Pulling the Bolt Is a Man's Romance

There were thirteen prototype guns in the latest batch. Shotguns alone accounted for seven of them, while the bolt-action rifles came in six different models, not counting bayonet variations.

Of course, having so many models did not mean Luo Chong had actually created more than a dozen completely different firearms. Rather, they represented minor differences built on the same weapon platform.

Take the shotguns, for example. They all used tubular pump-action magazines, manual loading and chambering, side ejection ports, and bottom feeding. They looked more or less alike, but even so, slight differences divided them into a three-round, stockless micro shotgun, which itself came in internal- and external-hammer versions; a long-barreled, stocked, seven-round shotgun with a bayonet mounted underneath, also available with internal and external hammers; and finally, an eight-round, solid-stock shotgun with a side-mounted bayonet and a tube magazine the same length as the barrel.

Overall, they shared the same mechanical structure, appearance, and caliber. The only differences were their lengths, magazine capacities, and bayonet mounting positions. Even the bayonets came in three varieties, though they were not counted as separate gun types.

The bolt-action rifle modeled after the G98 was the same. Its overall structure was identical, and they all used the same caliber and design, but different combinations of front and rear sights alone divided it into four versions. There were also straight and bent bolt-handle variants. The remaining differences lay in the bayonet designs; otherwise, there was nothing different.

They were all the same gun. The reason so many models had been produced was mainly for testing. Once they determined which model was more suitable, they would finalize it and equip everyone with the standardized version.

Thirteen different weapons were laid out on the table one after another, dazzling the eyes of the surrounding Personal Guards.