 | This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right. |
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A submachine gun (SMG) is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. An assault rifle, in contrast, uses an intermediate-power cartridge with more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle.
Models[]
H&K MP9 10mm SMG[]
Commonly considered to be one of the finest weapons in the world, the Heckler & Koch MP9 submachine gun fires the powerful 10mm ammunition. Although the single shot is comparable to the Colt 6520 or the N99 pistol, the MP9 truly shines in burst and fully automatic modes. Coupled with the compact design, sturdiness, and light weight, it becomes a powerful asset in the hands of anyone in the wasteland. Although, the high fire rate means the urge to spray-and-pray must be controlled, unless the operator wants to run out of ammunition. Thankfully, the ease of handling makes this easier than it seems.[1] An unique feature of the weapon is its two selectors: one for switching between safety, single shot mode, and automatic mode, and another for specifying the size of the burst, up to fully automatic fire.[2][3]
- For the unique 10mm SMG found in Fallout 3, see: Sydney's 10mm "Ultra" SMG
- For the unique 10mm SMG alivable in Gun Runners' Arsenal, see: Sleepytyme (GRA)
M3A1 "Grease Gun" SMG[]
This submachine gun filled National Guard arsenals after the United States Army replaced it with newer weapons. However, the "Grease Gun" was simple and cheap to manufacture so there are still quite a few still in use. It's very powerful, but its .45 caliber rounds lack the bonuses of 10mm rounds.
Thompson M1928[]
This Thompson M1928 submachine gun is a sinister looking weapon; every time you hold it, you have an urge to put on a fedora hat and crack your knuckles. The Thompson is well-fed by a large 50 round drum magazine. Like the "Grease gun", the Thompson is pretty powerful, but fires nondescript .45 caliber rounds.
H&K P90c[]
The Heckler & Koch P90c was just coming into use at the time of the war. The P90c is a selective fire, straight blowback-operated personal defense weapon with a very high cyclic rate and an unorthodox design intended to make it as ergonomic and ambidextrous as possible. The weapon is grasped by means of a thumbhole in the frame that acts as a pistol grip, as well as an oversized trigger guard that acts as a foregrip for the shooter's support hand. To maximize maneuverability and minimize size, the weapon is built in a bullpup configuration, with the magazine mounted horizontally parallel to the barrel on top of the weapon's frame.[4][5]
9mm SMG[]
An automatic, air-cooled blowback-operated weapon firing from an open bolt, the 9mm submachine gun offers an exceptional rate of fire, capable of emptying its full 30-round magazine in under 3 seconds. It's a compact weapon, with a telescoping one-piece wire stock.
- For the unique 9mm SMG found in Fallout: New Vegas, see: Vance's 9mm SMG
12.7mm SMG[]
An extremely powerful close quarters combat weapon, the 12.7mm submachine gun is as unique in its looks as it is in function. Loading rounds from a top mounted magazine located horizontally, parallel to the weapon's barrel, it utilizes a delayed blowback system, with an inertia block located in the center part of the weapon that redirects recoil downwards via a weighted block. The entire weapon is designed to lie in line with the operator's hand and shoulder, to reduce muzzle climb.[6]
Silenced .22 SMG[]
A distinctive weapon, firing .22 cartridges from a pan magazine, using a conventional blowback mechanism. While it offers a respectable fire rate thanks to its open bolt construction, its real strength lies in the integrated suppressor, which completely silences the weapon.
.45 Auto SMG[]
A venerable relic, the .45 Auto submachine gun is a classic design that rivals the .45 Auto pistol in age. Originally designed for trench warfare of World War I, this weapon's craftsmanship and firepower made it a popular choice for Prohibition-era gangsters, policemen, and U.S. military units. It is a conventional open bolt, magazine fed design. While heavy for its size, the metal and wood used in its manufacture make it extremely durable. Many units were kept in storage by the United States Army and National Guard, eventually finding their way into the hands of various groups across the wasteland after these armories and ammo dumps were looted. The most notable groups include the White Legs, who adopted them as Storm Drums and use them extensively in their raids, and the Triggermen of the Commonwealth.
- For the unique version found in Fallout 4, see: Spray n' Pray.
MP5 H&K[]
 | The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The MP5 H&K is a submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH. It's one of the most popular submachine guns, used by law enforcement and militaries all over the world.
UZI[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The Uzi was designed by Major Uziel Gal in the late 1940s. The prototype was finished in 1950; first introduced to IDF special forces in 1954, the weapon was placed into general issue two years later. The Uzi has found use as a personal defense weapon by rear-echelon troops, officers, artillery troops and tankers, as well as a frontline weapon by elite light infantry assault forces.
Scorpio[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The Scorpio is a decent enough little SMG. Once used by members of the Spetznas, it's not as great a submachine gun as the MP5.
Sten gun[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The Sten Gun was developed by the British during WWII as a cheap alternative to the more expensive Thompson SMG offered by the Americans. The Sten proved to be extremely reliable and, due to its fairly loose tolerances, could perform in poor conditions much more reliably than ostensibly better weapons.
MP38[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The MP38 was created during World War II by the German army, who need a compact weapon that provided more firepower than a simple pistol to arm its paratroopers, tank crews and officers. This weapon was immediately so successful that the Army established an ombudsman to all its troops.
Walther MPL[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The Walther MPL is a parabellum submachine gun produced in West Germany from 1963 to 1985 by Walther. It serves as a slightly better all-around SMG, compared to the MP5.
FN P90c[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The FN Herstal P90c was just coming into use at the time of the war. The P90c is a selective fire, straight blowback-operated weapon with a very high cyclic rate and an unorthodox design intended to make it as ergonomic and ambidextrous as possible. The weapon is grasped by means of a thumbhole in the frame that acts as a pistol grip, as well as an oversized trigger guard that acts as a foregrip for the shooter's support hand. To maximize maneuverability and minimize size, the weapon is built in a bullpup configuration, with the magazine mounted horizontally parallel to the barrel on top of the weapon's frame.[7][8]
Calico Liberty 100[]
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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The Calico Liberty 100 is a SMG manufactured by Calico Light Weapons Systems.
Home-made machine gun[]
 | The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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It's a jury-rigged 9mm submachine gun with an improvised bayonet built from scrap metals paired in some places with pieces of tissue and crafted in the workshops of Jane's raiders in Carbon Mill Texas in 2208.
Unnamed 9mm model[]
| The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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A classic 9mm SMG.
Gallery[]
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The 10mm SMG was part of the game even before it was named Fallout.
See also[]
References
- ↑ Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.5-16: "One of the finest weapons in the world. The H&K MP9 is a solid submachine gun, capable of single or burst mode attacks. The single shot is acceptable, comparable to the 6520 pistol, but the burst mode is spectacular! The MP9 is easy to control, and spews 10mm death like no other firearm in it’s size category."
- ↑ Appearance of the weapon in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas
- ↑ Models are presented together as per the precedent established by the CZ57 Avenger in Fallout: New Vegas; since the two submachine guns look very much alike, have the same niche, and perform the same function, they are most likely intended to be the same model.
- ↑ Weapon appearance
- ↑ Fallout 2 item description: "{29600}{}{HK P90c}"
"{29601}{}{The Heckler & Koch P90c was just coming into use at the time of the war. The weapon's bullpup layout, and compact design, make it easy to control. The durable P90c is prized for its reliability, and high firepower in a ruggedly-compact package. Min ST: 4.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2)) - ↑ Weapon appearance is loosely based on the KRISS Vector, which operates in this way.
- ↑ Weapon appearance
- ↑ Item description: "name_p90Sub = {FN P90c}"
"desc_p90Sub = {The Fabrique Nationale P90c was just coming into use at the time of the war. The weapon's bullpup layout, and compact design, make it easy to control. The durable P90c is prized for its reliability, and high firepower in a ruggedly-compact package.}"
(Items.txt]])