C-14 rifle

The C-14 Impaler gauss rifle is the terran standard issue weapon to marines of the Confederate Marine Corps and the Dominion Marine Corps, and is common throughout the Koprulu Sector.

The C-14 fires hypersonic 8 mm. armor-piercing metal "spikes" which may penetrate two inches of steel plating. The weapon is fully automatic with a rate of fire of 30 rounds per second. Fully automatic fire is discouraged under most conditions. Instead a capacitor system is used to fire the weapon in short bursts, conserving ammunition and minimizing power requirements.

The rifle's power supply may be supplemented by connecting it to a CMC Powered Combat Suit.

The C-14 should not be confused with the AGR-14 rifle. Both maybe referred to as "assault rifles" but the latter may be a scaled down version of the former.

Ammunition
The C-14 is capable of firing a wide variety of ammunition;


 * Armour piercing: Used against heavily armoured targets.


 * Depleted uranium: Encompass U-238 shells/spikes. The most popular variant among Marines given that they extend the rifle's range up to 25%.


 * Hollow point spread: Flatten and expand on impact for maximum wounding efficiency. Custom made by Ardo Melnikov.


 * Incendiary: Used against structures.


 * Steel tipped: Used to maim rather than kill an enemy.

Variants
Many variants of the C-14 exist. While mostly reflecting the changing artwork of the StarCraft universe, there are some key changes in function;

1st Variant
The first known variant of the C-14 was in use in the original StarCraft era. Although a slightly bulky weapon, it still featured a far more streamlined appearance than later versions, CMC Armor not being required to wield it. The rifle features two grips; the smaller grip, used by unarmored shooters, requires the user to use both hands to keep the barell steady. CMC armored soldiers however hold it using the larger grip, able to carry (and shoot) one-handed, although doing so still reduces accuracy. The rifle possesses an LED (light-emitting diode) indicator for ammunition, keeping tally of the ammunition left in its 500 round clip. In addition, the rifle is capable of firing fragmentation grenades, being fitted with a laser designator. and having an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) attachment. Grapples may also be fired from the muzzle. For defensive arrangements, it may be mounted as a gun emplacement (eg. from a guard tower).

At some point after the Brood War, the rifle was seemingly replaced by the second and third variants. Judging by StarCraft: Ghost screenshots however, it still remains in use.

2nd Variant
The second variant of the C-14, known as the "Heavy Gauss Rifle" appears in StarCraft: Ghost. It is the most bulky of the variants, featuring a handle for easier portability. It features an in-built grenade launcher attachment.

3rd Variant
The third variant of the C-14 appears in StarCraft II. The third variant appears to have been designed with a different mentality than its predecessors, as it features a bayonet attachment and can be used in conjunction with a Ballistic Alloy Combat Shield Like the 1st variant, it carries 500 rounds per clip.

Trivia

 * Based on loading animations, the second variant of the C-14 appears to be based on the real life M203 grenade launcher attachment to the M16 assault rifle and M4 carbine.