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Boltgun

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File:MkII bolter.jpg
Bolter MkII with bolt rounds

The ubiquitous Boltgun is commonly associated with the legendary Adeptus Astartes, however its variants are used throughout the armed forces of the Imperium.

The Boltgun is a mid-range weapon, between the lighter Bolt Pistol and heavier Heavy Bolter, and is easily carried by any Space Marine. It works in the same way as other Bolt Weapons and in massed ranks produces such destruction as to easily frighten any enemy advancing into oncoming fire.

For the Adeptus Astartes the Boltgun is a holy symbol of the Emperor's wrath. Each Marine carries a weapon hand-crafted by an artificer in either the Chapter's own forges or on a Forge World and at each step of its construction the proper rituals must be observed, and sacred oils are applied. The Marine's maintenance of his weapon therefore carries a degree of religious ritual, as well as being part of the dedicated daily rituals of the Space Marine.

Bolter Designs

The model currently used by the Space Marines is designated the 'Astartes MK Vb Godwyn pattern' and tends to be fired in 4 round bursts. There were, however, many other variants used throughout history including:

  • Ultima Pattern
  • Crusade Pattern
  • Heresy Pattern
  • Filienostos Pattern
  • Nostra Pattern
  • Astartes Umbra Pattern
  • Godwyn Pattern (older versions such as Astartes Mk. IIIa: Godwyn Pattern used by the Dark Angels Chapter)
  • Godwyn-Deaz Pattern (used by the Sisters of Battle)

They all have the same basic features and design. There are also various addons available to each bolter, including:

  • M40 targeting scope
  • Ammo Counter
  • Sinister/Dexter locking mechanism.

The models used by the Astartes and the Sisters of Battle are much bigger and heavier than those given to officers of the Imperial Guard, for example. They can not be handled properly without artificial support like that provided by the Power Armour used by both organisations.

Ammunition Types

Apart from the standard pattern, these ammunitions are only available for high ranking officers and officials, elite forces such as Deathwatch Kill Teams, or on special missions. Their limited availability is due to a number of factors, including their huge costs of production (such as the Inferno bolt which needs an airtight vacuum production line) or their nearly lost technology. Variants include but are not limited to:

  • Standard Pattern - Standard explosive and propulsive charges used, depleted deuterium core and diamantine tip and mass reactive detonators.
  • Inferno Bolt - Deuterium core replaced with oxy-phosphor gel (a powerful chemical combination which burns on contact with air).
  • Hellfire Round - Explosive core replaced with thousands of needles impregnated with mutagenic acid for use against Tyranids. A Heavy Bolter variant (blast effect) is available.
  • Metal Storm Frag Shell - Standard charge and detonator replaced with fragmentation shell and a proximity sensor detonator.
  • Stalker Silenced Shell - Propellant and explosive replaced by gas cartridges, detonator cap replaced with solidified mercury slug.
  • Kraken Pattern Penetrator Round - Deuterium core replaced by solid adamantine core, heavier propulsive charge.
  • Odysseus Bolt - Psychically impregnated solid slug for tracking targets.

Magazines

The Boltgun may have one of four different magazines. These include:

  • Sickle - Standard magazine, 20-30 rounds
  • Drum - 40-60 rounds, prone to jamming
  • Straight - 12-20 rounds, easier to load
  • Duplus X - Two sickle magazines strapped together

Sources

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