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So on a more light hearted query than some of the heavier threads lately - I have 2 bolter questions.

(1) aside from the lion's roar (azrael's combi bolter), are there any known mass-produced bull-pup bolter designs (ie magazine is inserted behind the pistol grip),or are they all 'conventional'?

(2) are there any bolters without pistol grips and which are designed with a 'traditional' rifle stock. I've seen the new kriegers going round with lucius pattern lasguns (?) which are of this 'older' look, and was curious if there was something similar for bolters.

I don't know about #1, but #2 I swear I saw art of a Catachan soldier carrying a bolter with some form of makeshift stock on it?

I can't think of any bullpups, but as Fez said Guard & Necromunda gangs have a few with stocks:

They have pistol grips as well though. I think the OP is looking for evidence of bolters looking like old style military rifles like a Lee Enfield or M1 Garand.

beast_gts wrote:
I can't think of any bullpups, but as Fez said Guard & Necromunda gangs have a few with stocks:

Spoiler:

Pistol grip though.

I mean the old stock styles like the kriegers have on their lasguns:

https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/07/warhammer-40k-online-octarius-preview-reveals-kill-team.html

As a poster mentioned, the garand, or Lee Enfield, mauser, or other ww2 rifles are another good descriptor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Garand

Closest I've seen is the palanite enforcer boltgun which is more of a half stock (don't know the term, gun-knowers, sorry!), or what you'd see on an old flintlock than a 'true' pistol grip.

Always thought a boltgun with a traditional stock would be a cool look.

Are you thinking something like this, but from GW? This is an Anvil Industries arquebus for their Burning Rose range.

Yeah, you won't see any that aren't completely custom jobs, say something in an Inquisitor's armory. Bolters were designed a REALLY long time after stock mounted trigger assemblies were a thing.

Well my friend.

This is 40K.

Just because we’ve not seen it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Chances are where bull-up designs kick in, most Astartes in their average close ranged operations just don’t need it.

FezzikDaBullgryn wrote:Yeah, you won't see any that aren't completely custom jobs, say something in an Inquisitor's armory. Bolters were designed a REALLY long time after stock mounted trigger assemblies were a thing.

I dunno... I mean lasguns come in bullpup (see elysians and the accatran style), pistol grip (cadians) and traditional stock forms (kriegers and the lucius pattern) well after stock mounted trigger assemblies were a thing, as you say. Heck, the ad mech has an absolute thing about the traditional rifle design for their skitarii.

Hence the question on my part with regard to bolters. I know of azrael's bullpup, and cod easily imagine a single shot, bolt action modell with a traditional stock for ssharpshooter duties.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Well my friend.

This is 40K.

Just because we’ve not seen it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Chances are where bull-up designs kick in, most Astartes in their average close ranged operations just don’t need it.

Hmm, wouldn't thr bullpup design be better for close ranged operations,because of its shorter length?

That’s what bolt pistols are for. Originally all bolt weapons Even fired the same round.

You use bullpup to shorten the overall weapon while maintaining barrel length. Barrel length has never really been a thing that is important for the weapon

So other than for stylistic differences, no real need.

Deadnight wrote:



Hmm, wouldn't thr bullpup design be better for close ranged operations,because of its shorter length?

the basic boltgun isn't even that big a gun (for astartes) and really is about carbine sized for them, Marines are capable in fact of weilding boltguns one handed, and do reasonably commonly (as evidanced by one handed sooting build options in some marine kits)

So it's not like the basic boltgun design isn't an issue in close combat anyway I'd say

Flinty wrote:That’s what bolt pistols are for. Originally all bolt weapons Even fired the same round.

You use bullpup to shorten the overall weapon while maintaining barrel length. Barrel length has never really been a thing that is important for the weapon

So other than for stylistic differences, no real need.

Interesting point- thanks! Never considered bolt 'pistols' for that role.

BrianDavion wrote:

Deadnight wrote:



Hmm, wouldn't thr bullpup design be better for close ranged operations,because of its shorter length?

the basic boltgun isn't even that big a gun (for astartes) and really is about carbine sized for them, Marines are capable in fact of weilding boltguns one handed, and do reasonably commonly (as evidanced by one handed sooting build options in some marine kits)

So it's not like the basic boltgun design isn't an issue in close combat anyway I'd say

I was thinking more modern bolt rifle for size, but you raise a very good point as well, and not one I'd considered - older bolters were not exactly large.

I think Praetorian lasguns even come in bolt action configuration, loading AAA batteries

the old boltguns come with a stock, metal frame but not a stock you see on normal rifles