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They Live

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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They Live is a 1988 science-fiction film written (under a pseudonym) and directed by John Carpenter. In the movie, a drifter (the character is never named but Roddy Piper is credited as Nada) finds himself in Los Angeles looking like many in the country for work. Upon landing a job at a construction site, Nada befriends another worker who takes him to a shanty camp site for the homeless. After the camp’s shifty organizers run from a police raid, Nada's curiosity leads him to some sunglasses. When he puts on the glasses, he discovers the secret truth behind the upper echelon of society.


The following weapons were used in the film They Live:

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They Live (1988)


Colt Python

Nada (Roddy Piper) is confronted by two LAPD officers in an alleyway. Nada manages to knock them out and relinquishes them of their sidearms. One such sidearm is a Colt Python revolver. Nada puts the officer’s utility belt over his shoulder and across his chest with the revolver holstered on the belt.

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Colt Python Stainless Steel variant with 6" Barrel - .357 Magnum
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Nada picks up the officer's Colt Python.
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Nada checking the cylinder of the Colt Python.
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Nada shooting the Colt Python.
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Colt Python seen inside Nada's waistband at Holly's apartment.

Smith & Wesson Model 28

Besides the Colt Python, Nada (Roddy Piper) also takes the other officers sidearm, a Smith & Wesson Model 28. You can see this revolver tucked into his waistband when he walks into the bank. He is also seen with the revolver when he forces Holly to give him a ride.

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Smith & Wesson Model 28 - .357 Magnum
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"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass ... and I'm all out of bubblegum." Smith & Wesson Model 28 in Nada's waistband as he enters the bank.
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Nada grabs Holly while holding the Smith & Wesson Model 28.
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Good view of the Smith & Wesson Model 28.

Smith & Wesson Model 36

Later in the film, Gilbert gives Frank (Keith David) a Smith & Wesson Model 36 square frame.

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Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 special.
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Frank's Smith & Wesson Model 36 given to him by Gilbert.
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Frank holds the Model 36 on the way to the safe house.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

A Smith & Wesson Model 10 is carried by a bank guard who uses it to shoot at Nada.

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Smith & Wesson Model 10 - 4 inch barrel - .38 special.
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Bank Guard/Alien fires what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 10.

Walther PP Pistol

Holly (Meg Foster) uses a Walther PP pistol with nickel finish and pearl grips later on in the film.

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Nickel Walther PP Pistol - .32 acp.
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Holly (Meg Foster) holds a Walther PP pistol with nickel finish and pearl grips.

Beretta Jetfire

Gilbert (Peter Jason) gives Nada a Beretta Jetfire. Nada keeps the pistol concealed in his shirt sleeve and later uses it on the roof.

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Beretta Jetfire - .25 acp
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Nada conceals his Beretta Jetfire in the sleeve of his shirt.
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Nada taking aim with the Beretta Jetfire.
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Nada shooting the Beretta Jetfire.
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Firing the Beretta Jetfire.

Desert Eagle

Nada (Roddy Piper) picks up a Desert Eagle MkI pistol from the table of guns at the safe house. He later uses it in the Studio 54 building.

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Desert Eagle Mark I - .357 Magnum.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) holds the Desert Eagle.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) racks the slide of the Desert Eagle.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) on the roof with the Desert Eagle.
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Good view of the Desert Eagle.

SIG Sauer P226

Frank takes a SIG-Sauer P226 from the table of guns at the safe house. Note how the P226 seems to be fitted with a custom stainless compensator. Frank later uses the pistol in the Studio 54 building.

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SIG-Sauer P226 - 9MM
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Frank's SIG-Sauer P226 - with a LaFrance Specialties compensator
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Frank's SIG-Sauer P226
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Frank with the P226 outside the TV studio
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Closeup of Frank's SIG-Sauer P226

Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun

The LAPD uses Federal L-5 Gas Riot Guns during the raid on the homeless campsite.

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Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun - 37mm. Used by police for decades for launching CS and Smoke grenades.
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LAPD Officer carrying a Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun in the background.
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A Officer fires the Federal L-5 while raiding the tent town.
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Another LAPD Officer carrying a Federal L-5.
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Officer prepares to fire the Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun.

Ithaca 37

The Ithaca 37 appears extensively throughout the film. Nada, police officers, and various other characters are seen with the shotgun. The shotgun is configured like the real LAPD's Ithaca Shotguns and is equipped with rifle sights. The resistance member seen guarding the door later in the film is seen holding an Ithaca with the curved pistol grip.

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Ithaca Model 37 riot version - 12 gauge.
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Cop kneeing a homeless person during the raid while holding an Ithaca 37 shotgun.
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"I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass ... and I'm all outta bubble gum". Nada holds a police Ithaca in the bank.
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Muzzle flash of the Ithaca Model 37.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) fires his Ithaca 37 shotgun at a teller in the bank.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) holding his Ithaca Model 37 in the bank.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) takes aim with the Ithaca Model 37 at an officer.
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A line of officers firing several Ithaca 37 shotguns.

HK94 Conversion

The HK94A3 Conversion is used both by Nada (Roddy Piper) and the LAPD in the film. Nada acquires his from the table of guns at the safe house. The HK94A3 conversion that appear in the film have long barrel shrouds that act as a muzzle attachment producing a large unusual flash. Also vertical fore-grips are attached to the shroud. Nada's HK94 has the fore-grip positioned horizontally at the 9 o’clock position instead of the typical vertical 6 o'clock position. These weapons were supplied by Ellis Mercantile.

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Heckler & Koch 94 carbine with front pistol grip & barrel jacket
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Police storming the safe house with Heckler & Koch HK94 Conversions.
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A cop fires his Heckler & Koch HK94 Conversion in the safe house.
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The muzzle flash of a Officers Heckler & Koch HK94 Conversion - note how his fore-grip is positioned like the same way as Nada's HK94.
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Police shooting at Nada and Frank from the fire escape.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) firing his Heckler & Koch HK94 Conversion.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) one handed shooting.
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Nada (Roddy Piper) fires at the police.
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Cop on a roof top with the Heckler & Koch HK94 Conversion.

Micro Uzi

Frank picks up a Micro Uzi from the table of guns at the safe house. He uses the Micro Uzi in the ensuing battle with the LAPD until he runs out of ammunition.

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Micro Uzi with 15 round magazine - 9x19mm.
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Frank holding his Micro Uzi at the safe house.
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Another shot of Frank with his Micro Uzi.
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Frank helping Nada to his feet with Micro Uzi in hand.
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Frank fires the Micro Uzi at the LAPD.

Uzi Submachine gun

The Uzi is used by Gilbert (Peter Jason) when the police raid the resistance meeting.

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IMI Uzi 9x19mm
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Closeup of Gilbert's Uzi as he fires at the officers.
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Gilbert (Peter Jason) firing his Uzi at the approaching police.
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The officer in the foreground is firing an Uzi.
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The officer in the center is firing an Uzi.

M16 Rifle

Nada (Roddy Piper) and Frank acquire M16 rifles in the Cable 54 building and use them against Cable 54 soldiers. The Cable 54 soldiers are also carrying M16s.

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The original M16 with the 3-prong flash hider - 5.56mm
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Nada and Frank shooting up the Cable 54 Studio.
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Nada and Frank make their way through the building with their M16 rifles.
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Frank firing at soldiers in Cable 54 building.
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The three prong flash hider.

M16A1

An M16A1 is used by a Cable 54 soldier in the helicopter to shoot at Nada on the roof.

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M16A1 - 5.56mm
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Cable 54 soldier in the helicopter with an M16A1.
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Cable 54 soldier fires the M16A1.

MGC M16 rifle

A Cable 54 building soldiers is seen carrying a MGC M16 replica rifle. When Nada picks up the weapon it becomes a genuine M16 rifle.

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The MGC M16 Assault rifle: a non firing metal replica built by the Model Gun Corp of Japan and one of the most used non firing replicas of the M16 in movies and television
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Cable 54 soldier with a MGC M16 rifle. Note the fake forward assist.

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

When Frank is picking up weapons at the safe house he puts a Mk 2 hand grenade into his backpack. He later uses the grenade to blow apart a door to gain entrance to Studio 54.

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Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade
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Frank pulls the pin on his Mk2 grenade the Hollywood way, with his teeth!
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Frank's Mk2 Grenade used to breach a locked door.

Steyr GB

When the safe house is raided, a member of the resistance (Sy Richardson) tries to get off a shot at the police with a Steyr GB. His Steyr GB pistol has a weaponlight attachment.

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Steyr GB 9mm
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A member of the resistance (Sy Richardson) holds the Steyr GB that's fitted with a weaponlight.

Table of Guns

At the safe house Nada and Frank are brought to a large table containing many different types of firearms.

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Ruger Single Six

On the DVD scene selection, the bank guard has a Ruger Single Six pistol, instead of the Smith & Wesson Model 10

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Early variant of the Ruger Single Six with the black plastic grips (and Ruger Logo) - .22 LR (1953-1973). This is an early 3 screw model that was made between 1953-1962.