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Third episode of 'Time To Kill', a series devoted to the inner workings and mechanics of Call of Duty's multiplayer. Episode 3 is all about hipfiring your weapon - an inaccurate but immediate and important part of close-range gunfights. Generally speaking, aiming with your weapon is the most sensible option - bringing up your sights will allow for precision shooting, and accurate shots will kill your opponent more quickly. With most weapons though, you don't have to aim in order to fire - and doing so will fire the weapon from the hip - inaccurate, but sometimes critically effective. Your hipfire accuracy is not constant; there are a couple of factors that will decrease its effectiveness. Non-aimed accuracy is determined by two figures; a maximum and minimum radius in which your shots will land. These radii describe a circle on-screen that marks where your shot will land - you can get an idea how large this circle is at any time by the placement of 4 marks, forming your hipfire reticle. Moving will cause your hipfire reticle to bloom to this maximum amount - it's best to remain perfectly still if for some reason you want to take on a longer-ranged target with hipfire. In addition, firing the weapon will also cause your accuracy to decrease with each successive shot - for this reason firing in bursts, allowing your reticle bloom to recover, will result in better accuracy overall. Jumping will add further penalty to your accuracy. Your hipfire spread is also affected by your stance; Firing while crouched is more accurate than when standing, and hipfiring while in a prone position is more accurate still. Steady Aim is an ideal perk for those who wish to maximise their effectiveness while firing from the hip. First introduced in COD4, it's seen a return in every game since - and its function remains largely unchanged since its original form. The perk acts as a straightforward multiplier to the size of your hipfire reticle, decreasing the radius of you

Fourth episode of 'Time To Kill', a series devoted to the inner workings and mechanics of Call of Duty's multiplayer. Episode four focuses on mobility - an essential part of traversing the battlefield, and part of establishing a positional advantage. Positioning is key in Modern Warfare 3 - whether aggressively rushing or playing with a more conservative approach, your location will do much to determine your success. In this episode, we're covering mobility. Your base movement speed is determined by the weapon you carry - heavier weapons will slow you down, whereas others will let you move unhindered. SMGs and Shotguns are the fastest weapons available - when using these you'll move at maximum speed, prior to any modifiers. Assault Rifles and some of the Sniper Rifles - the L118A, the MSR and Dragunov, grant intermediate mobility - at 0.9x movement speed, a 10 percent penalty when compared to the fastest weapons. The LMGs, Riot Shield, and remainder of the sniper rifle category - the Barrett, RSASS and AS50 - are the slowest weapons available, each decreasing your movement speed to 0.8x the maximum, a 20 percent penalty overall. Secondary weapons adopt the movement speed of your primary, so switching to a pistol while using an LMG will not grant a boost to your mobility, like it did in Black Ops. However, picking up two secondary weapons will grant you maximum mobility. If you're using the Overkill perk, your base movement speed will be that of the slowest weapon you carry - so an SMG paired with a Shotgun will retain 100% mobility, while carrying an LMG with a Riot Shield will not reduce your base movement speed below 80%. Your stance also affects your movement speed - standing up is the fastest means of getting about, with no penalty to your movement. Crouching will slow you down to 65% of your base movement speed, and going prone will reduce your speed further - to a mere 15% of your base speed, a snail's pace. Moving laterally will also sl

In this episode, we're taking a look at the Remington MSR. It's a sniper rifle, making a debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3 - and is one of two bolt-action rifles. It is an American rifle, manufacturered by Remington Arms - and is a design intended for the US SOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle role. Intended to replace all current bolt-action sniper rifles used by US special forces, the role was first established in 2009 - setting an accuracy requirement of 1 arc minute at ranges up to 1500 metres, and a maximum weight of 18 pounds loaded. The Modular Sniper Rifle, or MSR - is Remington's offering for this role, and was submitted for its first trials in 2010. Available in a variety of calibres - .338 Lapua, .338 Norma, .300 Win Mag, and the NATO 7.62x51mm round - the MSR has a quick-change barrel and removable bolt heads to facilitate rapid transition between. The rifle is fed from detachable box magazines, available in 5, 7 or 10 round capacities. With a folding stock and lightweight contruction, the MSR exceeds the requirements for its intended spec - at just 13 pounds, or 5.9 kilograms loaded with a 5-round mag and 22-inch barrel. Other barrel lengths are available, ranging between 20 and 27 inches in every calibre - and with a full complement of Picatinny rails, the MSR lives up to the modular part of its name. Accessories available include a quick-detach suppressor, and an optional folding bipod. The SOCOM trials have yet to come to a conclusion, and so the fate of the MSR remains to be seen - however its presence in Modern Warfare 3 means the rifle won't be too quickly forgotten. With a lightweight, modular design - this bolt-action rifle will disassemble your foe - no matter their configuration.

In this episode, we're taking a look at the FAD. The Fusil Automatico Doble, or Dual Automatic Rifle - makes its debut in Modern Warfare 3, where it's the final unlock in the assault rifle category. It's the first Peruvian weapon ever featured in the series, hailing from state industrial firm SIMA Peru. It was designed by Salomon Braga Lozo, with the intent of producing a modern bullpup military rifle capable of firing a variety of munitions, with conventional rifle and underslung launcher. It entered pre-production in 2008, with a limited quantity produced for testing. The rifle component is chambered for standard 5.56 by 45 millimetre NATO rounds, and the underslung grenade launcher fires 40 millimetre grenades, such as those used in the M203. Rate of fire is far slower than its in-game counterpart, with a cyclic rate of only 550 rounds per minute. The rifle is fed from STANAG-compliant 30 round magazines, interchangeable with most other western military rifles chambered in the NATO intermediate cartridge. Magazines are seated at an usual angle - 12 degrees offset from the vertical - in an effort to improve the ergonomics during the reload process. The rifle's weight is comparable to other bullpup rifles, with the intended design weighing in at 3.6 kilogrammes when unloaded. Barrel length is 20 inches, the same as a full-size M16 rifle - but the FAD is only a little longer than the M4 Carbine, thanks to the bullpup configuration. The weapon exists only in prototype form for the time being, with only 170 produced as of 2008 - and thus far the rifle has not been adopted by any armed forces. Perhaps Peruvian forces will one day wield this unusual-looking rifle, replacing the non-native rifles in service today. Until then, however - this outlandish bullpup's time may be short lived - a FAD both by name, and by nature.

http://xboxahoy.com/ultimate-weapon-the-bfg-9000-from-doom ULTIMATE WEAPON - featuring the MOST AWESOME weapons from gaming's MIGHTY ARSENAL. Episode 1 is about the grand-daddy of awesome weapons - the excessively powerful BFG 9000, from Doom. The BFG, or Big Fucking Gun 9000 - is the most powerful weapon in the game, eclipsing even the rocket launcher and plasma rifle in terms of sheer power. Doom in 1993 was the weapon's first appearance - and appropriately enough for such an awesome weapon, you won't be able to find it legitimately until the third level of the third episode in-game - and even then, it's hidden in a secret area. The BFG fires massive green-white balls of plasma, slow-moving but dealing massive damage upon impact. It also deals considerable splash damage - a well-placed shot can obliterate an entire group of enemies. This phenomenal power does take some time to bring to bear, however - as the BFG needs nearly a second to charge before firing. It'll chew through your ammunition supply too, with each shot using 40 energy cells - so reserving use for only the most dangerous situations is perhaps wise. The weapon returned unchanged in Doom 2, identical in performance - but with a whole host of new demonic denizens to turn into a thin red paste. Both Quake 2 and Quake 3 Arena featured a new version of the BFG - The BFG 10K, with streamlined design and explosive plasma projectiles. The original weapon returned in Doom 3, released in 2007 - with a new design, and charging mechanic - but the devastatingly familiar green plasma ball remained. With unparalleled power, and the capability to gib an entire room of grunts - there's no doubting the BFG's status... as an Ultimate Weapon.

Fifth episode of 'Time To Kill', a series devoted to the inner workings and mechanics of Call of Duty's multiplayer. No matter how large your magazine - sooner or later, you're gonna run dry. In this episode, we're covering reloads. Reloading is an unfortunate but necessary interruption in your firepower - it's a nod to realism, where guns don't have an unending pool of lead to spew - but also to weapon balance, where magazine size and reload time can be a differentiating factor between weapons. Every gun has slightly different characteristics, but can be broadly categorised into two types : magazine reloads, and per-round ones. Most weapons fall into the former category, having detachable magazines that are switched out during the reload process. These weapons replenish their entire supply in one action, so no matter how many rounds you've expended, you'll have a full supply upon reloading, total supply permitting. Per-round or per-shell reloads work a little differently - these weapons generally have internal magazines that are replenished one round at a time. These weapons can take considerably longer to reload if you need to fully replenish your supply, but do have the advantage in that they can be 'topped-up' at any time, and normally fairly rapidly. In Modern Warfare 3, only the shotguns have this trait - specifically the KSG-12, the SPAS-12, Striker and Model 1887. In previous games some of the sniper rifles exhibited similar behaviour - notably the M40A3 from COD4. For the most part, the main distinguising feature of each weapon's reload is the time it takes - with some weapons reloading in an instant, and others taking a painfully long time. It's the USP .45 that takes first place in the reload time stakes - at a sprightly 1.625 seconds. In fact, most of the secondary handguns and machine pistols are relatively quick to reload, with most semi-auto pistols reloading in under 2 seconds, and the automatic machine pistols within 3. The revol

In this episode, we're taking a look at the PP90M1. The PP90M1, or 'Pistolet-pulemet (pis-toh-lyit pol-yeh-myot), 1990, Modernised, Mark 1' is a submachine gun featured in Modern Warfare 3. It's a Russian weapon, designed and manufactured by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau - responsible for a wide variety of other armaments, since being established in Tula (too-la), in 1927. Its designation descends from that of an earlier SMG design - the PP-90, and PP-90M - which were both Russian clones of an American folding SMG, the Ares FMG. However, the PP90M1 is, in fact, an entirely separate weapon from these earlier models, they only share the same designation. The PP90M1 bears a close resemblance to the PP-19 Bizon (bee-zon), which employs a similar configuration - and the PP90M1 can be considered 'a more modern rival' to the Bizon. The weapon was developed in the latter part of the 20th century, and made its first public appearance in 2001. Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is its helical magazine - unlike conventional box magazines, the magazine resembles a large tube underneath the weapon, parallel to the barrel - with 64 rounds packed into a tight spiral. The weapon is capable of utilising 32-round box magazines as well, with the use of an adapter that also serves as a handguard. The weapon is chambered for 9 by 19 millitre Luger Parabellum ammunition, specifically the Russian armour-piercing 7N21 and 7N31 rounds - but will function with any 9mm Luger ammunition. Cocking the weapon is done via an unusual procedure - rather than a charging handle, there's a button at the front of the weapon above the barrel that must be pressed to ready the bolt. Rate of fire is between 500 and 600 rounds per minute, considerably slower than its in-game counterpart. The weapon is of a lightweight design, a mere 1.7 kilogrammes when unloaded - but a fully-loaded 64 round helical magazine will add considerable weight. At just 424 millimetres

http://xboxahoy.com/time-to-kill-underslung Sixth episode of 'Time To Kill', a series devoted to the inner workings and mechanics of Call of Duty's multiplayer. Sometimes, the best addition to your weapon - is another weapon. In this episode, we're covering the underslung attachments. For much of Call of Duty's history, the underslung grenade launcher has been a... popular attachment choice - much to the chagrin of some. This explosive option was first introduced in COD4, and quickly cemented its place as a popular attachment choice. Modern Warfare 2 also introduced an underbarrel shotgun, to serve as a close-range backup for close quarters combat, enhancing the versatility of some of the assault rifles. Black Ops saw a similar complement, with the addition of a flamethrower for roasting close-range enemies for those fond of fire. In Modern Warfare 3, only the grenade launcher and shotgun make an appearance. Their return is marked with a significant decrease in overall effectiveness - especially in the case of the grenade launcher - but each can still fulfil a supplementary role within your loadout. The underslung grenade launcher extends your reach with a little explosive ordnance - and although the days of deadly Danger Close-level damage have passed, employing a weapon with a blast radius can still be useful in certain cases. There are a number of different variants of the attachment - the specific variant depends on the weapon to which you attach it. The 'classic' grenade launcher is the M203 - this was the default underslung launcher of choice in both Modern Warfare 1 and 2, and makes a return in MW3. However, it is no longer the default launcher - and only makes an appearance on the 2 American assault rifles: the M16A4 and M4A1. The new default is the M320 - a more modern launcher designed by Heckler and Koch, intended to replace the M203. The M320 also makes an appearance as a standalone secondary weapon, in the M320 GLM. It behaves in exa

In this episode, we're taking a look at the Type 95. The Type 95, or QBZ-95 - which expands and translates as Light weapon, Rifle, Automatic, 1995 - is an assault rifle featured in Modern Warfare 3. It hails from the People's Republic of China, where it's manufactured by the China North Industries Corporation - better known as Norinco. The Type 95 was designed to replace the earlier Soviet-licensed design employed by the People's Liberation Army - the Type 56, and the later Chinese-designed Type 81. The Type 95 design was finalised in 1995, as its designation indicates - but the rifle didn't enter service until two years later. It was first revealed internationally during the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. The Type 95 is chambered for a Chinese cartridge - the 5.8x42mm DBP87 round. Claimed to be superior to the NATO 5.56 round, the 5.8mm calibre does impart a little more kinetic energy - but otherwise behaves in a similar fashion. In any case, there exists a later variant - the QBZ-97 - chambered for the 5.56mm NATO cartridge. The Type 95 employs a bullpup arrangement, with the magazine behind the trigger, close to the shooter's shoulder. The magazines are of a 30-round box type, although there exists a compatible 75-round drum magazine, as used in the Light Support variant of the weapon - the QBB-95. The rifle is select-fire, capable of firing semi automatically, with a three-round burst, or full automatic - with a rate of fire of around 500 rounds per minute. The rifle weighs in at 3.4kg unloaded, comparable to the M16 platform - and otherwise fairly average for a typical modern military rifle. Overall length is shorter than most, however - thanks to the bullpup configuration. At 745 millimetres with a 463 millimetre barrel, the weapon is some 25% shorter than a conventional rifle of the same barrel length. There exist a number of variants of the QBZ-95 design - including a Carbine and Li

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the fifth assault rifle, the Galil. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 20. The Galil is an Israeli weapon, taking its name from its designer - Yisrael Galil. The weapon was introduced into service with the IDF in 1972, winning in testing against rival designs such as the M16A1, Stoner 63 and AK-47. Its design is based on the earlier Finish Rk 62 rifle, which in turn is derived from the Soviet AK-47 design. The version seen in Black Ops is the ARM variant - or 'Assault Rifle and Machine gun', intended to fill a squad support role. The larger wooden hand guard and carry handle are the characteristic features of this variant. When adopted by the IDF in 1972, the Galil replaced the FN FAL as Israel's service rifle of choice - the FAL not proving particularly reliable in the harsh middle-eastern environment. The Galil would have 29 years of service as Israel's prime service rifle, before being supplanted by the newer TAR-21 in 2001. It did have considerable impact during its era, however - with no fewer than 28 countries adopting the rifle in some capacity. The design lives on in the licensed South African service rifle, the R4 - which entered service in 1982, and remains the rifle used by the South African Defence Force. The Galil is chambered for the NATO standard 5.56mm round, although some later Galil variants also fired the larger 7.62mm calibre. Magazine capacity is a cut above most of the other rifles, at 35 rounds instead of 30 - only the G11 bests it with 48 rounds, and the G11 lacks the extended magazine attachment. With Extended Mags, you'll get an unequaled 50 rounds at your Galil's disposal. Damage is moderately good, being one of the higher damage automatic rifles, on par with the Commando and AK-47. Capable of killing in just 2 headshots, this higher damage will mean the Galil kills in 3 roun

http://xboxahoy.com/time-to-kill-recoil Seventh episode of 'Time To Kill', a series devoted to the inner workings and mechanics of Call of Duty's multiplayer. Some weapons kick like a mule, and others stay rock steady. In this episode, we're covering recoil. Outside of damage, recoil is one of the key differentiating factors in weapon balance - guns with higher damage, magazine capacity, or rapid handling characteristics are more likely to have a greater degree of kick, in an effort to preserve performance parity across the weapon selection. Recoil manifests itself as a disturbance in your aim when firing your weapon - every shot fired will temporarily alter your point of aim, which may mean successive shots will land away from your intended mark. The amount of recoil a weapon has dictates the overall accuracy of automatic fire - some weapons are able to put an entire magazine in a single target, whereas others might struggle to hit the broad side of a barn at any sort of distance. The recoil mechanics in Call of Duty are relatively complex, with quite a few different statistics governing the amount of weapon kick - and while you can simplify a weapon's performance to a simple statement such as 'low recoil', or 'high recoil' - to truly get an idea of a weapon's characteristics you need to break down the recoil into its component parts. First of all, your shots will always land at precisely the indicated point of your sights - there's no random spread while aiming, nor does any recoil affect alter this. What recoil will do is move the location of your sights when firing - and thus alter the position of any successive shot fired. There are two key elements to this movement - one called ViewKick, and another factor called GunKick. The former has usually been the principal element of recoil's kick in Call of Duty - it's only in MW3 where GunKick has become more of a factor. ViewKick affects your aim by simply moving your viewport - it's a temporary mod

In this episode, we're taking a look at the KSG-12. The Kel-Tec KSG is a pump-action shotgun that makes its debut appearance in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. It's an American shotgun, manufactured in Florida by Kel-Tec CNC Industries Incorporated. The weapon is intended to fulfil a variety of roles - with two separate magazine tubes giving it enhanced flexibility and capacity for police and security work, and the compact bullpup configuration rendering it ideal for home defense. It superficially resembles the South African Neostead 2000 shotgun, sharing the twin tube mags and bullpup layout. The KSG is a very modern shotgun, having only just entered production recently after being announced in 2011. As such, they've only recently hit the commercial market - and as a result have yet to see any large-scale adoption. The KSG is a 12-gauge shotgun - firing either 3-inch or 2 and three-quarter inch shotgun shells. It has two separate tube magazines, with a manual selector allowing two different types of ammunition to be stored. Capacity is very generous, given that most conventional shotguns only have a single magazine - the KSG holds up to 14 shells total in its twin tubes. Switching between each of the tubes must be performed manually, however - and the KSG's action is similarly manual, with the weapon cycling with a simple pump action. Overall weight is slightly higher than average for a conventional shotgun, given the twin magazines and large shell count - the KSG weighs in at 3.13kg unloaded, and closer to 4kg when fully populated. Overall length is relatively compact, especially considering the KSG sports an 18 and a half inch barrel - the weapon is about 26 inches nose-to-tail - some 40% shorter than a conventional design. It's hard to say how successful the KSG design might be at this stage - it's early days, although initial demand seems healthy enough. No doubt there's a place for a high-capacity shotgun with a short o

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the fifth SMG, the Uzi. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 23. Like the Galil, it's an Israeli weapon, manufactured by Israel Military Industries, or IMI. The weapon is as old as the State of Israel itself - with the design dating to 1948. The Uzi takes its name from its designer - Major Uziel Gal of the IDF. Largely thanks to the Uzi's simple construction and low production cost, in 1951, the weapon was adopted by the Israeli Defense Force. It found its way into the hands of IDF Special Forces by 1954, where its compact size and automatic firepower made it ideal for clearing bunkers and entrenched positions. The weapon would go on to see a half-decade of reliable service, and a number of variants: such as chamberings for .45 ACP, .41 Action Express - and the scaled-down Mini-Uzi and Micro Uzi models - with their diminutive size enhancing concealability and with an increased cyclic rate of fire when compared to the parent SMG. The Uzi remained in service with the IDF until late 2003, when its role was ultimately replaced by the Micro Tavor, or MTAR-21. The Uzi fires the 9-by-19 millimetre Parabellum cartridge - fairly typical for an SMG of its era. Magazines are of a standard box type, manufactured in capacities between 20 and 50 rounds - in Black Ops default magazines are of a 32-round capacity. The Uzi is a low damage SMG, typically needing 4 shots to kill at a close range, and 5 at a distance. Mercifully, rate of fire is high - at 937.5 rounds per minute, on par with most of the low-damage SMGs. Perhaps the most notable feature of the Uzi is its heavy recoil - it suffers from the highest degree of kick in the SMG category by quite some margin. Paired with its rather obtrusive iron sights, the Uzi has a reputation of being tough to handle that serves to make it an unpopular choice. Aim time is qu

In this episode, we're taking a look at the PM-9. The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, also known as the M9, is a new weapon to the Call of Duty series, making its debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3. It's a Japanese weapon, currently the machine pistol of choice for the Japan Self Defense Forces. The weapon is manufactured by the Nippon Miniature Bearing Company - otherwise known by the contracted moniker: Minebea. It replaced the aging US M3 'grease gun' SMG that dates to World War 2, and is intended to fill a typical role for such a diminutive weapon - its compact size is ideal for tank and vehicle crews, and paratroopers. The PM-9's design is based entirely on that of the familiar and well-tested Israeli Uzi design - although much of the exterior and ergonomics have been altered, with integral foregrip lending to the weapon's distinctive silhouette. The Uzi design dates to 1948 - although the PM-9 itself only entered production in 1990. The Minebea entered service in 1999 with non-frontline forces, for those roles where the JSDF's assault rifle - the Howa Type 89 - is unnecessary or otherwise too unwieldy. The PM-9 fires the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge - just like the Uzi. Magazines are of a standard box type, typically with a 25 round capacity, and are inserted into the grip - again, identical to the Uzi's operation. The fire selector at the top of the grip allows for both single shots and full-auto operation, and will fire at 1100 rounds per minute during the latter - somewhere in the middle of the Micro-Uzi and Mini-Uzi's fire rates. The weapon is relatively lightweight, at just 2.8kg unloaded - and is correspondingly compact, with an overall length of just 399 millimetres, a little under 16 inches. Barrel length mirrors that in the Micro-Uzi design, at 120 millimetres - perhaps limiting the weapon's effectiveness at a longer range, but generally sufficient for the weapon's intended role. Despite its relatively recent adopt

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the AUG. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 26. The AUG - or Armee-Universal-Gewehr - translating as 'Universal Army Rifle' - is of Austrian origin, developed and manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher. The design dates to 1977, and was intended as a replacement for the earlier FN FAL design, then in service with the Austrian military as the Sturmgewehr 58. The AUG entered service in 1979 with the Austrian Bundesheer, and since then has been adopted by many others: The Australian Defense Force, Irish Army, Polish GROM special forces, to name but a few. The weapon is of a bullpup configuration, with the magazine behind the trigger for a longer barrel with any given overall length. The weapon is best known for its futuristic appearance, with all-polymer olive green furniture and rakishly angled handguard and integrated scope. Functionally, the weapon is similar to any other NATO assault rifle - perhaps most closely resembling the FAMAS, a similarly bullpup weapon that was introduced at around the same time. The AUG fires the NATO standard intermediate cartridge, the 5.56×45mm. Magazines are of a translucent polymer construction, and are manufactured in both 30 and 42-round capacities. The weapon is depicted in-game with 30-round magazines by default. The AUG is a low damage assault rifle, on par with the FAMAS and Enfield, requiring up to 4 shots to kill. Its low damage is made up for with a tremendous rate of fire - 937.5 rounds per minute, equal to that of the FAMAS. The AUG's performance is very similar to its French peer, then - but there are some differences in handling. Recoil performance is one key differentiating factor: while the FAMAS tends upwards and to the right, the AUG has much less predictable, omni-directional kick, with a slightly slower rate of recovery. This means you can generally expec

In this episode, we're taking a look at the AS50. The AS50 is a British rifle, manufactured by Portsmouth-based Accuracy International. The weapon is intended to fill a long-range, anti-materiel role - firing a powerful round with a very high degree of accuracy. The AS50's roots lie in the British sniper rifles of the 20th century, such as the L42A1: A conversion of the Lee-Enfield rifle to a NATO calibre. The L42A1 was the sniper rifle of choice of the British Army from 1970 until 1982, at which point it was used alongside the Accuracy International Precision Marksman - designated as the L96A1. By the early 90s, this rifle was refined, and eventually evolved into the Arctic Warfare series of rifles - with the improved design given the L118A designation. In the year 2000, the bolt-action AW50 was introduced - expanding the Arctic Warfare family to fill an anti-materiel role. The AS50 was introduced in 2007, with a semi-automatic fire mode and improved muzzle brake to permit much faster follow-up shots than its bolt-action predecessors. In this sense, the AS50 is similar to the Barrett M82 - as both fill a high-caliber role with a semi-automatic action. Like the Barrett, the AS50 is chambered for the .50 Browning Machine Gun cartridge - a devastating round with impressive long-range ballistic characteristics. Magazines are of a 5-round detachable box type, and the semi-automatic operation of the AS50 means these 5 rounds are available in quick succession, if needs be. The sizeable muzzle brake reigns in the massive recoil of the .50 caliber round, making this rifle ideal for situations that require multiple shots in a short space of time. It's by no means a lightweight weapon, its role reliant on planning and positioning rather than manoeverability - at 14.1kg unloaded, this is a sizeable weapon. Its 1.4m length contains a free-floated barrel nearly 70 centimetres long - this length being needed to ensure accuracy in the powerfu

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the PM-63. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 29. The PM-63 RAK: 'Ręczny Automat Komandosów' - translating as 'hand-held automatic commando firearm' - is a weapon that originates from Poland. Its development started in the late 1950s, with the design finalised in 1963 by the state-operated Łucznik Arms Factory. Production of the RAK began in 1964, and approximately 70,000 were produced over the next decade. The weapon was originally developed at the Warsaw University of Technology as a compact weapon for use by drivers and gun crews. It entered service with the People's Army of Poland in 1965, and would also see limited use in East Germany, Vietnam, and a number of Arab countries. In 1971, The PM-70 was produced in the NATO 9mm Parabellum cartridge - but didn't progress beyond its prototype stage. Similarly unsuccessful was the PM-73, chambered in .380 ACP. The original PM-63 design is chambered for the Russian 9mm cartridge, the 9-by-18 millimetre Makarov, as used in its namesake pistol. In real-life, magazines were either 15 or 25 rounds in capacity, but in-game they are 20 rounds by default. The PM-63 is a low damage SMG, requiring at least 4 body shots to kill, and up to 5 at a distance. This lack of lethality is made up for by a higher rate of fire - at 937.5 rounds per minute, like most of the low-damage SMGs. The PM-63's handling traits are generally pretty good - the weapon handles in a rapid, consistent fashion that suits a typical aggressive playstyle. Its recoil is moderate, but quite controllable if you burst fire at distant targets - this helps to eke out more firepower from the short magazine, ensuring fewer shots are wasted. Aim time is as quick as any other SMG, at a sprightly 200 milliseconds. Reloads are similarly quick, being the second fastest in the SMG category, behind the Mac-

In this episode, we're taking a look at the PKP Pecheneg. The Pecheneg is one of the available light machine guns in Modern Warfare 3, and is a new weapon to the series. It's Russian in origin, hailing from TsNII Toch Mash: a Russian design bureau responsible for many small arms designs of the Russian military. The Pecheneg is a modern LMG design, based on Kalashnikov's earlier PK machine gun. The PK was first introduced in 1961, replacing the earlier RPD light machine gun and SG-43 Goryunov medium machine gun in service. The PK design was modernised in the 1969 PKM variant: a more lightweight, generally improved version. The Pecheneg is a further evolution of the design: rather than a replaceable barrel common to many machine gun designs, the Pecheneg instead opts for a heavier barrel better designed for heat dispersion via air-cooling. In addition, the flash suppressor is improved - and the bipod is positioned much closer to the muzzle, improving the stability of the weapon. Similar to the Pecheneg is the AEK-999 - a slightly less conventional design with integral suppressor: reducing noise levels, and eliminating muzzle flash, making the weapon ideally suited for nighttime combat. The Pecheneg enetered service in 1999 with Russian military units, notably Spetznatz units operating in Chechnya. It fires the venerable 7.62 by 54mm rimmed cartridge - the oldest cartridge still in regular service, originally developed for the Mosin-Nagant rifle in 1891. The Pecheneg is a belt-fed weapon, and is typically fed from a detachable box containing 100, 200 or 250 rounds. Under fully automatic fire, it will dispense these at a rate of around 650 rounds per minute, and will do so for a considerable amount of sustained fire. The Pecheneg design is heavier than the earlier PKM due to its heavier barrel, weighing in at 8.7 kilograms with bipod configuration - some 1.2 kilos difference. Overall length is a little over 1.1m, with the barrel

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Crossbow. It's a single shot weapon, unlocked at level 33. The Crossbow is an ancient weapon, originating in its most basic form in South East Asia, today part of China. The earliest examples date to around 600 BC. The Chinese crossbows, or nu, were an important part of early warfare - with advanced designs such as the repeating crossbow, or 'chu-ko-nu' providing the ability to fire multiple bolts in a quick succession. The crossbow's history in Europe can be traced to ancient Greece: the 'Gastraphetes', translating as 'belly-releaser' first appeared in the 5th century BC. Perhaps the most prolific use of crossbows in combat was during the Medieval era - while longbows were the ranged mainstay of many armies, the ease of use and devastating power of the crossbow earned quite a reputation. The introduction of the firearm saw the crossbow's demise: ultimately easier to use, faster to reload, and providing a higher degree of lethality at longer ranges. Crossbows do retain some usefulness in modern warfare, however - the near-silent twang of a launched bolt useful for covert roles and assassinations. Their ability to carry unusual payloads also makes them valuable - whether zip-lines or poison tips, the humble crossbow can do many things a conventional weapon cannot. The Crossbow in Black Ops fires explosive bolts, with the weapon holding only a single bolt before requiring a reload. By default, you'll spawn with 2 bolts - one ready to fire, and one in reserve. Scavenger Pro will extend your initial supply to the maximum of 5 bolts total. The crossbow can deal damage in two ways - upon impact, or through its explosive blast radius. Impact damage is insufficient to kill outright in Core - you would need to strike your opponent with 2 bolts in order to kill them. However, thanks to the explosive element, a single s

In this episode, we're taking a look at the MP7. The MP7, or 'Maschinenpistole Sieben' is a weapon that makes its debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3. It's a German weapon, manufactured by Heckler und Koch - and while designated as an SMG in-game, can be better described in real-life as a 'Personal Defence Weapon', or PDW. Personal Defence Weapons have largely displaced the submachine gun and machine pistol in their roles with rear echelon troops - with their ability to better penetrate body armour, they retain effectiveness where standard pistol calibres might prove ineffective. They have has found a place in the hands of special forces units, as well - replacing weapons such as the M4 carbine on missions that require manoeuvrable close-range power. The MP7 can trace its design roots to the H&K G36 - as both weapons share the same gas-operated action. The short-stroke piston replaced H&K's trademark roller-delayed blowback system, as employed in the G3 rifle, and MP5 submachine gun. H&K's first attempt at a Personal Defence Weapon was a modification of the MP5 - in 1991 the MP5K-PDW variant was introduced, in an attempt to fulfil a NATO requirements for such a weapon. Lacking the ability to pierce body armour, however, the MP5K-PDW saw limited success. The Belgian FN P90, introduced in the same year as the MP5K-PDW, performed slightly better. Similar to the MP7, it uses a higher-velocity, smaller calibre cartridge for effectiveness against armoured targets - and an unusual top-loading magazine configuration. Other Personal Defence Weapons include the Russian PP-2000: chambered for 9mm Parabellum rounds but taking advantage of specially-designed ammunition; The Knight's Armament Company PDW - designed to be familiar to those trained on the M4 platform; and the Magpul PDR: a futuristic compact bullpup that fires NATO 5.56 ammo and takes standard mags. These weapons, including the MP7, all share similar characteristics: thei

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the FN FAL. It's a semi-automatic weapon, unlocked at level 32. The FN FAL, or 'Fusil Automatique Léger' - which translates as Light Automatic Rifle - is a Belgian weapon, manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal. It was first produced in 1953, and would become a definitive example of a post-war battle rifle, and the western counterpoint to the Soviet AKM. The development of the FAL began in 1947, in the wake of World War 2 - with the increasing inadequacy of traditional bolt-action service rifles for infantry combat, and the advent of effective automatic rifles, such as the German Sturmgewehr 44 and Russian AK-47. The era of the select-fire battle rifle had begun - a politically charged time, with former allied forces dividing Europe in two - North America and Western Europe forming the NATO alliance, and the Soviet Union and Eastern European states uniting under the Warsaw pact. The FAL would be the cold war service rifle of choice for many NATO states - and would eventually be adopted by over 90 countries total, with 2 million units produced. Such was its ubiquity, the FAL was nicknamed 'the right arm of the free world'. The FN FAL fires the NATO standard rifle cartridge - the 7.62x51mm. Magazines are of a standard box type, and in Black Ops are available in both 20 and 30 round capacities. Damage is high, similar to the M14 in that the FAL will kill in 2 bodyshots out to middle range - but lacking the slightly elevated headshot multiplier. Rate of fire is semi-automatic, but is capped at 625 rounds per minute - faster fingers may hit this rate, but your shots will prove more effective if you fire more slowly, and allow the recoil to settle. Recoil is moderate, with the weapon generally kicking upwards and - somewhat unusually - to the left. Fire too quickly and the recoil is enough to foul your aim at a distanc

In this episode, we're taking a look at the G36 platform - namely, the G36C and MG36. The G36, or 'Gewehr sechs-und-dreißig' hails from Germany - designed and manufactured by Heckler und Koch. The G36 platform was designed in the early 1990s, entered production in 1996 - and in 1997, was adopted by the Bundeswehr. The G36C made its first appearance in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and returned in Modern Warfare 3. The C stands for Compact - as it's a subcarbine-length variant of the G36 rifle. The MG36 is the Light Support Weapon variant, with a heavier barrel and bipod making it more suitable for sustained fire. It made its debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3. The G36 platform replaced the G3 rifle in service with the Bundeswehr, which was introduced in 1959. The G3 was originally a Spanish design, namely the CETME rifle, named for the establishment who designed the weapon - the 'Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales', or Centre for Technical Studies of Special Materials. The CETME and later G3 rifles both fire 7.62mm NATO rounds - and as such are classified as battle rifles, in the same category as the FN FAL. The 1970s saw a transition towards intermediate calibres, and so there was a growing desire to replace the G3. The G11 was intended to be West Germany's new service rifle - a unique design using caseless 4.73mm ammunition. Sadly, the project was scuppered during the political changes during the German reunification, and the G11 didn't see widespread adoption. During this time, H&K offered a couple of rifles in the NATO intermediate calibre - the HK33, developed in the 1960s, was essentially a smaller version of the G3 rifle intended for export. The G41 was a more modern version, introduced in 1981 - but neither this nor the HK33 were deemed suitable replacements for the G3, and instead were bound solely for export. The newly united Germany had a desperate need for a new 5.56mm assault rifle, and in 1990 H&K would embark

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the MPL. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 35. The MPL, or 'Maschinenpistol Lang', originates from West Germany, where the weapon was designed and produced between 1963 and 1985. The weapon was produced by Walther arms, a company perhaps best known for their handguns - notably the P38, as used by Germany in the Second World War - and James Bond's iconic Walther PPK. The MPL was Walther's only attempt at a sub-machine gun - along with the MPK variant, with a shorter barrel. The Walther MP variants saw some use in their native German market, principally by police forces and some naval units. The Mexican Navy would also adopt the weapon, although beyond this the MPL and MPK would see little commercial success. The MPL fires the NATO standard 9-by-19 millimetre cartridge, like most western sub-machine guns of its era. Magazines are of a standard box-type configuration, with the standard capacity being 32 rounds. The MPL is a low damage SMG, typically killing in 4 shots up close, and 5 at a distance. Like most of the low-damage SMGs, it makes up for this through an elevated rate of fire - at 937.5 rounds per minute. Recoil is moderate - not as severe as weapons such as the Uzi, but is slightly less controllable than say, the Spectre or MAC-11. For the ranges SMGs are typically effective at, however - the MPL is very controllable. Aim time is a little slower than most SMGs, with the MPL aiming as slowly as an assault rifle, at 250 milliseconds. Reloads are pretty quick however, at 2.25 seconds - faster than most weapons in its class. The MPL excels on offence, with lightweight handling characteristics, high capacity magazines - and a devastating rate of fire. In closer quarters, few weapons are as flexible - and the MPL remains effective at middle distances, too. At a longer range you will find yo

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Python. It's a revolver, unlocked at level 18. The Colt Python is an American weapon, manufactured by the famed Colt Manufacturing Company and named for a family of nonvenomous snakes. It was introduced in 1955, and was produced until quite recently, until 1996. Originally intended to be a large-frame target revolver chambered for .38 Special, the Python would ultimately fire the more powerful .357 Magnum round - but retained its target handgun features. With precision adjustable sights, smooth trigger, ventilated top rib and solid underlug, the Python is a finely constructed revolver manufactured to a tight tolerance. The snake theme persists throughout Colt's range, with the larger .44 Magnum Anaconda, and .22 Long Rifle Diamondback sharing a similar design to the Python, in a different chambering. The Python saw some adoption by law enforcement in the US, but in recent years revolvers have fallen out of favour, with semi-automatic weapons taking their place. The Python, however, remains a desirable handgun - with attractive aesthetics and its powerful magnum round making for an impressive weapon with a formidable reputation. The Colt Python fires the .357 Magnum cartridge - a large-load revolver cartridge known for its keen stopping power. As a revolver, the Python's capacity is limited - with its cylinder holding just 6 rounds. You trade capacity for damage, however - as the Python's damage per shot is unequalled within the handgun category. You'll kill in two shots up close, and four at a distance - one shot fewer than any of the semi-automatic pistols. Rate of fire is as fast as you can pull the trigger, but is capped to a fairly generous 625 rounds per minute. Given the low capacity, it's probably wise to pace your shots to ensure accuracy. Recoil is moderate - higher than the other weapons in the Pyth

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Strela-3. It's a single-shot weapon, unlocked at level 30. The 9K34 Strela-3, also known by its NATO reporting name SA-14 Gremlin - is a Man-portable Air Defense System that originates from the Soviet Union. The Russian name, 'Strela', translates as 'arrow'. The Strela-3 was first introduced in 1974, superceding the earlier Strela-2M. The development of anti-air launchers mirrors the development of countermeasures to defeat such homing missiles, and the Strela-3's design intent was no different. With improved thermal tracking hardware, the missile was designed to be more resistant to countermeasures such as flares and infrared jammers used by aircraft of the era. The Strela-3 was ultimately replaced in 1983 by the 9K38 Igla - or 'Needle' - a separate design to the Strela series that offered an 'Identification friend-or-foe' system, increased effective range, and improved lethality on target. The Strela-3 was exported to over 30 countries, and has seen successful operational use in combat situations. It launches a 75 millimetre diameter missile, bearing a 1.17 kilogram warhead with infra-red homing seeker head. By default, you'll be equipped with two such missiles upon spawn - or three total should you have Scavenger Pro equipped. As a lock-on launcher, you cannot employ the Strela in an anti-personnel role. When used against air support, however - it is very effective. A successful missile strike will destroy any aerial target. Enemy helicopters do have countermeasures, however - your first missile launched will be diverted by flares, which will lead the heat-seeking missile the Strela fires off course, resulting in a miss. Fire again, however - and the helicopter will be vulnerable to a single missile. Handling is universally slow with this weapon - the Strela is sluggish to bring to bear, and will hamper yo

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the AK-47. It's an automatic weapon, unlocked at level 38. The AK-47, or Avtomat Kalashnikova, is a weapon that originates from the former Soviet Union. As its designation implies, its design was finalised in the year 1947. It was World War 2 that spurred small arms development in the 1940s, and the introduction of the first assault rifle - the German Sturmgewehr 44 - forged a new niche between rifle and submachine gun. Mikhail Kalashnikov, then a tank driver and mechanic in the Red Army, would come up with the now-infamous AK assault rifle design while recuperating in hospital after being wounded during the Battle of Bryansk. His combat experience led to his rifle design being extremely soldier-focussed: rugged, as lightweight as possible and simple to use and maintain. In 1949, Kalashnikov's Avtomat was officially adopted by the Red Army - its simple design ideal for mass production, an important consideration for any large-scale military force. The design was further improved in the later AKM design - with a stamped receiver rather than a milled one, improved muzzle brake and other small mechanical improvements, what most people regard as an AK-47 is, in fact the AKM design. With approximately 75 million such rifles manufactured, no other rifle is as ubiquitous, nor as recognisable: and the AK is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Even today, the AK serves as the basis for many modern military rifles - albeit in a derivative form. The AK-74 is a notable iteration, designed to fire a smaller, higher-velocity round, with improved terminal ballistics. The AK-100 series, and the new AK-12, are the most modern variants - making use of modern manufacturing techniques, but with a solid grounding in Kalashnikov's original design. The AK fires the M43 cartridge - first used in the RPD light machine gun, 7.62-by-39 millimet

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Spectre. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 41. The Spectre M4 is an Italian weapon, manufactured by SITES, or: 'Società Italiana Tecnologie Speciali'. It was designed in the mid 1980s, with production starting circa 1984. A simple, robust design - the Spectre is a compact weapon offered as a cheaper alternative for weapons such as the MP5. To this end, it was only moderately successful - finding some use with the Swiss army, and Italian special forces. Its most innovative feature was its high-capacity magazine boasting higher ammunition density than a conventional dual-stack box magazine. In addition to the military models, there were also semi-automatic, civilian models manufactured: the SITES 'Falcon' or 'Spectre-HC' in a pistol configuration, and the SITES 'Ranger': a sub-carbine model. The Spectre fires the NATO standard 9-by-19 millimetre cartridge - but more interesting are the magazines: an unusual quad-stacked casket design, allowing for capacities up to 50 rounds in a relatively compact - if heavy - design. The magazines used in Black Ops are of a 30 round capacity - or 45 rounds with extended mags. The Spectre is a low damage SMG, killing in 4 shots even at close range. At a distance, you'll need up to 5 shots to kill. Like most of the low-damage SMGs, rate of fire is high: dispensing a hefty 937.5 rounds per minute towards your opponent. Unlike some of the weapons in its class, however - the Spectre has very controllable recoil: it is perhaps the best-handling SMG, tied with the MAC-11, and with the exception of the Skorpion. Aim time is quick, like most of the SMGs: at 200 milliseconds - and the reloads, while not the quickest in class, are reasonably nippy at 2.3 seconds. The Spectre is arguably the most effective low damage SMG, given that it has a fast fire rate, 30 rounds in its

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Commando. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked at level 44. The Colt Commando is a US weapon, a shortened variant of the M16 platform and a precursor to the M4 Carbine. The specific model that most closely resembles the one seen in Black Ops - the Colt Model 733 - was introduced after 1982, although there did exist similar weapons during the Vietnam conflict. The Commando has its roots in the AR-15 platform designed by Eugene Stoner for Armalite in 1957: In 1959 the rights to the design were sold to Colt, and they developed the design as the CAR-15 series. The platform was broadened to fit different roles - and a short-barrelled carbine variant was designed to fit an intermediate niche between full-sized rifle and SMG. The first such shortened CAR-15 emerged as early as 1962, and by 1966 Colt introduced the 'Commando' appellation to their carbine designs. One such Commando design - the model 610 - was designated as the XM177 by the US Army, and the designs that followed would lay the basis for the XM4 in 1988 - the very carbine that would eventually become the M4. The Commando fires the NATO-standard 5.56mm intermediate cartridge, the same as the M16. Magazines are, again, the same as used by M16 rifles - and although modelled after a 20-round mag will hold 30 rounds in-game. Extended mags will give you 45 rounds instead. The Commando is a moderate-high damage weapon, on par with both the AK-47 and the Galil. You'll kill in 3 shots to the body up close, or two to the head - and at a distance you may need up to 4 shots to kill. Like the other high-damage automatic rifles, rate of fire is moderate - 750 rounds per minute. Because of this slower rate of fire, and a generally low level of kick: recoil is fairly mild on the Commando. Its actual performance is identical to the AK-47 - but the AK's visual recoil

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the China Lake. It's a pump-action weapon, unlocked at level 48. The 'China Lake Pump Action Grenade Launcher' is a US weapon, named for the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, where it was developed. Designed in 1967, the weapon first saw limited service the following year, in 1968. The design has its roots in the M79 'Thumper' - a break-barrel grenade launcher that saw use during the Vietnam Conflict. The China Lake's pump-action, magazine fed design was an attempt to increase the readily available firepower to the user - and, thanks to its aluminium construction, it was a relatively lightweight design. Even when loaded with its full complement of 4 grenades, it weighed in at only half a pound heavier than the traditional M79 design. However, the China Lake had issues feeding certain 40mm grenades, and never progressed beyond the prototype stage - with as few as 16 units produced. It was the underbarrel grenade launchers that would eventually displace the M79, such as the M203: and while such designs wouldn't boast the rate of fire of the China Lake, they would prove altogether more versatile. The China Lake fires 40-by-46 millimetre grenades, the very same as used in the Thumper and underbarrel M203. The real-life weapon is able to hold 3 grenades in its tubular magazine, and another in the chamber, for 4 total - in game, however, the China Lake will only hold 2 grenades at once. The China Lake's damage is equal to that of the underbarrel grenade launcher - with a relatively small lethal radius when compared to the other weapons in its class. And while the China Lake can be employed against air support, it's not exactly well suited to this role, dealing little damage to helicopters. Rate of fire tops out at about 30 rounds per minute, although this doesn't factor in reloads, nor the time required to aim. The China L

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Stoner63. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked once you've purchased all of the other LMGs. The Stoner 63 is an American weapon - named for its lead designer, Eugene Stoner: the mind behind the M16 rifle. The Stoner 63 was one of his later designs, with the first models produced in 1963. The concept was for a flexible weapon platform that could be used in a number of configurations - from carbine, through assault rifle to machine gun, and everything in-between. After leaving Armalite and instead working with Cadillac Gage, Stoner produced his first prototype: originally chambered for the 7.62mm NATO round, and known as the Stoner M69W. This name was chosen as it is an ambigram, reflecting Stoner's vision of a fully invertible reciever. The follow-up design to this prototype was called the Stoner 62 - but the smaller 5.56mm intermediate cartridge was eventually chosen for mass production, leading to the Stoner 63 design. In 1963, the rifle was submitted to DARPA - the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - for trials. Although praised for its flexibilty, potential ammunition capacity and light weight, the design fell short on the reliability front - leading to the improved Stoner 63A design. This design saw use with the US Navy Seals, and with a company of US Marines, designated as the XM22E1. In 1970, the US Army issued the Stoner as the XM207 to Army Special Forces units for evaluation - however by this point the Stoner was losing ground to Colt's improved M16 rifle designs, and in 1971 the design was dropped entirely. Ultimately, the role Stoner hoped to fill was satisfied by the M249 in 1984 - the Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW. The Stoner fires the NATO standard intermediate cartridge, the 5.56-by-45 millimetre. Some variants were designed to fire a disintegrating belt of ammunition, but the assault rif

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the HS10. It's a semi-automatic weapon, unlocked once you've purchased all of the other shotguns. The HS10, or High Standard Model 10, is a US weapon, manufactured by the High Standard Manufacturing Company. It was designed in the mid 1950s, sold to High Standard in the mid 1960s - and the first units were produced in 1967. An unusual design, the HS10 has a bullpup configuration, with the trigger some distance ahead of the action. This means the weapon is of shorter overall length than a conventional shotgun - a useful trait when it comes to close-quarter interior use. Other bullpup shotguns include the South African NeoStead 2000, and the more recent Kel-Tec KSG. The HS10's short, balanced design meant that it was suitable for firing one-handed: ideal for situations where you need a manoeuvrable weapon. The weapon was designed by police sergeant Alferd Crouch for law enforcement, SWAT, and other tactical units. The weapon's favourable handling, paired with the versatility and power of a 12 gauge shotgun, made for an ideal entry weapon: and upon the weapon's introduction it was adopted by some police agencies. However, it was found to have reliability issues - the semi-automatic action failing to cycle reliably, amongst a few other ergonomic faults. In 1970 there was an updated model manufactured - the High Standard Model 10B - but many of the original issues remained. The HS10 fires 12 gauge cartridges, 2 and 3-quarter inches in length. It feeds from a 4-round capacity tube magazine underneath the barrel, and this capacity is reflected in Black Ops. The HS10 is a low damage shotgun, dealing as much damage per shot as the SPAS-12. Like the SPAS, the HS10 makes up for this lower than average damage with a higher rate of fire - up to 341 rounds per minute, meaning you can empty the magazine very quickly. This m

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the PSG1. It's a semi-automatic weapon, unlocked once you've purchased the other three sniper rifles. The Präzisionsschützengewehr, or 'Precision-shooter rifle', is a German sniper rifle manufactured by Heckler und Koch. The rifle was first produced in 1972. It was the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics that sparked German rifle development - the inadequacy of the equipment available to German police at the time would be subject to much criticism. Both the HK PSG1 and Walther WA2000 were introduced in the wake of the event - and the elite counter-terrorist unit, GSG 9, was formed in 1973. The PSG's design is based on that of the G3 battle rifle - the German service rifle since 1959. Although accurate enough for infantry needs, the PSG-1 pushed the limits of the platform - making for what was then 'the most accurate semi-automatic rifle in the world.' With added telescopic scope, heavier free-floating barrel, and adjustable stock - the PSG-1 design is indeed designed for accuracy, although it came with a correspondingly high price tag. The PSG1 fires the 7.62-by-51 millimetre NATO cartridge, as does the parent G3 design. Magazines are 5 rounds in capacity, or 10 with extended mags. The real-steel rifle will also accept 20 round mags - or even a 50-round drum. Damage-wise, the PSG falls between the two low damage rifles - the Dragunov and WA2000 - and the high damage bolt-action rifle, the L96A1. It will kill in one shot to the head, neck, chest, or stomach - but when silenced, only a hit to the head or neck will be a one-shot kill. Rate of fire is semi-automatic, and is capped at a fairly generous 235 rounds per minute. This can be useful as a last-ditch defense at a close range - although hipfire performance is poor, sometimes one lucky bullet can save you from a close-range assailant. Under normal us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the CZ75. It's a semi automatic weapon, unlocked once you've purchased all of the other handguns. The CZ75 originates from Czechoslovakia, now the modern-day Czech Republic. It's manufactured by Česká zbrojovka, and the design was first introduced in 1975. This all steel construction semi-auto pistol was originally designed for export, and wasn't sold in its domestic market until 1985. On the international market, it proved popular - and would become one of the original 'wonder nines'. This appellation was a somewhat derogatory term applied to the initial wave of double-action, 9mm semi automatic pistols, that threatened the revolvers normally used by American law enforcement. By the 1990s, semi-automatic pistols were the norm, with weapons such as the CZ-75, Sig Sauer P226, and Beretta 92 paving the way in terms of capacity and reliability. The CZ's popularity persists today, known for its reliability and versatility at a reasonable price. The CZ75 fires the 9-by-19 millimetre Parabellum cartridge, the standard NATO pistol calibre. Magazines are 12 rounds in capacity, or 18 with extended mags. The CZ75 is a low damage pistol, dealing the same damage per shot as the ASP, Makarov and M1911. It will kill in 3 shots up close, or with two headshots - and outside of the weapon's fairly short effective range, you'll need up to 5 shots to kill. Rate of fire is capped to 625 rounds per minute, assuming you can pull the trigger quickly enough: this is generous enough for most. Recoil is generally low, especially if you fire at a slower rate: in general, the CZ's recoil is simply not a factor for a typical pistol engagement. Aim time is very quick, on par with the other pistols at 150 milliseconds. Reloads are quick by any usual standards, but fairly typical for the pistol class, at 1.63 seconds. The Full-Auto Upgrad

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Kiparis. It's a fully automatic weapon, unlocked once you've purchased all of the other SMGs. The OTs-02 Kiparis is a Russian weapon, originating from the former Soviet Union. Its name translates from Russian as 'Cypress', in reference to the coniferous tree. The weapon's design was first drafted in the early 1970s, but the first units did not enter service until 1991. It was likely the carbine variants of the AK74 rifle that led to a reduced need for a new submachine gun - and it was only the fall of the Soviet Union that sparked a demand for compact police weapons in the 1990s. It was for this reason that the Kiparis was resurrected, and saw introduction with the Russian police and Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1995. A basic blowback design, the Kiparis is a simple yet efficient weapon: mainly a steel construction, with some plastic furniture, the weapon was also supplied with its own proprietary suppressor. Eventually the weapon was displaced in favour of newer designs, such as the PP-2000: with greater use of synthetic materials and leanings toward a modern personal defense weapon design. The Kiparis fires the squat Soviet 9mm cartridge, the 9-by-18 millimetre Makarov round. Magazines are 20 rounds in capacity, or 30 with extended mags. The Kiparis is a low damage SMG, dealing the same damage per shot as most of its peers, bar the MP5K, AK74u, and Skorpion. That means it'll kill in 4 shots up close - or 5 at a distance. One interesting trait of the Kiparis is its enhanced ability to penetrate cover: while most SMGs struggle to shoot through walls, the Kiparis will perform as well as an assault rifle, better cutting through concealment to meet your target. Rate of fire is high - on par with most of the low-damage SMGs or the FAMAS, at 937.5 rounds per minute. Recoil is moderately high however, thanks in

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the final episode of my Black In this episode we're covering the G11. It fires a 3-round burst, and is unlocked once you've purchased all of the other assault rifles. The G11 is a prototype German weapon, designed by Heckler und Koch. Development started in the late 1960s, and the first prototypes emerged in 1970. Later designs entered field testing in the 1980s, and the design was finalised in 1990. The G11 was intended to be a highly-engineered, modern replacement for the G3 battle rifle: a high-tech weapon fitting for a space age era. Perhaps the most notable feature of the G11 is its use of caseless ammunition: rather than using a brass cartridge to contain the charge, the propellant is instead moulded around the bullet, eliminating the need for case ejection. Such a change is fraught with engineering difficulty, however - the least of which is heat dissipation, as the traditional brass cartridge acts as a heatsink for thermal energy generated upon firing. Early models were prone to ammunition cook-off: the chamber would heat up to a temperature that would spontaneously ignite a round, resulting in uncontrollable automatic fire. Nevertheless, the caseless concept was perfected with help from Dynamit Nobel, and after a series of prototypes and field testing, the improved G11K2 variant went into limited production in 1990, with 1000 units produced. With this weapon proving significantly more effective than the now-venerable G3 in testing, it seemed as though the G11 would be the first service rifle to use caseless ammunition. However, the project was scuppered by the reunification of East and West Germany in 1991 - political reorganisation and a lack of funding would be the weapon's downfall. Since the scrapping of the project, others have flirted with caseless designs: but none have come to fruition. Ultimately,

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AhoyYT Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the MTAR Assault Rifle. A smaller brother to Modern Warfare 2's TAR-21, the fully-automatic MTAR returns in its diminutive form and is the first assault rifle unlocked in create-a-class. The 'Tavor Assault Rifle for the 21st century', or TAR-21, is an Israeli weapon that was introduced in 2001. The Micro Tavor, or MTAR, is a subcarbine variant with a shorter barrel. The version depicted in-game fires the NATO standard assault rifle cartridge, the 5.56x45mm round - although the MTAR can be converted to an SMG, instead firing 9mm pistol rounds. The Tavor is a bullpup weapon, with the magazine located behind the trigger - this allows for a shorter overall length, making it ideal for urban close-quarter use. In-game, The MTAR is a mid-damage assault rifle; It requires at least 3 shots to kill, even if all 3 are headshots. At a distance you may need up to 5 shots to kill, although with a single headshot you won't need more than 4. Range dropoff is moderate, with the MTAR losing its 3-shot kill potential outside of a close range. For most mid-ranged engagements you can expect to kill in 4 shots. Like most of the assault rifles, the MTAR offers standard penetration ability: this means thin cover won't pose too much of an issue should your target lie behind. Rate of fire is 750 rounds per minute: reasonably high for the assault rifle class, and offering a blend of controllability and lead output. Hipfire spread is standard for the assault rifles - not as good as an SMG, but far better than an LMG or Sniper Rifle. Because of the automatic fire, potential 3-shot kill, and reasonable rate of fire - the MTAR is probably one of the more reliable assault rifles when fired from the hip. Select Fire will turn the MTAR into a three-round burst rifle - this will help enforce good fire control, and conserve ammunition - but this attachment

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the MP7. This fully-automatic SMG built quite a reputation in its MW3 incarnation, where its low recoil and high rate of fire made for a potent combination. It returns as the first SMG unlock in Black Ops 2 - and while it remains a formidable close-range option, this MP7 lies firmly within its intended niche. The MP7, or 'Maschinenpistole 7' is a German weapon, first introduced in 2001 by Heckler und Koch. Technically a Personal Defence Weapon, or PDW, rather than a traditional SMG - the MP7 fires a smaller, higher velocity cartridge - the 4.6 by 30 millimetre round. This round relies on speed rather than mass for its kinetic energy, and as such offers enhanced performance against body armour and lower recoil than standard pistol calibres. All this in a compact package, with ample magazine capacity - the MP7 is an ideal weapon for modern close-quarters battle. In-game, the MP7 is a low damage weapon: it requires 3 to 4 shots at close range to kill, and up to 6 outside of the weapon's relatively short range. This means the MP7 is very much specialised for close-quarters combat: keeping the enemy within your 4-hit kill zone should be your priority. In addition, like the rest of the SMGs, the MP7's ability to penetrate cover is poor: for the most part, you will want to land shots directly upon your opponent. The MP7 makes up for these shortcomings with its rate of fire: at approximately 940 rounds per minute, you will outperform most other weapons in this regard. The rapid fire attachment will boost this rate of fire to the incredibly high 1250 rounds per minute - but be warned, this will halve the weapon's effective range, severely limiting your mid-range capability. This innately high rate of fire is paired with a narrow hipfire spread, like all of the SMGs: this means the MP7 is amongst the most effective weapons when fir

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy This time, we're covering the Mk 48. The bigger brother to MW3's Mk 46, this fully-automatic LMG is a higher-calibre variant, and is the first LMG unlocked. The Mk 48 is a Belgian weapon, manufactured by FN Herstal. It is a derivative of the FN Minimi design - also known by its US Army name, the M249 SAW, and its USSOCOM designation: the Mk 46. The Mk 48 is a scaled-up variant of the Minimi design, firing the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge instead of an intermediate one. This means the Mk 48 is similar in role to FN's other offering in this calibre - the FN MAG, or M240. However, a high degree of part commonality between the M249 SAW, Mk 46, and Mk 48 means that maintenance and repair is simplified for those who employ only the Minimi-derived designs. In-game, damage is high, amongst the highest of all automatic weapons: you can expect to kill in 3 shots at almost any range, with 4 shots needed only at a very extreme distance, beyond most sightlines in-game. One headshot up close will deal damage sufficient to secure a two-shot kill, although it is generally better to keep your enemy at an arm's reach with the LMGs. Penetration ability is innately high, and the generous damage and large magazine makes the Mk 48 particularly well suited to finding targets behind cover. Rate of fire is slow, at 625 rounds per minute: this does make the weapon easier to control, but harms close-range potential. Rapid fire will improve this output to 750 rounds per minute, but will mandate more frequent reloads, and greatly increase recoil. Hipfire spread is relatively high: and while you have plenty of fire-power on tap, the slower fire rate will make for unreliable hipfire performance. Handling is generally slow, as you'd expect for an LMG - but the recoil is mild, permitting accurate automatic fire out to quite some distance. Everything about this weapon favours

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Reflex Sight. The Reflex sight takes its name from the Aimpoint-style sight seen in Black Ops, but in appearance and in function it is the same as the Red Dot Sight attachment, first seen in COD4. This attachment is available for most weapons - the SMGs, Assault Rifles, LMGs, Shotguns, Pistols, and the Crossbow all have this optic as an option. Its appearance is the same on most weapons - with the rounded rectangle lens shape first seen in COD4 - but on the handguns the design is slightly different, closer to the MW2 red dot sight design. The sight's effect is principally a visual one: it will replace your weapon's default iron sights with the reflex sight model, marking your point of aim with a red dot - and giving you a better view on target. It is a universal upgrade to your precision - the transparent reflex lens gives you a much better all-round view on your target when compared to the iron sights. Of course, this comes at the cost of an attachment slot, and one of your pick-ten points: so some will prefer to use the iron sights and invest their points elsewhere. Other than the purely visual differences, the reflex sight can have an effect on a weapon's level of zoom while aiming: with the reflex sight equipped, you will always have a 1.35x magnification level while aiming. This is the default zoom level for an assault rifle, so no change there - but other weapon classes will see a different zoom level when compared to their iron sights. The SMGs, Shotguns, Pistols and Crossbow all have a lower default zoom - 1.2x for all except for the pistols, which have an even lower default 1.1x zoom. With the reflex sight equipped, you'll gain a slight zoom advantage with these weapons, to the reflex's default zoom level of 1.35x. The LMGs are slightly different - they have an innate zoom of 1.5x with iron sights, and using the

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy This time, we're covering the SVU-AS. A shortened version of the Dragunov - the SVU makes its Call of Duty debut in Black Ops 2, but the longer parent design was first seen in COD4. The Dragunov SVU - or 'Snayperskaya Vintovka Ukorochennaya', translating as 'short sniper rifle' - is a Russian rifle first introduced in 1994. It is a bullpup reconfiguration of the Dragunov SVD, with its magazine behind the trigger, and a recoil-reducing muzzle brake to combat the heavy recoil from the full-power rifle cartridge the SVU fires: the 7.62-by-54 millimetre Rimmed. The -AS suffix refers to a later variant of the SVU rifle design: the A stands for automatic, referring to a select-fire ability: and the S refers to the attached bipod. This specific variant was designed for Special Forces requiring an adaptable weapon, where the select-fire ability transforms a marksman's rifle into a fully-automatic battle rifle when circumstances demand. Of course, in-game the weapon is essentially a semi-automatic weapon only: select fire is not available. And, while the bipod is present on the weapon: it is non-functional. Damage-wise, the SVU has the potential to kill in just one-shot, but as far as the sniper rifles are concerned, it is the lowest damage weapon in its tier. In order to attain a single-shot kill, you will need to strike your opponent directly in the head: in all other cases, you'll need two shots to kill. When equipped with the suppressor, even a headshot will be insufficient - the suppressed SVU is always a two-shot kill. The sniper rifles have no range penalty - no matter your distance from your target, you can expect to deal the same amount of damage. Penetration ability is also high, but unlike the LMGs, the sniper rifle's slower rate of fire and limited magazine capacity mean you generally fare better when you can shoot your target directly. Rate of fire

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy In this episode we're covering the Quickdraw Handle. This attachment's benefit started life as a perk: namely, the Pro benefit of Sleight of Hand in Modern Warfare 2. Since then, it has returned in every title - split into its own perk, Quickdraw, in MW3: and returning instead as an attachment in Black Ops 2. The Quickdraw Handle is available for the Assault Rifles, SMGs, LMGs and Shotguns. It is unavailable for secondary weapons, and is notably absent within the sniper rifle category. If you seek a faster-scoping sniper, the Ballista is your only option, with its slightly speedier aim time than its peers. For those weapons that have it, the Quickdraw Handle's effect is relatively straightforward: it reduces the time needed for your weapon to transition from its idle stance, to aiming down sights. This ability to aim more quickly means you can direct accurate fire onto your opponent sooner - potentially skewing gunfights in your favour. In previous titles, this effect was uniform across all weapons: the perk would universally halve aim time. This is not entirely the case with Black Ops 2: the attachment's effect varies depending on weapon class. Assault Rifles, SMGs and Shotguns do gain a 50% reduction in aim time: the assault rifle and shotgun's 250 millisecond aim time becomes 125 milliseconds; and the SMGs 220 milliseconds becomes 110. LMGs are slightly different, however - receiving only a 25% reduction in aim time. This takes the typical 480 millisecond LMG aim time to 360 milliseconds instead. This works out at roughly the same absolute benefit, with an aim time reduction of around 120 milliseconds across the board. SMGs can snap instantly onto targets, Assault Rifles can hang with SMGs up close, Shotgun users can ADS more frequently to take advantage of more consistent one-shot-kills: and while the LMGs still lumber behind somewhat, they

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy This time, we're covering the Remington 870 MCS. Black Ops 2 marks the Remington's debut in Call of Duty - a pump-action weapon similar in role to the Stakeout in Black Ops. The Remington 870 MCS - or Modular Combat Shotgun - is an American weapon, with the original 870 design dating to 1951. It is Remington's flagship shotgun, and holds the record for the best-selling shotgun in history. The MCS configuration is a more recent introduction, with the first such systems delivered in 2004. Intended for military use, the MCS has the basic 870 action at its core - but comes with number of configuration options to help fit any role. With the option of 3 barrel lengths, a pistol grip, fixed or adjustable stock, amongst a whole host of other options - the MCS is a versatile platform, capable of firing a wide variety of 12 gauge cartridges. In-game, the Remington is a high damage shotgun - easily capable of one-shot kills at a close range. This damage quickly falls off, however - after just a few metres you'll find opponents need multiple shots to kill, and beyond that your pellets will fail to find their mark altogether. Shotguns trade long range utility for one-shot power, so you should seek to engage enemies at a close a range as possible. This one-shot potential is particularly important considering the Remington's very slow rate of fire - the pump-action requires a new round to be manually rechambered for every shot fired, limiting your output to just 80 rounds per minute. Hipfire spread is moderate - and with greater divergence than in previous titles, resulting in somewhat inconsistent performance from the hip. Aiming down your sights now confers a significant narrowing of pellet spread: so for consistent kills towards the edge of your effective range, it is definitely best to aim. Thanks to the slow rate of fire, recoil isn't a factor: your aim will

Facebook: http://facebook.com/XboxAhoy Twitter: http://twitter.com/xboxahoy This time, we're covering the Type 25. The first fictional weapon we're covering, the Type 25 is a descendant of the Type 95 seen in Modern Warfare 3. It's a fully automatic weapon this time around, lacking the deadly 3-round burst of its previous incarnation. The Type 25 is a Chinese weapon, and as its designation implies - was likely introduced in the year 2025. Save for a few aesthetic differences, the Type 25 is of the same configuration as the QBZ-95: a bullpup design, with the magazine behind the trigger. It fires a Chinese cartridge similar to the 5.56mm NATO round: the 5.8-by-42 millimetre DBP 87 round. Presumably in the 30 years between the QBZ-95 and Type 25, there would be some iterative improvements: the QBZ had a few ergonomic issues, so it's fair to assume in the later rifle design these may have been ironed out. Any other suggestion of technical changes would, of course, be entirely speculative. The Type 25 is a low damage weapon: It requires 4 shots to the body to kill, or 3 shots where one is a headshot. Ranged damage is relatively consistent, with the weapon never needing more than 5 shots to kill at a distance. The Type 25's key strength is its rate of fire: at approximately 940 rounds per minute, the Type 25's fire rate is higher than all other automatic assault rifles - and is on par with some of the SMGs. This makes the weapon better suited to close-range combat, with the higher rate of fire making for more forgiving performance. Hipfire spread is on par with most other assault rifles - slightly better when prone, in fact. The higher rate of output also helps make for perhaps the most consistent performance from the hip within the assault rifle category. Recoil is moderate, exacerbated by this higher rate of fire - to retain accuracy at longer distances you should burst-fire your weapon. Such fire control is essential for ef