M1216 - Black Ops 2 Weapon Guide

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This time, we're covering the M1216.

Black Ops 2 marks this unusual automatic shotgun's first appearance in the Call of Duty series, and it is unlocked at level 52.

The SRM Arms M1216 is a relatively new weapon, having only seen introduction in 2012.

Of US origin, the design is unusual for its rotary magazine design: instead of a conventional fixed tube, it has four fixed together in a rotating group.

This extends the weapon's capacity tetrafold, and allows the real variant to quickly switch between four different types of 12 gauge ammunition, as the situation dictates.

While this does increase weight, it does grant four tubes of four rounds in a single weapon, for 16 rounds in total.

Such high capacity and flexibility in ammunition types holds appeal for police units and tactical use: similar to the KSG, with its 14 rounds spread across switchable twin tube mags.

In-game, per-shot damage is high by most standards but the lowest for the shotgun class: while the M1216 is certainly capable of one-shot kills, it's not wise to rely on them.

Range is particularly limited: with the weapon's reach identical to the S12's, at joint bottom of the shotgun league.

This means the M1216 is very much a close-range weapon, as one might expect from a shotgun: and like most others in its class, its penetration ability is very poor.

The M1216's key strength is in its output - as the only fully-automatic shotgun, it spews shells at a rate of 468 rounds per minute,

Due to the unique nature of the weapon's magazine, however - you may only fire four shots at this rate, before the weapon requires rechambering.

The process takes a little over half a second, leaving you unable to fire and thus vulnerable: so it's worth firing a full salvo of four shots every time, to ensure maximum lethality and to otherwise prepare for another full set of shots.

With the rechamber, your total output is limited to a sustained rate of around 225 rounds per minute: lower than the S12's potential output, but still a respectable enough deluge of buckshot for your enemy to contend with.

Hipfire performance is acceptable, on par with the other buckshot-firing shotguns - but for optimum pellet spread, you should be aiming down your sights.

Recoil is moderate, and as such your aim may stray during the four-round flurry of shots: but this is compensated for with your shot spread, and so is seldom a factor when engaging close range targets.

Aim time is slightly faster than usual for the class, and the same as a typical SMG - at 200 milliseconds.

Your mobility is good too, like the other shotguns - you'll move at 100 percent of the base speed.

As mentioned, the M1216's magazine is slightly unusual - while you will enjoy 16 rounds between reloads, this is split into 4 separate tubes, with each transition requiring a rechamber.

This means you essentially get a set of 4 by 4 round bursts: with extended clip granting 5 such bursts, for a total of 20 rounds between reloads.

Reloads are quite slow, only slightly faster than the S12's, at 3 seconds flat to resupply.

Compared to the half second rechamber, a full reload can be quite dangerous to perform in the open - so it's wise to keep all four tubes topped up when you're able.

With a shotgun, it can be tempting to opt for the usual pairing of the Long Barrel and Laser Sight - and such a combo will maximise your per-shot lethality with the M1216, and will help you attain the one-shot kills needed for the camouflage challenges.

The M1216 is a very consistent shotgun, less reliant on attaining a one-shot kill courtesy of its relatively high rate of fire.

Within its effective range, 4 shots is almost always enough to eliminate an opponent, with such a flurry of buckshot overwhelming any weapon outside the shotgun category.

Rechambering the next four rounds is an inconvenience, but at just half a second it's not often a fatal one - so with the element of surprise on your side you can still compete in serial engagements, sending politely allotted salvos in each enemy's way.

Of course, the longer reload time might mean you need to take a breather every few kills, so keep an eye on your count to ensure you're not left with 4 empty tubes.

While the weapon may be consistent, it can sometimes be left wanting for grasp: with such a limited effective range, you will need to get close to your enemy to be effective.

In addition, sending four shots downrange where a conventional shotgun might need only one is wasteful - a build without Scavenger might leave you without supply on longer streaks.

Still, once you're accustomed to its limitations you'll start to warm to the M1216's predictable performance: and within the right terrain you'll tread your opposition into the dirt.

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