Ultimate Force was a British Television show that ran from 2002-2006. It centered around 'Red Troop', a crack SAS (Special Air Service) unit that was given the task of defending Britain from Terrorist threats in the Post 9/11 World. One of the creators was former SAS soldier Chris Ryan, and as such, has many elements of the real world SAS within the show. One criticism was the show's deference to "political correctness" when it had a female character joining the frontline SAS unit and engaging in front line combat, which would never happen in real life (even in today's mixed gender armed services).
Ultimate Force (2002-2006)
The following guns were used in the ITV1 series Ultimate Force:
The SIG-Sauer P226 is the preferred sidearm of Red Troop and is used throughout the series. It is frequently seen holstered whenever the team are wearing their counter terrorist gear, but is normally only used for undercover work.
In Episode 1.2, "Just A Target", one of the anti-globalization terrorists uses what appears to be a very early Beretta 92, as referenced by the fact that it has a rounded trigger guard and a frame-mounted safety on one side only. It may also be a very early Taurus PT92, which was identical to the original Beretta 92.
I'm starting to think it is in fact an older Taurus because it has a magazine release behind the trigger, a 92 has one on the butt. - Gunmaster45
In Episode 1.4, "Breakout", Henno uses a Walther PPK fitted with a suppressor. PPKs are also commonly carried by Red Troop as backup weapons or for covert missions. In Episode 1.6, Captain Caroline Walsh (Alex Reid) is given a PPK to capture a Serbian dictator.
Glock 17 pistols are used by some terrorists in the series. In Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie", they are used by IRA terrorists as well as Royal Ulster Constabulary officers. We also see a Glock 17 in season 3 episode 1, "Deadlier than the Male".
In Episodes 2.1 and 2.3, Jamie is seen using the SIG-Sauer P225 as his sidearm, even though this pistol is a dated design with a smaller magazine capacity than the P226s and P228s which Red Troop usually uses on the show.
In some episodes, the smaller SIG-Sauer P228 also makes appearances in the hands of Red Troop, most notably in Episode 2.2, "Mad Dogs", when Henno, Jamie, and Ricky are all seen firing them on the range.
Heckler & Koch USP pistols are seen in some episodes, usually in the hands of bad guys. The French SF unit all carry them in Episode 2.1, "Communication".
First seen in episode 2.5. Also seen in season 3, episode 3 "Class of 1980". The second one seen in Season 4, episode 1, "Changing of the Guard". Might be the same one.
In Episode 3.2, "Never Go Back", the leader of the Zimbabwean "Fire Brigade" carries a Bruni Automatic 8mm CAL pistol (which is a theatrical blank firing only replica gun). The character may carry a real M1911 in other shots, but in this particular shot, he is aiming it at a child actor, so the blocked barreled replica M1911 is used.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingBruni Automatic 8mm CAL pistol, a blank fire only M1911 style stage pistol that is not a real firearm - 8mm theatrical blanks. This model is no longer made as there are better M1911 stage guns currently for sale.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe leader of the Zimbabwean "Fire Brigade" aims a Bruni Automatic 8mm CAL pistol at a little girl - 8mm Theatrical blank. Note that the pistol is a Single Action, so the hammer must be cocked back to fire. The pistol in this screenshot has the hammer down.Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The standard-issue weapons for the SAS unit Red Troop in the TV show are Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine guns, which are always seen with Surefire fore ends and tactical flashlights as well as the SEF-style lower receiver. These weapons are typically used in Red Troop's domestic hostage rescue missions.
The other SAS unit, Blue Troop, also use identical weapons, as do many Metropolitan Police SO19 (now CO19) officers throughout the show.
Heckler & Koch MP5K machine pistols appear in some episodes, such as Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie", where Captain Caroline Walsh (Alex Reid) uses one to fire back at IRA terrorists during the ambush. The version seen in the show is always the "KA1" variation, a version designed for concealed carry (it lacks the H&K diopter sights in order to avoid getting snagged on clothing when being drawn quickly from beneath a jacket).
Red Troop also makes use of the suppressed Heckler & Koch MP5SD3 on some missions where maintaining a low profile is preferable in order to avoid alerting terrorists to their presence. These weapons are featured most prominently in Episode 2.5, "What in the Name of God" when Red Troop invades the stronghold of a Christian cult terrorist group to capture their leader.
In Episode 3.2, "Never Go Back", Becca takes a Calico M960A from the stash of weapons and looks it over, though she winds up using a Steyr AUG on the mission.
Red Troop also makes use of the suppressed Heckler & Koch MP5SD3 on some missions where maintaining a low profile is preferable in order to avoid alerting terrorists to their presence. These weapons are featured most prominently in Episode 2.5, "What in the Name of God" when Red Troop invades the stronghold of a Christian cult terrorist group to capture their leader.
Heckler & Koch MP5K machine pistols appear in some episodes, such as Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie", where Captain Caroline Walsh (Alex Reid) uses one to fire back at IRA terrorists during the ambush. The version seen in the show is always the "KA1" variation, a version designed for concealed carry (it lacks the H&K diopter sights in order to avoid getting snagged on clothing when being drawn quickly from beneath a jacket).
In Episode 3.2, "Never Go Back", Becca takes a Calico M960A from the stash of weapons and looks it over, though she winds up using a Steyr AUG on the mission.
For overseas missions where hostages and CQB are not important considerations, Red Troop uses several models in the M16 rifle series, ranging from the very earliest M16 (SP1) to the M16A2, though in nearly all cases, their rifles seem to be fitted with the handguards of M16A2s. They also use Cobray 37mm Launchers (to impersonate the M203) quite frequently.
Red Troop also uses CAR-15/M16 carbine variations on its overseas missions which, like the full-size M16s they are also seen using, often have fake M203 grenade launchers mounted under the barrels.
Throughout Season 3, Henno often uses a CAR-15 with an M203 of unknown variant. It looks like an XM177E2, except that it has a brass deflector on the receiver. This carbine may be intended to represent an early model Diemaco C8 with a different barrel. Original C8's used an "A2" type upper receiver with "A1" sights in the carrying handle on a fully automatic lower receiver. In British Service, the C8 (with a flat-top upper) is now the L119A1 and easily confused with it's American M4 relatives. The "low-slung" grenade launcher mount supports this hypothesis as the C8-series lacks the notched barrel of the M4-series carbines.
Lt. Dotsy Doheny (Jamie Bamber) used a Colt 653 with a solid stock, 16 inch Barrel and M16A1 Flash Eliminator in Episode 1.6, "Something to Do with Justice".
Cpl. Jamie Dow (Jamie Draven) can briefly be seen using a Colt Model 733 in Episode 1.6, "Something to Do with Justice" whilst covering the team's extraction towards the end of the episode. This particular M733 is built using an A2 style upper.
Another weapon which appears regularly in the series is the Heckler & Koch HK33, and more specifically, the HK33A3 retractable-stock variant. Red Troop typically uses these weapons with claw mounts and scopes as semi-automatic sniper rifles (i.e. Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie" and 3.4, "Weapon of Choice"). They also appear in the hands of French special forces in Episode 2.1, "Communication".
Error creating thumbnail: File missingHeckler & Koch HK33A3 5.56mmError creating thumbnail: File missingPete with a scoped HK33A3 in Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie".File:Vlcsnap-77699.jpgA French special forces soldier with an HK33A3 in Episode 2.1, "Communication".File:Vlcsnap-2011-03-24-11h35m07s51.jpgA number of Blue Troop soldiers can be seen using stock HK33A3s whilst rpoviding security at the end on Episode 3.2, "Never go Back"File:Vlcsnap-12635.jpgA Blue Troop sniper with a scoped HK33A3 in Episode 3.4, "Weapon of Choice". Clearly visible in this screenshot is the plug in the flash hider that enables the gun to fire blanks.
Heckler & Koch HK53
In Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie" several members of Red Troop can briefly be seen with HK53s when they rescue Jamie at the end of the episode. In real life these weapons were frequently used by both the SAS and "The Det" (14 Intelligence Company) in Northern Ireland due to their combination of concealability and firepower.
Many AK-47 and AKM variants appear in the series in the hands of terrorists, rebel groups, and Third World armies. Red Troop also use AKs sometimes when they are out of ammunition for their own weapons, or when other weapons are not available.
Typical of most movies and TV shows made in the West, the Chinese Norinco Type 56 (particularly the folding-stock Type 56-1) is the most frequently-seen Kalashnikov derivative in the series.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingNorinco Type 56-1 7.62x39mmFile:Vlcsnap-129430.jpgGeorgian militants passing Red Troop in a truck in Episode 2.6, "Dead Is Forever"; they are armed mostly with Chinese Type 56-1 rifles and at least one RPG-7.File:UFAK1.jpgPete Twamley with a Type 56-1 AK over his shoulder in Episode 1.3, "Natural Selection".File:Vlcsnap-10358.jpgHenno using a Type 56-1 AK in Episode 3.4, "Weapon of Choice".
AKM rifles (or possibly Egyptian MISR copies or some other derivative) also appear in many episodes.
Also common in the show are Yugoslav Zastava M70B1 and M70B2 assault rifles (i.e. Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie", and Henno also uses an M70B1 in Episode 1.6, "Something to Do with Justice"). These are Yugoslavian AKM variants with folding ladder sights for launching grenades.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingZastava M70B2 7.62x39mmFile:Vlcsnap-66053.jpgAn IRA terrorist firing a Zastava M70B1 in Episode 1.5, "The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie".File:UFAKM.jpgHenno showing Serb militants how to use an M70B1 (fixed stock) model in Episode 1.6.File:Vlcsnap-5113.jpg"Russian" soldiers firing at Chechen rebels in Episode 3.4, "Weapon of Choice"; the soldier on the right is armed with a Zastava M70B2, while the other man has another Chinese Type 56-1.
Heckler & Koch G3
In Episode 3.2, "Never Go Back", Red Troop used quite a few Heckler & Koch G3 rifles (some A3s, and some A4s) during the mission to Zimbabwe.
British personnel throughout the show are seen wielding L85A1 service rifles, which Red Troop themselves (like the real-life SAS) never use, also Since Ultimate Force was filmed after 2000 the L85A1s would Have been replaced with the upgraded L85A2 variant by Heckler & Koch.
Colt M4A1 or something similiar. We start seeing these in season 4. I've only watched episode 1 of season 4, will replace some of the caps with others if they show up in the rest of the season. They might not be real M4s judging from the barrels. Everyone's in that episode except Louis had these M4s. Jem's Car-15 was selected either because they ran out of M4s or because his was able to attach an M203.
Becca's has a 16-inch barrel, so it may be a Colt Law Enforcement Carbine (like the one in I Am Legend). Henno's appears to have correct barrel length.
Two versions of the FN FAL Seen in at least one episode, season 4 episode 2, the paratrooper version and one with Israeli model with wooden furniture and an L1A1-style flash suppressor.
In Episode 1.2, "Just a Target", Jamie (Jamie Draven) goes undercover and joins a militant anti-globalization group which wants him to assassinate an international banker. The terrorists give him a huge .50 BMG AW50F long-range rifle, which none of them are able to fire accurately, and ask him to use it for the assassination. Jamie winds up using the gun to kill one of the terrorists at point-blank range, firing from the hip in a small room (in real life, doing this would cause anyone to go deaf).
Seen in the first episode of the series, "Killing House", one of the bank robbers had this weapon.
In the Episode Natural Selection, the rogue paratrooper that tried to prevent Candidates from finishing SAS Selection used this to fight and injure other Paratroops.
Red Troop's M16s and CAR-15s are often fitted with what appear to be M203 grenade launchers. However, a close inspection of the receivers reveals that they are actually the look-a-like Cobray 37mm launchers which are often used to substitute for the M203 in many films and TV shows.
