M6C magnum

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.

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 with this obviously inferior side arm, but rather that Navy personnel are issued the M6D while Marines, being a separate branch of the military with separate admistrative authority, are issued the M6C.

Advantages
The magazine of this handgun can hold 12 rounds and has moderate stopping power. It has a very fast reload, somewhat like the Needler. In close quarters with a dual-wieldable configuration, it can be surprisingly effective when employed against unshielded foes. It is quite useful for placing exact headshots.

Disadvantages
Over longer distances, however, its lack of scope and short barrel renders the Magnum largely ineffective, and the accuracy, yet small clip size and lack of scope make it sort of imbalanced at both close and mid range, where it is superceded by both Battle Rifle and SMG.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. This is made slightly easier than the Pistol, with a slightly more centered reticle (and the fact that it is a smart reticle.) On Normal, it takes about 8 Magnum rounds to kill a shielded Elite (the same as the M6D Pistol) and with the Magnums higher rate of fire, is made easier. The Magnum round can still kill an unshielded enemy with a headshot 75% of the time

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 since it shares the same animation as the Plasma Pistol.

Related Links

 * M6D Pistol
 * Plasma Pistol