The Battle Rifle fires 3-shot bursts in normal mode and single shots while zoomed.

It is widely thought of by some as a combination between Halo 1's too-powerful pistol and too-weak Assault Rifle. The submachine gun, or SMG, is perhaps more comparable to the Assault Rifle.

The Battle Rifle cannot be dual wielded.

The BR55's magazine holds 36 rounds of 9.5mm ammunition. The Halo 2 manual refers to it as a "useful all-around infantry weapon."