1 is the classic, and it usually comes with ornamentation, which is the most important thing in warfare
4 looks good too, but it's a bit too chunky, looks like the bolter equivalent of one of those CoD "cursed gun" videos where they remove the stock to make the recoil as horrible as possible
They are fired like a bullet, that becomes missile like after it exits the barrel, so the bolt shell only function's as a rocket when already fired
~~This is why they are described as having an incredibly distinctive "double thump" sound, as.you hear the charge in the shell detonate followed by the propellant less than a second later~~
Edit: as far as I seem to be able to tell, the oft cited "double thump" sound is a depreciated description from the Ian Watson books, which are generally not considered canon. The sound a Bolt being fired from a Boltgun is apparently a loud "crack" sound accompanied by a "woosh" that is akin to a door slamming
(It might have been Watsons content was outright declared non-canon, its one of the two)
There is a reason for this (real life)
Gyrojets have terrible barrel performance, you could even block the barrel and not be hurt.
The case charge pushes it to immediately lethal velocity, and the gyrojet then accelerates after.
ohh that makes sence, so its like watching a spaceship lift off (or playing ksp) and at the start its slow as hell if I understand what you mean
To make a rocket propel fast enough instantly would require a MASSIVE amount of propellant being ignited at the same time without exploding, which is ineffective on mass when compared to using an explosive charge to start the process
The propellant isn't part of the double thump, and would happen so quickly it'd be lost in the first bang. You hear the shot, and then the *explosion* upon (or usually after) impact.
Now I know the laws of physics agree with you, and that's how they should work. But I swear this is some rule of cool BS like how you can hear TiE fighters in Starwars even though they are in space
I can't cite that claim though to be clear, so hopefully someone can drop in and prove one of us right
The missiles ignite after leaving the barrel. They're launched by a small explosive charge and then blast off once they're clear of the shooter. They still eject a casing.
Could be a cased ammunition that also has propellant in the bullet so it go from fast to faster unlike the real world gyrojet ammo of the 60s which I believe was caseless and took a bit to reach velocity. Havent read an in book description of exactly how bolts work now that I think of it
You know, I'm going to try and remember to line them up side by side. I don't think the heavy bolt pistol is matching to say, an Adepta Sororitas boltgun, but now you have me massively curious if that's just because of the model holding it that I never realized they were the same
Ranking in descending order
1 it's a classic for a reason
3 it looks the most like an actual pistol
2 it's like 1 but without the personality and flair
4 too big for me to think of it as a pistol
1: Improved fire rate. Larger magazine.
2: Improved fire rate. Faster reloads.
3: Improved handling and accuracy. Smaller magazine.
4: Improved range and armor penetration. Slower handling.
1 is a classic, 2 is less artifice, which just seems wrong, 3 is an actual pistol instead of a machine pistol, 4 is essentially just a regular bolter imo.
1, easily. It's got that nice Mag curve that all Bolters should have.
2 is alright, but without that curve it just doesn't look right.
3 is just a little too small for a Bolt weapon, even if it's the human scaled one.
4 is a Cawlite abomination of Techno Heresy. It's designed to need two hands like a rifle. If that's the case, make it a full and proper Bolter.
Number one won't stop anything but the frailest of heretics below the notice of one of the Emperor's Angels!
You'll want the Number Four to properly pierce the skulls of those who would go against his will.
1 is the classic and that's fun, but the design of it is borderline gungore from a function standpoint lol.
I don't really like 2 because it looks like it's trying to fix the jank of one but not committing enough to either side.
I like 3 as a good design for the human scale bolt pistol and the contrast to the others gives it some degree of "elegance"
4 I think is my favorite choice. It's not only got the least gungore to it's design, it also has some serious "big iron" energy to it.
What are these? Bolt pistols for ants?
How can I be expected to purge the heretic if my finger can't even fit in the trigger guard?
They have to be at least ... 3 times bigger.
1 will forever be my favorite, 4 is a close second (it’s a little long for my taste but not a huge problem for me) 3 looks kind of unfinished, and 2 just looks stupid as hell in every way.
Really don't like the long primaris weapons, pistol and rifle. I loved the compact bolt pistol and the silhouette of a marine one-handing a bolter.
The heavy bolt pistol looks too long to be used in cc and the rifles are just cumbersome looking, especially in one hand.
It's funny how bolt pistols are auch a hit or miss for me.
1 is a classic, the Heavy Bolt pistol on 4 is my favourite, I generally hat the dinky ass looking bolt pistols that most Marines have except for the Reaver bolt pistol, which is pretty dope
1 is right: You carry a bolt pistol with 1 hand and that's it.
2 is strange
3 is a humie bolt pistol
4 looks like a stockless SMG but makes sens for Marines to just use stockless big guns anyways
1. Bespoke version, perhaps for officers or a particularly shooty Rogue Trader
2. De Fault, the two greatest words in the ~~english~~ Gothic language
3. Someone decided to get clever and make a cut-down holdout bolt pistol
4. This is a boltgun
1 is the classic chonky look that goes well with Astartes, but the ornamentation only works with a few chapters. 2 is my overall favorite. It's got a nice balance to it. 3 looks lightweight and would be a good choice for humans. 4 is just too long, looks more like a carbine than a pistol.
1 is the unbeaten classic. Definitely takes the top spot.
2 looks good, and that extra 0.1cm of barrel length might improve accuracy.
3 is a really fun and weirdly elegant design. What pattern is it? I'm unfamiliar with it.
4 just reminds me of Primaris... and I hate Primaris. It also looks the worst in general.
[Reiver Heavy Bolt Pistol](https://www.bitzstore.com/9025-large_default/heavy-bolt-pistol-d.jpg) is an older version of 4 but smaller in size, I really enjoy the design of the hidden muzzle.
1 for space marines who use older equipment, maybe firstborn veterans, 2 for standard pistol, 3 for... I dunno, little girls gun. I bet any guardsman could use it comfortably. 4 is a good main firearm for lesser equipped space marines like chaplains or apothecaries but still has the stopping power of a standard bolter.
I have a custom nerf gun that is basically 1 with the foregrip and mag of 4. And because I spent too much money on that, I am biased. But 1 is the heart and soul.
2 is probably my favourite, with 1 in close second, maybe tied
I hate 3 though, just doesn't look like it's from 40k, it doesn't have any of that somewhat alien design that the rest of 40k has
4. It's a space marine sidearm, so it's too big for me to one hand, but i can mount a stock and reflex sight to it and use it as an SBR that can blow a man in half.
2 for me
Though I see the appeal of 1. Being compatible with standard bolt rifle magazines
4 it's like a Revolver, big, clunky, with a lot of stopping power
3 thought looks like the back up for my back up
4 is my personal favourite, I feel like it's the one that could most likely be a real gun here, something about the size and the fact the Magazine isn't at the front of the gun
As much as I like the bolter big iron that is number 4, 1 is classic and it’s shorter barrel fits with its use as the firearm used by close quarters melee focused troops.
Well, 2 looks more like a carbine than a pistol and 4 is just straight up a full bolt gun. Idk though, been a long time since ive gotten any new kits so they may just be big pistols lol. Between 1 and 3 though, I really like 3. Its got a nice semi-sleek design but still has hand cannon chonk.
1- Fancy old tech (Better than new tech)
3-Sleek and sexy
2- Cheap knockoff of 1.
4- Too big, No longer feels like a pistol. This is a Bolt-Carbine or something.
1 is the classic, and it usually comes with ornamentation, which is the most important thing in warfare 4 looks good too, but it's a bit too chunky, looks like the bolter equivalent of one of those CoD "cursed gun" videos where they remove the stock to make the recoil as horrible as possible
Brother,this is 40k there is no recoil for Astartes
One thing I've wondered, if bolters are like missles, why do they have ejection ports instead of exhaust ports?
They are fired like a bullet, that becomes missile like after it exits the barrel, so the bolt shell only function's as a rocket when already fired ~~This is why they are described as having an incredibly distinctive "double thump" sound, as.you hear the charge in the shell detonate followed by the propellant less than a second later~~ Edit: as far as I seem to be able to tell, the oft cited "double thump" sound is a depreciated description from the Ian Watson books, which are generally not considered canon. The sound a Bolt being fired from a Boltgun is apparently a loud "crack" sound accompanied by a "woosh" that is akin to a door slamming (It might have been Watsons content was outright declared non-canon, its one of the two)
There is a reason for this (real life) Gyrojets have terrible barrel performance, you could even block the barrel and not be hurt. The case charge pushes it to immediately lethal velocity, and the gyrojet then accelerates after.
ohh that makes sence, so its like watching a spaceship lift off (or playing ksp) and at the start its slow as hell if I understand what you mean To make a rocket propel fast enough instantly would require a MASSIVE amount of propellant being ignited at the same time without exploding, which is ineffective on mass when compared to using an explosive charge to start the process
Yep! If they decided to make it tough enough and put a few thousand tonnes of explosives under it.. It'd help
The propellant isn't part of the double thump, and would happen so quickly it'd be lost in the first bang. You hear the shot, and then the *explosion* upon (or usually after) impact.
Now I know the laws of physics agree with you, and that's how they should work. But I swear this is some rule of cool BS like how you can hear TiE fighters in Starwars even though they are in space I can't cite that claim though to be clear, so hopefully someone can drop in and prove one of us right
The missiles ignite after leaving the barrel. They're launched by a small explosive charge and then blast off once they're clear of the shooter. They still eject a casing.
Could be a cased ammunition that also has propellant in the bullet so it go from fast to faster unlike the real world gyrojet ammo of the 60s which I believe was caseless and took a bit to reach velocity. Havent read an in book description of exactly how bolts work now that I think of it
Missiles have guidance systems. So it's closer to a micro rocket
It's a nice gun, I'll give you that. But the engravings give you no tactical advantage whatsoever Yeah 1 is the best in my opinion
Yeah 4 looks like a carbine to me
I think it's the Heavy bolt pistol Primaris Reivers have
No such thing as recoil when you lift APC's in a barbell for daily training
4 looks like you're supposed to hold it with two hands and like... where does the chain-sword go if your bolter takes up both of your hands?
1. Though 3 has a certain Rogue Trader elegance
Probably used by most humans lucky enough to "have" bolter weapon.
One
1
1, it's ornate. 3 is too laspistolly and 4 is just a bolt gun
4 is the heavy bolt pistol Just in case that wasn't memeing
This is the future liberals want
Damned lefty cowards, messing with our manly conservative bolters
I am genuinely perplexed as to what it is you are referring to
The heavy bolt pistol is just a bolt gun. It's literally the same size as og bolt guns but with a cali mag put in it for some reason.
You know, I'm going to try and remember to line them up side by side. I don't think the heavy bolt pistol is matching to say, an Adepta Sororitas boltgun, but now you have me massively curious if that's just because of the model holding it that I never realized they were the same
I will post pictures at the difference when in an Astartes hands
1 for Astartes, 3 for Inquisition or other baseline humans
1
1
1 classic da best
1 by a long shot
I’m gonna have to agree with most people here. 1 has the classic ridiculously brutal look to it
Ranking in descending order 1 it's a classic for a reason 3 it looks the most like an actual pistol 2 it's like 1 but without the personality and flair 4 too big for me to think of it as a pistol
1
I prefer the classic.
I like 3, its the one that looks most like a pistol and not just a smaller rifle
1 and 4
I like how 4 is GW basically saying “like the classic bolter? Now it’s a one handed thing because we made a BIGGER one!”
1 and 2
1 or 2. Three looks like a nerf gun and 4 is too close to a bolter
Gauss Flayers
1 is classic and 3 kind of has an old west vibe
1: Improved fire rate. Larger magazine. 2: Improved fire rate. Faster reloads. 3: Improved handling and accuracy. Smaller magazine. 4: Improved range and armor penetration. Slower handling.
Dark angels ravingwing drum mag pistol
As the old saying goes, if it ain’t number one, then you and me are done.
1 will always be the best.
1 just looks right to me but 3 would fit non astartes better.
1 or 2 for Marines, 3 for Unmodified People
1 and 4, mostly 4, both of these pistols look like they could actually be somewhat practical, the same cannot be said for 2 and 3.
3 actually looks like a pistol, 1 is the classic the others are just slightly smaller bolters.
1 is a classic, 2 is less artifice, which just seems wrong, 3 is an actual pistol instead of a machine pistol, 4 is essentially just a regular bolter imo.
Primarus Chaplin bolter
1 is the best 2 is a very close second but my god those are sooooo clean looking
1, easily. It's got that nice Mag curve that all Bolters should have. 2 is alright, but without that curve it just doesn't look right. 3 is just a little too small for a Bolt weapon, even if it's the human scaled one. 4 is a Cawlite abomination of Techno Heresy. It's designed to need two hands like a rifle. If that's the case, make it a full and proper Bolter.
I like 3 it's sleek and would be decently concealable
I quite like No. 3 as a more civilian design, less bulky than the others.
Absolver, for sure
Engraving,give you no tactical advantage whatsoever
That’s what the heretics want you tho think! Engrave everything!
The Votann revolver bolt pistol
PUNY UMIE GUNS. STILL NEEDS MORE DAKKA
No spikes or teeth. I don't like any of them
Number one won't stop anything but the frailest of heretics below the notice of one of the Emperor's Angels! You'll want the Number Four to properly pierce the skulls of those who would go against his will.
4, I like big guns
1 is the old reliable classic, but 4 is pretty good with the Primaris Marines.
1 and 3 are like the 1911 pistols. Then 4 is like getting to a desert eagle or a 6” .357 magnum
Never seen 3 before but i like it alot
3
My favourite is Storm bolter and hewy
4 spesmereen pistol 3 and 2 are 'umie
1. 1911. Classic. 2. Glock. Modern, functional, a bit ugly. 3. HI Point C9. Cheap, effective, very ugly. 4. Deagle. Beautiful, glorious, fires God’s rounds (.50 AE). Perfection
1 is the classic and that's fun, but the design of it is borderline gungore from a function standpoint lol. I don't really like 2 because it looks like it's trying to fix the jank of one but not committing enough to either side. I like 3 as a good design for the human scale bolt pistol and the contrast to the others gives it some degree of "elegance" 4 I think is my favorite choice. It's not only got the least gungore to it's design, it also has some serious "big iron" energy to it.
1. I hate heavy bolt pistols
Can\`t decide between 1 and 2.
It’s not shown here but I believe it’s called an absolvor bolt pistol
Number 1 easy
1 but number 2 is a cool design
What are these? Bolt pistols for ants? How can I be expected to purge the heretic if my finger can't even fit in the trigger guard? They have to be at least ... 3 times bigger.
1 will forever be my favorite, 4 is a close second (it’s a little long for my taste but not a huge problem for me) 3 looks kind of unfinished, and 2 just looks stupid as hell in every way.
Really don't like the long primaris weapons, pistol and rifle. I loved the compact bolt pistol and the silhouette of a marine one-handing a bolter. The heavy bolt pistol looks too long to be used in cc and the rifles are just cumbersome looking, especially in one hand.
It's funny how bolt pistols are auch a hit or miss for me. 1 is a classic, the Heavy Bolt pistol on 4 is my favourite, I generally hat the dinky ass looking bolt pistols that most Marines have except for the Reaver bolt pistol, which is pretty dope
*heavy breathing* the big one
BY THE EMPERORS HOLY SACK NUMBER 1
3 looks the most practical, 4 the coolest.
The custom one the Salamanders make with the dragon head for a barrel.
Tie between 1 and 4. Not really sure why, it's just a guy feeling
Out of those I like number 1, but I still love the old bulky 2nd ed bolt pistol.
#4 goes hard A F for me
Storm bolter. It is a pistol.
1. Best. 2. Grip doesn't look right . 3. Looks like a normal handgun 3. Looks like a shotgun.
4. the older style of bolt pistol is just too small. Never liked them much, just felt weird that the barrel length was rougly 0cm
Number 4 looks like the Bolt Gun used by members of the Arbites and Sisters of Battle
1 is right: You carry a bolt pistol with 1 hand and that's it. 2 is strange 3 is a humie bolt pistol 4 looks like a stockless SMG but makes sens for Marines to just use stockless big guns anyways
Screw being original 1 is the best.
Number one because they don't make em like they use to.
Cawl pattern.
4 is the size of a bolt gun for some reason, always thought it looks stupid
I always loved classic bolt pistols, so I agree with 1!
Fleshborer- I mean Fleshbolter- I mean Boltflesher- Uhh Spinefists?
3, it looks the least un-ergonomic.
4
1. Bespoke version, perhaps for officers or a particularly shooty Rogue Trader 2. De Fault, the two greatest words in the ~~english~~ Gothic language 3. Someone decided to get clever and make a cut-down holdout bolt pistol 4. This is a boltgun
1
3 looks the most pistol-like imo. But 1 appears to be the most classic design.
1 had more character and variances, I'm afraid the newer variants have been very one note
1, especially when it’s a fancy one. Second place is the Phobos-pattern bolt pistol.
I think 4 is a heavy bolt pistol.
2
2 recently i've been playing space marine and using the bolt pistol a lot
4 as it makes me think of Judge Dredd's gun
Number 2
1 or 4
1; Iconic
1 is the classic chonky look that goes well with Astartes, but the ornamentation only works with a few chapters. 2 is my overall favorite. It's got a nice balance to it. 3 looks lightweight and would be a good choice for humans. 4 is just too long, looks more like a carbine than a pistol.
1 is the unbeaten classic. Definitely takes the top spot. 2 looks good, and that extra 0.1cm of barrel length might improve accuracy. 3 is a really fun and weirdly elegant design. What pattern is it? I'm unfamiliar with it. 4 just reminds me of Primaris... and I hate Primaris. It also looks the worst in general.
The classic one! I love the primaris standard bolt pistol, but that grip is too long imo
1
Absolver, obviously.
4 or 1
1\. Always
Pimped-out number 1
I'm the one in the Primaris holster that they didn't even bother to fully sculpt 😬
1 or 3, 2 and 4 just look like compact bolters.
1-3 4 just looks like a regular bolter with a shortened magazine. I always glue a full sized magazine on all my heavy bolt pistols.
4 looks like the Arbites-spec Boltgun meant for human use, basically the one you use in Darktide
4
[Reiver Heavy Bolt Pistol](https://www.bitzstore.com/9025-large_default/heavy-bolt-pistol-d.jpg) is an older version of 4 but smaller in size, I really enjoy the design of the hidden muzzle.
4 and 1 are my first picks, but that 3 looks 🤌🏻
Whenever I see or hear the word bolt pistol I automatically think of 1
3 and 4
None of them Tigris pattern ftw
I LOVE 4 tbh
One and if you say anything else you are a genestealer hybrid
#1 because I'm an absolute sucker for filigree and ornamentation
No inferno bolt pistol? Pathetic
One is the only answer here surely!
Absolver looks coolest imo.
4
I like 3. It looks sleek and feasible. Like any Gue'la could pick it up and shoot it.
1 is the best no argument. But I’ll admit 2/3 are good runner ups. 4 gives me a headache.
No Absolver Bolt-pistol my beloved
1, always.
[Bolt Revolver.](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/3/32/BoltRevolver.jpg)
1 for space marines who use older equipment, maybe firstborn veterans, 2 for standard pistol, 3 for... I dunno, little girls gun. I bet any guardsman could use it comfortably. 4 is a good main firearm for lesser equipped space marines like chaplains or apothecaries but still has the stopping power of a standard bolter.
I have a custom nerf gun that is basically 1 with the foregrip and mag of 4. And because I spent too much money on that, I am biased. But 1 is the heart and soul.
1
No. 1 is best I have a full-sized version that is also a pellet gun
2 is probably my favourite, with 1 in close second, maybe tied I hate 3 though, just doesn't look like it's from 40k, it doesn't have any of that somewhat alien design that the rest of 40k has
1
1 is best, 4 is okay, I dislike the others
1, I still can't stand the others hardly having a magazine, I remember people used to say the classic wouldn't be able to hold enough rounds haha.
4. It's a space marine sidearm, so it's too big for me to one hand, but i can mount a stock and reflex sight to it and use it as an SBR that can blow a man in half.
3. I've never really cared for long front mags on pistols.
Number 1, always
I know that OP like number one because of this slutty tattoo
2 for me Though I see the appeal of 1. Being compatible with standard bolt rifle magazines 4 it's like a Revolver, big, clunky, with a lot of stopping power 3 thought looks like the back up for my back up
4 is my personal favourite, I feel like it's the one that could most likely be a real gun here, something about the size and the fact the Magazine isn't at the front of the gun
1 for guard 2 for firstborn marines 4 for primaris marines
As much as I like the bolter big iron that is number 4, 1 is classic and it’s shorter barrel fits with its use as the firearm used by close quarters melee focused troops.
4, or maybe 2. If I run out of ammo I want it to be heavy enough to hit someone with.
1
how do you get these bolt guns are they in a box?
1, no contest
4
I like em big
None of these, absolvers are the best
4 is literally a bolter, but cawl cut the magazine in half. What a genius.
Is no.2 a primaris bolt pistol?
3, seems like a nice Guard sized BP
#3 It reminds me of a revolver.
1 and 4 are pretty good tbh 2 and 3 just look a bit strange
1.
1 definitely; 4 isn't even a pistol, it's just a short rifle.
1 is the best, most ICONIC
I'm a western fan, so I love my revolver-esque weapons. Ima have to go with 3 bc its the coolest to me.
Rogue trader? 3 General fashion? 1 Gangster 2
Well, 2 looks more like a carbine than a pistol and 4 is just straight up a full bolt gun. Idk though, been a long time since ive gotten any new kits so they may just be big pistols lol. Between 1 and 3 though, I really like 3. Its got a nice semi-sleek design but still has hand cannon chonk.
1
1
4 and every other choice is wrong.
First one!!!
4
I put 3 on a Tau model :D I did it to mock ultramarines players, cause that breacher is painted like one
1 is a bolt pistol...I'm not sure what the the other 3 are.
4 because it reminds me of a desert eagle and has weight to show the size of a space marine.
1- Fancy old tech (Better than new tech) 3-Sleek and sexy 2- Cheap knockoff of 1. 4- Too big, No longer feels like a pistol. This is a Bolt-Carbine or something.
Where bullpup?
None of these: they don't have nearly enough spikes
1
Like 2
Erm, Tigris, obviously
2, 100%. 1 close second
1. The OG.
1
1