The Big Question, or, To Drill or not to Drill?

[Father Mehman]

Alright, grunts. This question isn't for you "namby-pambies" or those soft in the gut and lax of foot; this is for real men and women. I expect to hear some "Sir! Yes, Drill Sergeant!"'s about now. Which brings me to my point: do I have to drill out all these lasguns and laspistols?

 

I've drilled out bolters, heavy bolters, hell-guns (oops, I mean Hot Shot-whatevers), and even the odd lascannon. Do people normally drill these small puppies out? I think it makes the Scions (all praise their holy and beatific souls) look ace but I'm not so sure about these "normal" troopers.

[librisrouge]

Actually, in the fluff lasguns are not drilled out. That tip is an emitter, the location where the energy manifests as a lasbolt. It isn't like a traditional firearm in the sense of what the barrel does.

[Toxichobbit]

Actually, in the fluff lasguns are not drilled out. That tip is an emitter, the location where the energy manifests as a lasbolt. It isn't like a traditional firearm in the sense of what the barrel does.

 

Do you have a source for this?

 

Even though it's a laser weapon and wouldn't have a barrel in the traditional sense, I can't see an emitter or lens being at the end where it would easily get damaged. More likely it's inside the barrel, maybe inside the cowling at the end of the barrel in order to give it some protection.

[Phantomzero17]

I believe most do have a barrel.  Otherwise I don't get why they'd put in wax stoppers during jumps to keep them from fouling, and other such things that have appeared in Guard novels.

[Stercus]

I believe most do have a barrel.  Otherwise I don't get why they'd put in wax stoppers during jumps to keep them from fouling, and other such things that have appeared in Guard novels.

I think I can guess this one: it's because not all writers are familiar with the minutiae of 410th century laser technology.

[Lucien Eilam]

Do people normally drill these small puppies out?

 

I find it easier to dot the tip with a heated sewing needle.

[Stercus]

In all seriousness, drilling of all barrels is easiest with a pin vice and very thin drill bit.

[WarriorFish]

No need to drill anything lasgun at all. Very small and how many lasgun troopers will you have? That way lies madness So yes to drilling other weapons like bolters and such, but for the small barrel guns there's no need. If you really insist then Lucien's idea is the best way :)

Oh and it's "Lord Commissar" to you, solider

[Father Mehman]

Yes, Lord Commissar. Thank you, Lord Commissar!

Also, thanks for the quick replies, guys! I would driven myself batty...

[Myrkul]

GW's latest hobby drill comes w/ a bit for lasguns specifically. Because we all need to give GW more money right?

 

Im sure any small sized bit will work with a generic hobby/manual drill if thats the effect you lookin for.

[Jacinda]

I wondered about this, too. I have a long history with bolt guns, both plastic and metal with a little resin thrown in to boot. But I wondered what would a lasgun "barell" look like IRL. For reference, the link below is to a laser weapon in use today.

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/nswc/dahlgren/NEWS/LAWS/img1.JPG

 

You can kind of see where GW's fiction was not far off of what happened IRL. An emitter surrounded by a bigger shroud. So in the end I just painted the little nub on the end grey and called it good. But it shouldn't have a barrel like an autogun, bolter or heavy stubber would.

[librisrouge]

I don't have a source but I remember in various novels (Gaunts Ghost perhaps?) it showed guardsmen taking out rags to wipe the tip of their lasgun clean, effectively clearing a jam. It also represented in a couple of novels where the barrel was described as both a device that further focused the energy in a tighter bolt (for increased range) and as a form of heat sink.

[Lucien Eilam]

It's the same basic technology as larger weapons like lascannons, multi-lasers, turbo-lasers, etc. and they're all sculpted with hollow barrels. How deep into the barrel that goes is open to question, but not the fact that they are hollow.

 

Wax plugs to prevent lasgun barrels fouling comes from The Guns of Tanith.

 

I think Forge World lasguns are all sculpted hollow too.

[elmo]

Heavy bolters, bolters, bolt pistols yes... Lasguns and laspistols... That way lies heresy and madness which is even beyond me :P

[Toxichobbit]

I have actually found it easier to drill lasgun barrels than bolter barrels. The small size of the barrel combined with the cowl on the end of a lasgun mean it's easier to keep the drill from sliding about (it kind of rests on the cowl) and it's harder to notice if you don't get the hole centrally placed. I'd happily drill lasgun barrels for the rest of my hobby career if it means no more bolter barrels. I'm pretty sure I used a 0.50mm drill bit and it was the perfect size, but make sure you check the bit compared to the barrel, I don't want to be responsible for anyone messing their lasguns up.

Here's a few shots of some I've got unpainted

Chimera

Cadian Guardswoman

It's the same basic technology as larger weapons like lascannons, multi-lasers, turbo-lasers, etc. and they're all sculpted with hollow barrels. How deep into the barrel that goes is open to question, but not the fact that they are hollow.

Wax plugs to prevent lasgun barrels fouling comes from The Guns of Tanith.

I think Forge World lasguns are all sculpted hollow too.

Very good point. I'm glad you brought that up, I was beginning to worry I'd drilled all my lasguns for no reason.

[Lucien Eilam]

If you find bolters hard, get it started with the point of a fresh hobby knife blade. That's sharp enough to not spiral off centre like a drill tends to do.

[Toxichobbit]

I already do that Lucien. Usually I try to get it centred by using the knife to score a small cross first as well. Somehow I still manage to get them off centre most of the time :(. Good advice though for anyone looking to drill gun barrels.

[elmo]

I use a dremmel and start the hole with a small drill bit (usually 1mm or smaller) as a guide before increasing to the correct sized bit. Also make sure that the plastic is as smooth as possible before starting to drill as that will stop your drill bit from drifting.

[Father Mehman]

If you find bolters hard, get it started with the point of a fresh hobby knife blade. That's sharp enough to not spiral off centre like a drill tends to do.

I already do that Lucien. Usually I try to get it centred by using the knife to score a small cross first as well. Somehow I still manage to get them off centre most of the time . Good advice though for anyone looking to drill gun barrels.

I use a dremmel and start the hole with a small drill bit (usually 1mm or smaller) as a guide before increasing to the correct sized bit. Also make sure that the plastic is as smooth as possible before starting to drill as that will stop your drill bit from drifting.

You see, I didn't have you all when I was first starting out. These are incredible pieces of advice that every beginner should heed. As you may all have done, I had to learn the hard way. Many barrels are offset or have been patched with Green Stuff to have the correct diameter. Bless those early Space Marines, oh Emperor, for they fought bravely without good bolter barrels.

I guess I'm going to drill those barrels after all. They look too good to not give the proper care. But the NUMBERS! I'll tell the wife to put on a pot of recaf and heat up some MREs (who am I kidding? My wife doesn't know what an MRE is!)- Papa's got some work to do.

[WarriorFish]

I've always thought drilling lasguns was a pretty crazy level of dedication, but that's the sort of crazy we like round here :P

[Toxichobbit]

It might not take as long as you think Mehman. They're a lot quicker to drill than bolter barrels (in my experience, that is). I'd still suggest breaking it up into small chunks though. Maybe a squad an evening or something, while chilling at the TV with your lady for example.

[CoffeeGrunt]

Meh, I just painted the tips to look like lenses. They don't live long enough for it to become an issue. :P

[scatmandoo]

I have never drilled a barrel let alone a lasgun. The trooper wouldn't be on the table long enough for anyone to notice!