Official designation: M7/Caseless Sub Machine Gun
Projectile type: 5mm x 23 Caseless
Dual-wield: Yes
Damage: Low
Range: Close
Accuracy: Low
Rate of fire: High
Autofire capability: Yes
Magazine capacity: 60 bullets
Ammunition (additional): 180 (3 Magazines)
Reload speed: 2 s single wield, 5 s dual wield.
Melee attack: Strong due to update
Scope: No
Advantages:
The SMG's strength is its high rate of fire. While individual shots are not enormously damaging, its full automatic mode of fire has led to it being dubbed the "bullet hose" by players. When dual-wielded, it allows the wielder to drown targets in a torrent of projectiles. The rounds also lack the tracer rounds featured in the Battle Rifle, meaning that firing this weapon does not automatically give away one's position. The SMG is also more accurate at longer range than the Magnum when using controlled bursts. The tactic of "pumping" the trigger, or firing short bursts successively, is popular for keeping the fire rate reasonably high while yet maintaining a reasonable accuracy. The SMG can be quite useful when coupled with grenades or dual wielded, but alone it should be avoided.
Disadvantages:
The SMG has a number of shortcomings - it is considered by many to be the worst gun in the game, being less accurate and less powerful than the magnum; that is, simply worse. The high rate of fire will make you burn through all of your ammo is less than a minute of pitched combat. Its accuracy renders the gun useless except in close range combat. Furthermore, its full automatic fire leads to enormous recoil, forcing the SMG's muzzle steadily upward. You will need to compensate for this effect by constantly adjusting aim, though firing in bursts counters the recoil effect. If there's no cover available to hide behind while reloading in your current area, you may be better served by another weapon.
Multiplayer role:
The SMG is not a very effective weapon, but as it is the starting weapon on most multiplayer maps, it cannot be avoided. When combined with more powerful weapons (e.g. plasma rifle, charged plasma pistol, magnum) it can be relatively effective at close range against foes with less powerful combos. It takes down shields the third fastest, coming in behind the plasma pistol and rifle. Against flesh, it is second to only one, being marginally weaker than the human magnum.
Since the update, the SMG+Plasma rifle combo has become slightly more powerful.
Influences: The design strikingly resembles Heckler & Koch's new MP7 PDW (submachine gun)