While the restrictive ergonomics of pistol design make it difficult to innovate in shape or base functionality, continual developments in material studies have allowed MARS Consolidated’s designers to pack more and more features into a relatively unchanging weapon profile. The 2340 N/S-38 is the latest in a long line of finely crafted sidearms from MARS, favored both by the Navy and police forces across the Empire.
At its heart, the S-38 is a .38 caliber caseless, striker-fired sidearm. Similar to its larger cousin, the Switchback, the S-38 features a port above the firing chamber that allows for cleaning or jams to be cleared. Unlike the Switchback, however, the port does not open to aerate the chamber between shots, allowing the slide and consequently the sights to remain static as the weapon is fired.
The S-38 features several built-in systems afforded space by its compact firing mechanism. Below the barrel are a removable flashlight and laser sight. The back of the slide displays a round counter, and just behind the slide port is a pop-up red dot scope with 2x magnification. These systems are powered by the onboard battery, which in turn is charged by the cycling action of the weapon when it is fired, and can maintain a charge for up to a year depending on usage.
In addition to the built-in features, the S-38 accommodates several external attachments. The barrel is threaded to accept standardized suppressors and compensators (though MARS insists its bespoke S-38(S) suppressor is best suited to the role), and either side of the barrel housing can mount a taser attachment.
The taser is widely utilized among police forces, Sector Security, and the Colonial Guard as a non-lethal close-quarters weapon. It uses untethered cartridges that carry their own charge, allowing multiple targets to be engaged simultaneously, though only one round can be loaded at a time and must be reloaded by hand.
The Naldim War interrupted MARS’ latest foray into new utilitarian attachments for the S-38 – such as laser cutters and welders for battlefield engineers – as demand arose for higher-caliber weapons across the Navy. Consequently, the S-38 was upgraded to the S-45M, wielding hefty .45 caliber “magnum” rounds.
Copyright 2023 Richard Patton
Voyager Dawn 