@ArgentBanner
I hate to be the “erm asckually” guy, especially for a series as balls to wall as 40k, but
I hate to be the “erm asckually” guy, especially for a series as balls to wall as 40k, but
Tldr: rockets have backblast, bolters have no place for gas to escape, bones go bye bye
Rocket launchers typically have little recoil due to most systems being metal tubes with lots of room for gas to escape, with the projectiles causing a lot of backblast, which is that gas escaping the back of the tube. And knowing WH, it’s not too hard to believe that the reason it’s rocket propelled is more because they want more boom boom. Not to relive recoil.
Even then, RPGs, which I’m using as a comparison to Bolters, still have at least enough recoil to fly out the s hands (ever see that video of the guy firing a Stinger and it flies out his hands?)
In the case of the bolter, the reason it appears to not have recoil is either due to the Space Marines being super human or a non SM using a downsized bolter (see, Commissars and bolt pistols, which would still have recoil due to… y’know.) Not to mention the ejection port or muzzle wouldn’t be able to release enough gas to reduce recoil since it’s a rocket.
There’s also just evidence in GW media. In Darktides, there’s recoil (or at least gun bounce, but that’s prolly for gameplay reasons. I doubt actual bolter recoil would be fun). In Battle Sisters, there’s recoil. I use these two cause these are games where you don’t play as a SM
Finally, we have to add just how big most bolters are. The weight would almost certainly either play against you or into you. Either it’s gonna be too heavy and you’re gonna shoot it at your feet, and/or if you do manage to life and fire it, the backblast will send a giant hunk of blessed steel into your shoulder.
So uh… not a good time all around.
