M4A3 Service Pistol

"Standard issue USCM 9mm pistol comprised of a lightweight steel alloy."

―M4A3 Service Pistol description (from Aliens: Colonial Marines)

M4A3 Service Pistol
Production Information
Manufacturer	Armat Battlefield Systems
Model	M4A3
Type	Semi-automatic service pistol
Technical Information
Size	Length 21.6 cm
Feed system	12-round detachable box magazine
Fire mode(s)	Semi-automatic
Ammunition	9mm Ball M901
Operation	Recoil operation
Range	50 metres effective 1,500 meters maximum
Usage
Era(s)	2170s
Counterpart(s)	M4 Pistol Colt M1911 M4A4
Affiliation	USCM Weyland-Yutani PMC

The M4A3 Service Pistol, also known simply as the Service Pistol, is a 9mm, semi-automatic, recoil operated, magazine-fed pistol manufactured by Armat Battlefield Systems and used primarily by the United States Colonial Marine Corps as their standard issue sidearm. The M4A3 is part of the M4 family of handguns and was succeeded by the upgraded M4A4.

Overview

The M4A3 is a 9mm automatic, recoil operated, magazine-fed handgun. The working mechanism is made of steel alloy with some high-strength plastic parts, while the outer casing is machined from lightweight alloys. The entire weapon, including a full 12-round magazine, weighs no more than 0.95 kg. The M4A3 is largely ineffective at stopping most Xenomorphs and Yautja, making it somewhat of a last resort weapon.

Usage

The M4A3 is notable for being the standard issue sidearm of the United States Colonial Marine Corps and is standard for USCM Medics and Synthetics. Due to it being largely ineffective against most Xenomorphs and Yautja, it is usaully used as a last resort weapon. The M4A3 was also the standard sidearm of Weyland-Yutani PMC Grunts.

Ammunition

9mm Ball: The M4's standard ammunition is a 126 grain 9mm ball rimless straight round. Although adequate against soft targets, this round has very poor armor penetration characteristics even at close range, leading to the introduction of the M901 round (see below).

M901: A new armor-piercing cartridge being introduced to replace the standard ammunition for the M4, the M901 consists of a subcaliber metal core encased in a high-impact resin bullet. Upon impact, the resin case breaks apart, allowing the core to penetrate the target's armor.

A27 High Velocity Round: An alternate ammo type; propellent-assisted rounds exit the pistol's barrel at a significantly higher velocity, causing tremendous damage.

Trivia

• The M4A3 appears to be O'Neal's sidearm of choice.
• The M4A3 is visually based on the Colt M1911.
• Vasquez's Pistol in Aliens: Colonial Marines erroneously uses a modified M4A3 model making the pistol more similar to an M1911 than the Smith & Wesson Model 39 she actually used in Aliens.
• Unlike many of the weapons in Aliens: Colonial Marines, the M4A3 was actually not created for the game, first appearing in the Colonial Marines Technical Manual and then going on to appear in the 1999 video game Aliens versus Predator and Aliens versus Predator: Extinction.
• You can dual wield M4A3s in Aliens versus Predator (1999).
• Concept art for Aliens: Colonial Marines reveals that the M4A3 seen in the game was originally going to be a somewhat antique Colt M1911.

Appearances

• Aliens versus Predator (1999 video game)
• Aliens versus Predator: Extinction
• Aliens: Colonial Marines/Stasis Interrupted (video game)