- "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[]
- Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual
- Aliens versus Predator Gold Edition (and subsequent re–releases)
- Aliens versus Predator: Extinction
- Aliens: Unleashed
- Aliens: Colonial Marines/Stasis Interrupted
- Alien: Isolation (novel)
- Alien: The Roleplaying Game
- Alien: The Roleplaying Game — Chariot of the Gods
- Alien: The Roleplaying Game — Destroyer of Worlds
- Alien: The Roleplaying Game — Colonial Marines Operations Manual
- Alien: Enemy of My Enemy
- Aliens: Dark Descent
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Aliens: Colonial Marines, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 version, Gearbox Software, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lee Brimmicombe-Wood. Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual, p. 26 (2012), Titan Books.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Aliens versus Predator: Extinction - Bestiary
- ↑ Andrew E. C. Gaska. Alien: The Roleplaying Game Colonial Marines Operations Manual, p. 66 (2021), Free League Publishing.
- ↑ Andrew E. C. Gaska. Alien: The Roleplaying Game (2019), Free League Publishing.
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