It was designed to fit into the standard USAAF (later USAF) survival kit issued to all pilots flying over the Arctic and other uninhabited regions.

Aircrew were instructed to wrap the barrels with parachute cord as a field expedient fore-stock.

Instead it was designed so that a downed aircrew could forage for wild game, as well as defend themselves from more hostile wildlife.

The later models had large oversized trigger guards[8] and Picatinny rails for mounting a wide range of sights and scopes.

[9] In addition, it comes with "X Caliber" adapters sleeves that fit inside the 12 gauge barrel allowing it to fire: .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt, .410 bore and 20 gauge ammunition.

[10] It has a similar appearance to the original M6, however it's a unique design that uses a skeletonized metal buttstock that surrounds a polypropylene foam insert.