
 * M6G Pistol
 * Plasma Pistol