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I've got a 1000pt IG Mechanized army in the works (with scalability down to 500pts). Like most IG Mech armies, the backbone of the force is a lot of Vet squads with Meltas or Plasmas in Chimeras. I have looked around for similar lists to draw inspiration from, and I've noticed that some IG Mech lists have the Vets take shotguns, as opposed to lasguns. There is no point costs for switching to one or the other.

What would be the benefit for taking shotguns rather than lasguns? I see that shotguns are Assault 2, so they could be fired twice after moving, and have a range of 12". However, afaik, lasguns can also be fired twice up to 12" after moving, or once up to 24" without moving.

The major difference seems to be that models which fire assault weapons can assault into close combat in the next phase. Is that something I should be worrying about with Vets mounted in Chimeras? Would it be more feasible to take shotguns or lasguns?

You have to assume though that the Vets are pretty much always moving, so shooting at 24" away is kinda moot.
Assault 2 has more utilities when you're always moving, really.

Shotguns all the way. They're too cool, thematically. They also mean if you're going to charge something, you get to shoot meltas and shotguns at em first.

Shotguns/Melta and Lasguns/Plasma Guns
Same Range Profiles, at least that is what i do

In my vet squads if they have assault special weapons I take the shotguns so they can move and fire everything. Also they are better than a lasgun if I am going to assault a unit.

Neither matters all that much, shotgun is better marginally, by allowing your vets to charge after shooting, but there are few instances where you'd want to charge with 10 guardsmen.

Lasgun, on the other hand can benefit from FRFSRF order, not as many attacks as charging but with less risk involved.

Really, do whichever you like, I'd personally didnt bother with the effort and money I'd have to spend to make shotgun vets. I rarely even fire anything but special weapons out of vets.