Heat is the 1995 crime drama directed by Michael Mann and stars Al Pacino as a relentless LAPD detective who is determined to take down a high end robbery crew led by a master criminal (Robert De Niro). Notable for its detailed depiction of the techniques used by both law enforcement and criminal elements, the film was first made as the 1989 television movie L.A. Takedown. Heat also was reported to have been viewed repeatedly by the robbery duo involved in the infamous North Hollywood shootout (depicted in the film 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout).
Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) can be seen carrying a Heckler & Koch USP chambered in .45 ACP (noted by longer grip and barrel) in the early scenes of the film. Note the checkered back of the grip and the shape of the external thumb safety and slide release, all uncommon to a SIG P220. It is usually not seen clearly during the film, but the shape of the slide can easily be discerned during the shootout at the drive-in (when McCauley fires the gun through the window of his sedan at the shooter with the Steyr TMP). Neil then dumps his H&K USP45 for the SIG-Sauer P220, most likely to get rid of the evidence, since it was used during the drive-in theater shootout.
SIG-Sauer P220
After dumping his H&K USP after the drive-in theater shootout, Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) replaces his USP with a SIG-Sauer P220 in .45 ACP in several scenes. In the script it is also mentioned that he holds a .45 caliber pistol.
Star Megastar
Waingro (Kevin Gage), the unstable newcomer to Neil McCauley's (Robert De Niro) crew, carries two Star Megastars; the first is blued, the second nickel.
Beretta 92FS
The LAPD patrolmen responding to the bank robbery return fire on Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and his crew with their standard issue Beretta 92FSs.
Glock 19
After McCauley kills Waingro, a detective working surveillance at the hotel draws a Glock 19 on McCauley, only to be expertly subdued and then disarmed.
Ruger KP90
Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore) has a Ruger KP90 in a crossdraw holster on his tac vest while he is armed with the FN FAL, during the armored car robbery. This is NOT the P90, as sometimes claimed, but the stainless KP90.
M1911A1
One of the SWAT officers checking Shiherlis' car has an unknown M1911A1 pistol in his holster. Since Kimbers weren't issued yet to LAPD officers, it is doubtful it is a Kimber Custom II, the current sidearm of LAPD special weapons and tactical units.
Smith & Wesson 6904
Shiherlis is seen with a compact pistol in a holster next to him when McCauley walks in and sees him sleeping on the floor. He wakes up and then sticks the holstered gun in his pants. The closest gun it seems to resemble is a Smith & Wesson 6904 blued compact pistol.
Taurus PT92
A stainless Taurus PT92 can be seen in the holster of the bank guard whom McCauley kicks to the floor during the robbery scene.
Smith & Wesson Model 38 "Bodyguard"
The second armored car guard (Thomas Rosales Jr.) pulls out a Smith & Wesson Model 38 "Bodyguard" from his ankle holster after Waingro shoots the first guard, only for McCauley to machine gun him down.
Smith & Wesson Model 36
When Hanna and his men visit Alan Marciano (Hank Azaria) in Las Vegas to question him about his relationship with Charlene Shiherlis (Ashley Judd), Det. Casals (Wes Studi) is seen in the background holding a nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 snub nose revolver.
Submachine Guns & Machine Pistols
Heckler & Koch MP5A3
Heckler & Koch MP5A3s are seen held by a L.A.P.D. SWAT officer hiding in trash during the stake out scene at the metals warehouse.
It is also used by a surveillance team watching for Shiherlis and is used by the SWAT team that is sent to the hotel in the climax.
Steyr TMP
The shooter at the drive-in theater (Max Daniels) brings a Steyr TMP, attempting to kill Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) during the cash exchange.
Shotguns
Mossberg 590
Detective Casals (Wes Studi) brings a Mossberg 590 to breach the door of Hugh Benny's (Henry Rollins) apartment. Sergeant Drucker (Mykelti Williamson) appears to carry the exact same Mossberg 590 in the firefight outside the bank heist. Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) takes one from an officer towards the end of the film as he chases down McCauley at the airfields.
Benelli M3 Super 90
Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore), takes out the pickup truck driver at the drive-in theater with several blasts from a Benelli M3 Super 90 12 gauge shotgun.
Remington 870
Some of the LAPD officers are seen armed with Remington 870s during the bank robbery shootout.
Mossberg 500
Some of the LAPD officers are seen armed with Mossberg 500s during the bank robbery.
Ithaca 37 "Stakeout"
An Ithaca 37 "Stakeout" short-barreled shotgun can be seen resting behind a security desk when McCauley goes to kill Waingro in the hotel.
Rifles & Carbines
FN FNC-80
Lt. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) pulls out an FN FNC-80 assault rifle outside the bank heist on Flower Street. Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore) receives a 5.56mm present between the eyes from Hanna's FN FNC-80. According to the on set armorer, Hanna's rifle was a Select Fire FNC-80 assault rifle that was chopped down by the armorer to a Para length barrel and an M16 style birdcage was attached. The FNC-80 was imported into the U.S. as a full auto weapon and as a Semiautomatic Sporter rifle named the FNC 223 Sporter. Despite being a full auto weapon, Michael Mann instructed Al Pacino to fire only in semi-automatic mode, being that the LAPD lieutenant and his fellow cops would be concerned about the possibility of endangering bystanders.
Colt Model 733
During the armored car heist, Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) uses a Colt Model 733 carbine as his weapon of choice. During the bank robbery, Shiherlis and McCauley both carry short barreled Colt M733 carbines. They are ultra-compact versions of the M16 rifle family with 11.5-inch barrels, being smaller and shorter than the M16A2 Rifle (20-inch) and M4 Carbine (14.5-inch). The lighter encumbrance comes at a trade off of reduced range and accuracy, which is appropriate since the Model 733 can be fired from inside the vehicle, the robbers burdened by loads of cash, and because the firefight takes place at close to medium distances. The compactness also makes it easier to conceal the weapon, which comes in handy when enetering the bank. The M733s have full automatic and semi-auto fire modes, while retaining the penetration of the 5.56mm round of its big brothers, which is particularly deadly as they are capable of wounding officers and bystanders even through objects normally considered safe cover. They handle similarly to submachine guns, however they are more accurate and much more powerful. However, due to the weapon's compact and short barrel, 5.56 NATO rounds fired from this weapon lose a significant amount of velocity found in longer barreled weapons. With slower velocities, rounds from from this weapon do not "fragment", a secondary wounding mechanism, but still provide greater punch that typical submachine gun rounds. This is a very professional choice of a primary weapon for that particular job, time and environment.
Not surprisingly, Shiherlis uses the M733s to great effect, killing Bosko (Ted Levine), a member of Hanna's detectives, in a brief exchange of fire. After the getaway ride is disabled, Shiherlis sprays the police barricade with dozens of rounds, shooting up the LAPD police cars that have formed a blockade, and bringing down several officers. Allegedly, footage of him expertly reloading his rifle during this sequence has been shown to American Special Forces trainees, with the message from their instructor, "This is how I want you to reload." McCauley also uses an M733 to shoot a pursuing patrolman while carjacking a Ford Taurus Wagon to escape.
IMI Galil ARM (5.56mm)
Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore), brings an IMI Galil ARM Model 372 to the bank heist. While inside the bank, the stock is removed from the mounting bracket. However, it appears when he enters the car as a continuity error. He gets separated from the rest of the crew during the gun battle but managed to wound one of Hanna's detectives by a transit bus. Oddly enough, Mann refers to the weapon as a 7.62mm in his audio commentary.
Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) covers McCauley (Robert De Niro) at the drive-in theater with a Heckler & Koch HK91A2 fitted with a bipod, and manages to take out the Steyr TMP-wielding assassin with a shot to the back.
FN FAL 50.61
Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore), brings a 20" barreled FN FAL 50.61 Paratrooper version with a Side-folding stock to the armored car robbery which he uses to execute the third guard with a double tap to the chest and shot to the head. This is called the Mozambique Drill, and is a prominent feature in Michael Mann's movies (it appears twice in Heat - this incident, and when McCauley kills Waingro).
M16A1 (with M16A2 handguards)
Several M16A1 assault rifles feature prominently in the film, fitted with M16A2-style handguards. They are wielded by various L.A.P.D. officers, including Detective Casals (Wes Studi), Detective Bosko (Ted Levine) and Detective Schwartz (Jerry Trimble). Casals uses one to assist in disabling McCauley's getaway vehicle (a Lincoln Town Car) and wound Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) during the gun battle resulting from the bank heist. According to the on set armorer, the director wanted the actors to fire semi-auto only. The reason given was that the police would be less interested in 'suppressing fire' and more interested in controlled shots given the proximity of so many innocent bystanders.
Colt Model 654
During the armored car heist, McCauley (Robert De Niro) carries a Colt Model 654 carbine, a 14.5" barreled predecessor to the M4, with M16A1-style lightweight barrel and sights. Based on configuration it may be a 654 upper on a GAU-5A receiver (or possibly even an SP1 receiver with a drop-in autosear to allow it fire fully-automatic).
Heckler & Koch SR9(T)
A police sniper of the surveillance team watches over McCauley with a Heckler & Koch SR9(T) sniper rifle. This same sniper is seen during the stakeout for Shiherlis with the rifle.