Aliens

Perhaps one of the most recognizable weapons in science fiction movie history. The M41A Pulse Rifle / grenade launcher originally designed for and used in the 1986 James Cameron classic Aliens. The M41A has been a fan favourite since the film came out and has been much replicated and extensively discussed. Of all the weapons and gadgets that this sequel produced it’s certainly the Pulse Rifle that captured the imagination on the audience. Bill Paxton and his Colonial Marine buddies would have had no chance at all without their weapon of choice!

This one is the live fire (now legally de-activated) “hero” version, the main practical gun used on set, it still contains the original Thompson M1A1 sub-machine gun required for filming and also an automatic Remington 870, around the exterior of the shotgun is the slide of a Franchi SPAS 12 shotgun. There were only 3 (very possibly 4) live fire weapons required for filming but this was the only one that had both built in firearms functioning. A large number of lightweight fibreglass Pulse Rifles were also required for use as the live fire version is quite heavy and would have been very tiring even on the fittest of actors. Dummy versions were also used for background filming and as set dressing and have the added advantage of not requiring an expensive armourer to be on set when the real guns are not in use.

This weapon has been repainted many times since its creation. The actual colour of the Pulse Rifle is still something that causes debate and argument to this day. This gun is not going to settle that particular row either. It has been repainted numerous times including black for Alien 3 and a Transvision Vamp video. Today it has been stripped back to a more familiar olive green military colour.

The M41A is obviously a fictional weapon, issued as standard equipment to the U.S. Colonial Marines Corps. The “specifications” are as follows; a 10mm automatic electric pulse assault rifle, air cooled of course! And a 30mm pump action grenade launcher. Both weapons configured in an “over and under” design ideal for the destruction various alien life forms.