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"Standard issue USCM 9mm pistol comprised of a lightweight steel alloy."
―Overview of the M4A3 Service Pistol (from Aliens: Colonial Marines)

The M4A3 Service Pistol was a semi–automatic pistol manufactured by Armat Battlefield Systems and used by the United States Colonial Marine Corps as their standard issue sidearm.

Overview[]

The M4A3 was a 9mm automatic, recoil operated, magazine-fed handgun. Coming with a notch and post iron sight, the working mechanism was made of steel alloy with some high-strength plastic parts, while the outer casing was machined from lightweight alloys. The entire weapon, including a full 12-round magazine, weighed no more than 0.95 kg.[2] The M4A3 was largely ineffective against Xenomorphs and Yautja, making it somewhat of a last resort weapon,[3] but it could be used with M901 Armor-Piercing Rounds[2] or the A27 High Velocity Round, giving it more punch. The M4A3 could also be equipped with an A7 Sound Suppressor for stealth operations or cover ops, or a Laser Targeting System for more precision.[1]

Notable users[]

The M4A3 was the standard sidearm of the United States Colonial Marine Corps,[1] medics and Synthetics[3] from the 2120s onwards,[2] though it was phased out by the VP70MA6 in the 2170s.[4] The Weyland-Yutani Corporation also equipped some of its forces with the M4A3.[1] It was also popular with civilians, corporates, pilots, the Office of the Colonial Marshals, and mercenaries.[5]

Behind the scenes[]

The M4A3 Service Pistol was first mentioned in the 1995 reference book Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual, written by Lee Brimmicombe-Wood. It made its first appearance in the Gold Edition of the 1999 video game Aliens versus Predator.

Appearances[]

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