The MW-20 Bryar Pistol represented a specific model within the broader family of Bryar pistols. An instance of the MW-20 was employed by Clem Andor, and subsequently, it became the weapon of choice for his adopted son, Cassian.
The MW-20 Bryar pistol model was a sizable, single-hand firearm. It was characterized by a long, substantial body centered around a compact grip. A double ammo cartridge system was located in the blaster's core, rotating upon overheating of the active cartridge to prepare a fresh one for immediate use.
The MW-20 Bryar Pistol was conceived for the Canon television show Andor. Its initial appearance occurred in the series' inaugural episode, entitled "Kassa", which premiered on September 21, 2022. Its identification was first made in the episode guide accompanying the series' third installment. From the project's inception, Martyn Doust, the series' prop master, aimed for the protagonist's blaster to possess a distinct and memorable quality. His preliminary inspiration drew from the DL-44 heavy blaster pistol used by Han Solo within the Original trilogy. He and his team reviewed various designs featured across Star Wars media and ultimately decided on the K-16 Bryar Pistol originating from the video game Star Wars Battlefront, which itself was based upon the Bryar pistol showcased in the Star Wars Legends video game Star Wars: Dark Forces. The prop designers incorporated supplementary features and design elements to enhance the weapon's memorability and visual uniqueness, resulting in its designation as a separate model within the same weapon family. The weapon's rotating cartridge mechanism was integrated into the actual prop's construction.
The MW-20, in turn, served as inspiration for the CP-2 Bryar Pistol. This weapon was incorporated into BioWare's Legends massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Star Wars: The Old Republic, on June 13 2023 as part of a bundle themed around Cassian Andor's attire from the series.