Military Sidearms
Revolvers serve as the standard issue DC military sidearms due to their reliability in the extreme temperatures and vacuum of space, since they can continue to operate even when mechanical lubricants are frozen or boiled away.
While space-capable lubricants exist and are used in weapons such as the Perim Armaments DCSR-II and FN-DC FALO-II Light Machine Gun, these lubricants have considerable drawbacks such as the need for replacement much more frequently than standard lubricant. Due to these drawbacks space capable lubricants are only issued when combat in space or vacuumous environments is anticipated, meaning that personnel faced with unanticipated combat in either environment could be left without a reliably functioning weapon unless a space-capable revolver capable of operating without lubricant was issued. The Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus, chambered in .357 Magnum with a 7 round capacity and 4 inch barrel, is the standard issue sidearm for DC Military personnel. Both .357 Magnum and lower recoil .38 Special ammunition is typically available to military personnel, with those further removed from the enemy more often preferring .38 Special while infantry and assault troops expecting direct contact with hostile forces generally prefer .357 Magnum. Special operations personnel often use the Perim Armaments Colonial Enforcer .44, chambered in .44 Magnum with a 6 round capacity and 6 inch barrel. The higher velocity and superior stopping power of the .44 Magnum round is highly valued, particularly in ship-boarding actions and other activities in close quarters. Civilians serving in Peacekeeper Command operations such as medical personnel, teachers, skilled tradesmen, engineers, and other technical and administrative personnel, are not typically armed. In some cases however these civilian personnel are issued the Perim Armaments Equalizer .38, chambered in .38 Special with a 6 round capacity and 2 inch barrel. The Equalizer is considered to be convenient to carry, easy to use, and adequate for emergency self-defense situations. |