It is one of the most powerful per shot weapons in the game, although it's DPS (damage per second) is quite low, due to it being a single shot weapons. Like in previous games it utilizes microfusion cells. It is often carried by Brotherhood of Steel paladins. The 'Gauss Rifle tradition' continues in New Vegas as well. The weapon is the spiritual successor to the M72 Gauss Rifle in Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel. It functions similarly to a railgun as it does not utilize chemical propellents to fire the round but electromagnetic propulsion instead. Along with dealing devastating damage the weapon will frequently knock an opponent over. The Gauss Rifle is one of the most powerful energy weapons in Fallout 3.

The weapon is used by the Enclave as well. In Fallout 2 the M72 Gauss Rifle is found near the end of the game, in San Francisco being carried by some guards or the ' Shi'. In the latter, it's usually a very rare gun, or a prototype, often it is an extremely powerful weapon. In video games, it usually appears in the science fiction or post apocalyptic genre. The rifle is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss. As of now a 'Gauss Rifle or Coilgun' is only created, and used, by hobbyists, it's not manufactured for military or law enforcement agencies. Despite this, a real life counterpart doesn't exist. This guns has appeared in several games, most notably Stalker and Fallout.

As mentioned the gauss rifle usually uses magnetic coils to propel rounds.

Fallout 2 gauss pistol