That’s a mundane missile.

This works marvelously with the mechanics of the “spell”.

The “Shield” spell blocks weapon attacks AND Magic Missile. Maybe that’s because the missile is not that magical in actuality.

The only thing that is magical about it, is that it always hits. But IDK, if you use a modern anti-tank or anti-air missile against a fantasy monster, they’d need to have some very specific countermeasures to make it miss. So basically, the non-magic missile always hits.

Oh and it does “force damage”, meaning nothing is immune to it. I don’t know how much depleted uranium is needed to bypass immunities, but I’m sure that can be arranged.

Either the backblast is being shunted to another dimension, or the recoil is

it was right there https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.550_Magic

I’ve said it before, I will say it again. There’s a reason Elminster took 1 level of Fighter. Simple and Martial weapon proficiency.

I cast gun, prepare to meet God.

critical hit