"The CT-exclusive Mag-7 delivers a devastating amount of damage at close range. Its rapid magazine-style reloads make it a great tactical choice." ― Official description
Overview
In the world of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2, there exists a weapon that has become a true icon for the counter-terrorist team – the MAG-7, a pump-action shotgun with unique characteristics. This shotgun stands out for its exclusivity to special units and competes with similarly extraordinary terrorist weapons, like the sawed-off.
Since its debut in 1995 on South African soil, the MAG-7 shotgun from Techno Arms PTY has been distinguished not only by its compact design but also by its unique choice of ammunition – special 60mm 12-gauge shells, a rarity in the firearms market. Despite its innovative concept, real-life performance left much to be desired due to issues with reliability and ease of use: a heavy trigger, non-standard shell sizes, and various criticisms. Even with improvements in newer models, the initial negative reviews left a mark on the MAG-7's reputation.
In the virtual world of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, however, the MAG-7 shows a completely different side. This weapon has become a favorite among counter-terrorists due to its high firepower and economic efficiency. Its ability to instantly kill an opponent with a well-aimed shot, combined with excellent armor penetration, makes it an indispensable choice in close-quarters combat. Moreover, the MAG-7 boasts improved accuracy while moving and jumping, despite significant damage reduction at a distance, and is the lightest shotgun in the game, somewhat compensating for its slowness compared to other weapons.
A unique feature of the MAG-7 is its detachable magazine – a rarity among shotguns, allowing for quick reloads, unlike the need to load shells individually. This feature makes reloading quick and convenient, although it prevents shooting during the process. The magazine capacity is five rounds, with a reserve of 32 rounds, requiring players to use the limited ammo wisely.
For players aiming to maximize their economy in matches, the MAG-7 becomes an ideal choice due to its high kill reward - $900 in competitive mode. This makes it an excellent tool for economy rounds, allowing players to not only eliminate opponents but also upgrade their weaponry by picking up what’s left after the fight.
Tactics
The MAG-7 stands out for its incredible efficiency in economy rounds, offering a $900 reward for each kill, making it the perfect choice for improving your financial situation in the game. Use this feature by choosing close-range engagements and cover for attacks, and remember to exchange it for a more powerful weapon when the opportunity arises after surviving the round.
Considering that the MAG-7 reloads with magazines, not individual shells, it’s important to approach attack positions carefully, especially in high-competition areas. Avoid direct confrontations with groups of enemies unless you have a positional advantage.
As a close-quarters shotgun, the MAG-7 requires the player to surprise the enemy. Its spread tends to cluster and slightly shift upwards and to the right, so it’s best to aim for the upper torso instead of the head if the distance to the target is more than very close.
The special value of the MAG-7 lies in its high accuracy when jumping, giving you an advantage in surprise and maneuverability. The ideal moment to shoot is when you are rounding a corner and beginning to descend, allowing you to surprise an enemy controlling narrow passages before they can react. Excellent spots for this tactic include the container area on Dust 2 or the elevator at point A, as well as the apartments on B in Mirage.
Trivia
Among MAG-7 fans, the nickname "SWAG-7" has become firmly established, highlighting its impressive power compared to other shotguns. This feature has become so ingrained in the game culture that a special skin with this name was released in the Clutch Case, paying tribute to the popular player-given name.
MAG-7 in Numbers
- Alternate name(s) Riot-7
- Price $1300
- Origin South Africa South Africa
- Caliber 12 gauge caliber
- Magazine capacity 5 / 32
- Firing mode(s) Pump-action
- Reload time 2.4 seconds
- Counterpart Sawed-Off
- Movement speed (units per second) 225
- Kill Award $900 (Competitive) $450 (Casual)
- Damage 30 (1 pellet) 240 (1 shot)
- Recoil Control 1 / 26 (4%)
- Accurate Range 4.6 m
- Armor Penetration 75%
- Penetration Power 100
- Range Modifier 0.45
- Can fire underwater? Yes
- Hotkey B-2-3 CT
- Entity weapon_mag7
