China has unveiled a handheld electromagnetic coil gun pistol designed for stealth and non-lethal operations.
The weapon, developed by state-owned China South Industries Group Corporation, can fire up to 2,000 projectiles per minute. It solves a key problem for law enforcement: stopping a target without killing them.
The news comes from state broadcaster CCTV, which reported on Saturday that the lightweight gun has a barrel just 30cm (12 inches) long and can be held in one hand. It is an electromagnetic launcher, also known as a Gauss gun.
China South Industries Group Corporation built the weapon. The same company has also worked on larger electromagnetic cannons for the military.
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Traditional firearms produce muzzle flash, smoke, loud noise, and discarded shell casings — all of which reveal a shooter’s position. This coil gun makes very little noise, no flash, and leaves no casings. That makes it ideal for stealth operations and law enforcement scenarios where surprise matters.
How Does It Work?
The gun uses electromagnetic coils to fire metal projectiles at high speed. Users can adjust the electric current to change the projectile’s power and speed based on distance. A laser pointer improves accuracy. An electronic display shows battery life, ammunition count, and firing modes.
Real-world uses include subduing suspects without killing them. Military commentator Zhang Xuefeng told CCTV that by spreading impact force over a larger area, the gun can effectively disable a target while reducing the risk of death. Power levels can be lowered to make the weapon less deadly. It can penetrate wooden boards from dozens of metres away.
Battery power limitations are the main reason the weapon is currently suited only for specialized non-lethal applications. Zhang noted that as battery technology advances, such weapons could eventually supplement—or even replace—traditional firearms in certain combat situations.
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China is also developing much larger electromagnetic weapons — including a coil gun that fires a 124kg projectile and a rail gun tested on a naval vessel as early as 2018. This handheld version shows that the technology is shrinking. If battery limits are solved, future soldiers could carry silent, flashless weapons that are both deadly and non-lethal with a simple power adjustment.
