Gangster Squad is a 2013 crime drama inspired by the true story of the 'unauthorized' efforts of a special task force formed by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1949 to deal with an influx of organized crime occurring in the city. The so-called "Gangster Squad" had an unusually wide latitude in their authority when dealing with mobsters, many times conducting themselves in manners outside of the law. The unit has been a constant source of fascination for both the movies and television and various fictional representations of the unit have been both the heavies and the good-guys (see Mulholland Falls, L.A. Confidential, Mob City). Originally scheduled for release in 2012, the film underwent reshoots due to some scenes bearing an uncomfortable resemblance to the Colorado movie theater shooting that occurred in July of that year. The film, which was written by former LAPD detective Will Beall and directed by Ruben Fleischer, was eventually released in January of 2013.
The following weapons were used in the film Gangster Squad:
Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) favors a Colt Model 1903 (or 1908 but we cannot determine the caliber from the film). His gun is a blued finish with ivory grips.
Single Action Army
Old-timer Detective Max Kennard (Robert Patrick) keeps his handy Single Action Army as his preferred sidearm, which he often fires by fanning the hammer.
Mauser C96
Mickey Cohen's hitman Wrevock (Troy Garity) fires the Mauser C96 at the Gangster Squad during a shootout in Chinatown.
John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) carries a riot barrel length Ithaca 37 shotgun in several scenes. Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) also uses the shotgun to shoot a gangster.
Submachine Guns
Thompson M1928
Most of the mobsters are seen firing a mix of Thompsons. Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) fires what appears to be an M1928A1 with a drum magazine several times in the film. At one point, Wrevock (Troy Garity) dual-wields Thompsons during a shootout in Chinatown.
Thompson M1921A
Several times, in mass shooting scenes, we see what appears to be ribbed barrel Thompsons with no Cutts Compensators. These could be the M1921A Thompsons chronicled here before.
M1A1 Thompson
Due to the film's post-World War II setting (the events take place in 1949), former military M1A1 Thompsons are seen mixed in with the M1928-style submachine guns. Some of the M1A1 Thompsons have the straight foregrip (as they appeared in the Army) and some of them have the older style forward pistol grip reminiscent of the M1928.
Karl Lockwood (Holt McCallany) fires a Browning Automatic Rifle during the shootout at the hotel. The BAR seen appears to be an A2 model with the carry handle and bipod removed.
Lewis Gun
One of Cohen's men fires a Lewis Gun at the Gangster Squad from atop the hotel.
Grenades
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
Mickey Cohen's men throw Model 24 Stielhandgranate grenades at the Gangster Squad during the car chase.