To Live and Die in L.A. is a film that chronicles a tenacious U.S. Secret Service Special Agent's investigation and pursuit of the ruthless counterfeiter who murdered the Agent's partner. The movie is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by former U.S. Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich (The Sentinel, Boiling Point) who co-wrote the screenplay with director William Friedkin.
The following weapons were used in the film To Live and Die in L.A.:
US Secret Service Agent Richard Chance (William Petersen) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 19 Snub Nose throughout the film. Agent John Vukovich (John Pankow) uses Chance's gun in a confrontation with Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe). The USSS issued this revolver before switching to SIG-Sauer pistols, and the revolver can be seen in real life footage of the Reagan assassination attempt, with several agents pulling Model 19's and Model 66's. Agent Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene) uses one when going to check out Masters' counterfeiting warehouse.
Several USSS agents use Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolvers. An airport police officer holds one on Agent Chance (William Petersen) when he arrests Carl Cody (John Turturro). Rick Masters' (Willem Dafoe) bodyguard Jack (Jack Hoar) uses a Model 15 when Jeff Rice (Steve James) and his thugs attack Masters. Chance uses a Model 15 when he and Vukovich (John Pankow) rob the undercover FBI agent. Carl Cody also uses one when Chance breaks into his girlfriend's apartment looking for him.
Jack (Jack Hoar), the bodyguard of Masters (Willem Dafoe), uses a Mossberg 500 Cruiser throughout the film. He uses it when confronting Agent Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene) at the beginning of the film. Jack Hoar was a retired and highly decorated 29-year veteran of the LAPD.
Several USSS agents carry Ithaca 37 shotguns, notably when agents raid Rick Masters' counterfeiting warehouse.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingIthaca 37 Deer Slayer Police Special (note the rifle sights and riot-length barrel) - 12 gaugeError creating thumbnail: File missingA USSS agent (left) holding an Ithaca 37 when agents raid Rick Masters' (Willem Dafoe) counterfeiting warehouse. The agent with the bolt cutters is author (and still an active Secret Service agent at the time of filming) Gerald Petievich.Error creating thumbnail: File missingSeveral Ithaca 37s are seen in the locker next to Agent Vukovich as he puts away his shotgun.
