Lasgun

This article refers to elements from Original Dune
Pages for this subject as it appears in other canons:

Expanded Dune · The Dune Encyclopedia

Grace Aldrich - Moneo & Dead Duncan — Moneo Atreides holding Duncan Idaho's Ixian lasgun - Art by Grace Aldrich

A lasgun (or laser weapon) was a continuous-wave laser projector weapon that was perhaps the most widely used hand-held weapon in the Imperium. It commonly took the form of a pistol or rifle. Its firing pattern was typically a constant, narrow beam, but the nozzle could sometimes be adjusted to alter the width and spread of the beam. Its power source was a cell cartridge that could be replaced when depleted.

Size and form could vary from small, handheld lasguns to long field-models and large and armored heavy duty models. The Cutteray was essentially a Short-range version of a lasgun used mostly as a cutting tool and surgeon's scalpel.

During the days of the Old Imperium, lasguns were often ornate in their design, with detailed scrollwork embedded into their handles, which were usually some exotic wood. However, by the time of the Honored Matres, the designs had become less intricate and more functional. Lasguns were the preferred weapon for armies. However, when shields were being employed, lasguns were generally not used because contact reaction between a lasgun beam and a shield created a nuclear explosion that often killed everyone within a large radius.

Lasguns had adjustable intensity settings. The highest was known as 'Maxibeam'. ^[1]

During the time of the Faufreluches, many soldiers and assassins preferred knives and swords in combat, both because they safely penetrated personal shields, and because of newfound appreciation for the art of swordsmanship.

Known models[]

Lasgun
- Laser Pistol (handheld Lasgun)
  - modern field-model lasguns
  - small lasgun
- Lasrifle
  - long field model
- Lascannon (large lasguns)
  - Antiaircraft weapons
  - antique harkonnen lasguns
  - Armored Lasgun
  - Assault Lasgun
  - heavy duty Lasgun
  - Lasbeams