M6H2 magnum

The M6H2 Personal Defense Weapon (M6H PDWS) is a variant of the M6H magnum of the M6 series of handguns and was issued to all branches of the UNSC.

Design details
The M6H2 is considered a modernized variant of the M6. It sports a black polymer finish. Like the base M6H, the M6H2 is semi-automatic, recoil-operated and magazine-fed, but has an increased 12-round magazine capacity. The variant also boasts increased accuracy and is most effective with precision aiming. It features a smoother slide design and a Projection sight (in place of the venerable KFA-2 x2) to support smart scope functionality. The M6H2 also features a protective metamaterial coating, which is shared with the MA5D assault rifle.

The M6H2 also has a relatively affordable production cost and has a serial number of "00MA0100062473".

History
The M6H2 entered service by at least 2553 as it was the dominant Magnum in use by all UNSC branches in the year after the Human-Covenant War. In 2557, this weapon had a Ruptive skin approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission.

Usage
The M6H2 saw use by Rion Forge preceding the Created uprising and both Fireteam Osiris and Blue Team during the early portions of it.

Variants

 * Whispered Truth: A cut-down M6H2 magnum without a smart scope system, under-barrel flashlight, or forward trigger guard. It also has a custom slide and can mount a suppressor. This variant sports a 18-round magazine. Unlike other pistols Whispered Truth fires in three-round bursts. The slide reads "Semper Vigilans" (Always Vigilant), the motto of the Office of Naval Intelligence.
 * Gunfighter Magnum: Lightweight competition version of the M6H2.
 * Tactical Magnum: A variant with with integral baffle-free suppressor, 2× full-VISR Smart-Link, and loaded with armor-piercing rounds. This version is tailored for Spartan force reconnaissance missions.
 * Buck's Magnum: A Magnum with the Gunfighter body, Whispered Truth finish, and a front iron sight that is seen on the Projection Sight, appearing to have been attached separately.

M6H2 attachments

 * Extended Magazine: Increases both ready and reserve ammunition capacity by 50%.

Trivia

 * In Halo 5: Guardians, Spartans now wield the handgun with a more realistic "thumbs forward" combat grip, as opposed to the classic "teacup" grip seen in Halo 2 through Halo 4.

List of appearances

 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo: Point of Light