Halo Guns

[Mr. DJ]

I was just wondering why in Halo most the guns are ones we have presently (ours might even be more advanced), but they have energy sheilds for the spartens and are able to travel through slipspace. I mean seriously, I think humanity could make some better guns in the next 500 years.

[EliteSniper]

They HAVE better guns. If these guns are able to kill a energy-shielded big alien, you can call them advanced. I don't think you could kill an elite or a brute with an M4A1...

Also, when was the last time you saw a soldier carrying a spartan laser? :/

[Robius5991]

Yeah, I see what you mean Mr. DJ, about how certain weapons (Assault Rifle, DMR, BR, Sniper Rifle, Shotgun etc..) can look similar to weapons we have today, but I have two possible explanations for this. First of all, it could be that they kept the initaly concepts of our modern guys but simply added power to them [like perhaps they found a way to accelerate the bullets to cause more damage]. The second explanation could be that they want to show how certain weapons just never go out of style. I mean, look at modern society how in many movies/games we still see revolvers, which can only hold very limited ammo compared to more modern handguns, but they kept because they are well known as effective, have a history and can be feared. Also, as for the point that you said humans didn't have advanced weapons, I'm going to have to agree with EliteISnIp3r, the Spartan Laser is reallt as futuristic as it gets! - Also look into the Gauss Hogs.

[Vendetta]

How more futuristic can you get?

Railgun

Spartan Laser

Saw

all of these are really futuristic and the ones you think are old probably just feel the same because of added shields, but in reality it has increased power.

[Penrole]

Energy sheilds were inspired by the Jackles energy sheild.

 

In terms of "guns" if you talk to Military vets that play halo you will find that they often prefer say a HUMVEE to a warhog, Also they like to talk about how we have Semi (or fully) automatic shotguns now, And I also believe (i read this from another post a long long time ago) that the BR is worse then say an m4a1.

 

For example The battle rifle:

 

(From halo wiki)

 

"The BR55HB SR is a select-fire rifle that has been in service for over 27 years. The UNSC employs the Battle Rifle as a medium-range marksman rifle; it fires new 9.5x40mm ammunition from a 36 round magazine, which fits flush in the receiver. The magazine housing is built directly into the underside of the stock of the rifle and is located behind the grip. This titanium alloy weapon is gas-operated with a rotating bolt and therefore must be charged before the first round can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is located on the left side of the weapon and does not move during operation, but is pushed back during reloading. The rifle has a housed magazine in the stock. The ejection port is located on the right side of the weapon. The BR55HB SR has noticeable changes from the BR55. It has a longer barrel for increased range and accuracy. It is also fitted with Trijicon ACOG-style optics on a modified handle and now also has a trigger guard. The safety is also located above the handle of the weapon.

It is never stated exactly what the maximum effective range of the BR55HB SR is. The MA5C Assault Rifle, which was described as most suited for short to medium range, as opposed to the Battle Rifle's mid to long, has a maximum effective range of 300 meters and the Covenant Carbine, which is similar in use with the Battle Rifle, has a maximum range of 600 meters. It is stated that the Battle rifle could reach up to 900 meters with deadly accuracy; however, that may have been due to the design of the prototype Battle Rifle, deployed in 2524, and the field issued Battle Rifle may not have that type of range.^[2]

Ammunition

 

The BR55HB SR uses a 9.5x40mm M634 X-HP-SAP. Even when fired in three-round bursts, the round produces little recoil resulting in nearly no muzzle lift. The rifle's ammo is more effective against both shielded and unshielded Covenant infantry than the 7.62x51mm NATO used in the MA5C Assault Rifle, as the increased accuracy leads to an increased amount of headshot the marksman can place on a target, and the increased kinetic energy of the round leads to faster shield depletion and increased damage to unshielded enemies."

 

From Wikipedia: M4 carbine

 

"The M4 and its variants fire 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition (and .223 Remington ammunition) and are gas-operated, magazine-fed, selective fire firearms with either a multi-position telescoping stock or a fixed A2 or LE tactical stock.^[17] Original M4 models had a flat-ended telescoping stock, but newer models are now equipped with a redesigned telescoping stock that is slightly larger with curvature at the end.^[18] The M4 is similar to much earlier compact M16 versions, such as the 1960s-era XM177 family. Some of those visual designs are obvious in both weapons, however most of the similarities are not very noticeable.

As with many carbines, the M4 is handy and more convenient to carry than a full-length rifle. The price is slightly inferior ballistic performance compared to the full-size M16, with its 5.5" (14 cm) longer barrel. This becomes most apparent at ranges of 300 yards and beyond. Statistically, however, most small-arms engagements occur within 100 yards.^{[citation needed]} This means that the M4 is very much an adequate weapon for the majority of troops. The marginal sacrifice in terminal ballistics and range, in exchange for greatly improved handling characteristics, is usually thought to be a worthwhile compromise. A very large proportion of US forces engagements in the recent middle-east conflicts has consisted of urban warfare, therefore justifying the choice.

While the M4's maneuverability makes it a candidate for non-infantry troops (vehicle crews, clerks and staff officers), it also makes it ideal for close quarters battle (CQB). The M4, along with the M16A4, have mostly replaced the M16A2 in the Army and Marines. The U.S. Air Force, for example, has transitioned completely to the M4 for Security Forces squadrons, while other armed personnel retain the M16A2. The US Navy uses M4A1s for Special Operations and by vehicle crews.

Some features of the M4 and M4A1 compared to a full-length M16-series rifle include:

• Compact size
  
• Shortened barrel 14.5 in (370 mm), which includes the shorter carbine gas system.
  
• Telescoping buttstock
  

However, there have been some criticisms of the carbine, such as lower muzzle velocities and louder report due to the shorter barrel, additional stress on parts because of the shorter gas system, and a tendency to overheat faster than the M16A2"

 

 

Now if you read up on the stuff (even im not sure if im reading this right) you can see that its not halo's guns that are better, Military has a CRAP load of guns that are a lot more practical. its the AMMO thats changed. For instance the BR's 9.5x40MM round are in an "assualt rifle". In Todays army it was phased out for the 5.56x45mm due to the recoil. So you could say SOMETHING significant happened to ammo in the haloverse.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that despite what we all want Halo is and always will be subject to "game balanceing" and general coolness for the sake of coolness.

[Doc Shaftoe]

I think it all boils down to "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

[Sadly Just AL]

So far I've seen a few guns from this time period and compared. A few weapons tell you how much ammo you have left. Plus they spent all their money on the Spartan project.

[BaconShelf]

Before the covenant, they did not have need to get better weaponry, though they do have GUASS rifles.

Plus, UNSC scientists have been trying to research more advanced but cannot understand how plasma is shaped and kept in the magnetic field until it hits a target. In other words; they have no idea how to do that stuff.

 

And the Splaser is shoulder mounted, not very portable...

[Composite Armour]

Forget that, but why has the UNSC abanonded critical elements of warfare?

And why do they have such weak tanks?

[Helljumper425]

Uh...the MA5 series in Halo uses 7.62x39 millimeter. That's the same kind of round fired by an AK47. I can tell you right now, that 7.62 can not do in real life what it does in Halo. Granted, it's a video game, but canonically, those rounds pop shields. I think Humanity's all good on the gun department if pre-Gulf War era ammunition specs are now hellishly advanced enough to stand a chance against and alien species.

[Sp4rkFloW]

But the weapons the UNSC in today's games, are very technologically advanced. If they had these when the world wars were going on, there would be a lot of bloodshed. Human vs. Human. It might ultimately end our race. But even if this did occur, and it was before other galaxies were discovered, nature would still go on. Then it would be like the dinosaur ages again. Wow, this comment took a major derail. :/