M301 grenade launcher

"The only thing I can think of that would make the MA5C any sweeter would be an under-slung shotty or a forty mike mike."

- Anonymous UNSC Serviceman

The M301 40mm Grenade Launcher, also known as the "forty mike-mike" among troops, is a United Nations Space Command weapon designed to fire explosive grenades. It can be attached to a number of weapons.

Design details
The M301 takes the form of an underbarrel grenade launcher, which can be employed on a variety of firearms. The launcher commonly sees usage on the MA5B and MA5C assault rifles fitted under the barrel, replacing the flashlight attachment standard to the MA5 series. The weapon is also employed on the M6634 flamethrower - the latter of which employs the launcher mounted above the firing nozzle of the flamethrower.

The M301 grenade launcher is capable of firing 40mm grenades at targets within a 99-foot (30 meters) zone, and up to 164 feet (50 meters) vertically—depending on wind, trajectory, and skill. The grenade launcher's rare tendency to detonate in the hands of unskilled operators has led to the M301 seeing limited use.

Ammunition
The M301 fires 40mm grenades. The launcher can be used to fire regular high-explosive munitions or flashbangs. This has earnt the launcher the nickname "forty mike-mike" among UNSC service personnel.

Usage
The launcher is employed in the UNSC Marine Corps, in which it is commonly used in suppression, anti-armor, and anti-vehicle roles. The launcher is also used by the Marine Corps' Hellbringers, who use the launcher mounted on their flamethrowers to fire flashbang grenades - used to stun and surprise enemy troops.

The launcher's tendencies to rarely explode in the hands of unskilled operators saw it given limited usage, though it has seen increased use within the last hundred years.

Human-Covenant War
The M301 was employed in 2526 during the Battle of Netherop and Operation: SILENT STORM by the SPARTAN-IIs of Blue, Green and Gold Teams. It was later used during 2531 by Hellbringer forces attached to during the Harvest campaign, Battle for Arcadia and Battle of Trove.

Post-war era
The M301 continued to see service in the Post-Covenant War conflicts, with Blue Team continuing to use the launcher underslung on the MA5C rifle in Operation: RETRIBUTION.

Halo Wars
The M301 is useable in Halo Wars, as an upgrade available for the Hellbringer units. When unlocked, the grenade launcher allows Hellbringers to fire flashbang grenades as their Y-ability - stunning enemy infantry.

Production notes
During early development, Halo: Combat Evolved was to feature an underbarrel grenade launcher on the MA5B assault rifle. This grenade launcher survived through several iterations of the rifle's evolution, with the weapon at one point even sporting a secondary magazine forward of the main trigger to load grenades. Ultimately, the grenade launcher was removed entirely, and only later referenced in a Bungie.net post about the MA5C rifle for Halo 3. The weapon was first visually depicted in a McFarlane Toys figurine for the Hellbringer in Halo Wars, which featured the launcher mounted atop the Hellbringers' distinctive flamethrowers.

List of appearances

 * Halo Wars
 * Halo: Retribution
 * Halo: Silent Storm
 * Halo: Oblivion