Rifts Up Close: C-18 Laser Pistol

By Tim Willard

Produced by the Coalition States before it was even a unified country, the C-18 laser pistol is one of the most common military grade energy pistols available and found on the North American continent. The C-18 pistol has been around for so long that the CS Patrols of the disputed areas or wilderness don't even bother confiscating the weapon.

Manufactured in Iron Heart, Free Quebec, Chi-Town, and even Lone Star, this weapon is produced by the thousands annually and all of them look the same to the naked eye.

However, there are two specific differences in the pistol which are not noticeable to the naked eye:

C-18 Laser Pistols manufactured by Lone Star and Free Quebec weigh only 2.6 lbs and are more accurate than their Iron Heart or Chi-Town counterparts.

Pistols manufactured in Lone Star contain the three round burst option, pistols manufactured in Free Quebec carry the standard payload of the old PLP-20, officially labeling these two variants C-18A and C-18B respectively.

Although "common" knowledge has it that the Chi-Town developed these weapons and shared the technology with Iron Heart, Free Quebec, and Lone Star, these weapons are products of the Golden Age. Some officers and long time military families still possess their original NEMA issued pistols, which are visually indistinguishable from the C-18. The Coalition States claims that the weapon was developed by reverse engineering the old weapons of the Golden Age.

The weapon is made of heavier, inferior grades of polyceramic, as well as having inferior laser focusing matrixes compared to the old PLP-20, making it heavier and pack less of a punch. The power conduit leads are more ineffecient and the less advanced lazing matrix makes the weapon consume more power than the old model.

Freelance weaponsmiths have been known to replace the lazing matrix, power conduits, and focusing arrays with better material, bringing the pistol up to PLP-20 damage and power consumption, reducing the weight, and improving the balance and accuracy. However these modifications alone can cost more than triple the price of the original C-18.

During the time span of 38 PA and 52 PA, the CS, under the leadership of Joseph Prosek I, sold literally thousands of these pistols on the open market.

The standard model does not accept attachments, but many CS soldiers mount a scope on it, Burbs officers usually mount a scope on top, and illumination device on the bottom, and a laser targeter on the side, making the weapon somewhat barrel heavy, but highly useful in the urban warzone known as the Burbs.

Many Burbs officers, Dog Pack officers, and power armor soldiers or special forces have the weapon modified to provide the burst fire mode, although this unauthorized modification is technically illegal. Typical Cost: 1,200 Cr

• Sidecar or Underslung Illuminator: This modification can be placed under the barrel, in front of the trigger guard. Available in UV/IR/ or visible light (with a twist of the forward housing) this light is usable to a 25m range, providing a narrow cone of light. (1.5m wide at 5m, 2m wide at 10m, 2.25m wide at 15m, 2.5m at 20m, 2.6m at 25m) This is often used in high threat, low light areas. Average Cost: 50 Cr
• Sidecar or Underslung Laser Scope: Although it sounds strange to have a laser scope on a laser pistol, many officers felt that the addition of the laser scope would increase accuracy. With the loss of the normal sights, this addition quickly became standard issue. This is a standard "red-dot" laser targeter. Average Cost: 250 Cr
• Scope: On the top, a scope can be added. The standard scope utilizes x2/x3/x5 magnification, as well as passive nightvision. Average Cost: 150 Cr for magnification only, 350 Cr for a passive nightvision, and 550 for a combination sight.
• Iron Sights: A front sight post and a rear sight bracket are often added to the weapon to increase its accuracy in trained hands. Average Cost: 50 Cr

Weight: 4 lbs
Length: 9"
Caliber: 1.25 cm
Maximum Range: 600m (1800 feet)
Maximum Effective Range: 300m (900 ft)
Typical Combat Range: <50m (<100 ft)
Magazine Capacity: 10 shots from a standard eclip, 15 from an extended e-clip, 100 from a hip pack.
Manufacturer Cost: 2,200 Cr
Wholesale Cost: 7,000 Cr
Manufacturer's Recommended Price: 12,000 Cr
Black Market Price: 15,000 Cr
Wilderness Price: 500 Cr

Note: OK, a little explanation: The Manufacturer Cost is how much it costs, including plant employee wages, overhead costs, and raw material, to produce one of the items. Wholesale Price is how much they sell the product for to the end supplier. Manufacturer's Recommended Price is how much they estimate the weapon should cost for resale. Black Market Price is the cost for one in someplace like Fort El Dorado, NOT the Chi-Town Burbs. The Wilderness price is how much the PC's can sell one of these items for out in the badlands. The MOST they will ever get for the weapon is the Wholesale cost when they try to sell to the Black Market.