Submachine Guns

Submachine Guns (SMGs) are one of the primary weapons in the Mass Effect universe. They are a class of rapid-firing weapons, with both fully-automatic and burst-fire models. SMGs generally have low accuracy and damage per shot, offset by their thermal clip size and rate of fire. They are best suited for close- to mid-range combat.

Mass Effect 2

SMGs possess a bonus to damage against shields and biotic barriers, but are weak against armor. Like all other non-heavy weapon types in Mass Effect 2 with the exception of sniper rifles, SMGs benefit from increasing damage against targets at close ranges, maximized at point-blank (melee) range.

All player classes except soldiers start the game able to use SMGs. The following squadmates also utilize submachine guns: Miranda, Mordin, Samara/Morinth, Thane, Kasumi, Liara, and Dr. Amanda Kenson.

Submachine Gun Models

Below is a list of Submachine Gun models and their base stats:

M-4 Shuriken

Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
Base Damage: 20.5
Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
Ammo capacity: 24 / 240
Acquisition: Default starting weapon.

M-9 Tempest

Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
Base Damage: 14
Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
Ammo capacity: 50 / 450
Acquisition: Dossier: Tali

M-12 Locust

Manufacturer: Kassa Fabrication
Base Damage: 25
Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
Ammo capacity: 20 / 240
Acquisition: Kasumi: Stealing Memory

Upgrades

See also: Upgrade Guide, section on SMG upgrades, Research

SMG Shield Piercing (Phasic Jacketing)

Provides +50% SMG damage against shields and biotic barriers.

SMG Extra Rounds (Heat Sink Capacity)

Adds +50% more SMG rounds.

Submachine Gun Damage 1 - 6 (Microfield Pulsar)

Squad bonus +10% submachine gun damage.

Mass Effect 3

Submachine guns are good choices for power-dependent classes. These lightweight weapons can deal out high rates of fire at the cost of low accuracy and stopping power. As a rule, Submachine guns are weak weapons but they have some extremely good mods - notably the Ultralight Materials offering a 90% weight discount makes them a superb backup weapon, whereas with the right DLC a character who focusses primarily on powers can combine the Power Magnifier and the High Velocity Barrel to have a very effective gun against targets like Brutes, a damage bonus for powers, and a recharge bonus of 200%. The following squadmates utilize submachine guns: Aria, EDI, and Liara.

Submachine Gun Models

Below is a list of the types of submachine guns in Mass Effect 3 and their base stats. Note that WCFDA stands for weight, capacity, fire rate, damage, and accuracy. The relevant values for those statistics are presented in that order.

Blood Pack Punisher

Manufacturer: Blood Pack
Base WCFDA: 30 / 70 / 65 / 25 / 20
Fire Mode: Automatic
Default ammo: 40 / 320
Acquisition: Firefight Pack (single-player), Mass Effect 3: Reckoning (multiplayer)