Battlestar Galactica (2004) - Season 1

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2005)

The following weapons were used in Season 1 of Battlestar Galactica (2004):

Pistols

Colonial Handgun (Revolver)

A heavily modified revolver is portrayed as the standard Colonial sidearm in both the Battlestar Galactica mini-series and the first season. The handgun consists of a 2.5" barrel Smith & Wesson Model 686 revolver housed in a futuristic shell made from CNC milled aluminium. A barrel sleeve was placed over the the real pistol barrel and side ports drilled near the muzzle end of the sleeve. The cylinder release lever on the left side was also removed. Among other features, the fictional weapon has an under barrel explosive launcher (like the old LeMat "grapeshot" barrel). The handgun from the Miniseries had hardly any real functionality and was redesigned almost from scratch for Season 1 when scripts required more specific actions with the guns. After that it was redesigned again and, starting with the early second season, the original sidearms have been nearly completely replaced by the FN Five-seveN. These guns were inconvenient as they had to be disassembled before they could be reloaded.

The gun appears to have been intentionally designed to resemble the gun used by Rick Deckard in Blade Runner (probably to emphasize the realistic tone of this series, as opposed to a "future show with laser-guns"). It also notable that series star Edward James Olmos also played the mysterious police officer Gaff in Blade Runner.

Colonial Handgun as used in Season 1. This is a replica manufactured by Matsuo which incorrectly uses a Colt Python frame rather than the correct S&W one.

TV Series used rubber stunt gun casting of the firing Smith & Wesson 686 "clamshell" revolver. This version has the "wood" handgrips used by Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff).

Screen Capture of the Season 1 live fire handgun with wooden grips.

Karl "Helo" Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett) pulls the handgun in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1" (S1E12).

Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) pulls the handgun on Col. Tigh in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2" (S1E13).

Capt. Lee "Apollo" Adama (Jamie Bamber) pulls the handgun on Col. Tigh in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2" (S1E13).

Screencap1.jpg

Vektor CP1

Cropping up now and again is the South African Vektor CP1. The handgun is mostly seen in the hands of non-military personnel, although they appear to be issued to the security detail of President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell). Lee holds the pistol in "Bastille Day" (S1E03). "Boomer" is seen with the pistol in Season 1's two-part finale "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1" (S1E12) and "Part 2" (S2E13).

Vektor CP1 - 9x19mm

Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) holds the Vektor CP1 in "Bastille Day" (S1E03).

Sharon "Boomer" Valerii (Grace Park) holds the pistol in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1" (S1E12).

Members of President Roslin's security detail pull their Vektor CP1 handguns in Season 1's finale "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2" (S1E13).

Closeup of their Vektor CP1 handguns in Season 1's finale "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2" (S1E13).

Submachine Guns

FN P90

For Season 1, the FN P90 was the main assault weapon of the Colonial Marines aboard the Galactica. The attachments for the weapons (flashlight, red dot sight) are somewhat the norm for the "real world" the only difference being the attachment of a suppressor which seems to be more for dramatic effect than anything else, though may have been used to disguise the use of PS90 semi-automatic civilian models. In later seasons, the Beretta Cx4 Storm would replace this SMG, most likely due to the P90's prominent use in several series that were airing during the series' run, notably Stargate SG-1. However, the P90 would still be used (in a more minor role) throughout the run of the series.

A Colonial rescue team led by Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) is seen armed with the FN P90 in "Bastille Day" (S1E03).

A Colonial Marine armed with the P90 in "Bastille Day" (S1E03).

The FN P90 is carried by a Colonial Marine guard during Starbuck's interrogation of a Leoben Cylon in "Flesh and Bone" (S1E08).

Marines armed with P90's in "Kobol's Last Gleaming" (S1E13).

Rifles

L85A1

The L85A1 is seen in Season 1 flashbacks, notably "Act of Contrition" (S1E05), as well as in the special features of the Season 1 DVD. The weapons in the show themselves have had the SUSAT sights removed (while strangely retaining the mounting base) and have the whole lower receiver and muzzle guard painted white, indicating they may only be used for ceremonial purposes.

L85A1 5.56x45mm with SUSAT scope

In "Act of Contrition" (S1E05), a Colonial honor guard performs a rifle volley with L85A1 rifles. These rifles appear to lack the optical sights and have the whole lower receiver and muzzle guard painted white, indicating they may only be used for ceremonial purposes.

Shotguns

Mossberg 500 Bullpup

The Mossberg 500 Bullpup conversion of the classic pump shotgun is carried by the rioting prisoners on the prison ship. Presumably a law enforcement issue weapon since it is not seen in the hands of any Colonial military personnel.

Prisoners are armed with Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotguns in "Bastille Day" (S1E03).