M90 shotgun: Difference between revisions

|manufacturer=[[Weapon System Technologies]]<ref name="BnetShotgun"/>

|series=[[DTM series]]<ref name="BnetShotgun"/>

|type=Pump-action shotgun<ref name="CEM"/><ref name="H2M"/>

|ammotype=[[8-Gauge Magnum]]<ref name="CEM"/><ref name="H2M"/>

|feed=12-shell dual-tubular non-detachable magazine<ref name="CEM"/>

|operation=[[wikipedia:pump-action|Pump-action]]<ref name="CEM"/><ref name="H2M"/>

The '''M90 Close Assault Weapon System''' (CAWS),<ref name="ENC325">''[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe (2011 edition)]]'', Page 325</ref> also known as the '''M90 Close Assault Shotgun''',<ref name="FS6">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', Chapter 6</ref> '''M90 assault shotgun''', or simply the '''M90''',<ref name="SS25">''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'', Chapter 25</ref> is a pump-action shotgun in service with [[UNSC]].<ref name="ENC325"/> It is a military variant of the prolific [[DTM series]] of shotguns from [[Weapon System Technologies|Weapon Systems Technologies]].<ref name=

The M90 is a pump-action shotgun, chambered in the extremely powerful 8-gauge magnum shell, and feeding from a 12-round, dual-tubular, non-detachable magazine.<ref name="CEM">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Manual#Human Weapons|Halo: Combat Evolved Manual, Page 18, “M90 Shotgun”]]''</ref> It is generally utilized alongside MAG 15P-00B rounds,<ref name="HCEG"/><ref name="H2G"/><ref name="H2AG"/> and is designed as a more practical and cost-effective recreation of [[Misriah Armory]]’s [[M45E Tactical Shotgun]],<ref name="HCEAL">''[[Library (feature)#Shotgun|Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Library, “Shotgun”]]''</ref>  though in UNSC service it is considered to be functionally identical.<ref name="HWDD6">''[[Data drops|Halo Waypoint Data Drop 6]]''</ref>  

The M90 shotgun is hefted like a rifle, with the user's dominant hand holding the primary pistol grip, and their off-hand supporting the weapon by holding onto the forend (the portion of the weapon which is acted upon by the user to facilitate the pump action, which also acts as a forward grip for the off-hand). As is typical of human firearms, in order to discharge the weapon, the trigger positioned at the top of the pistol grip must be depressed. If the weapon is loaded with standard ammunition, the weapon's firing will take the form of a spray of pellets, referred to as "buckshot", which are quite powerful at close range but lose damage efficiency as the spray disperses and loses energy. The firing of the weapon produces a fiery muzzle flash as burning propellant gasses leave the barrel.<ref name="HCEG"/><ref name="H2G"/><ref name="H2AG"/>

Once the chambered round is fired, to repeat, the forend of the weapon is slid back across the weapon’s underside in the direction of the stock, retracting the bolt and removing the spent shell from the firing chamber. When the forend is fully retracted, the spent shell will have been ejected, and the way will have been cleared for the elevator component to position a new round for the bolt to carry into the chamber when the slide is once again pushed forward in the direction of the muzzle. Once the weapon’s magazine is expended, new rounds must be inserted one at a time into the receiver to continue firing. It is possible at any time to top up the magazine with additional ammunition until it is full.<ref name="HCEG"/><ref name="H2G"/><ref name="H2AG"/>

The M90 is a devastating weapon in close, confined environments, with a loud report and strong recoil.<ref name="H2M">''[[Halo 2 Manual#Current UNSC Weapons|Halo 2 Manual, Page 11, “M90 Shotgun"]]''</ref> The spray of pellets from the weapon mean that at slightly longer ranges, it can be used to hit clusters of targets simultaneously,<ref name="CEM"/> but also makes the weapon inefficient at extended ranges due to the low ratio of shot which hits the target to the amount of shot fired.<ref name="H2M"/> The M90's powerful cartridge makes it capable of efficiently engaging and defeating enemies with [[energy shielding]] within effective range.<ref name="SS25"/> The Covenant learned to be wary of this weapon in urban environments, noting its close-range lethality.<ref>''[[Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition Manual#Primitive Implements of War|Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition Manual, Primitive Implements of War, "M90 Shotgun"]]''</ref>

The M90 was a common close-range battle implement in the service of the UNSC throughout the [[Covenant War]]. It saw service in the hands of [[John-117]] during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]],<ref name="SS25"/> but its most prominent usage came in 2552. It played a notable part in the [[Battle of Installation 04]], being used by [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC marines]] against the [[Covenant]] and [[Flood]].<ref name="HCEG"/> An M90 was also present during the ensuing [[Skirmish over Threshold]].<ref name="FS6"/> It went on to be widely utilized during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref name="H2G"/> Notably, the [[Unidentified Master Gunnery Sergeant|Master Gunnery Sergeant]] who oversaw John-117's issuing with his new [[MJOLNIR Mark VI armor]] was killed on [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]] while using an M90 to defend his armory from [[elite]]s.<ref>''[[Halo 2]], "[[Cairo Station]]" campaign level''</ref> M90s were brought on the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad]]'', and thus were employed throughout the [[Battle of Installation 05]].<ref name="H2G"/> During the battle, they were frequently captured and pressed into service by [[brutes]].<ref>''[[The Great Journey (Level)|Halo 2, "The Great Journey" campaign level]]''</ref>

The original ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' depiction is different in three notable aspects from the later depictions in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''. The first is that the weapon features a smooth magazine lacking a heatshield, with a distinctive chrome finish. The second is that the tritium iron sights glow blue instead of green. The final differentiation is that in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but not successive depictions, when the weapon is reloaded after being completely emptied, the weapon’s action is worked to chamber the first round.<ref name="HCEG"/> A similar shotgun design, the [[M90A shotgun]], is featured in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.