BattleTechnology opens its series column on popular military and paramilitary weaponry with an examination of some of the most popular laser pistols currently on the market. Though restricted in power and range compared to other weapons, laser pistols have been eagerly sought as personal sidearms since their introduction on the battlefield over eight centuries ago. Today, especially, hand laserweaponry remains the badge of success and deadly, high-tech prowess for veteran mercenary troopers and regular infantry alike. Laser weapons have been referred to as the cutting edge of weapons technology. Our listing makes use of the New Avalon Edition of the Galactic Consumer's Report, volume 27, number 5, for determinations of reliability and for testing reports. BattleTechnology cannot assume responsibility for the technical accuracy or safety of the weapons described in this column. Optronics M24112A1 "Starflash" Weapon Type: Laser Pistol Manufacturer: General Optronics, and by license on over 250 worlds throughout the Inner Sphere. Operation: Pulse laser pistol Weight (w/o power pack): 1.2 kg (power pack): 1.5 kg Length (w/o power pack): 23 cm Power: Optronics T5J Starflash Dual-Power Cell Power Output: .5 megajoule Pulse: .01 second Power Pack Life: 100 pulses at standard output Cyclic Rate: 60 pulse/minute Effective Range: 60 meters Recharge Rate: about 20 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 96% Base Cost: Cb 850 Notes: One of the oldest laser pistol designs still in production, the Starflash has a long and venerable history which predates the Star League itself. Though underpowered and bulky by the standards of League-period technology, it has acquired a justly-deserved reputation for ruggedness and reliability which has been maintained for over six centuries. Originally manufactured on Terra, the weapon is still produced in limited quantities by arms manufacturers on at least 250 worlds across the Inner Sphere. Power is supplied from a light-weight, rechargeable belt pack connected to the pistol by a one-meter cable. The original design included a holster built into the power pack, but later production models and personal modifications to older weapons generally dispensed with the combination in favor of lighter, more easily-replaced power units and less expensive thigh holsters. The relatively low power output results in a high cyclic rate of 60 ppm at .5 megajoule/.01 second pulse. The power output setting is not adjustable. The powerpack may be disconnected and a standard 20-shot grip magazine pack used instead. The reliability and easy maintenance of these weapons has resulted in their being adopted as standard sidearms for the armies or militias of over 40 worlds, but they are encountered as individual personal weapons in the hands of MechWarriors and mercenaries nearly everywhere. Kogyo-Khorsakov Model 2898, "KIK 98" Weapon Type: Laser Pistol Manufacturer: Kogyo Industries Operation: Pulse laser pistol Weight (w/o power pack): .8kg (power pack): 1.2kg Length (w/o power pack): 17 cm Power: RV 90 Power Cell Power Output: .8 megajoule Pulse: .01 second Maximum Setting: 1.2 megajoule/.1 second Power Pack Life: 80 pulses at standard output 10 pulses at maximum output Cyclic Rate: 40 pulse/minute at standard output 10 pulse/minute at maximum output Effective Range: 75 meters Recharge Rate: about 25 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 99% at standard output 81% at maximum output Base Cost: Cb 550 Notes: The KK 98 has won a deserved reputation as a rugged and hard-hitting laser hand gun. Produced in quantity at the Kogyo Industries arms complex on Luthien, and by license on numerous worlds throughout the Draconis Combine, this weapon and various copies can be encountered on worlds throughout human space. An adjustable power setting allows the user to vary power and pulse length, though the weapon's service life and performance drop sharply at high settings. Its principal advantage is its practically legendary "idiot-proof" electronics which require virtually no maintenance. Independent testers have reported the weapon continues to function flawlessly with minimum care even after being immersed in mud or operated under mildly corrosive atmospheric conditions or at sub-zero temperatures. Exact figures are not available, but a very large number of KK 98s have been produced since they were first introduced in 2898. It is frequently encountered in the hands of MechWarriors and techs on countless worlds throughout Kurita space and beyond. Magna Mark XXI "Nova" Weapon Type: Laser Pistol/carbine Manufacturer: Magna Industries Operation: High-intensity beam laser pistol Weight (w/o power pack): 1.35 kg (power pack): 2.2kg Length (w/o stock): 40.5 cm (w/ stock): 66 cm Power: Magna R5J Starbeam transpower cell Power Output: 1 megajoule pulse .3 megajoule at continuous beam Pulse: Variable phase .01 second to continuous beam Power Pack Life: 400 pulses at minimum pulse 2 minutes at continuous beam Effective Range: 100 meters w/stock and grip: 250 meters Cyclic Rate: 90 pulse/minute Recharge Rate: about 30 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 95% Base Cost: Cb 1200 Notes: The Mark XXI Nova is a superb, heavy-duty beam laser with a variable phase pulse control that allows pulsed operation. The power pack is compact, if heavy, and is worn on the belt in a pouch designed with quick-release straps to secure the weapon to the hip. A notable feature is the design which allows a forehand grip and a lightweight, duraplast stock to be quickly snapped into place, converting the Nova into a lightweight laser carbine. Accuracy is somewhat greater in controlled fire using stock and foregrip. Telescopic or lowlight sights can be mounted as well. The design is somewhat complex and requires careful maintenance for best reliability. The weapon's primary disadvantages are its great length and weight, which make it somewhat clumsy for a handgun. Though lighter than standard laser carbines, it does not have the length and accuracy of longerweapons. The beam function is useful for cutting through metal doors, however, and if held on target, can pierce even heavy personal armor. Numerous models of the original 28th century production run are still in service. Rarely encountered as a standard military weapon, the Nova is favored by mercenaries and paramilitary forces who favor its weight and the psychological impact of its appearance. "Nobody," as the old merc saying goes, "argues with a Mark Twenty-one up his nose!" Bereiter 49S "Ultra" Weapon Type: Laser Pistol Manufacturer: Bereiter Arms Operation: Pulse laser pistol Weight: 1.9kg Length: 24 cm Power: VV "Mega-V" grip magazine power unit Power Output: .6 megajoule Pulse: .2 second Power Pack Life: 70 pulses Cyclic Rate: 40 pulse/minute Effective Range: 50 meters Recharge Rate: about 15 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 85% Base Cost: Cb 180 Notes: This standard laser pistol from Bereiter Arms is a low-cost hand energy weapon mass-produced for the mercenary, security force, and private buyer's market. The internal grip power pack frees the weapon from cumbersome belt or shoulder packs and power leads, making it a compact and easily-handled weapon. The .6 megajoule output is respectable for a power pack of such small size. Unfortunately, the energy curve builds slowly and the power output is spread into an unusually long,.2-second pulse, with the result that the weapon is almost useless against armored or ablative or rapidly-moving targets. Lack of standardization among various Bereiter licensees results in many weapons of extremely poor quality or reliability. Specific problems include barrel failure or chamber feed meltdown during rapid cycling due to an inefficient air-cooled capacitor matrix and occasionally shoddy microcircuit chips which can result in a "cold squeeze," a failure to energize which can result in chamber meltdown and destruction of the weapon. Armor-piercing ability is mediocre. Testers have also noted that the weapon's lens alignment is easily jarred by falls or rough usage. Frequent maintenance is mandatory to keep the weapon in serviceable condition.  TK 70 Weapon Type: Military Laser Pistol Manufacturer: Thorvald & Koch Operation: Pulse laser pistol Weight (pistol): .88kg (backpack): 2.5 kg Length (w/o power pack): 21 cm Power: Sunbeam-electric 12000 shoulder pack Power Output: 1 megajoule Pulse: .01 second Maximum Setting: 1.4 megajoule/.03 second Power Pack Life: 300 pulses at standard output 100 pulses at maximum output Cyclic Rate: 60 pulse/minute Effective Range: 120 meters Recharge Rate: about 30 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 97% at standard setting 90% at full output Base Cost: Cb 700 Notes: The TK 70 is a military-quality, heavy-duty megajoule laser pistol powered from a lightweight shoulder pack. The weapon has been known since the 28th Century for reliability and dependability under virtually any environmental conditions. It has an adjustable power output vernier which allows ranging shots at nil setting, to full-powered blasts of almost one and a half million joules in .03-second pulses. Armor-piercing and target damage is good at standard settings, superb at maximum output. Still under production at the TK arms plants on Tharkad, New Avalon, and Skye, the TK laser pistol is encountered throughout much of human-explored space. Its high cost puts it out of reach for all but standard military or wealthy paramilitary or mercenary forces. Its ruggedness has resulted in numerous weapons being passed on from generation to generation of warriors, however, and old, low-serial number models are frequently found in the hands of mercenary warriors everywhere. Martell Laser Pistol, Model X Weapon Type: Military Laser Pistol Manufacturer: Martell Industries Operation: Beam laser pistol Weight (pistol): 1 kg (power pack): 1.5 kg Length (w/o power pack): 25 cm Power: Diverse Electronics Power Pack Power Output: 1 megajoule Beam: Variable: .2 to 5 seconds Maximum Setting: .2 megajoule/.l second Power Pack Life: 100 seconds standard output 10 seconds at maximum output Effective Range: 100 meters Recharge Rate: about 30 hours, depending on source reliability Weapon Reliability: 95% at standard setting 90% at full output Base Cost: Cb 750 Notes: The Martell laser pistol fires a beam of coherent light. While the power/time ratio is considerably lower than that of a pulse laser, the beam can be set and held for up to 5 seconds, making this weapon useful for cutting through armor or heavy barriers. The power pack allows up to twenty five-second beamings. An optional, in-grip power magazine allows a total of ten seconds of beaming--between two and fifty shots, depending on the burst length setting. The weapon's chief drawback is the need to hold the beam steady on target long enough to cut through thick armor, and it is virtually useless against BattleMechs or armored vehicles. It is unsurpassed, however, in close combat with lightly armored foes or as a cutting torch in emergency situations. The weapon has been widespread throughout the Inner Sphere since it was first manufactured in 2880. It is a durable and reliable weapon favored by many mercenary warriors as a personal sidearm. Back to BattleTechnology Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1987 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com