A new handheld coil gun from China is being presented as a portable form of electromagnetic firepower, with reported firing rates of 1,000–2,000 rounds per minute.
Also known as a Gauss gun, the weapon is described as a “less deadly pistol,” featuring a 30-centimeter (12-inch) barrel, a lightweight one-handed layout, and a laser pointer intended to assist aiming accuracy.
Developed by China South Industries Group Corporation, the system also includes an onboard display that shows battery status, ammunition count, and selected firing mode.
Its detachable magazine is mounted behind the central grip, allowing the electromagnetic coil system to extend along much of the chassis and increase projectile acceleration distance.
“With further improvements in power and precision, such weapons could be deployed in military operations and may replace conventional firearms in certain scenarios,” military commentator Zhang Xuefeng told CCTV.
“As advancements in high-energy-density battery technologies continue, electromagnetic weapons are expected to play an increasingly important role in future warfare.”
Potential Roles
Compared with earlier test versions, the latest model reportedly uses a slightly longer barrel and fires larger, heavier projectiles, delivering greater kinetic energy.
Its power output can be adjusted, letting operators reduce energy levels for non-lethal use and potentially disable targets without causing fatal injuries.
The weapon generates no muzzle flash or smoke, operates with a low acoustic signature, and does not eject shell casings — characteristics that may improve suitability for stealth-oriented missions.
The Gauss gun is reportedly intended primarily for non-lethal applications, with broader combat use limited by current battery power constraints.
As battery technology develops further, such systems could take on expanded roles in future military concepts and, in some scenarios, supplement or replace conventional firearms.
