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These rapid-firing firearms have a faster rate of fire than most other pistols. They are similar to 20th century [http[M2]]-era [[Wikipedia://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_pistol |machine pistols]] or compact [http[Wikipedia://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submachine_gun |submachine guns]]. Essentially they are the pistol version of the [[Autogun]]. The weapon works by using a solid hammer to ignite a chemically combustible propellant, expelling the solid projectile through the barrel. The reactive force of the bullet's expulsion returns the breech, loads a further bullet, re-cocks the mechanism and (providing the trigger is still depressed) fires a further round until the magazine is empty or the trigger is released. Autopistols are lightweight, but lack accuracy beyond the closest of ranges due to their low velocity when compared to larger weapons. They have a high rate of fire, but only use a small calibre round. The weapon is poor at penetrating armour, but its high rate of fire makes it useful against lightly armoured opponents, putting them down in a single burst of shells.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|43}}{{Fn|65}}Most autopistols are believed to fall within the following characteristics:{{Fn|76}}

Autopistols are still in massive use throughout the Imperium and can be found even on low-tech worlds. Like the larger [[Autogun]] it is a very easy to construct and usually available in large numbers. The autopistol is a common weapon amongst renegades, gang members, and lowly criminals, being as easy to use as it is to construct. They are not generally considered a military issue weapon, but are a favourite amongst many military veterans as a supplement for their standard lasgun or as a backup weapon, especially by the ones using unreliable melta- or plasma-weaponry. Some regiments, including the [[Cadian 8th]], often equip all their troops with autopistols as sidearms, improving their combat firepower. Other commanders allow their troops to acquire spoils from the battlefield for their own use and autopistols are popular choices.{{Fn|76}} In other quarters, it is felt that only officers should be equipped with pistol weaponry, so such equipment is reserved for soldiers of and above the rank of [[Lieutenant]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|43}}{{Fn|65}}

File:Autopistol7.jpg|Autopistol{{Fn|87}}File:Nmrb2-44-autopistol.jpg|Autopistol{{Fn|1412}}File:Autopistol2.jpg|Autopistol{{Fn|65}}File:Catalogue Autopistols.jpg|Autopistols{{Fn|1311}}

Crafted by the gunsmiths of Gunmetal city in Scintilla to be as sturdy as possible, Ius is a solid and unspectacular yet utterly reliable weapon. Normally used by [[Calixis|Calixian]] [[Arbites]] as a backup firearm, it is ubiquitous amongst both the Calixian Arbites and planetary enforcers of Scintilla. Typically issued to junior ranks within both organisations, Ius is designed to be foolproof and to withstand punishment that would damage other firearms.{{Fn|1513}}

Also known as Tronsvasse parabellum{{Fn|119}}

===Hecuter autopistol{{Fn|1210}}===

Disposable handgun is essentially an extremely stripped down Autopistol with a small clip. Made by a wide variety of manufacturers, disposable handguns are one of the most easily obtainable and inexpensive firearms in the Galaxy. Many shipboard survival kits contain one of these weapons. They have very shoddy craftsmanship and poor performance and seasoned warriors joke that when the clip runs out, someone is better off throwing the gun at an opponent than trying to reload. However, many of the destitute cannot afford a better weapon and it is useful for protection.{{Fn|54}}[[Image:Ripper Pistol.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ripper Pistol{{Fn|54}}]]

This modified Autopistol fires specially designed armour-piercing metal shards containing a vicious cocktail of venomous chemicals with deadly accuracy. The initial wounds caused by the shards allow the venom to enter the victim's bloodstream and cause death, and thus the weapon can bring down the largest opponents in a single shot. It is designed so that if the vicious impact of the bullet doesn’t kill the target, the poisons flooding into its bloodstream will. Often, they are the final word in terminal close encounters. Ripper Pistol is favoured by those who venture into hostile jungle planets and [[Death World]]s.{{Fn|54}}{{Fn|98}}

*[[Inquisitor]] [[Gregor Eisenhorn]] used a disposable handgun as a back-up weapon in his investigations.{{Fn|119}}*[[Sly Marbo]], a famous [[Catachan]] [[Catachan Jungle Fighters|Jungle Fighter]] makes use of Ripper Pistol.{{Fn|98}}

 *{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 57*{{Endn|4}}: [[Rogue Trader Core Rulebook]], pg. 120*{{Endn|54}}: [[Rogue Trader: Into the Storm]], pgs. 111-112*{{Endn|65}}: [[Dark Heresy Core Rulebook]], pg. 132*{{Endn|76}}: [[The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer]], pgs. 21-22*{{Endn|87}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pg. 75*{{Endn|98}}: [[Codex: Catachans (3rd Edition)]] p. 22*{{Endn|10}}: [[Xenos (Novel)]], Chapter 3*{{Endn|119}}: [[Malleus (Novel)]], Chapter 11*{{Endn|1210}}: [[Hereticus (Novel)]], Chapter 2*{{Endn|1311}}: [[Specialist Games Catalogue]], pg. 14*{{Endn|1412}}: [[Necromunda (Hardback Rulebook)]], pg. 44*{{Endn|1513}}: [[Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement]], pg. 63===Uncited===*[[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 57*[[Xenos (Novel)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], Chapter 3