Mk50 Sidekick

The Mark 50 Sidekick, or simply Mk50 Sidekick (stylized as Mk50 Sidekick), is a type of human specialized pistol manufactured by Emerson Tactical Systems in service with the UNSC. It is a rapid fire sidearm that performs optimally at close to medium range, although accuracy loss is considerable when fired in restless succession.

Design details
Manufactured by Emerson Tactical Systems, the Mk50 Sidekick is a semi-automatic handgun in service with the UNSC Armed Forces. Described as "powerful and compact", it fires 10mm rounds from a detachable box magazine that typically holds 12 rounds. It differs significantly from the M6 series, the UNSC's most prominent sidearm, lacking the M6's signature hand-guard and smart-linked optic, the KFA-2 x2, while also firing a lower caliber round. The design of the Mk50 is relatively simplistic, with a segmented slide and basic, analogue iron sights. A safety switch is present on the left side of the weapon, above the trigger-guard. Emerson Tactical Systems' emblem is worked into the grip. The weapon usually sports an olive green and matte black finish.

Usage
The Mk50 Sidekick was in service with UNSC forces as early as 2551. Spartans are drilled to equip the pistol very quickly. By December 2559, the weapon was in service with UNSC forces aboard the, serving as primary personal sidearm of Spartans and other special forces units onboard, and saw action at the Battle for Zeta Halo.

Variants

 * MK50 Swiftguard: A variant with beta-build firmware to improve end-to-end data encryption and increase compatibility with vintage UNSC protocols.
 * Striker Sidekick: A yellow-painted variant of the Mk50 Sidekick that holds 14 rounds, can kill in a minimum of five shots, and features less bloom, at the cost of stronger recoil.

In-game information
The Mk50 can hold 12 rounds with at least 72 rounds in reserve. It takes six shots to drain shields, with four subsequent body shots, or one headshot resulting in a kill. It is headshot-capable, features a very rapid reload, more bloom, and also possesses a swift draw time, making it a perfect sidearm to the MA40 assault rifle.

Production notes
The Sidekick was designed as a true sidearm pistol, being lightning fast to draw and fire, acting as a reliable backup when the player's primary weapon is depleted. Compared to the Magnums of previous titles, the Sidekick was described being closest in function to Halo 2's M6C magnum. In April 2021, it was shown that the Sidekick had received a redesign since its reveal in July 2020. It would now include an underbarrel attachment similar to those featured on the M6C/SOCOM and the Tactical variant of the M6H2 Magnum, as well as some other small changes.

List of appearances

 * Halo Infinite
 * Halo: The Rubicon Protocol
 * Winter Contention