The laspistol is the Imperium’s go-to sidearm: a compact laser pistol built for officers, specialists, and anyone who needs a backup weapon without the cost of a plasma or bolt pistol. It trades range for portability, and that trade shapes how it’s used on the battlefield.
What the laspistol actually is
It’s a smaller, pistol-sized version of the lasgun, firing the same kind of laser bolt. Within its short effective range it hits just as hard, producing an explosive impact on contact. Past that range, the bolt dissipates into the atmosphere and loses its punch.
Unlike the lasgun, it has no selective fire. You get single shots, nothing else. That limitation, plus the short range, means it’s often used less for shooting and more for adding an extra close-combat attack.
Who carries one, and why
It’s the default firearm for Imperial officers who can’t get their hands on something fancier. Commissars, Techpriest Enginseers, Sanctioned Psykers, and Rough Riders all make use of it, as do veteran squads who pair it with a close combat weapon.
The Commissar example is telling. He carries a laspistol and a close combat weapon so he can lead from the front and look like he’s sharing the same risks as the Guardsmen, rather than waving around officer-class gear they’ll never touch.
Patterns and variants
There’s very little standardization. Most worlds produce their own version, so you’ll find everything from crude derringer types to hand-crafted dueling pistols. Forge worlds like Accatran, Kantrael, Ryza, and Mars each have their own recognizable lines.
Some patterns are heavy laspistols, some are compact, and a few are built specifically for dueling. The Accatran Mk II, for instance, uses the same powercell as the Accatran lasgun and shows up with Elysian Drop Troops.
- Accatran patterns: Mk II, Mk IX heavy, MG variant
- Kantrael patterns: MG ‘Defender’, Mk X heavy
- Belasco dueling pistols and the Series-S ‘Venom’ compact
- Ryza Mk VII heavy, Sollex ‘Steel Burner’ heavy
- Mars Pattern Mark IV Command Laspistol
- Rare archeotech laspistols
How it fits into 40k lore
The laspistol sits at the bottom of the Imperial officer’s weapon ladder. Above it are plasma pistols and bolt pistols, which are more expensive and harder to supply. That gap explains why the laspistol is so common: it’s cheap, reliable, and good enough.
It also shows up as a secondary weapon on characters who already have something bigger, and as a primary for specialists who aren’t expected to hold a line. In practice, it’s the sidearm that keeps the Imperium running.
Key facts
- The laspistol is a compact, pistol-sized lasgun with single-shot fire only.
- Its effective range is short because the laser bolt dissipates quickly.
- Within range, it hits as hard as a lasgun, with an explosive impact.
- It’s the default sidearm for Imperial officers, Commissars, and specialists.
- Designs vary wildly by world, from derringers to dueling pistols.
- Common patterns include Accatran, Kantrael, Ryza, and Mars lines.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a laspistol and a lasgun?
The laspistol is smaller, has much shorter range, and can only fire single shots. The lasgun has selective fire and keeps its power over distance.
Why do Commissars carry laspistols?
It lets them lead from the front and share the same equipment as the Guardsmen they’re with, rather than using officer-only weapons.
Are there different types of laspistol?
Yes. Most worlds make their own version, and forge worlds like Accatran, Kantrael, and Ryza produce distinct patterns, including heavy and dueling variants.