M-12 Locust

The M-12 Locust is a submachine gun from Mass Effect 2.

In-Game Description
The Kassa Fabrications Model 12 Locust is a compact submachine gun developed for the Alliance but now favored by gang enforcers and hitmen. Featuring a complex recoil-reducing mechanism and high-grade autotargeting software, the Locust delivers longer-range, more accurate fire than others in its class.

Acquisition
The M-12 Locust can be found during Kasumi's loyalty mission in Donovan Hock's vault on the table with the graybox. If the weapon is not picked up, it will be awarded at the end of the mission. Kasumi refers to it as "the weapon that killed two presidents."

Squad Use
This weapon can be used by Miranda, Mordin, Samara/Morinth, Thane and Kasumi.

Player Notes

 * Although it has a lower clip capacity and slightly weaker damage output compared to the M-9 Tempest, the Locust makes up for these deficiencies by being more accurate at longer ranges and having virtually no muzzle climb. Because squad members tend to circumvent the accuracy issues associated with the Tempest, it is best to give them that weapon, but keep the Locust for yourself.
 * For the same reason as the Tempest, it upgrades the M-4 Shuriken Machine Pistol.
 * Since it has high accuracy and high damage against armor, assault rifle as advanced weapon training for Engineers, Adepts or Sentinels is no longer a 'must have' (DPS wise, Locust has higher DPS than M-8 Avenger, Geth Pulse Rifle and Collector Assault Rifle at almost the same accuracy level. Vindicator has higher DPS but much lower total thermal clip capacity). Players can now choose sniper rifle or shotgun safely for a varied gameplay experience.
 * Strangely, it appears that importing a Shepard from ME2 will not keep the Locust the way other weapons are carried over from one game to the next. Fortunately, given the nature of the mission it is found in, it is possible to reacquire the gun without significant impact from its absence.
 * Like the M-22 Eviscerator, the Locust sacrifices some of its penetration power against shields and barriers to add extra damage against armor, making it a more balanced SMG than the Tempest. However, it is still a viable weapon for any SMG-wielding squadmate, as they have infinite ammo and it gives them a better coverage of protection-stripping. If you are bringing two SMG-wielders in your squad, it's a good idea to give one the Tempest for DPS and one the Locust for versatility.

Trivia

 * The lack of vertical recoil and general body shape strongly resemble that of the modern day TDI Vector series of submachine guns, which use the Kriss Super V operating system to facilitate this.