Han Solo uses a DL-44 heavy blaster pistol, made by BlasTech Industries and heavily modified for a fast draw. He carries a single DL-44 in a low-slung holster from his first appearance in A New Hope (1977), and it stays with him for most of his life.
Quick Specs
| Blaster | DL-44 heavy blaster pistol |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BlasTech Industries |
| Carried | Single sidearm, low right-hip holster |
| Modifications | Motion-sensitive scope removed; detachable macroscope; cooling unit under the barrel |
| First appearance | A New Hope (1977) |
| Original prop base | Antique Mauser pistol with a modified MG 81 barrel part |
Where Han Got His DL-44
In canon, Tobias Beckett hands Han the blaster on Mimban, as shown in Solo: A Star Wars Story, after stripping off its rifle parts: the stock, long barrel, and D3x macroscope. Wookieepedia's entry for Han's specific gun adds that he removed a motion-sensitive scope to speed up his draw.
Reference books disagree on whether it was always the same pistol. The Visual Encyclopedia (2017) suggests he used several DL-44s, while Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition (2019) says it was the same gun throughout. Either way, the shape never changes on screen.
How the Original Prop Was Built
Wookieepedia credits set decorator Roger Christian, working with George Lucas, with building the 1977 prop from an antique Mauser pistol fitted with a modified MG 81 barrel part and a scope. That mix of real antique parts and sci-fi add-ons is why the DL-44 still looks grounded decades later.
Collectors usually choose between a scoped and an unscoped version, and between a clean finish and a smuggler's worn look. Both suit a classic-trilogy display with warm lighting and a leather-style holster.
Building a Han Solo Kit
Han's kit is simple, which puts the focus on the blaster: a white shirt, a black vest, blue trousers with red piping, and a low-slung leather-style holster tied to the thigh. Keep the DL-44 in that holster on the convention floor. At home, a matte stand angled at about thirty degrees shows off both the scope and the barrel, and a warm light source brings out the metallic finish.
Owning a Replica
For a classic-era kit, the DL-44 is the anchor piece, and it photographs best in a holster or on a low angled stand. The DL-44 heavy blaster 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 longer DL-44 replica guide covers display ideas in more depth. For other options, browse the Star Wars blaster pistol and sidearm replicas, and keep any convention build within your event's prop rules.
FAQ
What gun did Han Solo use?
A modified DL-44 heavy blaster pistol by BlasTech Industries.
What real gun is Han Solo's blaster based on?
The original prop was built from an antique Mauser pistol with a modified MG 81 barrel part, per Wookieepedia's production notes.
Who gave Han Solo his blaster?
Tobias Beckett, on Mimban, in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Sources
- StarWars.com Databank: DL-44 Blaster Pistol
- StarWars.com Databank: Han Solo
- Wookieepedia: Han's heavy blaster pistol
Part of the Star Wars Blaster Database: who carries which blaster, where it first appeared, and where to find a display replica.