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{{Weapon Series}}
The '''bolt weapon''' is the characteristic weapon type of the [[Space Marine]]s and [[Adepta Sororitas]]; they . They are also used in more limited numbers throughout the [[Imperium]]'s armed forces, and are popular with its enemies, particularly [[Ork]]s. <sup>2</sup> Bolt weapons are purposefully unsubtle weapons, with very obvious and bloody effects.
Some models are designed specifically for normal humans which include smaller grips and lighter construction. Though , though these variations are rarely as finely fashioned as Space Marine weapons. Many such weapons are ancient heirlooms and relics passed down through a family's generations. Cheap bolt weapon models can be found on black markets and backwater planets, but will often breakdown quickly because of the specialised nature of their ammunition.<sup>1</sup>
==Operation==
Bolt weapons fire self-propelled mass-reactive shells known as ''bolts'', which are timed to explode just after penetration for maximum lethality. The standard bolt is .75 calibre with a super-dense metallic core and diamantine tip. Overall bolt ammunition is expensive and difficult to manufacture and the weapons themselves regularly require maintenance and rituals to appease their spirits, but they are no doubt terrifying and destructive weapons.<sup>1</sup>
The bolter has two advantages over a conventional firearm. Firstly, explosive warhead within the amount of propellant required for the first stage bolt is relatively small. This means that with triggered by a mass-reactive detonator - any sudden increase in local mass triggers the standard .75 caliber (about 20mm)explosive, causing the recoil is negligible when compared weapon to a conventional projectile weapon of equivalent caliber. Secondly, recoil is further reduced by explode inside the smoothbore design of the bolter. Because spin is imparted by the rocket engine after the bolt exits the barrel, there is no need for riflingtarget. <sup>2</sup> The counter to this, however, comes from This can have a gruesome effect on the fact that bolts are less powerful at closer rangestarget, often killing them in a single shot as they need time to accelerate to top speed. The bolter their chest cavity or head is complex to produce and requires dedicated maintenanceblown apart, which prevents it being issued more widely throughout while simultaneous hits can render the [[Imperial Guard]]corpse unidentifiable. It is far more susceptible to corrosion and mishandling than <sup>5</sup> However, the basic [[Lasgun]] issued to [[Guardsman|Guardsmen]]. Bolters also require far more logistic organization than the standard lasgun - the lasgun detonator has easily rechargeable ammunition whereas the bolter requires constant resupply. The standard ammunition employed by the Space Marines is a mass reactive warheadminimum arming distance, during which has earned it will not arm the bolter its reputation as a terror weaponwarhead. A millisecond fuse detonates At point-blank ranges the warhead after it has penetrated the target, however at extremely close range the bolts are known to bolt will instead pass through the target, only putting a hole in the target the size of the round and exploding explode behind it. Against soft tissue the effect is particularly gruesome, though its sheer size and many enemies of the Emperor quickly capitulate after seeing the results velocity still makes it capable of bolter fire on their comrades. It is possible that the creation of this projectile was motivated by the ancient first encounters with the alien [[Ork]]s, whose massive frames and tendency to ignore pain render solid projectiles ineffective. This standard bolt is also effective against light armoured vehiclescausing damage.<sup>6</sup>
==Types of bolt weapon==
==Sources==
*<sup>1</sup>: [[Rogue Trader Rulebook]], p.121-122
*<sup>2</sup>: [[Warhammer 40,000: Wargear]], p.21*<sup>3</sup>: [[Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)]], p.11*<sup>4</sup>: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition]], p. 250*<sup>5</sup>: [[Let the Galaxy Burn (Anthology)]], ''Know Thine Enemy'' Short Story, p. 296*<sup>6</sup>: [[Ultramarines Omnibus]] by [[Graham McNeill]], ''Chain of Command'' Short Story, p.11
[[Category:Weapons (Bolt)| ]]
[[de:Boltwaffen]]
