Editing Gauss rifle

{{InfoBoxWeapon
| image = [[File:Gauss Rifle.jpg|191px]]
| name = Gauss Rifle
| Type = Ballistic (Direct-Fire)
| Tech Base = [[Clan]] / [[Inner Sphere]] (IS)
| Year Availability = 
Clan = [[2828]] 
IS = [[3040]] 
| Year Introduced = 
Clan = [[2828]] [[Clan Burrock|CBR]]
IS = [[2587]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]<ref name="IOp71">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 72, "Gauss Rifle-P"</ref>
| Year Extinction = 
IS = [[2865]]<ref name="TM289"> ''TechManual'' p. 289, "Heavy Weapons And Equipment - Table"</ref> <ref name=SSWp102>''Second Succession War'', p. 102, "Rules Annex - Weapons and Equipment Extinction Table"</ref>
| Year Reintroduced = 
IS = [[3040]] [[Free Worlds League|FWL]]<ref name="TM289"/>
| Tech Rating = 
[[Technology Rating#E|E]]<ref name="TM289"/>
| Availability Rating =
| Age of War–Star League = [[Availability Rating#D|D]]<ref name="TM289"/>
| Succession Wars = [[Availability Rating#E|E]]<ref name="TM289"/>
| Clan Invasion – Present = [[Availability Rating#D|D]]<ref name="TM289"/>
| Legality Rating = [[Legality Rating#A - F|A - F]]
| Heat = 1<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Damage = 15<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Minimum Range = 2<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Short Range = 1-7<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Medium Range = 8-15<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Long Range = 16-22<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Tons = 
Clan = 12
IS = 15<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
| Critical Slots = 
Clan = 6
IS = 7<ref name="TRO:2750p7"/>
Proto = 8
| Ammo Per Ton = 8
| Cost (unloaded) = 300,000<ref name="TM289"/>
| Ammo Cost (per ton) = 20,000
| BV (1.0) = 321
| BV (2.0) = 320<ref name="TMp317">''TechManual'', p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"</ref><br> 40 (Ammo)<ref name="TMp317"/>
}}

== Description ==
Introduced in [[2590]] by the [[Terran Hegemony]], the '''Gauss Rifle''' utilizes a series of electromagnets to propel slugs of ferrous nickel-iron alloy at extremely high velocities, making it a devastating and lethal long-range weapon.<ref name="TMp219">''TechManual'', p. 219, "Standard Gauss Rifle"</ref>  So powerful is it that one hit from a Gauss Rifle is capable of killing nearly any [[Light 'Mech]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3055'', p. 26</ref> Unlike most traditional ballistic weapons, the Gauss Rifle does not use combustible propellant, so its firing generates very little heat. However, the sheer mass and bulk of the weapon limits its applications.<ref name="TMp219"/>  The Gauss Rifle also has fairly heavy power requirements which, if used at the same time as similarly energy-intensive systems, forces the unit's computer to cycle and allocate power to meet the demands.  If for example a [[MechWarrior (pilot)|pilot]] tried to fire both a Gauss Rifle and several [[lasers]] at once, there would be a delay in the time it would take to get the entire salvo off.<ref name=BL19>''Blood Legacy'', Ch. 19</ref>

Since the Gauss Rifle fires solid metal slugs, with neither propellant nor explosive, Gauss Rifle magazines are not susceptible to ammunition explosions. However, if the weapon itself is struck by enemy fire, the capacitors that power the electromagnets will release their stored energy, with an effect similar to an ammo explosion. (In game terms, a critical hit on a Gauss Rifle is equivalent to a 20-point ammo explosion.) Some 'Mechs employ [[CASE]] in the section containing the Gauss Rifle to protect internal components in the event the weapon explodes.<ref name="TMp219"/><ref name="BT:MRp128">''BattleTech Master Rules'', p 219, "Gauss Rifle"</ref>

Though Gauss Rifles fire standardized rounds, described as being melon-shaped and 30cm in diameter,<ref name=BL19/> they are technically capable of utilizing any object which can be propelled by magnets as "ammunition."  In an emergency a 'Mech could even muzzle-load their weapon with something like a steel girder if their ammunition feed was disabled.  Using the Gauss Rifle in this way however has a high chance of causing damage to the weapon.<ref>''Blood Legacy'', Ch 24</ref> 

The Gauss Rifle was found on a number of heavier [[Star League Defense Force]] 'Mechs, but fell out of use in the [[Inner Sphere]] during the technological decline of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. It was revived following the discovery of the [[Helm Memory Core]]. The [[Clans]] never lost the technology, and continued to refine the Star League-era weapon. Although the Clan Gauss Rifle is similar in performance and operation to its Inner Sphere counterpart, it is 20% lighter and somewhat more compact. 

''Note: The original description of the Gauss Rifle that appeared in the first printing of ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]'' listed the ammunition load as 10 shots per ton. This figure was later amended to eight shots per ton.''<ref name="TRO:2750p7">''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 7, "Gauss Rifle"</ref>

== Models ==
The Gauss Rifle is manufactured on the following planets:

===EMRG "Captain"===
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|'''Manufactured on'''  
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|'''References'''
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===Grizzard===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[Outreach]]
| [[Blackwell Corporation]]
| [[War Dog|WR-DG-02FC ''War Dog'']]
| <ref name="TRO:3055Up69">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 68, "WR-DG-02FC ''War Dog''"</ref>
|}

===Grizzard 200===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[New Earth]]
| [[Yankee Weapons Systems]]
| [[Cerberus (BattleMech)|MR-V2 ''Cerberus'']]<br>[[Sasquatch|SQS-TH-002 ''Sasquatch'']]
| <ref name="TRO;3055Up76">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 76, "MR-V2 ''Cerberus''"</ref><br><ref name="TRO;3055Up168">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 168, "SQS-TH-002 ''Sasquatch''"</ref>
|}

===Grizzard 210===
A highly modified version of the standard Grizzard Gauss Rifle, the 210 trades width for length. Though featuring a much longer barrel, the resulting weapon is slender enough to fit within the tight confines of the ''Huron Warrior'''s right arm.<ref name=TRO3055-42>''Technical Readout: 3055'', p. 42, "HUR-WO-R4L ''Huron Warrior''"</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[New Earth]]
| [[Yankee Weapons Systems]]
| [[Huron Warrior|HUR-WO-R4L ''Huron Warrior'']]
| <ref name="TRO:3055Up38">''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 38, "HUR-WO-R4L ''Huron Warrior''"</ref>
|}

===Imperator Dragon's Fire===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]]
| [[Imperator Automatic Weaponry]]
| [[Victor#Variants|VTR-9K ''Victor'']]<br>[[Atlas (BattleMech)#Variants|AS7-K ''Atlas'']]
| <ref name="TRO:3050Up90">''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 90, "VTR-9K ''Victor''"</ref><br><ref name="TRO:3050Up108">''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 108, "AS7-K ''Atlas''"</ref>
|}

===Inokuma===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[Betelgeuse]]
| [[Aldis Industries]]
| [[Regulator#Variants|Regulator II Hover Tank]]
| <ref name="TRO:3085p30">''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 30, "Regulator II Hover Tank"</ref>
|}

===Kali Yama Grand Slam===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
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|----
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|}

===Omega 12-Coil===
Clan spec
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===Oriente MagCoil Model M===
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===M-7===
Clan spec
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
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===NAIS Mk. I===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
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|----
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===Norse-Storm  M-7D===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
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===Poland Main Model A===
Developed under the Poland brand by Johnston Industries, the Main Model A is one of the most common and popular post Helm Memory Core Gauss Rifles available in [[Federated Suns]] space. Matching the spec of Star League era Gauss Rifles used by the SLDF, the Main Model A has an excellent track record and a well deserved reputation as both an accurate and reliable weapon.<ref name=SSaD-55>''Starterbook: Sword and Dragon'', p.55 "Rules Annex - Prototype Weapons and Equipment - Gauss Rifle"</ref> <ref name=TM-92>''Tech Manual'', pp. 92-93 "The Mechanized Battlefield - Battlefield Roles - Main Battle Tanks"</ref> <ref name=TM-219>''Tech Manual'', p. 219 "Weapons and Heavy Equipment - Gauss Rifles"</ref>

Following the legal fallout surrounding the BattleMech scale [[Magshot]], as part of the settlement between Johnston and [[Federated Industries]], Federated received the perpetual rights to produce the Poland Main A, which is manufactuered and marketed by its heavy weapon [[Hurricane Defense Systems]] division primary to the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] market.<ref name=HHD-171>''Handbook: House Davion'', p. 171 "Economics - Just Business"</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| [[Coventry]]
| [[Coventry Metal Works]]
| [[Hollander#Variants|BZK-F3 ''Hollander'']]<br />[[Banshee (BattleMech)#Variants|BNC-5S ''Banshee'']]/[[Falconer|FLC-8R ''Falconer'']]
| <ref name=TRO:3055Up24>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 24, "BZK-F3 ''Hollander''"</ref><br><ref name=TRO:3050Up104>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 104, "BNC-5S ''Banshee''"</ref><ref name=TRO:3055Up62>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 62, "FLC-8R ''Falconer''"</ref>
|-
| [[Hesperus II]]
| [[Defiance Industries]]
| [[Gunslinger|GUN-1ERD ''Gunslinger'']]
| <ref name=TRO:3055Up72>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 72, "GUN-1ERD ''Gunslinger''"</ref>
|-
| [[Quentin]]
| [[Independence Weaponry]]
| [[Gunslinger|GUN-1ERD ''Gunslinger'']]
| <ref name=TRO:3055Up72>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 72, "GUN-1ERD ''Gunslinger''"</ref>
|}

===Poland Main Model C===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
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===SCI===
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===Series II===
Clan spec
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===Thunderstroke Series 2b===
Clan spec
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
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|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
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===Zeus Slingshot===
Manufactured in the Free Worlds League, the Zeus Slingshot matches the spec of Star League era Gauss Rifles used by the SLDF.<ref name=SSaD-55/> <ref name=TM-219/>

{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
| 
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===Zhi-tong-yao===
{|class="wikitable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
|'''Manufactured on'''  
|'''Manufactured by'''
|'''Typically used in'''
|'''References'''
|----
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{|class="wikitable sortable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
! Brand
! Planet
! Company
! Used by
! References
|-
| [[Kali Yama Grand Slam]] 
| [[Kendall]]
| [[Kali Yama Weapons Industries]]
| [[Orion#Variants|ON3-M ''Orion'']]
| <ref name="TRO:PROTOp132">''Technical Readout: Prototypes'' p. 132, "OSM-3 ''Orion''"</ref>
|-
| [[Oriente MagCoil Model M]]
| [[Emris IV]]
| [[StarCorps Industries]]
| [[Carronade|CRN-7M ''Carronade'']]
| <ref name="TRO:3145FWLp34+">''Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League'', p. 34-35, "CRN-7M ''Carronade''"</ref>
|-
| [[NAIS Mk. I]] (Prototype)
| [[New Avalon]]
| [[NAIS]]
| 
| {{cn}}
|-
| [[Norse-Storm  M-7D]]
| [[Loxley]]
| [[Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated ]]
| 
| {{cn}}
|-
| [[Poland Main  C]]
| [[New Syrtis]]
| [[Johnston Industries]]
| 
| {{cn}}
|-
| [[SCI]]
| 
| 
| 
| <ref name=BTVG>"BattleTech Video Game", Equpiment</ref>
|-
| [[Zeus Slingshot]]
| [[Irian]]<>[[Stewart]]
| [[Irian BattleMechs Unlimited]]<br>[[Corean Enterprises]]
| [[Tempest|TMP-3M ''Tempest'']]<br>[[Cyclops|CP -11-A ''Cyclops'']]
| <ref>''Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade'', p. 50, "TMP-3M Tempest"</ref>
|-
| [[Zhi-tong-yao]]
| [[Victoria (CC)|Victoria]]
| [[Shengli Arms]]
| 
| {{cn}}
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
! Brand
! Planet
! Company
! Used by
! References
|-
| [[Omega 12-Coil]]  
| [[Satalice]]
| [[Gorton, Kingsley & Thorpe Enterprises]]
| [[Marauder IIC#Variants|''Marauder IIC'' 7]]
| <ref name="TRO:3085p284">''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 284, "''Marauder IIC'' 7"</ref>
|-
| [[Series II]] 
| [[Weingarten]]
| [[w-7 Facilities]]
| [[Carnivore|Carnivore Assault Tank]]
| <ref name="TRO:3085p140">''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 140, "''Carnivore''"</ref>
|-
| [[Thunderstroke Series 2b]] 
| [[Tokasha]]
| [[Tokasha MechWorks]]
| [[Behemoth (BattleMech)#Variants|''Behemoth'' 2]]
| <ref name="TRO:3085p120">''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 120, "''Behemoth'' 2"</ref>
|-
| [[M-7]]
| [[Betelgeuse]]
| [[Aldis Industries]]
| [[Regulator#Variants|Regulator II Hover Tank]]
| <ref name="TRO:3085p30">''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 30, "Regulator II Hover Tank"</ref>
|}

==Variants==
*Prototype Gauss Rifle (GR-P): prior to the introduction of the standard Gauss Rifle the [[Star League Defense Force]] fielded prototypes of the weapon design during the [[Reunification War]]. These prototypes were functionally identical to the standard Gauss Rifle, with two exceptions: the prototypes took up one additional critical slot, and jammed in a fashion identical to that of the [[Ultra Autocannon]] on a to-hit roll of 2.<ref name="H:RWp179">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 179-180, "Gauss Rifle (GR-P)"</ref>
*Gauss-X: The [[Federated Commonwealth]] field tested experimental versions of the Gauss rifle during the closing months of the [[War of 3039]].  Employed by elite units of the [[AFFS]] and [[LCAF]], these prototypes required an additional critical slot and could jam in certain cases.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 145</ref>  The [[Draconis Combine]]'s [[9th Ghost]] regiment was also able to jury-rig two of their ''[[Hunchback]]'' [['Mechs]] with prototype Gauss rifles during combat on [[Elidere IV]].  While providing the design with superior long-range firepower, the recoil was too much for the machines and they were removed after the end of the war.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 136</ref>
*[[Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle|Silver Bullet]]: An early attempt to introduce cluster functionality to the Gauss Rifle family, the Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle had some major drawbacks that were difficult to overcome, and did not see widespread use.
*[[Light Gauss Rifle]]: The Light Gauss Rifle was invented to be smaller and lighter, that way it could be carried on lighter mechs. It had the obvious consequence of doing less damage, but carried twice as much ammunition and had a slightly longer range to make up for it.
*[[Heavy Gauss Rifle]]: The polar opposite of the Light Gauss Rifle, the Heavy Gauss Rifle trades range and a large ammunition capacity for raw damage output, but it has the downsides of mass, enormous bulk, and so on. An improved version needed to be developed later on.
*Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifles: Coming in sizes [[HAG 20|20]], [[HAG 30|30]] and [[HAG 40|40]], these are Cluster-firing weapons which are able to do an incredible amount of damage for their size. 
*[[MagShot]] and [[Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle]]: These small, lightweight defensive weapons are usually mounted on BattleMechs for long-range anti-infantry work, but are also useful against mechs (though not by much).
*[[Naval Gauss Rifle]]: The Naval Gauss Rifle is a considerably upsized version of the Gauss Rifle for use on [[WarShips]], but what makes the design especially notable is that it has what is essentially a built-in version of [[CASE]], making it suitable for protecting the vessel and crew from a Gauss Rifle explosion. Interestingly, there is no Sub-Capital version of the weapon, which would be ideal for dropships.
*[[Mass Driver]]: Just when mankind thought Gauss weapons wouldn't get any bigger, they did just that, and it can be rather terrifying what these will do to a planet.

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[BattleTech (Video Game)|BattleTech]] (Video Game)
* ''[[BattleTech Master Rules]]''
* ''[[Blood Legacy]]''
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[The Lance Killer]] BattleCorps Story''
* [[Second Succession War (Sourcebook)|''Second Succession War'']]
* ''[[TechManual]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3039]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3060]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League]]''

[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Heavy Weapons]]
[[Category:Ballistic Weapons]]
[[Category:Ballistic Weapons (Heavy)]]
[[Category:Gauss Weapons]]
[[Category:Gauss Weapons (Heavy)]]