9mm Pistol

Lore & Background

In the world of Duke Nukem 3D, Earth has been overrun by a wave of alien invaders, and the government's response is to send in one man with a gun and a bad attitude. The 9mm Pistol is the standard-issue sidearm Duke carries into many firefights before he gets his hands on anything heavier. It is not a hero's weapon; it is a practical, no-frills tool for a man who expects to be within arm's reach of the enemy more often than not. The pistol's design in the game reflects its role as a transitional weapon.

It is compact, quick to draw, and reliable, but its damage output is modest compared to the shotgun, uzi, or the heavier firearms Duke will eventually scavenge. In the narrative logic of the series, it is the weapon you use when you are cornered, when your ammo for the big guns is dry, or when the situation calls for a quick, precise shot rather than a spray of lead. Across the Duke Nukem franchise, the 9mm Pistol is not a constant—in Duke Nukem: Time to Kill, the starting weapon is a different handgun, not a 9mm pistol. The 9mm designation was not canonically established until Duke Nukem 3D.

Reader's Guide

Function & Damage The 9mm Pistol is a semi-automatic, single-shot weapon. Each trigger pull fires one round. It deals the lowest damage per shot in Duke Nukem 3D's arsenal, making it the least effective option against heavily armored enemies. It is, however, the most consistent weapon available, as it is never lost or dropped between levels.

Availability & Pickup Duke begins every level with the 9mm Pistol already in his possession. It does not need to be picked up from the map. Additional 9mm ammunition can be found scattered throughout levels, and the pistol itself can be re-acquired if the player somehow discards it, though this is rare in normal play. Tactical Use Because of its low damage, the 9mm is best used for finishing off weakened enemies, conserving ammo for heavier weapons, or engaging targets at close range where a single well-placed shot is sufficient.

It is the go-to when you are out of shotgun shells or uzi clips and still need to keep moving. Unique Properties As weapon slot 1, it is the default selection. It is the only weapon in the game that is guaranteed to be in Duke's possession at the start of any level, regardless of what was collected in the previous stage. It does not require a separate ammo type beyond standard 9mm rounds, which are the most common pickup in the game.

Did You Know?

• The 9mm Pistol occupies weapon slot 1, meaning it is the default weapon selected when Duke enters combat, and pressing '1' on the keyboard always returns to it—unless it has been lost.
• The 9mm Pistol is the starting weapon in Duke Nukem 64, consistently appearing as the player's first firearm. The 1991 game does not specify caliber, so the 9mm designation is not canonically established there.