Stormtroopers use the E-11 blaster rifle, the standard-issue BlasTech Industries weapon of the Empire's stormtrooper corps. StarWars.com's databank notes its telescopic sight and adjustable stock, and it has been the stormtrooper's signature since A New Hope (1977).
Quick Specs
| Blaster | E-11 blaster rifle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BlasTech Industries |
| Configuration | Telescopic sight, adjustable folding stock |
| Predecessor | E-10; derived from the clone-era DC-15A, per Wookieepedia |
| First appearance | A New Hope (1977) |
| Original prop base | British Sterling submachine gun (Mk.4 / L2A3) |
From Clone Wars to Empire
In-universe, Wookieepedia describes the E-11 as BlasTech's replacement for the E-10 and a descendant of the DC-15A carried by clone troopers. That lineage is visible in the shape: a compact body, side-mounted magazine housing, and a folding stock that tucks away for close quarters.
From the Tantive IV corridor in A New Hope onward, the E-11 is everywhere the Empire is, which is why it is the default long arm for any stormtrooper costume.
The Real-World Prop
Wookieepedia credits set decorator Roger Christian with choosing a British Sterling submachine gun (Mk.4, the same gun Wikipedia lists as the L2A3) as the base for the 1977 prop, rented from the armorers Bapty & Co and dressed with a scope and rubber T-track strips. Later films used purpose-built non-firing replicas instead.
Collectors split between a clean, parade-ready finish and a worn field look. Either way, the E-11 reads best mounted horizontally on a dark wall with plenty of space around the stock.
Building a Trooper Kit
Stormtrooper costumes are among the most standardized in fandom, and costuming clubs publish detailed requirements, so check those before choosing a replica if you plan to join one. Keep the E-11 slung or in a low-ready carry on the floor, and follow event prop policies. For home display, a horizontal wall mount above a helmet shelf is the classic Imperial look, especially in groups of two or three for a squad wall.
Owning a Replica
For a trooper kit or an Imperial wall display, the E-11 is the essential piece. The E-11 blaster rifle replica at Destiny Guns is a non-firing, fan-made display piece with no moving parts, built for cosplay kits, shelves, and wall mounts. Our E-11 replica guide covers armor-build display ideas. For other options, browse the Star Wars blaster rifle and carbine replicas, and keep any convention build within your event's prop rules.
FAQ
What gun do stormtroopers use?
The E-11 blaster rifle made by BlasTech Industries.
What real gun is the E-11 based on?
The 1977 prop was built on a British Sterling submachine gun (Mk.4, also known as the L2A3), per Wookieepedia and Wikipedia.
Do death troopers use the E-11?
They carry a specialized variant, the E-11D, introduced in Rogue One.
Sources
- StarWars.com Databank: E-11 Blaster Rifle
- StarWars.com Databank: Stormtroopers
- Wookieepedia: E-11 medium blaster rifle
- Wikipedia: Sterling submachine gun
Part of the Star Wars Blaster Database: who carries which blaster, where it first appeared, and where to find a display replica.