Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, this is a simple question that I've been searching on a while and I just can't find an answer.

Are squad sergeants for armies like IG and SM required to take a Pistol/CCW, or can they take the normal armament as well. In the force organization lists it lists all the sergeants as "X pistol/Close combat weapon" and doesn't give an option like "The sergeant may switch out his Pistol/CCW for a Boltgun/Lasgun....Free" or whatever. I've just never seen the merit in including a single extra close combat attack on squads that otherwise aren't built for assault. In fact, I'm fairly sure it's mostly to designate the sergeant than anything else, which could be accomplished via small details in painting and whatnot.

So, longs story shot, if I had an IG Vet sergeant, could I change out his laspistol/chainsword for a lasgun, or would I have to keep it as is?

Just read the codex, its written clearly there.

Short answer, no for your question.

I've looked over the codex entries for infantry squads, guardsmen in general, etc. several times and found nothing about it.

And no to being able to swap out, or no on having to keep the CCW?

The guard codex pretty clearly states what the sergeant starts with, and what he can exchange either of his weapons for. In the list for both veterans and infantry squads, there is no option to replace either the laspistol/close combat weapon for a lasgun. You may swap out the CCW for any of the option provided.

I really wish I could give my sergeants lasguns, but alas they cannot.

40k tells you what you CAN do, not what you CANT.

If it does not allow you to perform an aciton, such as swapping a weapon out, you may not perform the action

Space Marine Tactical Sergents start off with bolters and can trade that for a chainsword or change it for anything else, like a Combi Weapon