They Live is a 1988 science-fiction film written (under a pseudonym) and directed by John Carpenter. In the movie, a drifter (the character is never named but Roddy Piper is credited as Nada) finds himself in Los Angeles looking like many in the country for work. Upon landing a job at a construction site, Nada befriends another worker who takes him to a shanty camp site for the homeless. After the camp’s shifty organizers run from a police raid, Nada's curiosity leads him to some sunglasses. When he puts on the glasses, he discovers the secret truth behind the upper echelon of society. The film's cast includes Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter Jason, Raymond St. Jacques, and Sy Richardson, in addition to Larry Franco, one of the film's producers.
The following weapons were used in the film They Live:
Nada (Roddy Piper) is confronted by two LAPD officers in an alleyway. Nada manages to knock them out and relieves them of their sidearms. One such sidearm is a Colt Python. Nada puts the officer’s utility belt over his shoulder and across his chest with the revolver holstered on the belt.
Besides the Colt Python, Nada (Roddy Piper) also takes the other officers sidearm, a Smith & Wesson Model 28. You can see this revolver tucked into his waistband when he walks into the bank. He is also seen with the revolver when he forces Holly to give him a ride.
Nada (Roddy Piper) picks up a Desert Eagle Mark I from the table of guns at the safe house. He later uses it while engaging guards at the Cable 54 building.
Frank (Keith David) takes a SIG-Sauer P226 from the table of guns at the safe house. Note how the P226 seems to be fitted with a custom stainless compensator the resembles the LaFrance Specialties compensator. Frank later uses the pistol in the Studio 54 building. This appears to be the same P226 that was used in the film Feds (also released in 1988).
When the safe house is raided, a member of the resistance (Sy Richardson) tries to get off a shot at the police with a Steyr GB. His Steyr GB pistol has a weaponlight attachment.
Gilbert (Peter Jason) gives Nada a Beretta Jetfire. Nada keeps the pistol concealed in his shirt sleeve and later uses it on the roof near the end of the film.
The Ithaca 37 appears extensively throughout the film. Nada, police officers, and various other characters are seen with the shotgun. The shotgun is configured like the real LAPD's Ithaca Shotguns and is equipped with rifle sights. The resistance member seen guarding the door later in the film is seen holding an Ithaca with the curved pistol grip.
The HK94A3 Conversion is used both by Nada (Roddy Piper) and the police in the film. These HK94A3 conversions appear to have its usually 16" barrels cut down (typically done to make it resemble the MP5). The weapons also have long barrel shrouds fitted with vertical foregrips. The unusually large muzzle flash emitted through these barrel shrouds are the result of the shorter barrel of this HK94 conversion. Nada acquires his from the table of guns at the safe house and the foregrip on it is positioned horizontally at the 9 o’clock position instead of the typical vertical 6 o'clock position. These weapons were supplied by Ellis Mercantile.
Frank picks up a Micro Uzi from the table of guns at the safe house. He uses the Micro Uzi in the ensuing battle with the police until he runs out of ammunition.
Nada (Roddy Piper) and Frank (Keith David) acquire M16 Rifles in the Cable 54 building and use them against Cable 54 soldiers. The Cable 54 soldiers are also carrying M16s.
A Cable 54 building soldiers is seen carrying a MGC M16 replica rifle. When Nada picks up the weapon, it becomes a genuine M16 rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe MGC M16 Assault rifle: a non firing metal replica built by the Model Gun Corp of Japan and one of the most used non firing replicas of the M16 in movies and televisionError creating thumbnail: File missingCable 54 soldier with a MGC M16 rifle. Note the fake forward assist.
When Frank is picking up weapons at the safe house, he puts a few Mk 2 hand grenades into his backpack. He later uses a grenade to blow apart a door to gain entrance to television studio. When the police raid the safe house, a resistance member (Thomas Rosales Jr.) grabs a grenade from the table.
