Sanctuary is a Canadian Science Fiction television show that airs on the the Sci-Fi Channel (Now calling themselves Syfy). It premiered in 2007 and was originally a series of 8 webisodes which were sold directly to viewers through the official website. Thanks to its success on the intenet, the Syfy channel commissioned a 13 episode series for 2008, with the first 4 webisodes being re-cut and re-shot into the two hour pilot. Since then two fourth series have been shot (season 2 with 13 episodes and season 3 with 20) and talks are currently ongoing for a forth. The show is groundbreaking in that the majority of the backgrounds and sets are virtual. The actors do all of their work on massive green screen sets and nearly nothing that is seen in the show (other than the actors) actually exist outside the parameters of CGI art software. The show is also notable as being the first television show in North America to use the RED camera exclusively, with all material being recorded digitally eliminating tape from the process completely.
A Colt Commander is the normal side arm of Dr Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) for the majority of the series. It can be distinguished from a regular 1911 by its slightly shorter barrel, and rounded hammer with a hole through it. It has been used on occasion to fire special tranquilliser bullets.
A variety of different generation Glock 17s are used extensively throughout the series by Sanctuary personnel, The Cabal, police officers and criminals. It is the standard side are used by Dr Will Zimmerman (Robbin Dunne) and Henry Foss (Ryan Robbins). In Sanctuary use they have been used to fire special tranquilliser bullets.
Beretta 92FSs are seen throughout the series, mainly in the hands of criminals or Cabal agents, but occasionally used by police or Sanctuary personnel.
A number of Heckler & Koch MP5A3s are seen throughout the series, most commonly in the hands of Cabal agents.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingHeckler & Koch MP5A3 - 9x19mmError creating thumbnail: File missingMP5s are carried by Cabal agents in “The Five” (Season 1, Episode 7). In this shot is is apparent that there are under-barrel flashlights fitted, however they are not being used and instead a secondary flashlight is mounted to the front sight post.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA different configuration of MP5 can be seen being used by this female Cabal operative, where the under barrel flashlight is used, and a green laser sight is mounted on the front sight.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn this shot it can be seen that the MP5 on the left of frame is fitted with a Colt x4 scope, as used by the MP5s on Stargate SG-1.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn MP5 can be seen at the top of this frame, where it is hung on the wall of the armoury in “Penance” (Season 2, Episode 9).
Side by Side Shotgun
A double barrelled shotgun appear in “Edward” (Season 1, Episode 8). It appears to be a short barrelled “coach gun”, which is a legal weapon as opposed to a sawed off shotgun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe shotgun in question is seen here on the man's lap, upside down with the trigger facing upwards towards the camera. It can be seen in this photo that the shotgun has a full stock, and it is likely that the barrels are 18” (minimum legal length).Error creating thumbnail: File missingA close up of the action of the coach gun as it is being loaded, showing that it is of a type with internal hammers.
Heckler & Koch MP7
Heckler & Koch MP7s are one of the standard weapons used by the Sanctuary network and are seen on a number of occasions.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingHeckler & Koch MP7A1 with factory magazine and iron sights - 4.6x30mmError creating thumbnail: File missingSanctuary security personnel form up at the front door in “End of Nights Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 2) with their MP7s fitted with C79 Elcan scopes and 40 round magazines.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA close up of an MP7 as it is being fired, with the empty cases being ejected from the right of the gun, and it can also be seen that a laser is mounted on the left rail.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGerald (Colin Cunningham) fires an MP7 in “Fragments” (Season 2, Episode 6), creating an impressive muzzle flash.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn this side shot it is possible to see that in this case the MP7 is fitted with folding iron sights, and a 40 round magazine.
SIG-Sauer P225
One of the main weapons carried by Kate Freelander (Agam Darshi) is a SIG-Sauer P225, and is seen as such in a number of episodes.
In the episode "Penance" (Season 2, Episode 9) the character Jimmy (Michael Shanks) carries a Taurus PT911SS as his main weapon throughout the episode.
What appears to be a Glock 17 Real Action Marker (paint ball gun) is used in “Sleepers” (Season 2, Episode 10). It is likely that the reason for this was that the gun was fired very close to an actors head, and the compressed air action of this type of weapon means that the action cycles, recoil is created, and a blast of air is created with minimal risk to the actor due to lack of pyrotechnics.
At several points throughout the series, Dr Magnus' Colt Commander changes into an unknown 1911 type pistol, sometimes in the middle of a scene. It seems to have a double stack magazine, stainless steel hammer, front and rear slide serrations and enlarged sights.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn this image from "Haunted" (Season 2, Episode 11) the front and rear slide serrations, and the different sights are visible. Also, the bottom of the magazine is visible, which appears to be of the double stack variety.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn this shot from "Bank Job (Season 3, Episode 3) the profile of the pistol is visible, along with the fact that it has a stainless steel hammer.
M72 LAW
In "Kali Part 3" (Season 3, Episode 1) Dr Magnus uses a M72 LAW.
What appears to be Colt M4A1s can be seen in the hands of police officers in "Bank Job" (Season 3, Episode 3) fitted with 4 position stocks, slings, and the standard iron sights.
One of the hijackers uses a Advanced Taser M26 in the contact mode to stun Kate in "Hero II" (Season 3, Episode 5). Note that this weapon does seem to use a slightly different colour scheme to the regular M26, so it is possible that this is a replica of some sort or has been modified.
A Desert Eagle Mark VII is used in "For King and Country" (Season 3, Episode 8). The pistol has either a nickel or gold plated finish, but it is hard to tell which due to the lighting.
A revolver is briefly seen in the hand of Dr Magnus (Amanda Tapping) whilst searching a warehouse for Dr Jeckyll in "For King and Country" (Season 3, Episode 8).
Due to the premise of the show (capturing abnormal creatures alive) there are a great number of esoteric, fictional weapons used by the Sanctuary personnel. Normally these are stun weapons of some sort.
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