Laser RCW

The laser RCW is a weapon

Characteristics
The weapon only uses the ECP ammunition type, has no recoil, and features a unique reload animation. A Laser RCW Recycler modification can be added, recycling every fourth discharge. It has the second-lowest critical chance of any energy weapon in the entire game.

The maximum attainable critical hit chance with this weapon (in V.A.T.S.) is 26%. When in the third person, the stock of the weapon will not be pressed against the player character's shoulder when firing.

Durability
The laser RCW can fire a total of about 1995 times using standard packs, the equivalent of 34 reloads, or 25 reloads when modified with the recycler, from full condition before breaking.

Modifications

 * Laser RCW Recycler - Recycles and replenishes 1 in 4 shots.

Locations

 * Silver Rush - One can be bought or stolen from Gloria Van Graff.
 * REPCONN Headquarters - Can be found on one of the Fiend corpses by the locked door in the lobby.
 * Fiends occasionally carry them, more often in and around Vault 3.
 * Hidden Valley - The Brotherhood of Steel scribes often carry them, as well as Elder McNamara.
 * Novac - May be sold by Cliff Briscoe.
 * North Vegas sewers - Sometimes carried by Greasy Johnny.
 * Can occasionally be found on Bright Brotherhood members.
 * Primm - It is possible to find it inside the locked gun cabinet inside the Bison Steve Hotel.
 * Big MT - Sometimes carried by Y-17 trauma override harnesses.
 * Ulysses' Temple - Behind a locked door in the Very Easy locked locker.

Behind the scenes
Joshua Sawyer referred to the weapon as "rapid capacitor weapon." He commented that during development, they attempted to implement a continuous beam weapon but they were "catastrophically buggy." He stated that he was worried players would be dissatisfied that the weapon is not "a 'real' Thompson" but that feedback was overall positive.