- "This is a weapon of war. It's made to kill your enemy."
- ―Jack O'Neill
The P90 submachine gun is the standard submachine gun for SG-1 since the mission to P3X-888, as well as the standard issue weapon for the Atlantis expedition. (SG1: "The First Ones") (SGA: "Rising")
Overview
It was selected as a standard issue weapon, because it had better armor-penetrating and killing power than the 9mm Heckler & Koch MP5 it replaced. Like other firearms, it is technologically primitive compared to Goa'uld, Wraith, and Ori weapons, but it is more than capable of piercing the armor worn by Jaffa, Ori soldiers, and Wraith warriors. According to Jack O'Neill, it is a weapon of war, designed to kill the enemy, and holds better offensive capabilities than the staff weapon, which he said was designed primarily to intimidate (SG1: "The Warrior").
The SGC uses the P90 USG variant, which has two RIS (Rail Interface System) mounting rails on each side of a reflex (red-dot) sight. There is also P90TR (Triple Rail) variant with no sights, only three RIS mounts. They're used for mounting accessories, such as a Kull disruptor or flashlights (which are commonly shown on nearly every weapon). SG version also features a laser pointer serially mounted in fore-grip (P90 LV/LIR). (SG1: "The Tomb")
Within the SGC and Atlantis, they are typically either black or olive green, although a gold variation was also in use around two years after the destruction of the Ori.
History
Although the P90 has been standard SGC issue since 2000, Daniel Jackson and Teal'c have only begun using the weapon in recent years. (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1", "The Quest, Part 1").
Notes
- The P90 is classified as a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW). It is a class of weapon designed for close-range self-defense by support troops, gunners, and vehicle crews or use in Close Quarter Battle by commandos and anti-terrorist / hostage rescue teams.
- Major Samantha Carter erroneously describes the P90's rounds as being "teflon-coated" (SG1: "The Warrior") when they are actually copper-jacketed. Though this need not be in error, armor piercing brass bullets are coated, sometimes with teflon, to reduce barrel wear.
- One of the reasons the "Carter Special" was created was to address a shortage of P90 blanks during Season 7. According to an interview with Amanda Tapping, this was due to the increased demand for P90 ammo during the invasion of Iraq.
- The P90 was the standard issue right until the last season of SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis.