M41 Pulse Rifle Family

== Overview ==
Canonically manufactured by Armat Battlefield Systems and designed by former corporal Jonathan LaForce, the M41 series is best known via the M41A, the primary service weapon of the US Colonial Marine Corps.
A high-capacity rapid-fire weapon system, the M41 functions via electronic pulse action - it's namesake. Where conventional firearms of the 20th century used firing pins and strikers to discharge projectiles in metal cartridges, a pulse rifle instead uses an electronic pulse to ignite the primer of it's ammunition.
Combined with the much lighter caseless ammunition normally used with the M41, the reduced mechanical complexity and reliance on components both reduces the weight of what would otherwise be a bulky weapon as well as increases the lifespan of the firearm.
Where the firing pin of the traditional 20th century weapon can wear down and break, where casing extractors dull, and where the costs of shipping replacement components across an interstellar civilization can prove prohibitively expensive, all that you must do to keep a pulse rifle working is to make sure it's clean, loaded, and charged.
Combining comfort, reliability, and affordability with superior firepower and practicality, the M41A has made a place for itself in the arsenal of the US Colonial Marines, and it looks like it's here to stay.
In reality, the M41A is the iconic weapon as seen in ALIENS, and was modeled or otherwise handled by Cravitus.
== Variants ==
==== M41AE2 ====
Issued when a Smartgun isn't around, or when it's just too heavy, the M41AE2 (or M41E2) is a pulse rifle with the launcher stripped off, a bipod slapped on, and a 150 round mag fed into the ready and waiting receiver. Suppressing fire!
==== M41C ====
Typically issued to boarding parties and militia units, the M41C Pulse Carbine is lighter, smaller, and controls better than it's larger cousin at the cost of capacity. While it takes flak for being a worse downgrade than the M41A MK2 was, coming without an underbarrel at all, the 41C is still a fierce weapon that spits hot death at 900 RPM. Originally loading with incendiary rounds, now fires 10x24mm explosive tipped case less rounds.
==== M41M ====
A new battle rifle variant developed in the late 2180s and 2190, the M41M, a new Pulse Rifle variant, is an ode to the M14 of the 20th century. Developed as a replacement for the NSG-23 in the role of the Battle Rifle, it fires a 3 round burst. The M41M fires the same caseless round as the M56 Smartgun, the 10x28mm caseless round. Soon to be updated with a higher profile combat optic, many Marines choose to use this over the standard 10x24 M41A/2.
==== M41A/2 ====
A return to form, the M41A/2 quickly restored the icon of the Corps to it's proper glory after a tragic misstep with the M41A MK2. Featuring improved ergonomics, a cleaner assembly, and the classic full 99 round magazine (loaded to 95), the A/2 is LaForce approved and Armat manufactured, and serves on as the reliable king of the Marine Corps arsenal for the foreseeable future. Recently, Marines fought against a propositioned downgrade for the M41A, returning to the 40 rounds of the MK2. After backlash, ARMAT continued producing 99 round magazines. Due to a new SOP, Marines now use M40 HEDP's in the U1 as opposed to the M38 HEAP of the past. The U1 GL's bolt has been strengthened, and an enhanced 10 hole vent seen on a prototype in 2179 has replaced the traditional 8 hole vent of the past.
==== S41A ====
The S41A was a purpose-ordered redesign of the M41 platform for use by Special Forces teams, improving on the M41A. Among the alterations were weight-reducing changes, to make the weapon easier to carry on long-range patrols, and ergonomics changes to make the weapon more operator-friendly and effective in a modern battlespace. Additionally, the modular weapon system featured on the earlier M41 types was re-engineered, making it more reliable and practical (although most Operators are believed to retain the factory-standard U1 Grenade Launcher, instead utilising alternate cartridges to fire).
A further distinct departure from the M41A on which the S41A is based is the addition of a suppressor, enhancing the covert capacity of a Special Forces patrol behind enemy lines. While not eliminating the sound altogether, it reduces the noise output by approximately 45%, which has been stated to have a noticeable effect on the distance at which SPECFOR teams can engage unnoticed from, as per [REDACTED].
Category:Firearms