The Spacepiress of Chaos
Intent: Update the M-series Thermite Rifle
Image Source: N/a
Canon Link: N/a
Permissions: N/a
Primary Source:
Manufacturer:
Affiliation:
- Closed Market
- Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Hellknight Corps
- The Erinyes
- M58/Mg
- No
- Minor
- Durasteel
- Boa-Wood
- Slugthrower Components
Classification: Slugthrower
Size: Very Large
Weight: Heavy
Ammunition Type:
- Frangible Thermite Rounds
- Magnesium Flare
- (200) Round Detachable Pan Magazine
- (20) Magnesium Flares
- Long Range
- Average
- High
- Very High
Iron Sights
Gas Operated Action
Tripod Mounting Pin
Coolant Jacket
Coolant Canister / Tube Connection
Frangible Rounds - The M58 carries on the legacy of its predecessors (the M53 and M44) in its use of frangible thermite rounds. These slugs break apart upon impact and produce a cloud of thermite.
Thermite Cloud - Like its predecessors, the true stopping power of the M58 comes from the thermite that the frangible rounds release upon impact. A carefully placed followup Magnesium Flare then lights these clouds into a burst of flame.
Flash! - Skilled gunners utilizing the M58 and its predecessors understand that their slugs can be easily deflected by those wielding a lightsaber. However, such a weapon activates the frangible rounds when they strike the blade, producing a small flash. These flashes can at times distract an enemy, or surprise and startle lesser trained force users.
Detachable Pan Magazine - Offering a larger volume of munitions than its predecessors, the capability to remove the pan magazine is still one that is very useful. Like the M53 and M44 before it; the detachable pan can be utilized as an impromptu cutting device. When mounted or secured to a target, a shot to the pan can active the frangible rounds within and permit entry or destroy the target as needed.
Coolant System - A previous flaw in the rate of fire of the M53 and M44 was the lack of an appropriate cooling system to prevent the barrel from overheating. The M58 approaches this problem by shrouding the barrel in a coolant jacket and filling it with an appropriate coolant on hand. This aids in increasing the rate of fire from the weapon while also cutting down on the potential of it overheating and setting off its pan magazine.
Reliability - Where the M53 and M44 had maintenance issues that resulted in those weapons needing constant care, the M58 has seen strides over those lesser models. More reliable than its predecessors, the M58 is capable of operating in a myriad of environments and other conditions that would have otherwise hindered the M53 and M44.
Exposed Pan - The location of the pan magazine remained the same on the M58 as its predecessors, thus retaining the problem those weapons experienced. A sharpshooter - or an individual that gets off a lucky shot - could fire on the pan magazine and set off its munitions. If this were to happen, the munitions would cut through the weapon, rending it useless.
A Stiff Breeze - Another hold-over of drawbacks from its predecessor is that the weapon's mainstay is still at the mercy of the wind. Were a gust of wind or strong breeze to come along, it would blow away the Thermite Cloud produced by the frangible rounds, effectively cutting down the weapon's primary use.
Weight - While the M53 and M44 were heavy, they were still capable of being operated by a single individual, often carried and utilized by the same operator. The M58 is this regard is heavier and larger than its predecessors.
Coolant Freezing - The M58 is at the mercy of colder temperatures, and it is suggested that it not be deployed in colder environments as the liquid coolant within the sleeve can freeze and damage the weapon.
Two Man Team - Due to its increased size and weight, the weapon requires a tripod to be utilized effectively. This requires that a two-man team operate the weapon; with one individual carrying the weapon, and the other carrying the tripod and coolant system.
While the M53 retained many of the original pitfalls and problems of the predecessor variant the M44; the M58 sought to address some of those problems and otherwise improve upon a weapon whose utility and capabilities were nothing to ignore. Retaining the cornerstone of this line of weapons, the M58 still utilizes a Thermite Frangible Round which creates small clouds of thermite when they strike a target. These clouds are then ignited with a following Magnesium Flare, resulting in a burst of flames that can incinerate structures as well as individuals. Though it still retains the exposed Pan Magazine that sits atop the weapon; which can be turned against the weapon were it to be struck by a sharpshooter or lucky shot - which would ignite the munitions within the pan and cut through the weapon.
Whereas its predecessors experienced continual maintenance issues, the M58 has seen improvements in these areas and is capable of operating in environments and conditions that would have otherwise caused problems for the M53 and M44. With its predecessors having an internal limit that aided in preventing the barrel from overheating due to continuous fire; the M58 relies upon a coolant jacket around the barrel to assist in this regard. And while this has cut down on barrel overheating issues that plagued the M53 and M44, it has also brought about its problems. For instance, the coolant in the jacket if exposed to colder environments can freeze and potentially damage the weapon. Likewise is the jacket itself is damaged, or an appropriate coolant cannot be found, the weapon becomes limited in its capability to fire for longer periods.
Additional drawbacks are a result of its increased size and weight, with the M58 requiring a two-man team to properly operate. Usually, this consists of one individual that carries and fires the weapon, while the other carries the coolant system and tripod the weapon is mounted upon. Even with the newer problems that the M58 experiences, the weapon's increased reliability, rate of fire, and munitions have proven it a weapon that is more than capable of surpassing its predecessors.
