Basic

Basic (2003)

Basic is a 2003 thriller directed by John McTiernan and stars John Travolta as a DEA agent and former Army Ranger who is asked to interrogate Special Forces soldiers about an incident during a training mission that resulted in casualties. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as the Army drill instructor who is at the center of the incident. The cast includes Giovanni Ribisi, Taye Diggs, Brian Van Holt, Roselyn Sanchez, Cristián de la Fuente, Dash Mihok, and Connie Nielsen.

The following weapons were used in the film Basic:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

M1911A1

Master Sergeant Nathan West (Samuel L. Jackson) carries an M1911A1 in a black holster on his hip. He is notably seen firing the pistol during one version of the events being recounted.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP

MSG West walks up to the trainees with his M1911A1 holstered.

West fires his M1911A1 in one version of the events.

Beretta 92FS

Standing in for the M9, the U.S. military’s standard sidearm, the Beretta 92FS is used by almost every character in the movie. It is seen in the hands and holsters of Rangers, MPs, and everyone in-between.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Pike (Taye Diggs) attempts to give MSG West his Beretta, only to be told that: “A Ranger never gives up his firearm.” How true, how true.

Dunbar pulls his Beretta 92FS just before the stand-off.

Nuñez (Roselyn Sanchez) pulls her M9.

Nuñez holds her 92FS on Castro (Cristián de la Fuente).

Osborne (Connie Nielsen) pulls her Beretta breaking up a fight between her and Hardy.

West (Samuel L. Jackson) wields a Beretta.

Rifles & Carbines

Colt M4A1

All of the Rangers carry the M4A1 into the field for the operation. All of them have an ACOG sight attached to the carry handle and a Cobray CM203 launcher. Master Sergeant West's (Samuel L. Jackson) rifle has what appears to be an ELCAN C79 sight on top of his rifle (however this may be a more streamlined ACOG as well). MSG West gets a hold of one after killing Pike (Taye Diggs), during a version of the operation. Hardy (John Travolta) also has one hanging on his wall at his apartment, which is understandable, as he is in “Cocaine Central” and would likely need protection. A sound error in the film has spent casings that can be clearly heard hitting hard ground even in scenes in muddy jungle where it is raining very heavily.

Colt M4A1 Carbine with 4 position collapsible stock - 5.56x45mm

Cobray CM203 mounted to an M4A1 carbine - 37mm flare

Castro performs one of the only true-to-life Ranger moves in the movie - Sleeping with his rifle nearby.

So does Dunbar (Brian Van Holt).

Castro aims his rifle during a stand-off.

Mueller (Dash Mihok) fires his M4A1.

MSG West with a M4A1. Note how he has his raincoat draped over him like a cape.

Dunbar returns fire at Mueller.

Hardy (John Travolta) talks on the phone, his M4 sitting nearby.

M16A2

The M16A2 carried by Castro and other Army personnel.

M16A2 - 5.56x45mm

A soldier with an M16A2.

Castro and an unnamed Ranger get off the deuce with their M16A2s.

A couple of MPs transport Dunbar to the aircraft with M16s locked and loaded.

Two guards aim their M16s at Hardy. The guard on the right has the greatest example of a 'chicken wing'.

Other

Cobray CM203 Launcher

Every Ranger on the training mission have Cobray 37mm Launchers attached to their M4 rifles standing in for the M203 grenade launcher.

Late model Cobray CM203 37mm Flare launcher underslung on an AR-15.

Kendell (Giovanni Ribisi) flicks the safety off of his M4. Here is a good shot of the Cobray launcher mounted on the carbine.

Pike sets down his M4, with the larger trigger guard of the Cobray visible.

The charging bolt of the Cobray is visible as well.

M18 Smoke Grenade

A yellow M18 Smoke Grenade is seen on Castro’s LBV.

M18 smoke grenade - Yellow.

A M18 smoke grenade is seen on Castro's vest.

M34 White Phosphorous Grenade

Every Ranger carries a M34 White Phosphorus Grenade into the field and they are a major plot device as one is used to kill MSG West.

M34 White Phosphorus Grenade.

Nuñez shows her M34, proving herself to not be West’s killer.

Mueller does the same.