One problem with a firearm is the time it takes to reload. In many cases, this can mean that it is only usable once before hand-to-hand combat is joined. The pike gun is an attempt to get the best of both worlds. The gun barrel also forms the shaft of a polearm or battle axe. In practice, it is a compromise which does neither weapon any favours. In both its uses it suffers from a -10 'to hit' modifier and the gun adds +20 to misfire effect rolls owing to the strain involved in using its barrel as a polearm.