bolters

Bolters are fictional firearms in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They are compact, self-contained rifles used by Space Marines and various allied factions. Bolters fire explosive bolts, or bolt rounds, designed to breach power armor and create devastating blast effects. The weapons are among the most recognizable elements of Space Marines and are frequently depicted in art and fiction.

Operation relies on self-contained bolt rounds: after discharge the bolt is propelled toward the target, and upon impact the warhead detonates, delivering fragmentation and armor-penetrating effects. The rounds are valued for reliability in harsh battlefield conditions, and the weapon is typically portrayed as effective at close to medium range and in boarding actions.

Variants and usage vary by source, but the standard bolter is the common infantry arm, while larger or specialized versions such as storm bolters are depicted on vehicles, emplacements, or power armor. In the lore and in tabletop media, bolters are iconic symbols of the Space Marines, emphasized for their authority and destructive power.

Although popular in gaming and fiction, bolters are fictional weapons and do not exist in real-world arsenals. The concept has influenced science fiction weapon design and remains a hallmark of Warhammer 40,000's martial imagery.