It was designed to imitate the more successful BlasTech Industries DL-44 heavy blaster pistol. Like the DL-44, the Power 5 was a high-powered, short-ranged weapon.
The Power 5's blaster gas chamber was smaller than that of the DL-44, and not very efficient. As a result the pistol was less powerful, but could fire more bolts per power cell.
Power 5 schematics.
Like the DL-44, the Power 5 is a "Broomhandle" Mauser C96 with cosmetic attachments. There has been some confusion in sources over the years between the Power 5 and the Model 44 blaster pistol, which are very similar in appearance except that one has a cut-off barrel. Whereas many sources state that the full-barrelled blaster is the Power 5 and the cut-off version as the Model 44, Star Wars Galaxies and its Trading Card Game list the cut-off barrelled version as the Power 5.
Leia holding a Power 5 blaster.
In A New Hope the full-barreled Power 5 is seen holstered with the Death Star gantry officers, as well as in promotional images wielded by Princess Leia.
In the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection "Jawa and LIN Droid" action figure set, the Jawa carries a Power 5 pistol with a full barrel and downsized grip for his smaller hands. On the cover of The Paradise Snare, Bria Tharen can be seen wielding a Power-5 with the full barrel.
- The Star Wars Sourcebook
- The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- Star Wars: Behind the Magic
- Arms & Equipment Guide
- Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided Quick Reference Guide
- Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Guide: Prima Official Game Guide
- Fly Casual