Survivors

Survivors Country UK Language English Channel BBC One Creator Terry Nation Adrian Hodges Genre Drama Post-Apocalyptic Disaster Broadcast 2008-2010 No. of Seasons 2 No. of Episodes 12 Main Cast Character Actor Tom Price Max Beesley Greg Preston Patterson Joseph Samantha Willis Nikki Amuka-Bird Jenny Walsh Freema Agyeman Sean Neil Dudgeon

Survivors was a drama shown on BBC One, BBC Entertainment (South Africa), BBC America, NRJ 12 (France), Channel Nine (Australia) and on the BBC iPlayer service, split into 2 seasons and 12 parts. The program was a re-imagining of the classic 1970s BBC post-apocalyptic program Survivors (1975-1977). It follows the survivors of a flu-like virus which kills approximately 99.9% of the world's population. Despite the action following the small pocket of survivors living in Great Britain where access to short barreled handguns is restricted to holders of a section 5 firearms certificate, police officers and military personnel, handguns are commonly seen in the series, this could be due to the large number of handguns illegally owned by criminals. Surprisingly, bolt-action rifles and lever-action rifles are not seen, despite being reasonably easy to own in the United Kingdom. Shotguns are also reasonably common in both the United Kingdom and the Series and where most probably looted from deceased owners or gunsmiths. Automatic weapons are also seen in the series, which is not unlikely, as a large amount of automatic weapons are available to the government, who are the only faction to posses them initially. It was canceled by the BBC after two seasons in 2010.

Handguns

Browning Hi-Power

A Browning Hi-Power is the first gun seen in the series. It is seen in the hands of escaped criminal, Tom Price (Max Beesley), who loads the thirteen rounds into the magazine and fires the gun at a near-by tree. The gun was previously encased in a waterproof bin-liner and submerged in a rainwater collection barrel. The ownership of handguns is highly restricted and they are essentially banned for private ownership. The Browning Hi-Power was used by the UK military and remains popular amongst criminals (such as Tom Price)

Classic Commercial Browning Hi Power (Belgian Mfg) - 9mm

Tom Price (Max Beesley) (aptly a criminal with lots of (now worthless) pound notes) arms himself with a Browning Hi-Power

Another view of the Browning Hi-Power

Another view of the Browning Hi-Power

Beretta 92FS

In a later episode, the main protagonist ends up in a sustainable community, headed by the lone surviving member of the British political system, Samantha Willis (Nikki Amuka-Bird). When they capture two 'raiders', they decide to to exercise some justice, by (in a very 'British' manner) shooting one of them squarely in the head with a Beretta 92FS pistol, a firearm that is nearly impossible to acquire through legal channels. This firearm was most likely looted from one of the very few legal handgun owners, taken from a United States military installation, obtained though government armouries or looted from a police evidence room.

In season two, the gun is seen again. Willis uses it to great effect in episode 3, and in episode 6 the main protagonist Abby Grant holds the same gun to Dr. Whitaker's head.

Beretta 92FS - 9mm

The Beretta at the hands of a very shaken Samantha Willis

Another view of the Beretta

Another view of the Beretta

Willis again holding a gun to Greg Preston's (Patterson Joseph) face.

Apparently, the character of Samantha Willis is based on the historical figure of Oliver Cromwell.

Dr. Whitaker finds himself in a very bad situation.

Beretta 87 'Cheetah'

Seen in the last episode of season 2. Dr. Whitaker gives the gun away shortly after it is shown.

Beretta 87BB .22LR

Dr. Whitaker loads and cocks a Beretta 87 and gives it to Peter Grant for defense.

Grant shoots at a perceived threat outside.

(Major spoiler, highlight to see description) Peter Grant shoots the Beretta 87 at Tom Price, thinking he's the enemy.

Tokarev TT-33

A Tokarev TT-33 is seen at the hands of a raider that holds up the family at the beginning of episode five (Season two)

The Tokarev TT-33, 7.62x25mm Tokarev.

The Tokarev in the hands of a raider.

Smith and Wesson Model 64

In episode 5 of series 2, a survivor ("Mr. Stevens") commits suicide with a Smith & Wesson Model 64.

Smith & Wesson Model 64 Stainless Model - .38 Special

"My name...is Mr. Stevens. I assume you're the pilot?"

The image taken after this one is not pretty.

CZ 100

Greg (Patterson Joseph) holds a CZ 100 pistol on Mr. Landry and his men during the exchange.

CZ 100 pistol - 9x19mm

Greg (Patterson Joseph)shows us his war face.

Shotguns

Remington 870 w/ extended magazine tube and rifle sights

Used by survivors in Samantha Willis's community. In the course of the first season, the gun is shown prominently from the third episode onwards. In season two of the show, the gun is used from the outset until episode three, whereby it is lost when one of the characters is captured and taken to a mine. It is also revealed to be unloaded at the end of season two, episode one. It is a standard extended barrel 870 with deer gun (slug) sights on the barrel.

Remington 870 New Model with Black Synthetic Furniture - 12 gauge

Remington 870 Express Deer 12 gauge

The Pump-Action shotgun seen in the hands of a survivor, who is in shock after witnessing the violent death of a 'raider'.

Tom Price (Max Beesley) levels the shotgun at fellow survivors.

Anya uses the shotgun to defuse a tense situation.

12 gauge double barreled shotgun

The double barreled boxlock shotgun is in the hands of a 'raider' named Dexter. It is featured prominently throughout the second episode, where it is used in a threatening manner many times and is also used for shooting down some wild champagne bottles in a car park. It appears to be a higher end British manufactured shotgun, noting the stock style and the possibly engraved 'silver' receiver - maybe a Purdey's or Holland & Holland or Churchill or Greener.

1960s Era Commercial Stevens hammerless side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge. A sample of the style of shotgun used, but not the exact make or model.

Dexter and shotgun

Another view of the shotgun

Yet another view of the shotgun

Rifle

Heckler & Koch HK33

Landry's men in episode 6 of series 2 both use what looks like a pair of Heckler & Koch HK33 rifles. Such H&K weapons are regularly available as props for the BBC, and are seen in series like Spooks and Torchwood.

Heckler & Koch HK33-A2 Select Fire rifle with Factory 25rd Magazine - 5.56x45mm

Airport security gets a lot more stringent in the future.

Heckler & Koch HK33A2 with scope - 5.56x45mm

Another one of Landry's men oversees the exchange at the airport.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5

In series 2, the H&K MP5A3 is commonly seen used by unknown British military/government/private contractors who guard key surviving installations. It is also seen in the hands of guards at Samantha Willis's colony and in episode 6 of series 2, in the hands of the survivors. Presumably in its A3 variant, the weapon would be regularly available in the UK, as it is a standard firearm for many government and Home Office agencies. Why no standard British army weapons are seen is unknown, as many hundreds of thousands of L85A2's and other weapons would be available, and possibly the soldiers to use them. Especially to any government unit such as the lab where the vaccine is being developed.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with "tropical" (wide) forearm - 9x19mm with stock extended

The MP5 with lots of accessories in the hands of one of Dexter's men.

An MP5 in the hands of Najid as he shoots at a row of empty cans.

One of Samantha's goons stands on guard with a HK MP5.

Tom Price (Max Beesley) checks and loads an MP5.

Finger off the trigger, Beesley.

SA Vz.61 Skorpion

In episode 6 of series 2, one of Landry's guard's uses an Sa. Vz.61 Skorpion as his side arm, after Tom Price opens fire on the guard from behind.

Skorpion SA Vz. 61 .32 ACP.

A fairly stunned marksman with his SA Vz. 61 Skorpion beside him.

Don't ask.