500 riot gun

Description

This ESPO model was designed as a short rifle featuring an open-frame stock. It wasn't prized for precision, lacking significant accuracy; instead, its value came from its capacity to effectively saturate a broad area with fire. Critics of the CSA often remarked that the weapon perfectly embodied the CSA's operational doctrine: when uncertain, saturate the area with fire, or so the detractors claimed.

Furthermore, this riot gun incorporated a short-range stun setting, enabling the operator to alternate between lethal and non-lethal force, although the stun function was limited to a range of only 9 meters. Sales were restricted to authorized military and law enforcement agencies.

Over the period spanning the Clone Wars to the Rebellion era, the weapon saw revisions that included a weight reduction from 4.5 kg to 2.2 kg, accompanied by improvements to its accuracy at longer ranges. Consequently, the cost rose from 1,000 to 1,200 credits.

History

The Blastech 500 riot gun served as the standard-issue weapon for all Espos. These Espos frequently employed the weapon in continuous-fire mode, often disregarding potential collateral damage or harm to innocent civilians.

Sources

• Galladinium's Fantastic Technology (as BlasTech Riot Gun)
• Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear
• "Blasters and Rifles" on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
• Arms & Equipment Guide
• The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
• Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
• Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook

Notes and references