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A needlegun, also known as a needler, flechette gun or fletcher, is a firearm that fires small, sometimes fin-stabilized, metal darts or . Theoretically, the advantages of a needlegun over bullet firearms are in its compact size, high rate of fire, and extreme muzzle velocity. The needle presents less frontal area than a bullet, producing less drag and thus more effective range (especially in water) than a wider projectile of the same mass and velocity. There have been experiments to make guided flechettes that can home in on targets.
Senseney claimed the M-1 was designed for the US Army Special Forces to be used in the Vietnam War but never got there due to not being able to get into the US Army's logistics system in time."Charles A. Senseney testimony", Church Committee, September 18, 1975 Flechette ammunition encased in a sabot was available for the M-16, shotguns, and other weapons for use in Vietnam.
At the same time several makes of underwater firearms fired a steel bolt just over 4 inches long (but without fins).
In William Gibson's novel Neuromancer, the character Molly Millions uses a flechette pistol.
In Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash, characters use a modified version of a needle/railgun called Reason.
In Michael Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius stories, the title character uses a transistorized needlegun.
In Terry Brooks's Genesis of Shannara stories, multiple characters use flechette guns.
In TSR's 1982 science fiction role-playing game Star Frontiers, a "needler" was a common weapon with multiple variations existing in the game.
In Bungie's 1996 video game sequel, Marathon Infinity, the KKV-7 10mm SMG Flechette makes its debut and introduces the player to an extreme rate of fire.
In the Halo video games, originally developed by Bungie, the Needler is an alien weapon that fires homing crystalline needles that explode after a delay. In 2010, the Needle Rifle was introduced to the series with the release of .
In , a flechette rifle called the S6 Stingray can be unlocked. It is a two-round burst tactical rifle firing high damage serrated projectiles. Impact blasting projectiles can be equipped for maximum damage.
In Fallout 2 there is a pistol variant of flechette firing weapons known as the "Needler Pistol".
In the videogame F.E.A.R., there are several 10mm flechette nailguns.
In Cruelty Squad, there are flechette firing shotguns, an assault rifle, and a PDW.
In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, Needleguns are occasionally mentioned as being used by non-military combatants, such as inquisitors and assassins.
In Frank Herbert's Dune novel, many organizations and houses wielded flechette projectile weapons, and a needlegun is featured in the 1984 film adaptation as a pistol wielded by Gurney Halleck.
In Robert A Heinlein's novel The Number of the Beast, the character Deety (Deja Thoris Burroughs-Carter) owns an illegal flechette pistol for self-defence.
In David Weber's Honorverse, several factions use flechette guns.
In K. A. Applegate's Animorphs, the alien race of Howlers use flechette guns.
In Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, flechette guns are used by many military and police forces.
In the Altered Carbon TV show, Takeshi Kovacs uses Ingrum 40 Flechette Gun for a period, a high tech needlegun pistol that magnetically pulls fired flechettes back into the bottom of the gun and automatically reloads them into the magazine.
In Bob Shaw's Night Walk, the protagonist, Sam Tallon, is blinded by being fired upon at point-blank range by hornet guns, which may be similar to needleguns, although they are also drugged, probably to increase incapacitation or pain.
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