Escape from L.A.

Escape from L.A. (1996)

Escape from L.A. is the 1996 sequel to 1981's Escape from New York. John Carpenter returned as director and Kurt Russell stars once again as Snake Plissken, who is sent into the prison island of Los Angeles to retrieve a device stolen by the daughter of the President of the United States that is the key to activating a powerful doomsday weapon.

The following weapons were used in the film Escape from L.A.:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Rifles / Carbines

"Coreburner" (Modified LaFrance M16K)

The rifle used by Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is identified in the film as a "Coreburner". In reality, the weapon is a heavily modified later-generation LaFrance Specialties M16K. Originally, the weapon was supplied by Stembridge Gun Rentals and based upon a Rocky Mountain Arms Patriot fitted to a select-fire M16 lower receiver unit, but the Patriot upper was not designed to function on fully automatic fire, and thus, the Stembridge version of the Coreburner kept jamming when firing blank rounds on full-auto. Armorer Steve Karnes at Ellis Props & Graphics was hired to build a new version of the Coreburner, this time based around the M16K, which worked far better.

LaFrance Specialties M16K w/o Forward Assist - 5.56x45mm

The "Coreburner" - LaFrance Specialties M16K as modded for the film.

"Coreburner, magnesium ammo, 500 extra rounds." The weapon is displayed and described for Snake. Note the ammunition boxes near the top of frame that are printed '.223 Magnesium Cartridges'.

Snake Plissken fires the Coreburner at Malloy and Brazen.

Snake (Kurt Russell) looks dumbfounded as they reveal the first magazine was loaded with blanks in anticipation of his move.

After getting ashore in L.A., Snake ambushes Pipeline (Peter Fonda) with the Coreburner.

As a skinhead is about to throw a knife at him, Snake casually blasts the guy with the Coreburner.

Snake takes aim at Cuervo ...

... but loses the Coreburner early into the movie to a disarmament by chain. What a waste!

Ruger AC556

As used by Cuervo Jones (George Corraface), the Ruger AC556 in the film is the stainless steel edition but with a polymer Choate Stock and mounted scope. This configuration in real life is used by the Royal Bermudan Military. Cuervo Jones uses it to attempt to snipe Snake, but Utopia (A.J. Langer) tackles Jones, making him miss. Snake later takes this gun from Cuervo to replace his Coreburner.

Ruger Mini-14 GB with Choate stock and polymer furniture - 5.56x45mm. This is the semiautomatic only version of the select-fire AC-556 - Aside from the lack of selector lever, the two are visually identical.

Cuervo (George Corraface) prepares to take aim with the Ruger AC556.

Utopia (A.J. Langer) moves to distract Cuervo.

Snake disarms Cuervo in the parking lot.

Snake fires at Cuervo's men with the AC556.

FN FAL

The United States Police Force guards and soldiers carry FN FAL battle rifles with Cobray 37mm Launchers mounted on them. According to armorer Steve Karnes, the FALs in the film were a mix of semi-auto Springfield Armory SAR-48s and selective fire LaFrance Specialties FALs with Cobray CM203 launchers and custom flash hiders.

FN FAL 50.00 - 7.62x51mm NATO

Cobray CM203 Launcher - 37mm

A USPF officer holds an FN FAL during Snake's prisoner exchange.

Two USPF officers keep Snake at gunpoint while he prepares to enter the mini-sub.

An assembled firing squad of USPF officers fire their FALs.

Heckler & Koch HK93A3

The President's daughter Utopia (A.J. Langer) is seen holding a Heckler & Koch HK93A3 with bipod on board Air Force Three.

Heckler & Koch HK93A2 Rifle - 5.56x45mm. This is the variation of the rifle with fixed stock, the A3 has a collapsible stock.

Snake watches a video of Utopia holding a Heckler & Koch HK93A3 when speaking to the camera on board Air Force Three.

Another shot of the HK93 as Utopia is seen preparing to escape.

AKM

The hippie surfer named Pipeline (Peter Fonda) carries an AKM when he meets Snake Plissken on the beach. AKMs are also seen heavily in the film as an apparently very common weapon among the inhabitants of L.A.

AKM assault rifle - 7.62x39mm

Pipeline (Peter Fonda) confronts Snake with the AKM.

Pipeline with his AKM. Note the barrel, hand-guard and front sight assembly is clearly identifiable here as an AKM, and the magazine is of the steel variety.

However, while in the next scene he has a Krinkov with a synthetic type magazine slung across his back.

One of many LA residents carrying an AK variant. Pretty much everyone carries in this movie. An armed society is a polite society?

Unknown AK variants

7.62x39mm AK derivatives with Galil-like fore-grips and stocks are seen at various points in the movie. The heavily curved 7.62x39 magazine gives it away as not being an actual Galil, as they (and their variants) are only chambered in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm, and neither have these extremely curved magazines.

IMI Galil ARM - 5.56x45mm

Two of the gang members in this scene carry the Galil-looking AK variant.

M16 (various)

Numerous M16 variants are seen in the hands of gang members and L.A. inhabitants.

M16A1 with 30 Round magazine - 5.56x45mm

M16A1 with A2 style hand-guards - 5.56x45mm

A gang member holds an M16.

One of many gang members carrying an M16.

M1 Garand

M1 Garand seen in the hands of various gang members, including the members of Cuervo Jones' gang.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

A Garand can be glimpsed on the far right pointed in the air

M1903 Springfield

M1903 Springfield rifles are seen in the hands of Cuervo Jones' gang members.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06

A Springfield can be glimpsed right behind the Garand pointed in the air

Heckler & Koch G3

Heckler & Koch G3s are seen in the hands of various gang members.

Heckler & Koch G3A3 - 7.62x51mm NATO

Karabiner 98k

Karabiner 98k rifles are seen in the hands of Cuervo Jones' gang members.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm

Ruger Mini-14

The Ruger Mini-14 is seen on at least one occasion in a gang member's hands.

Mini-14 Rifle - 5.56x45mm

Gang members cheering for Cuervo's death spectacle.

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center

Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) carries two Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center .44 Magnum revolvers equipped with Aimpoint red dot scopes as his sidearms of choice.

Screen used Smith & Wesson Model 629 'Competitor' AKA 'Performance Center' with Scope - .44 Magnum. This is one of the pair of Screen used guns held by Kurt Russell in the film.

Snake clips on the thigh holsters containing his Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center revolvers.

Snake fires his revolvers in a deceptive duel, challenging his adversaries to draw when a can hits the ground. Snake draws before the can.

"Draw."

Snake doesn't give a warm handshake to 'Map to the Stars' Eddie (Steve Buscemi).

A very clear shot of the revolver.

M1911

The M1911 is seen in the pistol holster of the Surgeon-General of Beverly Hills (Bruce Campbell). Snake later takes this pistol from him after shooting him with a small blow dart.

M1911 - .45 ACP

Snake holds the M1911 at the Surgeon General after disarming him. The small ejection port betrays the gun as a pre-A1 version.

Taslima (Valeria Golino) holds the 1911 after Snake gave it to her - the slide stop is that of a 1911, not the special elongated slide stop for gloved hands that the Kongsberg M1914 has.

Cuervo's microphone man holds a 1911 variant.

Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark VII

'Map to the Stars' Eddie (Steve Buscemi) carries a .357 Desert Eagle Mark VII which Snake Plissken later takes.

Desert Eagle Mark VII - .357 Magnum

Map to the Stars Eddie (Steve Buscemi) takes aim at Snake in the sewer.

Snake (Kurt Russell) later holds Eddie's Desert Eagle at him after forcefully boarding his car and disarming him.

Ruger P90

Cuervo Jones (George Corraface) carries a Ruger P90 throughout the film.

Ruger P90 - .45 ACP

Cuervo has his Ruger ready as Eddie emerges from the sewer.

Side shot of the Ruger.

Cuervo (George Corraface) aims his Ruger at Eddie again.

Seecamp LWS

Hershe (Pam Grier) carries a Seecamp LWS pistol between her thighs. Snake finds the gun and points it at her.

Seecamp LWS-32 - .32 ACP

Snake (Kurt Russell) has disarmed Hershe (Pam Grier) of her hidden Seecamp LWS and negotiates on his own terms.

Snake puts the LWS to Hershe's head.

Closeup of the pistol.

Snake continues to hold the Seecamp on Hershe.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5A3

The Heckler & Koch MP5A3 is seen in the hands of various gang members, including Cuervo Jones' army and the Saigon Shadows.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with stock extended - 9x19mm

The Saigon Shadows prepare to take off with the police helicopter. Nearly all of them have MP5s. Of note is veteran stunt men James Lew (far left) and to the right is Al Leong, both carrying MP5s.

Converted Heckler & Koch SP89

During the air raid on Cuervo Jones, Snake has a custom Heckler & Koch SP89 with a stainless steel receiver. This is the same weapon used by Dennis Hopper in the movie Speed.

Heckler & Koch SP89 converted to full auto fire and made to look like an MP5K. Note lack of paddle magazine release and push-pin lower receiver.

Snake prepares for the air raid along with the Saigon Shadows. The magazine release is clearly that of a SP89

Snake fires the SP89 at Cuervo's men.

Heckler & Koch MP5K

During the air raid on Cuervo Jones, Hershe (Pam Grier) uses a standard Heckler & Koch MP5K.

Heckler & Koch MP5K with SEF Plastic Trigger Pack - 9x19mm. This is a very well worn Motion picture weapon.

The Saigon Shadows prepare to take off with the police helicopter. At the far right, Hershe has an MP5K.

Heckler & Koch HK94A3

The Heckler & Koch HK94A3, a civilian, long-barrel semi-auto version of the MP5, is seen in the hands of various gang members.

Heckler & Koch HK94A3 - 9x19mm

A gang member armed with an HK94.

Micro Uzi

The Micro Uzi makes various appearances throughout the movie. They are mostly used by criminal gangs, e.g the Korean Dragons.

Micro Uzi with 32 rd magazine - 9x19mm

A horseman in Cuervo's motorcade fires his Micro Uzi at Snake.

Young members of the Korean Dragons fire their Micro Uzis at unaffiliated L.A. inhabitants.

MAC-10

The gang member who steals and wears Snake's coat holds a MAC-10 while escorting Snake to the basketball court in the middle of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Ingram MAC-10 - 9x19mm

A member of Cuervo's gang holding a MAC-10 sneers at Snake as Snake realizes he has his coat.

Shotguns

SWD/Cobray Street Sweeper

A gang member is seen holding a Street Sweeper towards the air and later shooting it with an angled fore-grip.

SWD/Cobray Street Sweeper - 12 Gauge

Street Sweeper seen in the background.

The gang member on the right has a Street Sweeper.

SPAS-12

A Franchi SPAS-12 is seen in the hands of a gang member at the Happy Kingdom.

Franchi SPAS-12 - 12 Gauge

A SPAS-12 is pointed in the air.

Remington 870 "Witness Protection"

A gang member is seen holding a Remington 870 "Witness Protection" towards the air.

Remington 870 "Witness Protection" - 12 gauge

The 870 can be seen behind the SPAS-12.

Other

CODA All-Purpose Net Gun

What appears to be a CODA Net Gun is used by the the Surgeon General's caped staff to capture Snake. This particular device is used mostly in reality to catch animals without harming them and was also used in 1987's The Running Man and 2015's Jurassic World.

CODA All-Purpose Net Gun.

Staffer prepares to capture Snake in his net.

M136 AT4

Cuervo Jones (George Corraface) attempts to shoot down Plissken's helicopter with an M136 AT4 rocket launcher. It is famously seen from the front unloaded for about a second, then suddenly fires a missile.

M136 AT4 Anti-Tank rocket launcher - 84mm

Cuervo (George Corraface) prepares to fire at Snake's helicopter.