Plasma Rifle (Fallout: New Vegas)

The plasma rifle is a weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background
Created for the US Army shortly before the Great War, this plasma rifle variant is a lightweight urban warfare weapon. In contrast with the P94, it does not have a superconducting barrel nor the electromagnetic claws - just the plasma bolt chamber and a discharge coil.

It was developed by REPCONN Aerospace for the pre-War Enclave sometime between 2076 and 2077, as part of a weapons research program initiated by Colonel Moretti of the US Army. After buying out the company, RobCo used REPCONN's rocket related plasma technology and repurposed it into energy weapon research, the project took off because Poseidon Energy's similar research into plasma weapons, Project SEMELE, failed.

Characteristics
It is described by Simon to be "as slow as a mule but with a kick to match," in contrast to the laser rifle.

Modifications
Also sets the iron sights off to the right of the actual destination of the shot. (Xbox 360/unverified)
 * Plasma rifle mag. accelerator - increase the speed of the plasma bolt.

Variants

 * Van Graff plasma rifle
 * Q-35 Matter Modulator

Locations

 * One in Eddie's desk in the Administrative Building of the New California Republic Correctional Facility. Taking the rifle is considered stealing from the Powder Gangers.
 * One can be found simply lying on the ground southwest of the Horowitz Farmstead at the Griffin Wares Sacked Caravan
 * Used by Simon and the Van Graffs guards.
 * One can be found in the REPCONN Headquarters, on the northeastern side of the building, behind a couple of average locked doors.
 * One easy way to obtain a plasma rifle is to go to the Silver rush and buy one or steal one from the very easy locked crate out front, but be warned the guard will turn hostile if you choose this path.
 * Fiends sometimes carry this weapon.
 * During the quest Unfriendly Persuasion, some of the mercenaries may carry this weapon.
 * One may be found in Nipton in the Town Hall, in a gun cabinet in the room (locked - average) behind the Mayor's desk.
 * One can be bought from Cliff Briscoe in Novac in Dinky the Dinosaur.
 * One can be stolen from inside the Hidden Valley bunker, in a room near the command center.
 * Each Van Graff Thug carries one, if you let the Silver Rush explode (during Birds of a Feather) you will be able to receive multiple plasma rifles, as well as combat armor.