Sniper rifle

Sniper rifles are long-ranged and highly accurate rifles, mainly used for assassination. Small groups of snipers, and even lone snipers, can hold back the advance of an enemy force many times their number, pinning them in cover. Both Imperial and Eldar forces use sniper rifles to great effect.

Types

Many forms of sniper rifles are longer ranged and high-accuracy variations of existing firearm types. The least advanced sniper rifles use solid bullets, but some lasguns are lengthened to allow them to be used in a sniper role. There are several differences between the solid slug rifles and the long-las, that being while the long-las is an instant hit weapon and therefore has pinpoint accuracy, it will reveal the sniper's position when fired, which a solid slug rifle would not do if equipped with a suppressor as they usually are. Most weapons have specialist sights added on to enable them to pick out specific targets such as officers.

Space Marine Sniper Rifle

File:ScoutSniper.jpg

Space Marine Scout with a Sniper Rifle

Space Marine Chapters, particularly Scouts, utilize a unique model of Sniper Rifle. A Space Marine-pattern Sniper Rifle fires a solid shell and boasts powerful telescopic sights that allows the wielder to fire at an enemy weak points and distant foes with extreme accuracy.³

Long-las

Cadian Shock Trooper equipped with a Long-las

The long-las variant of the standard lasgun is a very potent weapon. Using highly charged power packs called "Hot Shots" they can take the head off an enemy with one well-placed shot. A well known user of the long las is Master Sniper Hlaine "Mad" Larkin of the Tanith First and Only.

Needle sniper rifle

Needle sniper rifles (or Needlers) are used by some sniper and assassin units of the Imperium. Needlers fire a needle of crystallized toxin. The weapons also make use of a form of laser technology in order to propel the toxic sliver, and if necessary to penetrate armour. Needlers are silent and the sliver itself is so fine that it is not felt even if it penetrates flesh. The crystallized toxin dissolves almost immediately after penetration. The toxin is extremely fast-acting, taking effect in a matter of a few seconds.

The laser used by the Needler is invisible and flashless, allowing the weapon to be used without giving away the sniper's position. The beam which propels the sliver gives the Needler unerring accuracy, driving the toxin to its target. The secondary function of the beam is to pierce any existing armour and provide an opening for the sliver to penetrate.

Various types of toxins can be employed by the Needler, the most common three being neuro-toxins which are deadly, sedatives which put the victim in a temporary coma, and intoxicants which stupefies the victim, putting him in a completely passive state.

The needler's main drawback is its poor armour penetration.^{1, 2}

Exitus Rifle

High-powered customized sniper rifles are the characteristic weapon of Vindicare Temple assassins, and are feared by troops for their ability to take down even the most heavily armoured infantry with a single shot. Vindicare sniper rifles can make use of anti-tank rounds to penetrate otherwise impenetrable armour.

“Ultra” Pattern Mk. IX Sniper Rifle

Are just over two metres in length and weighing close to fifty kilograms, it's a heavy needle sniper rifle used by the Deathwatch for long-range anti-personnel and anti-materiel work. With its long barrel and powerful scope, the Mk. IX allows a Deathwatch sharpshooter to engage targets with incredible accuracy at very long ranges. A highly-respected and revered weapon, and it is often selected as the weapon of choice for Space Marine snipers in many Deathwatch Kill-teams. Each Mk. IX has the following integral systems:

• Tailor Made: Each Mk. IX is tailored to fit the Space Marine Brother to which it has been assigned. The weapon’s stock and hand guard are matched to the owner’s size and shooting stance, making carrying, pointing, and shooting the sniper rifle as easy and natural as pointing a finger. While this increases the sniper rifle’s accuracy, the custom furniture makes it uncomfortable and nearly impossible for anyone else to use it without serious modification. Each Mk. IX is also fitted with a special security system programmed with the owner’s genetic code. This system, composed of a sensor pad in the weapon’s stock, makes contact with a matching pad in the palm of the glove worn on the Space Marine’s shooting hand. The Space Marine’s genetic data is then transferred to the weapon’s cogitator and analysed. If the cogitator array senses the owner, the sniper rifle operates as normal. If anyone else attempts to use the weapon, the cogitator will disable the firing mechanism. This renders the sniper rifle unusable until the true owner picks it up again.

• 30x Scope: This powerful telescopic sight allows the sharpshooter to engage enemies at extremely long range.

• Suppressor: This combination silencer and flash concealer reduces both muzzle flash and the signature report of a needle weapon.

• Highly Accurate: With its long barrel, integral recoil compensators, and under-barrel bipod, the Mk. IX is an incredibly accurate and well-balanced weapon and its turbo-chem needle ammunition means that the weapon is toxic as well.⁴

Related articles

• Projectile Weapons
• Energy Weapons
• Laser weapon
• Imperial Guard Weaponry (List)
• Space Marine Weaponry (List)

Sources

• ¹:Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (both editions)
• ²:Confrontation
• ³:Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition) pg. 66
• ⁴:Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, pg 138-139