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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The '''Lasgun''' is an energy based weapon, and is the most common and widely used type of [[laser weapon]] in the [[Imperium]]. It is standard issue for the [[Skitarii]]<sup>1</sup>, all [[Imperial Guard]] infantry and most lower-ranked officers. Lasguns are reliable, easy to maintain and produce, and are readily available on most Imperial worlds. They have longer range than a [[Laspistol]], but are nowhere near as powerful as a [[Lascannon]]. They also lack the rapid fire quality of the [[Multi-laser]] or the [[Hellgun]].
The lasgun uses the same basic technology and operates along the same lines as other las weapons, emitting a beam of focused light. The high amount of energy in the beam causes the immediate surface area of a target to be vaporized in a small explosion<sup>2</sup>. It is a relatively unimpressive weapon when compared to other weapons in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but is still capable of cleanly severing limbs or piercing the power armour of a Space Marine (but only through a vulnerable spot in the armour). Most designs have iron sights mounted along the top of the weapon. It is powered by a small, rechargeable power pack located beneath the weapon, in front of the trigger guard. The pack can be recharged in many ways, including sunlight. It can also be "overcharged," a trick used by Guard veterans that causes the pack to explode, turning the weapon into a makeshift grenade. This tactic is only used in last ditch situations as it results in the destruction of the weapon. The resultant explosion, however, is powerful enough to crack open the frontal armor of a [[Chaos dreadnoughtDreadnought]].<sup>5</sup> Lasguns have several lethality settings that adjust the damage of each shot in order to conserve power (weaker settings use less energy) or disable rather than kill a target. The weapon can also be fitted with a "Hotshot" pack, providing more powerful but less numerous shots.<sup>2</sup>
The lasgun features a bayonet lug, allowing the weapon to be fitted with bayonets or combat knives. The sniper variant of the lasgun, known as the long-las, is the preferred weapon of Imperial Guard sharpshooters. The barrel of the long-las is extended to bolster the weapon's accuracy. The barrel requires replacement every 20-50 shots depending on the power setting and cool down time. For this reason, the long-las is outfitted with a "slide-lock" barrel, which is easily locked and unlocked from the weapon's housing. [[Mad Larkin]] from the [[Gaunt's Ghosts]] novels by [[Dan Abnett]] carried a long-las.
