Alien Nation (1988)

Alien Nation (1988)

Alien Nation is a 1988 science fiction film set in a future where a race of worker aliens (derisively termed "Slags") have accidentally landed on Earth and have faced constant prejudice in the ensuing years from the human population. James Caan stars as Matthew Sykes, an LAPD detective with some prejudice against the aliens, who unexpectedly partners with "George" Francisco (Mandy Patinkin), a "Slag" officer recently promoted to detective. The film was subsequently adapted into a FOX television series and several television films.

The following weapons were used in the film Alien Nation (1988):

Handguns

Freedom Arms Model 83 Revolver

Upset over the lower power his Beretta 92F offered in stopping a newcomer, Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes (James Caan) trades out his Beretta and picks up a Freedom Arms Model 83 Revolver chambered in .454 Casull. This is much more powerful, as they demonstrate on the range. His Model 83 appears to be the 'Premiere' grade; Freedom arms offers two grades of the Model 83 (and the shorter barreled Model 97). The Field grade has a matte stainless finish, the Premiere grade has a high polish stainless finish.

Freedom Arms Model 83 - .454 Casull Magnum

Checking out the Freedom Arms Model 83 Revolver with the range master.

Sykes aims the Freedom Arms Model 83 Revolver at the range.

The business end Freedom Arms Model 83.

The effect of the .454 Casull round is seen on the vest. In real life .454 standard jacketed rounds would absolutely not penetrate soft body armor. Later "Penetrator" rounds made by companies like Underwood Ammo could probably penetrate, but did not exist yet during the 1980s. And even if a Casull round did penetrate, it would not blow a huge hole in the vest like an overstuffed down pillow either.

Francisco is understandably unhappy when Sykes tries to fire his Freedom Arms Model 83 out the passenger window, right in front of his face....

Beretta 92F

Detective Matthew Sykes (James Caan) at the beginning of the film uses a Beretta 92F. He fires this in 2 volleys at an advancing newcomer who is hyped up on an alien drug. The first volley is about 10 rounds and has little effect. It offers nearly zero stopping power. The second volley is 8 to 9 rounds, and manages to stop the new comer just before he reaches Sykes.

Beretta 92F - 9x19mm

Sykes aims his Beretta 92F.

Smith & Wesson 659

Det. Bill Tuggle (Roger Aaron Brown) carries a Smith & Wesson 659 pistol at the beginning of the film.

Smith & Wesson 659 - 9x19mm

Det. Bill Tuggle fires his 659 at the robbers and their human henchman.

Det. Bill Tuggle with his 659 looks on at the hole punched in the light pole, by the robber's sabot slugs.

Det. Bill Tuggle with his 659 hides behind a car from the shooters.

Commercial M1911A1

An M1911A1 is carried by Rudyard Kipling (Kevyn Major Howard).

Colt MKIV Series 70 - a likely contender for this gun - .45 ACP

Rudyard Kipling (Kevyn Major Howard) pulls a high gloss blued commercial M1911A1.

Rudyard Kipling (Kevyn Major Howard) aims his M1911A1.

Smith & Wesson Model 586

One of the human henchmen carries a 4" barreled Smith & Wesson Model 586.

Smith & Wesson Model 586 - .357 Magnum

William Harcourt's human henchman pulls a Smith & Wesson Model 586.

Another angle of the Smith & Wesson Model 586.

Closeup of the Smith & Wesson Model 586.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

A female police officer at the Police Target range is seen using a standard Smith & Wesson Model 10. It is not unrealistic for a woman officer (in the 1980s) to choose a smaller caliber round than her male counterparts.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 - the Standard Military & Police model revolver for many decades - .38 Special

The Female LAPD officer is stopped during the middle of her reload of her Model 10.

Smith & Wesson Model 27

A plainclothes LAPD detective appears to have a Smith & Wesson Model 27 Snub.

Smith & Wesson Model 27 Snub - .357 Magnum

Seen in the background a plainclothes LAPD detective appears to have a Model 27 Snub revolver.

Smith & Wesson Model 28

The LAPD Officers in uniform all carry what seems to be Smith & Wesson Model 28 revolvers .

Smith & Wesson Model 28 Revolver, called the Highway Patrolman - .357 Magnum. This model can be seen with several different styles of wooden grips.

The LAPD Officers in uniform all carry what seems to be Smith & Wesson Model 28 revolvers. The Model 27 was usually used by Feds or Detectives due to its higher cost. The Model 28 was the economy version of the Model 27 and was widely used by rank and file law enforcement.

Colt Detective Special (3rd Generation)

Detective Francisco (Mandy Patinkin) pulls out his backup revolver, which appears to be a 3rd Generation Colt Detective Special.

Colt Detective Special, 3rd Generation - .38 Special

Detective Francisco pulls his backup revolver, which appears to be a 3rd Generation Colt Detective Special.

Shotguns

Benelli M1 Super 90

A modified Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun is used by Rudyard Kipling (Kevyn Major Howard) at the beginning of the film. The shotgun is fitted with a pistol grip stock, extended magazine tube, rifle sights and both box or drum magazines. The drum and box magazines used on the Benelli appear to be non-functioning props, as it would be impossible in real life to enable a detachable magazine to function from a tube-fed shotgun which operates from a closed breach. This movie is the first-known cinema appearance of the Benelli M1 Super 90, which had just been introduced two years prior to this movie's release.

Benelli M1 Super 90 with with pistol grip stock and extended magazine tube - 12 gauge

"Slag" robber aims a modified Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun at the store owner.

Rudyard Kipling (Kevyn Major Howard) fires his Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun, seen already with a box magazine before he loads the Drum Magazine. The Box magazine has 00 shot, the Drum Magazine holds BRI Sabot slugs.

Rudyard Kipling holds the Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun, loaded with the drum magazine.

Closeup of the loading port of the Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun. This image illustrates why the box and drum magazines used on the Benelli in the movie are likely non-functioning props: The Benelli M1 operates from a closed receiver when not cycling, and the chamber loading lever which blocks the bottom of the breach is visible here. It would be impossible in real life for any magazine attached to the breach to cycle rounds into the chamber of the weapon, given its design. Also note the rail on the left side of the receiver, which is how the prop magazine actually attaches to the gun.

Rudyard Kipling holds the modified Benelli M1 Super 90 Shotgun.

A closeup of the drum that "robber" Rudyard Kipling uses in the execution/fake heist.

Remington 870

A full sized Remington 870 police shotgun is used by Det. George Francisco (Mandy Patinkin) when he is pursuing the mutated slag monster. Also a short barreled Remington 870 with a synthetic black pistol grip (with no stock) is used by the 2nd Newcomer robber at the beginning of the film.

Remington 870 Police Magnum Riot Shotgun - 12 gauge

‎

Detective Francisco ducks in the shadows with his Remington 870 Police Shotgun.

Detective Francisco retrieves a Remington 870 Police Shotgun out of the police car.

A "Slag" robber on the left holds a short barreled Remington 870.

Rifles

Ruger AC556K

The 2nd Slag gunman at the beginning of the film discards his Remington 870 short shotgun and uses a Ruger AC556K with an aftermarket synthetic pistol grip stock. Later he throws down the AC556 from his perch on an L.A. billboard. It is replaced with a rubber casting of the weapon at this point.

Ruger AC556K with stock folded - 5.56x45mm

The Robber in the back fires his Ruger AC556K.

The Ruger AC556K hits the ground after the gunman drops it from his perch on an L.A. billboard. Judging by the way that the weapon bounces on the pavement, this is a rubber prop casting of the live-fire weapon used for stunt work.

Submachine Guns

Micro Uzi

A Micro Uzi is carried by the human henchman during the first robbery heist.

Micro Uzi - 9x19mm