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.^[28]^[15]

Imperial 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 is no specific standard Sniper Rifle for the Imperial Guard, with different regiments preferring different kinds of sniper rifles, ranging from Needler Sniper Rifles to Long-Las and other weapons.^[28]

There are several differences between solid-slug rifles and energy based rifles. Because a laser bolt travels much faster than a solid slug, a Long-Las is an instant hit weapon and therefore offers pinpoint accuracy; the major disadvantage of using a long-las is that the beam reveals the sniper's position when fired, while a solid-slug rifle offers better concealment if equipped with a noise suppressor.^[28]

Most weapons have specialist sights added on to enable them to pick out specific targets such as officers.^[4]

Space Marine Sniper Rifle

A Space Marine Sniper Rifle^[5]

Space Marine Chapters, particularly Scouts, utilize a unique model of Sniper Rifle. Firstborn Space Marine-pattern Sniper Rifle fires are often described as being a form of or identical to Needle sniper rifles, firing slivers of crystallized toxins.^[4]^[25]^[26]^[27] These boast powerful telescopic sights that allows the wielder to fire at an enemy weak points and distant foes with extreme accuracy.^[3] Primaris Scouts in the Dark Angels Chapter are armed with Mark III Shrike-pattern sniper rifles.^[11]

Long-las

A Cadian Shock Trooper equipped with a Long-las

Main article: 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.^[30]

Needle Sniper Rifle

Main article: Needler

Needle sniper rifles (or Needlers) are used by some sniper and assassin units of the Imperium. Needlers fire a needle of crystallized toxin, propelled by a form of laser technology that 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.^[31]

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.^[31]

Various types of toxins can be employed by the Needler, the most common three being lethal neuro-toxins, sedatives which induce temporary coma, and intoxicants which stupefies the victim, putting him in a completely passive state.^[31]

The needler's main drawback is its poor armour penetration.^[1]^[2]

Exitus Rifle

Main article: 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.^[32]

"Ultra" Pattern Mk. IX Sniper Rifle

Mark IX Sniper rifle^[4]

The Mark IX Sniper rifle is a heavy Needler sniper rifle used by the Deathwatch chapter of the Space Marines for long-range anti-personnel and anti-materiel work.^[4]

At just over two metres in length and weighing close to fifty kilograms, the Mark IX allows a Deathwatch sharpshooter to engage targets with incredible accuracy at very long ranges.^[4]

A highly-respected and revered weapon, 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:^[4]

Tailor Made: Each Mk. IX is tailored to fit the Battle Brother to whom it has been issued. The weapon’s stock and hand guard are matched to the user'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.^[4]

30x Scope: This powerful telescopic sight allows the sharpshooter to engage enemies at extremely long range.^[4]

Suppressor: This combination silencer and flash concealer reduces both muzzle flash and the signature report of a needle weapon.^[4]

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]

Brontos Pattern Bolt Sniper Rifle

The Brontos pattern Sniper Rifle was used by the Legiones Astartes. The rifle was long and heavy and cumbersome, and gauged for bolt-rounds, an almost impossible trade-off between muzzle velocity and round impact. The bolt shells had to be tailor-made to compensate for range with an added propellant stage. Furthermore, the Brontos had an automatic bolt return, a fixed sequenced powered cycle that chambered each round from the short-packed magazine. It also had a manual racking handle for faster returns.^[29]

Mk.III Shrike Pattern Bolt Sniper Rifle

Main article: Bolt Sniper Rifle

Shrike Sniper Rifle

Mk.III Shrike Sniper Rifles are Bolt Weapons utilized by Vanguard Eliminators.^[7]

Hellshot

A large calibre anti-materiel sniper rifle with a bipod that uses the same ammunition as the autocannon meant for knocking out enemy equipment, suppressing light vehicles, and eliminating enemy combatants in a single hit.^[6]

Las Fusil

Main article: Las Fusil

Las Fusils are long-range laser sniper weapons used by Space Marine Eliminators.^[8]

Hotshot Marskman Rifle

Main article: Hotshot Marksman Rifle

Used by elite Imperial Guard units such as Kasrkin.^[10]

Absolution Sniper Rifle

Absolution Sniper Rifle^[9]

The Absolution Sniper Rifle is a common sniper rifle design used among non-military groups. Less advanced than the Needle Rifle, it still sported enough power to take down lightly armoured targets.^[9]