Slugthrowers

Unless otherwise specified, all slugthrowers are CPR weapons which propel metal slugs at their targets by the controlled explosion of volatile chemicals in a contained space. The charge and the slug are provided together in a brass cartridge (or shell) which fits into the rear of the weapon's barrel; the empty cartridge is ejected after firing.

ACR 7mm

Weight 3500g; magazine 500g. Length 750mm. The 7mm version of the ACR is basically identical to the 9mm version, except in the number of rounds each magazine can hold (30).

ACR 9mm

Weight 3500g; magazine 500g. Length 750mm. A progressive development of the assault rifle, the advanced combat rifle fires a 9mm, 7 gram solid slug bullet at 1200 metres/second, a 9mm, 5 gram explosive (HE) bullet at 900 metres/second or a 9/6mm, 3 gram discarding sabot (DS) bullet at 1200 metres per second. A magazine containing 25 rounds is inserted into the under-side of the weapon behind the pistol grip. Reloading takes one round, during which the firer is treated as evading. The weapon may be fired either automatically (four rounds per pull of the trigger) or semi- automatically (one round per pull of the trigger). The fire setting may be changed at the end of each combat round. Standard equipment includes an electronic battlefield sight, incorporating both I and PIR, visual magnification and a laser rangefinder which may also be used as a target painting device. The weapon is also gyroscopically stabilised during firing. A sling is provided, and the muzzle of the weapon includes an integral flash suppressor and adapter for launching a 40mm RAM grenade (q.v.).

Accelerator rifle 6mm

Weight 2500g; magazine 500g. Length 800mm. Designed specifically for zero-G combat, the accelerator rifle fires a 6mm, 5 gram bullet at an initial muzzle velocity of 100-500 metres/second which upon leaving the barrel is accelerated by a secondary propelling charge to velocities of 700-800 metres/second. Normally the rifle fires bursts of three rounds per pull of the trigger, but may be adjusted to fire single rounds at the end of any combat round. A 15-round magazine is inserted in the bottom of the weapon in front of the trigger guard; reloading takes one combat round.

Air pistol 5mm

Weight 150g. Length 250mm. The air pistol uses compressed air to propel a solid lead slug or a small steel dart at velocities of no more than 100 metres/second. The air is either compressed into a cylinder by the movement of a ratcheted lever or released in controlled amounts from a replaceable CO₂ cylinder. The lever- operated version takes two combat rounds to reload; the CO₂ version takes one round to reload and three to replace the cylinder (each cylinder is good for twenty shots).

Air rifle 5mm

Weight 300g. Length 1000mm. The air rifle works on the same principle as the air pistol (q.v.), with slightly more power available due to the larger cylinder size.

Assault rifle

Rifle, Assault

Assault rifle 7.62mm

Weight 3000g; magazine 330g. Length 850mm. A lighter and less expensive military version of the autorifle, the assault rifle fires a 7.62mm, 5 gram bullet at velocities of 900 metres/second. A magazine containing 30 rounds is inserted int the bottom of the weapon ahead of the trigger guard. Reloading takes one combat round, during which the firer is considered to be evading. The weapon may either be fired automatically (four rounds per triggerpull) or semi-automatically (one round per pull of the trigger). The fire setting may be changed at the end of any combat round. The assault rifle has an integral carrying grip/sight, and is generally provided with a sling as well. Belt fed versions are not available, and extra sights may not be added without considerable modification to the basic design.

Assault rifle 9mm

The 9mm version of the assault rifle is identical to the 7.62mm version in all respects except calibre.

Automatic pistol 11mm

Weight 1200g; magazine 250g. Length 175mm. The basic repeating handgun, firing 11mm (.44, .45) bullets at velocities from 400 to 500 metres/second. A magazine containing 10 cartridges is inserted into the handle of the pistol, and one shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Automatic pistol ammunition is interchangeable with submachinegun ammunition of the same calibre, although the magazines are not. Preloaded magazines may be inserted into an empty pistol, requiring one combat round.

Automatic pistol 7.62mm

Weight 900g; magazine 250g. Length 175mm. The basic repeating handgun, firing 7.62mm (.32, .357) bullets at velocities from 400 to 500 metres/second. A magazine containing 15 cartridges is inserted into the handle of the pistol, and one shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Automatic pistol ammunition is interchangeable with submachinegun ammunition of the same calibre, although the magazines are not. Preloaded magazines may be inserted into an empty pistol, requiring one combat round.

Automatic pistol 9mm

Weight 1000g; magazine 250g. Length 175mm. The basic repeating handgun, firing 9mm (.38) bullets at velocities from 400 to 500 metres/second. A magazine containing 15 cartridges is inserted into the handle of the pistol, and one shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Automatic pistol ammunition is interchangeable with submachinegun ammunition of the same calibre, although the magazines are not. Preloaded magazines may be inserted into an empty pistol, requiring one combat round.

Automatic pistol (magnum) 11mm

Weight 1300g.; magazine 275g. Length 175mm. A more powerful version of the basic repeating handgun, firing "stretched" 11mm (.44, .45) bullets at velocities from 500 to 800 metres/second. A magazine containing 10 cartridges is inserted into the handle of the pistol, and one shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Magnum pistol ammunition is not interchangeable with submachinegun ammunition. It can sometimes be used in rifles of the same calibre, although the magazines may not. Preloaded magazines may be inserted into an empty pistol, requiring one combat round.

Automatic rifle 7.62mm

Weight 5000; magazine 500g. Length 1000mm. A highly refined and tuned version of the rifle, capable of fully automatic fire as well as semiautomatic shots. Normally, the autorifle fires in bursts of four bullets for each pull of the trigger. It may be switched to semiautomatic fire at the end of a combat round, in which case it is treated as a rifle until switched back. Ammunition and magazines are identical to those for a rifle of similar calibre. The autorifle is equipped with a sling (which allows the weapon to be slung from the shoulder while being carried in a ready to fire position), a bipod and a muzzle brake to steady the weapon while firing. Some versions of the autorifle are available which use 100-round belts of ammunition (these are not usable in rifles). Such belts cost the equivalent of six magazines and weigh 2500g. Reloading a belt requires three combat rounds.

Body pistol 5mm

Weight 250g; magazine 50g. Length 100mm. A small, non-metallic semiautomatic pistol designed to evade detection by most weapon detectors. It fires 5g projectiles at a velocity of 500 to 600 metres/second. A magazine containing six cartridges is inserted into the pistol handle; one shot is fired for each pull of the trigger. Preloaded magazines may be inserted into an empty pistol, taking one combat round. Body pistol ammunition is not interchangeable with that of any other type of gun.

Carbine 6mm

Weight 3000g; magazine 125g. Length 750mm. A short type of rifle firing a small calibre round (a 6mm bullet, weighing 5g) at a velocity of 900 metres/second.A magazine containing 10 rounds is inserted into the under-side of the carbine, ahead of the trigger guard, and one round is fired per pull of the trigger. Replacement of empty magazines takes one combat round. Carbine ammunition is not interchangeable with any other type of ammunition.

Gauss pistol-13 4mm

Weight 600g; magazine 200g. Length 100mm. The gauss pistol is a popular weapon because of its silence and deadliness. It is based upon the same principle as the gauss rifle and the VRF gauss gun (q.v.); an electromagnetic field accelerates the needle-like bullet down the barrel while a bias in the field imparts spin. The gauss pistol may fire either single-round shots or bursts of four. The pistol uses the same 4mm ammunition as the gauss rifle; however, the magazines are not interchangeable.

Gauss pistol-16 4mm

Weight 550g; magazine 200g. Length 100mm. Except as noted above, and for a slight increase in accuracy, the TL 16 gauss pistol is identical to the TL 13 version.

Gauss rifle 4mm

Weight 3500g; magazine 400g. Length 750mm. The ultimate development of the slugthrower, the gauss rifle generates an electromagnetic field along the length of the barrel which accelerates a 4mm, 4 gram needle bullet to velocities of 1500 metres/second. The round itself consists of a dense armour piercing core surrounded by a softer metal covering, ending in a hollow point, giving the round both high stopping power and a good armour piercing capability. Flight along the barrel is nearly frictionless, with spin stabilisation imparted through magnetic bias. A 40-round magazine is inserted behind the pistol grip, and each pull of the trigger fires one, four or ten rounds. The fire setting may be changed at the end of each combat round. Standard equipment on the gauss rifle includes a battlefield sight (incorporating both I and PIR, visual magnification and a laser rangefinder which may also be used as a target painting device), a RAM grenade adapter, gyrostabilisation and a sling. Reloading by replacement of an empty magazine or RAM takes one combat round, during which the character is considered to be evading. Power is provided by a disposable power pack included in each magazine. The gauss rifle first appears at TL 12, and next evolves significantly at TL 14; accelerator designs improve to the point where the round travels significantly faster. This changes again at TL15, producing a lighter weapon.

Heavy Gauss rifle 4mm

Weight 13900g; magazine 400g x2. Length 820mm. The heavy gauss rifle is an upgunned variant of the gauss rifle, designed exclusively for use by wearers of powered armour. The weapon is much bulkier, featuring a larger and more powerful accelerator and an ingenious double-magazine device, allowing two standard gauss rifle magazines to be loaded simultaneously. The weapon has twice the rate of fire of the normal gauss rifle, making greater ammunition stocks a neccessity. When the last round in the first magazine is discharged, it drops out and the second one automatically loads. A fresh magazine may then be inserted in the “waiting” slot. Normally, this takes a combat round, but a throw of Difficult, Combat Rifleman, Dexterity allows it to be done in the same combat round as an attack is taken. The larger accelerator of the GRH allows the bullets to develop sufficient velocity to begin to challenge battle armour, and this improves as the TL of the design increases. All the accessories described above for the gauss rifle are fitted to the GRH.

Gauss rifle (sniper's) 4mm

Weight 3500g; magazine 300g. Length 1200mm. A highly specialised version of the gauss rifle, restricted to single-shot operation and with markedly better long-range capability due to improved sights. The longer barrel allows the magnetic field to exert more influence on the bullet, thus creating far greater accuracy. The weapon also has no RAM launcher attachment.

Hunting rifle 13mm

Weight 4000g. Length 1000mm. A heavy-calibre version of the rifle, firing a hollow-point, jacketed 11mm bullet at velocities of approximately 1000 metres/second, used for hunting large or dangerous animals. Five rounds of ammunition are loaded into an integral box magazine, taking three combat rounds. The bullets are fed into the chamber by a bolt action. Tranquilliser ammunition is also available; this works in a similar fashion to the ACR discarding sabot round (q.v.) and delivers an injector full of anaesthetic to the target.

Incendiary rifle 12mm

Weight 5000g; magazine 500g. Length 1000mm. About the size of a carbine, but with a much larger 12mm calibre. The incendiary rifle fires hollow 40mm long bullet-shaped projectiles at velocities of 5-600 metres/second, each of which is divided into two compartments. The forward compartment contains a small pellet of white phosphorus plus a tiny detonator; the rear compartment contains napalm. On impact the projectile does 2D-3 damage, but then bursts into flame doing 2D per round for four rounds or until extinguished. The magazine for this weapon contains 15 rounds and is clipped in front of the trigger guard. One round is fired per pull of the trigger. Replacing the magazine takes one combat round. The weapon is unsuitable for shipboard use due to the fire risk, and is ineffective in atmospheres 3-.

Machine pistol 9mm

Weight 1200g; magazine 400g. Length 350mm. A cheaper and smaller version of the submachinegun; designed to be used more easily with one hand. Ammunition (but not magazines) is interchangeable with the 9mm submachinegun.

Revolver 11mm

Weight 900g; cartridges 16.6g each. Length variable, averaging 200mm. An older variety of handgun, the revolver fires 9mm (.38) bullets with characteristics similar to those fired by the automatic pistol of the same calibre, but not interchangeable with them. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Revolver 5mm

Weight 900g; cartridges 16.6g each. Length variable, averaging 200mm. An older variety of handgun, the revolver fires 5mm (.22, .25) bullets with characteristics similar to those fired by the automatic pistol of the same calibre, but not interchangeable with them. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Revolver 7mm

Weight 900g; cartridges 16.6g each. Length variable, averaging 200mm. An older variety of handgun, the revolver fires 7mm (.32, .357) bullets with characteristics similar to those fired by the automatic pistol of the same calibre, but not interchangeable with them. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Revolver 9mm

Weight 900g; cartridges 16.6g each. Length variable, averaging 200mm. An older variety of handgun, the revolver fires 9mm (.38) bullets with characteristics similar to those fired by the automatic pistol of the same calibre, but not interchangeable with them. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Revolver (magnum) 11mm

Weight 1000g; cartridges 20g. Length variable, averaging 200mm. A more powerful version of the basic revolver, firing "stretched" 11mm (.44, .45) bullets at velocities from 500 to 800 metres/second. One shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Magnum revolver ammunition is not interchangeable with submachinegun or magnum automatic pistol ammunition. It can sometimes be used in rifles of the same calibre. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Revolver (magnum) 9mm

Weight 1000g; cartridges 20g. Length variable, averaging 200mm. A more powerful version of the basic revolver, firing "stretched" 11mm (.357) bullets at velocities from 500 to 800 metres/second. One shot is fired per pull of the trigger. Magnum revolver ammunition is not interchangeable with submachinegun or magnum automatic pistol ammunition. It can sometimes be used in rifles of the same calibre. Reloading takes two combat rounds; one if the individual does not evade or has preloaded speedloaders.

Rifle 7.62mm

Weight 4000g; magazine 500g. Length 1000mm. The standard military arm, firing a 7.62mm, 10g bullet at a velocity of approximately 900 metres/second. Longer and heavier than a carbine, it is also more effective. Standard equipment includes provisions for attaching a bayonet and telescopic sights (not included) and a sling. A twenty-round magazine is attached to the front of the trigger guard, and one round is fired for each pull of the trigger. Replacement of the empty magazine takes one combat round. Rifle ammunition may also be used in autorifles of the same calibre; rifle and autorifle magazine are interchangeable and weigh the same.

Rifle 9mm

Weight 4000g; magazine 500g. Length 1000mm. Except in the calibre (it fires a 9mm, 11g bullet) the 9mm rifle is identical to the 7.62 version. A tranquilliser round is also available at TL 7

Shotgun (automatic) 18mm

Weight 3750g; magazine 750g. Length 1000mm. The basic weapon for maximum shock effect without regard to accuracy. The shotgun has an 18mm diameter barrel and fires shells containing either six 7mm bullets or 130 3mm pellets. Alternatively, a rifled 18mm solid slug may be fired for maximum stopping power (this is treated as a bullet rather than pellets). A cylindrical magazine containing 10 shells is inserted under and parallel to the barrel; cartridges are then fed automatically into the shotgun for firing. Reloading consists of replacing the magazine and takes two rounds. One shot is fired for each pull of the trigger.

Shotgun (double) 18mm

Weight 3000g. Length 1000mm. The earliest version of the shotgun (q.v.); the weapon breaks open level with the trigger mechanism and two cartridges are inserted directly into the barrels. There are two triggers, one for each barrel; the barrels may be fired in any order. Reloading takes two rounds, one for just one barrel.

Shotgun (fully automatic) 18mm

Weight 3500g; magazine 3000g. Length 850mm. The military version of the shotgun arrives at TL 9. It is capable of either fully automatic fire or single shot action; the fire setting may be changed at the end of any combat round. A loaded box magazine containing 20 rounds is inserted into the under-side of the weapon ahead of the trigger grip. Four rounds are fired per pull of the trigger. Each four-round burst may be directed at up to two separate targets, each of which sustains eight attacks under the Group hits by shotguns rule. The weapon includes an integral laserpoint sight, which may be used for target painting.

Shotgun (pump) 18mm

Weight 3500g. Length 1000mm. A manually-cycled version of the automatic shotgun; five shells are loaded through the ejection port into an integral tube magazine under and parallel with the barrel. A movable grip on the fore-end is drawn back towards the firer and pushed forwards again to eject an empty cartridge, cock the action and chamber the next shell. Reloading involves reversing this procedure, taking one combat round per shell.

Snub auto pistol 10mm

Weight 250g; magazine 125g. Length 100mm. The snub pistol is a low velocity weapon designed for use on shipboard and in a zero-g environment. It fires 10mm, 7g bullets at velocities of 100 to 150 metres/second. Standard rounds include tranquilliser, gas, HE, HEAP and solid slug. A revolver version is a standard shipboard security weapon, usually loaded with five tranq and one gas round.

Submachinegun 9mm

Weight 2500g; magazine 500g. Length 400mm. A small automatic weapon designed to fire pistol ammunition. Magazines holding 30 cartridges are inserted into the weapon forward of the trigger grip or into the handle, depending upon the model. The gun fires four rounds per pull of the trigger. Replacement of an empty magazine takes one combat round. SMG ammunition (but not magazines) is interchangeable with pistols of the same calibre. Most SMG are equipped with a sling for ease of carrying. Some models have been produced which can be carried in a briefcase.