Ingram Smartgun X
The budget-friendly submachine gun for controlled chaos.
The Ingram Smartgun X is a low-cost, fully automatic submachine gun featured in the Shadowrun tabletop RPG and its video game adaptations. Its traditional pistol/submachine gun layout houses a neural-linked firing system that transforms a squeeze of intent into a controlled burst of death. Designed for maximum versatility and lethality, this weapon integrates advanced smartlink technology, allowing a rigger or street samurai to interface directly with the firearm for enhanced accuracy and control. Its role is as a reliable close-to-mid-range combat tool, favored by gangers and runners on a budget who require dependable firepower in the shadows.
- First appears
- Shadowrun, Second Edition (1992)
Lore & Background
The Ingram Smartgun X is a product of the late 21st century arms race, where megacorps and street techs alike sought to merge man and machine. Manufactured by Ingram, known for reliable firearms, the Smartgun X was designed to pair with cybernetic smartlink implants. This allows the shooter to aim through a direct neural interface, reducing reaction time and improving accuracy, especially in the chaotic firefights common to the sprawl. In the shadows, the Smartgun X is a common sight among gangers and low-budget runners. Its low cost and simple maintenance requirements mean it is typically wielded by those who need a cheap, effective weapon rather than a status symbol. The weapon's reputation for reliability and its ability to accept a wide range of modifications—from silencers to extended magazines—makes it a versatile choice for any mission. Its distinctive SMG design is iconic in the underground. Despite its advantages, the Smartgun X is not without flaws. Its reliance on smartlink technology makes it vulnerable to electronic warfare and hacking—a decker worth their salt can turn your precision tool into a paperweight mid-burst. Additionally, its ammunition consumption is high in full-auto mode, requiring careful resource management. Still, for those who can handle it, the Ingram Smartgun X remains a trusted companion in the fight against the system.
In Their Own Story
The rain hammered the corrugated roof of the abandoned warehouse. Kira, a veteran street samurai, crouched behind a stack of crates, her Ingram Smartgun X humming with power. Through her smartlink, she saw the thermal signatures of three Lone Star officers approaching. She exhaled, let the weapon's targeting reticle settle on the lead guard's chest, and squeezed the trigger. A short burst, and the threat dropped. The smartgun compensated for her slight tremor, the rounds grouping tightly. 'Still got it,' she muttered, as the remaining officers dove for cover. The Ingram was more than a gun; it was an extension of her will, a piece of chrome that made her faster, deadlier, and more alive in the moment of combat.
Reader's Guide
The Ingram Smartgun X is an assault rifle optimized for players who invest in cyberware, specifically the smartlink implant. It excels in medium-range engagements, offering high accuracy when used with the smartlink, which reduces the penalty for called shots and improves overall hit probability. The weapon's full-auto mode is ideal for suppressing enemies or dealing with multiple targets, but it burns through ammunition quickly, so stock up on clips before a run. When to use it: This is a primary weapon for combat-focused characters who can afford the nuyen and the ware. Pair it with a cyberarm or reaction enhancers to turn every burst into a surgical strike. Avoid it if your team lacks a decker to counter enemy hackers—one jammed signal and you're holding a very expensive club.
Did You Know?
- The Ingram Smartgun is based on the real-world Ingram MAC-10, but modified for a futuristic setting.
- Its smartlink compatibility was a key feature in the Shadowrun tabletop RPG before appearing in video games.
- In some Shadowrun titles, the Smartgun can be fitted with a silencer, despite its full-auto capability.
- A well-tuned Smartgun can fire bursts so tight that veteran runners swear they can hear the rounds whisper to each other before impact.
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