The ripper was highly versatile and upgradeable. When properly modified and in the hands of a capable marksman, they proved devastating to opponents. They also ignored personal shielding, giving the wielder an advantage in ranged combat if both combatants were shielded.
Despite being a slugthrower, it was legally classified as a disruptor weapon, and thus banned for civilian use on most Republic worlds.
A heavier rifle version existed during the Great War.
A variant of this weapon was the ripper, which was also a pistol designed to penetrate personal energy shields.
In 3961 BBY, while Revan was searching for the Star Map on Kashyyyk, his group was ambushed in the Shadowlands by cloaked Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. After being lured out of hiding, the commander of these Mandalorians finally attacked Revan's party. He was equipped with a Mandalorian ripper.