Ingram MAC-10

Lore & Background

The MAC-10 in the Max Payne universe is a staple of underworld arsenals, favored by thugs and hitmen for its concealability and sheer volume of fire. Its design prioritizes rate of fire over accuracy, making it a brutal tool for ambushes and tight spaces. In the hands of Max Payne, it becomes a desperate equalizer against overwhelming odds, its chatter echoing through the rain-slicked alleys of New York.

In Their Own Story

Rain sluiced down the fire escape as Max pressed his back against the brick wall, the MAC-10's cold, ribbed grip slick in his palm. Three Punchinello thugs burst from the doorway, their shadows stretching long under the flickering streetlamp. Max didn't think—he just squeezed. The gun roared to life, a deafening, percussive stutter that tore the night apart. Brass casings spun and clinked across the wet asphalt like a frantic drummer's solo. One goon went down clutching his chest; another spun into a pile of trash bags. The third tried to raise his shotgun, but the MAC-10's stream of fire caught him mid-step, stitching a red line across his torso. The slide locked back on an empty chamber, smoke curling from the barrel like a dying breath. Max ejected the mag, the scattered casings gleaming like fallen coins in the gutter.

Reader's Guide

The Ingram MAC-10 is a secondary weapon that excels in close-range encounters due to its extremely high rate of fire. It is best used in tight corridors or when enemies are clustered, allowing you to quickly dump a magazine into a group. However, its recoil is significant, making sustained fire inaccurate at medium to long range. Ammo conservation is key, as the weapon burns through its 32-round magazine in seconds. It is commonly found in the hands of enemy gang members, especially early in the first game, and can be scavenged from fallen foes. The MAC-10 pairs well with painkillers, as its spray-and-pray nature often leaves you exposed. Use it to clear rooms or suppress enemies while you reposition. Its dual-wield capability in later games amplifies its destructive potential, but also doubles ammo consumption.

Did You Know?

• The MAC-10's real-world design was created by Gordon B. Ingram in the 1960s.
• In the first Max Payne, the MAC-10 is often carried by Mafia hitmen.
• The weapon's high rate of fire makes it one of the fastest-firing guns in the series.
• Its in-game model features a suppressor in some appearances, though this is not always standard.