Gauss Rifle

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(Redirected from C-14 Impaler Gauss Rifle)

Gauss Rifles and Gauss Pistols are the standard weapon for Terran Marines and Reapers and are common in the whole Koprulu Sector. The guns work like a magnetic accelerator with case-less rounds fired from the gun at supersonic speeds.

[edit] Description

Simplified diagram of a Gauss Rifle interior with three coils, a barrel, and a projectile

A Gauss weapon, or also called a coilgun is a type of projectile accelerator that uses one or more electromagnetic coils to pull a magnetic projectile to high velocity. The electromagnetic coils pull the projectile without contact, easing the higher velocity. The name Gauss Gun/Rifle is used in reference to Carl Friedrich Gauss, who made the formula for creating magnetic accelerators.

The Gauss Rifle consists of several coils along the barrel and are switched in sequence so that each coil is pulling the bullet along the barrel using magnetic forces. Coilguns have no sliding contact, and hence, no wear or erosion occurs to the barrel, and the lifespan is extremely long.

The Gauss Rifle cousin is the Railgun, which in 21st century Earth was capable of firing a 3,175 Kg (7 pound) bullet up to seven times the speed of sound. With the technological advancements of the next several hundred years, it is likely that these hand-held weapons are capable of similar power.

[edit] Rifle and Muzzle Flash Theory

Standard issue for Terran Marines

If the term "rifle" in Gauss Rifle is used in error (as in describing a type of firearm larger than a "pistol"), or if it really is a rifle is yet unknown. The muzzle flash created by firing the Terran Gauss Rifle is also something a normal coilgun would not create, and the reason for the flash is unknown as well.

It seems likely that both these unknowns can be explained by the more advanced technology of the Terrans, and that the rifle uses caseless ammunition (ammunition with a small pellet-like chemical compound at the bottom, to save space and avoid shell disposal in a weapon) to propel the "spikes" to their supersonic speed, and the rifles on the inside of the barrel are part of the electromagnetic mechanism, and not traditional contact-based.

They could work like the rails of a Railgun, but without the physical contact. In this case, it's also likely the bullets themselves have some minor change in metal on the sides, to easier accommodate the magnetic propulsion.

With this theory, the weapon would still not be exposed to much erosion, and the lifespan would be extremely long, except for the firing mechanism where the chemical component is used. Throughout cleaning would still be required for chemical residue. The gun would also be able to fire without a electronic power source, but at the power of a normal rifle, with less accuracy, and wear and tear on the barrel.

[edit] Ammunition

The ammunition commonly used by Gauss Rifles of different models are "spikes" of varying metal, capable of penetrating 5 cm (2 inches) of NeoSteel plating, and can also get spikes with a Uranium-238 shell around the solid metal (commonly referred to as U-238 Shells) for increased range by up to 25% (and probably power as well).

Gauss Rifle ammunition:

Armour Piercing: For targets with heavy armour.
Hollow Point: Expands on impact in order to wound the target optimally. Custom design by Ardo Melnikov. Especially effective against Zerg.
Incendiary: Supposed chemical rounds used against structures.
Steel Tipped: Anti-personnel rounds used against human targets to maim rather than kill, in order to make comrades try to rescue the maimed individual. Very ineffective against Zerg.
U-238 Shells: Depleted uranium shelled around a metal spike. Unknown if this is a separate bullet, or a technology that can be used with the other types of rounds. It could also be the definition of the "Armour Piercing" rounds.

[edit] Types of Gauss Rifles

AGR-14 rifle: A smaller C-14 rifle, used by non-CMC personnel such as Ghosts.
C-14 Impaler rifle: Marine standard issue rifle for factions of the Koprulu Sector (Confederacy, Dominion, Raynor's Raiders and other factions). Older models include a grenade launcher.
C-141 AC rifle: Marine standard issue rifle for the United Earth Directorate.
P38 'Scythe' Gauss Pistol: Standard Reaper armament.

[edit] Gallery

General StarCraft II Shots

Gauss Rifle from the StarCraft II trailer.	Tychus Findlay statue with Gauss Rifle.	Marine with Gauss Rifle from the StarCraft II concept art.	Marine with Gauss Rifle from the StarCraft II concept art.
Ingame Starcraft II Marine model carrying a Gauss Rifle.	Gauss Rifle from StarCraft: Ghost with an attached grenade launcher.	Older Gauss Rifles used in Starcraft I: Brood War.	Fan art of a Marine with an older Gauss Rifle model.
Two Reaver P38 'Scythe' Gauss Pistols.

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