Heavy bolter var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

General information

The Heavy Bolter is an enormous version of the Boltgun. Of much larger size and weight, the Heavy Bolter fires powerful armor-piercing fist-sized bolts at the enemy with a staggering rate of fire.^{7: p.68; 6: p.98}

The Heavy bolter is generally used for anti-infantry or fire support roles, also known as the "Back Breaker" or the "Bruiser" by the crew who have to carry it because of its great weight - but also because of the heavy punishment it can deal out to the enemy.¹ It fires a round considerably larger than that of the standard bolter shell, with more propellant and longer range and higher stopping power, making it capable of destroying light vehicles.^{5: p.122; 8: p.134} Because of its high rate of fire, jamming is often a problem.^{5: p.122} Like all bolt weapons, Heavy Bolters require regular maintenance and ancient litanies to appease their spirits.^{5: p.122} It is seldomly seen outside military organizations.^{8: p.134}

The most modern version of the Heavy Bolter in wide spread use is the Astartes Mk IVc. The weapon goes through rounds very quickly using either a disintegrating belt or 40 round high capacity box magazine.⁴ It can be fitted with Hellfire Rounds, that launch thousands of needles with mutagenic acid on impact, which are especially effective against Tyranids.^1,2

Imperial Bolter designs

Known Designs

^1,3

• 

  Astartes MK IVa

• 

  Godwyn

Accatran pattern

The Accatran pattern MkVd heavy bolter is used by the 99th Elysian Drop Troops Regiment. It features an integral bipod for sustained firing and a sight inside of the carrying handle. The ammunition used by this weapon is anti-vehicle: self-propelled, mass-reactive, high-explosive, armour-piercing.^{9: p.137}

Accatran pattern

• 

  Accatran pattern MkVd^{9: p.137}

Maxima

The Maxima MkIV heavy bolter is used by the Space Marines, e.g. the Mantis Warriors use them in their Tactical Squads as a support weapon.^{10: p.65}

Maxima

• 

  Maxima MkIV^{10: p.65}

Solar-pattern

Solar-pattern

• 

  Solar-pattern^{5: p.122}

More heavy bolter designs

Due to the fact that in most cases specific heavy bolter images are not labelled, unnamed designs are collected here, grouped by outward similarity.

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" and "Varia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

Sources

• ¹: Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition) page missing
• ²: Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (4th Edition) page missing
• ³: Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition) page missing
• ⁴: Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One
• ⁵: Rogue Trader Rulebook
• ⁶: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
• ⁷: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)
• ⁸: Dark Heresy Core Rulebook
• ⁹: Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project
• ¹⁰: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two

Bolt Weapons:

Bolt pistols - Boltguns - Storm Bolters - Heavy Bolters - Psycannons - Hurricane Bolters - Vulcan Mega-bolters - Other bolt weapons