View source for M43 HD Shotgun

{{Era|HCW|NW}}
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{{Weapon
| image=
| name=M43 Heavy Duty Shotgun
| manufacturer=
| model=M43 HDS 
| type=Shotgun
| cost=
| size=Handheld, Two-Handed, support
| damage per hit=Very High to Very Low, Range dependent
| magazine= 5 rounds on the M43A model, 15 on the M43B and C models
| maxammo=
| fire= manually operated
| ammotype= 8 guage shells
| operation= M43A: multiple feed, M43B and C: gas operated
| rate of fire= 
| range=Short Range
| era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Necros War]]
| counterpart= 
| counterwep=
| affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}

==M43A==

The M43A Heavy Duty Shotgun was designed for the SPARTAN program though the first prototype was not created until after the battle of Jericho, on Reach. It was passed upon SPARTANS combat experience of finding the shotgun slightly underpowered against zealot and ultra ranked elites. The M43A resembled a cross between a Gatling gun and a double barreled shotgun, having 5 gun tubes, each one flips open near the gun body and 5 shells can be inserted, usually by a quick loader. It wasn't designed to be accurate, being wielded underarm though it was equipped with a HUD link. It had fully adjustable and removable day/night iron sights.

==M43B==

The M43B was a technical marvel. It was almost a complete rework of the original, being closer to a Gatling gun than its predecessor. It consisted of the main barrel assembly, a rotating set of three barrels, the ammo box, holding 15 shells and the main driver that consists of two main parts, the electric motor for the rotary barrels and gas operated loader for the shells. The weapon preformed admirably in combat but was rarely used due to its weight. It could be used by marines but was unwieldly outside of the powerful and skilled hands of a SPARTAN. It had fully adjustable and removable day/night iron sights.

==M43C==

The C version was created in the late eighties as part of the UNSC rearmament program. The weapon became light, by almost a third and was shortened. Thanks to improvements in technology, such as the new metallurgic technology to replace barrels requiring changing, thermal transfer systems and a modern stabiliser. The final step was attaching three Misriah rails to the sides of the barrel assembly and underneath. The weapon was also shortened. The M43C could now be used by normal combat troops, if still a little heavy. It has fully adjustable and removable day/night iron sights.

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[[Category:Weapons]]