M45 Tactical Shotgun

The M45 Tactical Shotgun, formally known as the Tactical Shotgun, 8 Gauge, Pump Action, M45, is a shotgun used by the United Nations Space Command Army.

Design Details
The M45 Tactical Shotgun is a special-purpose weapon used in any situation where the range of engagement is limited and when over-penetration is not desirable, but maximum stopping power is required. Like the M90 Close Assault Weapon System, the M45 is a pump-action, magazine-fed (dual tubular, non-detachable type) weapon that uses 8 gauge magnum (3.75”) ammunition. It features a AJustable stock, however this is purely cosmetic.

Gameplay
In gameplay, the M45 Tactical Shotgun is more powerful than the M90 Close Assault Weapon System from Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. The pellets have a tighter grouping and the range is superior as well, which also makes it harder to hit multiple enemies at close range.

Trivia

 * It is possible that Bungie named this shotgun the M45 because it is the in-game counterpart to the M90 from the other games: 45 is half of 90.
 * In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the shotgun had cyan lights similar to those on the M90 in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 3. The sights are red in the final game.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach