E-36 series

The E-36 Blaster series was a series of blasters manufactured by BlasTech Industries, aimed at governmental militaries, and to a lesser extent the civilian market in which they were well received.

## Physical and Technical Specifications

### Range

* Maximum: 1500m
* Optimum: 1000m

### Capacity

* Gas cartridge: 750 shots
* Power cell: 100 shots

The E-36 Blaster Rifle, also known as the E-36 Heavy Blaster Rifle to fit with its official classification, started the series off. The Rifle was just under one meter long, and weighed three and one third kilograms making it reasonably lightweight; however its weight was not an indication of poor durability, as the rifle was specifically designed to be easy to use and durable to last in a variety of conditions. It came equipped with a scope offering 1, 4, 8, and 20 levels of magnification and a multi-position adjustable stock; and could be fired in both semi-automatic and burst fire modes, while also featuring a third "safe" firing mode that rendered it unable to fire. It featured a ammunition counter on the right side, which tracked how many shots were left for the power pack.

## Physical and Technical Specifications

### Range

* Maximum: 1500m
* Optimum: 1000m

### Capacity

* Gas cartridge: 750 shots
* Power cell: 100 shots

The E-36c Blaster Carbine was a shortened variant of the E-36 Blaster Rifle optimized for closer range engagements while still providing the barrel length and bolt focusing to not reduce the range. For this reason, it could be said that it still was too long to use in some engagements; and often in these engagements the E-36s was used. Some time after the introduction of the E-36c and E-36s, a shorter "cqb" variant was developed to fill the role, more or less making the carbine model obsolete to most militaries. Similarly to the rifle, it came equipped with a scope offering 1, 4, 8, and 20 levels of magnification and a multi-position adjustable stock; and could be fired in both semi-automatic and burst fire modes, while also featuring a third "safe" firing mode that rendered it unable to fire. It featured a ammunition counter on the right side, which tracked how many shots were left for the power pack.

## E-36k

The E-36k is a more compact variation of the E-36c blaster carbine, meant to further address issues with size in regards to the space the user was fighting in. It was used as short-barreled rifle, or "submachine gun", often by marines. Like the rest of the series, it featured the capability to charge a bolt twice as powerful as normal without damaging the weapon, at twice the expense of ammunition; and the grip would vibrate when there were only 5 shots remaining to inform the user. It came equipped with a variable zoom optic; and could be fired in a semi-automatic mode, burst fire mode, or automatic firing mode, while also featuring a fourth "safe" firing mode that rendered it unable to fire. It featured a ammunition counter on the left side, which tracked how many shots were left for the power pack. It also featured an adjustable stock.

## E-36s Blaster Pistol

The E-36s Blaster Pistol is a sidearm variant of the basic design aspects of the E-36, thus classifying it as a blaster pistol. Designed as a secondary weapon for use either in close range or as a last resort, it was a surprising move to give it the same "love" that the rest of the series received in regards to simplicity in operation and in durability. It featured the capability to charge a bolt twice as powerful as normal without damaging the weapon, at twice the expense of ammunition; and the grip would vibrate when there were only 5 shots remaining to inform the user. It came equipped with a holographic red-dot sight offering no magnification; and could be fired only in a semi-automatic mode, while also featuring a second "safe" firing mode that rendered it unable to fire. It featured a ammunition counter on the left side, which tracked how many shots were left for the power pack.

Example of concept, not actual appearance

## Physical and Technical Specifications

### Range

* Maximum: 1050m
* Optimum: 500m

### Modes of fire

* Safe
* Semi-Automatic
* Burst fire
* Automatic fire

### Capacity

* Gas cartridge: 550 shots
* Power cell: 100 shots

## Advertising and targets

The E-36 series was generally targeted towards government backed militaries, Planetary Defense forces, and the occasional mercenary contractor who might be hired by a government. Additionally they were targeted towards bounty hunters; and although they were not the most covert weapons, this inevitably led to them seeing a bit of use by assassins and other hired individuals performing different operations and contracts of questionable legality. Because of this, they were mostly advertised to this clientele.

While weapon regulation varied from planet to planet, those with looser regulations often saw these weapons in the hands of civilians; the civilians seeing them as a reasonable investment due to their high quality, and something that was increasingly necessary as the galaxy saw more conflict. This also led to them being widely available on the black market, both to criminals and to common citizens who, save their ownership of said weapons, are law-abiding.

## History and reputation

The first E-36 Blaster Rifles came out late into 15 ABY, with production increasing in the first part of 16 ABY. The E-36c and E-36s were introduced a couple of years later, in 18 ABY, due to high demand in these areas. In 21 ABY, a shorter cqb variant was introduced to solve some of the shortcomings of the E-36c.

Historically, the first contracts were most likely made by the New Republic military and the Planetary Defense Forces on many of the New Republic's member worlds; who needed a modern weapon to use in place of the A280 and E-11 Blaster Rifles, the latter of the two having become more available via confiscation from pro-Imperial factions. This is commonly credited with making the weapons more popular, and soon after non-Republic aligned planets soon began to use them as well. Additionally some planet's police forces also acquired usually small numbers of them to have on hand. When the E-36s came out it was widely received as well, with it's durability and performance matching that of the widely popular DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol; and large orders were placed by many customers of the E-36 and also newer clients who were previously unsure about making the switch from their existing and most likely outdated weapons. In 24 ABY, the Galactic Sith Empire, under the cover of being another Planetary Defense force, acquired large numbers of these weapons as an initial purchase for their growing military. They would later become the standard issued weapons for the Imperial Navy, Army, and Stormtrooper Corps; and many more purchases would be made.

## Physical and Technical Specifications

### Range

* Maximum: 100m
* Optimum: 60-75m

### Capacity

* Gas cartridge: 200 shots
* Power cell: 50 shots

The reputation of the series was mostly positive, with almost all of the negative feedback coming from the E-36c. The reason for this is that the weapon, while marketed for use in tighter environments, was seen as being to long still to be used in some close quarters, such as on a starship. Overall, the E-36 seemed to replace such well known weapons as the A280, E-11, and DLT series in reputation, availability and widespread usage; with the E-36s similarly seeming to replace the DL series and other well known blaster pistols in reputation, availability, and widespread usage.