Uploaded April 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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This time, we're covering the M27.
Unlocked at level 31, Black Ops 2 marks the M27's first depiction in the Call of Duty series, where it is the fifth assault rifle unlocked.
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle is a designation given to a variant of the HK416 design, in turn a descendant of both the American AR-15 and German G36 designs.
It was designed in response to the US Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle program in 2006, intended to find a modern lightweight weapon capable of filling a squad support role.
HK, FN and Colt all offered competing designs - FN's SCAR-derived HAMR being the major competitor to the HK416 in testing.
HK's offering came out on top in 2009, earning the M27 designation - named after the 2nd Batallion, 7th Marines for their involvement in automatic rifle testing.
In 2011, the M27 started to enter service, replacing the M249 SAW in a Limited User Evaluation. While the replacement has seen criticism for its lack of sustained fire ability, the M27 does provide reliable automatic performance, and may yet see an expansion of its role.
In-game, damage is low - you'll generally need at least four shots to kill, or up to five at a distance.
The M27's effective range is pretty good, however - so you can expect consistent performance, if not impressive per-shot damage.
Penetration ability is on-par with most other assault rifles - paired with the lower damage, cutting through cover is not the strongest trait of this weapon.
The M27's rate of fire does make up for the lower damage, however - 750 rounds per minute is above average for the assault rifle category.
Compared to a typical SMG, output is not that impressive - but hipfire is nonetheless a reasonably effective last-ditch defence: certainly more effective than most other weapons within the assault rifle class.
Low recoil is perhaps the M27's key trait - it is able to place a series of shots into a surprisingly small target at range.
The low damage paired with relatively high output and precision means that this weapon is very much geared towards combat at a middle to long distance - and while it might lack power it is not left wanting in the consistency stakes.
Otherwise, handling is average for its class - aim time is relatively quick, at just a quarter of a second - and your mobility is the assault rifle default, at 95% of the base speed.
Magazine capacity is average, at 30 rounds between reloads: Extended Clip will take this to 40 rounds instead.
Reloads are swift, at just 2.03 seconds. While not often a problem, the relatively high rate of fire can burn though a magazine quickly without good fire control.
Close-range aggression with the weapon will nearly always put you at a distinct disadvantage: taking a more support-oriented tack will play to your strengths, and avoid the loss of gunfights due to poor per-shot damage.
And, as long as you're being cautious, you may as well shoot for the higher streaks - edging inch by inch towards the top-tier air support can eventually swing a game in your favour.
The M27 is an easy-to-handle assault rifle with low recoil and the potential to reliably hit targets repeatedly over the longer sightlines.
The relatively high level of output means you're not dependent on any single shot finding its mark, but instead can benefit from greater consistency in lieu of higher damage.
The faster rate of fire also makes the M27 relatively effective from the hip - and while you may need four shots to kill, you are far more likely to land these shots than with a slower-firing weapon.
Of course, the M27 is far from effective up close, principally because of its lower damage - its time to kill pales when compared to any other SMG or Shotgun.
It is because of this weakness that you should seek to avoid close-range encounters - keeping enemies at an arm's reach will greatly enhance your overall performance.
In addition, you may struggle to compete against higher damage weapons at range if you're not careful: while you have the ability to accurately direct the four or five shots needed to kill at range, an enemy sniper need land only a single shot to simply snuff your streak.
Still, the M27 is a foolproof option with reach far beyond most other automatic weapons: able to effortlessly tackle distant opponents with a stream of accurate fire.
Never mind the HAMR, this tack-driver will help assemble your advantage, construct your victory...
...and nail your opposition.
Facebook: facebook.com/XboxAhoy
Twitter: twitter.com/xboxahoy
This time, we're covering the M27.
Unlocked at level 31, Black Ops 2 marks the M27's first depiction in the Call of Duty series, where it is the fifth assault rifle unlocked.
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle is a designation given to a variant of the HK416 design, in turn a descendant of both the American AR-15 and German G36 designs.
It was designed in response to the US Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle program in 2006, intended to find a modern lightweight weapon capable of filling a squad support role.
HK, FN and Colt all offered competing designs - FN's SCAR-derived HAMR being the major competitor to the HK416 in testing.
HK's offering came out on top in 2009, earning the M27 designation - named after the 2nd Batallion, 7th Marines for their involvement in automatic rifle testing.
In 2011, the M27 started to enter service, replacing the M249 SAW in a Limited User Evaluation. While the replacement has seen criticism for its lack of sustained fire ability, the M27 does provide reliable automatic performance, and may yet see an expansion of its role.
In-game, damage is low - you'll generally need at least four shots to kill, or up to five at a distance.
The M27's effective range is pretty good, however - so you can expect consistent performance, if not impressive per-shot damage.
Penetration ability is on-par with most other assault rifles - paired with the lower damage, cutting through cover is not the strongest trait of this weapon.
The M27's rate of fire does make up for the lower damage, however - 750 rounds per minute is above average for the assault rifle category.
Compared to a typical SMG, output is not that impressive - but hipfire is nonetheless a reasonably effective last-ditch defence: certainly more effective than most other weapons within the assault rifle class.
Low recoil is perhaps the M27's key trait - it is able to place a series of shots into a surprisingly small target at range.
The low damage paired with relatively high output and precision means that this weapon is very much geared towards combat at a middle to long distance - and while it might lack power it is not left wanting in the consistency stakes.
Otherwise, handling is average for its class - aim time is relatively quick, at just a quarter of a second - and your mobility is the assault rifle default, at 95% of the base speed.
Magazine capacity is average, at 30 rounds between reloads: Extended Clip will take this to 40 rounds instead.
Reloads are swift, at just 2.03 seconds. While not often a problem, the relatively high rate of fire can burn though a magazine quickly without good fire control.
Close-range aggression with the weapon will nearly always put you at a distinct disadvantage: taking a more support-oriented tack will play to your strengths, and avoid the loss of gunfights due to poor per-shot damage.
And, as long as you're being cautious, you may as well shoot for the higher streaks - edging inch by inch towards the top-tier air support can eventually swing a game in your favour.
The M27 is an easy-to-handle assault rifle with low recoil and the potential to reliably hit targets repeatedly over the longer sightlines.
The relatively high level of output means you're not dependent on any single shot finding its mark, but instead can benefit from greater consistency in lieu of higher damage.
The faster rate of fire also makes the M27 relatively effective from the hip - and while you may need four shots to kill, you are far more likely to land these shots than with a slower-firing weapon.
Of course, the M27 is far from effective up close, principally because of its lower damage - its time to kill pales when compared to any other SMG or Shotgun.
It is because of this weakness that you should seek to avoid close-range encounters - keeping enemies at an arm's reach will greatly enhance your overall performance.
In addition, you may struggle to compete against higher damage weapons at range if you're not careful: while you have the ability to accurately direct the four or five shots needed to kill at range, an enemy sniper need land only a single shot to simply snuff your streak.
Still, the M27 is a foolproof option with reach far beyond most other automatic weapons: able to effortlessly tackle distant opponents with a stream of accurate fire.
Never mind the HAMR, this tack-driver will help assemble your advantage, construct your victory...
...and nail your opposition.
