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Survivors
Survivors is a drama shown on BBC One, BBC Entertainment (South Africa), BBC America, NRJ 12 (France), Channel Nine (Australia) and on the BBC iPlayer service, split into 2 seasons and 12 parts. A third season is speculated. It follows the survivors of a flu-like virus which kills approximately 99.9% of the world's population. (Think 28 Days Later but without zombies.) Despite the action following the small pocket of survivors living in Great Britain, handguns are commonly seen in the series. Only certain licensed people such as vets can carry a handgun in the UK unless that handgun has a long barrel and stock. Surprisingly, bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles, and air weapons are not seen, despite being perfectly legal and readily available (rifled firearms are in no way common in the UK, even when chambered in .22 rim fire). Shotguns are also readily available in the UK and commonly seen, most likely looted from gun/sport shops. As the only semi and fully automatic rifles in the UK for public use have to be chambered in .22 rimfire, it is safe to say that weapons not fitting that group are, or were originally in government, police, military, or private contractors hands, however smooth barrelled semi automatic firearms are extremely common in calibres such as 12, 20 and 410 gauge among sportsmen and hunters in the UK.
Browning Hi-Power
A Browning Hi-Power is the first gun seen in the series. It is seen in the hands of escaped criminal, Tom Price (Max Beesley), who loads the thirteen rounds into the magazine and fires the gun at a near-by tree. The gun was previously encased in a waterproof bin-liner and submerged in a rainwater collection barrel.
The ownership of handguns is highly restricted and they are essentially banned for private ownership. The Browning Hi-Power was used by the UK military and remains popular amongst criminals (such as Tom Price)
Beretta 92FS
In a later episode, the main protagonist ends up in a sustainable community, headed by the lone surviving member of the British political system, Samantha Willis (Nikki Amuka-Bird). When they capture two 'raiders', they decide to to exercise some justice, by (in a very 'British' manner) shooting one of them squarely in the head with a Beretta 92FS pistol, a firearm that is nearly impossible to acquire through legal channels (even for the police). What's more, the shooter ,Samantha Willis, is almost knocked down by the recoil of the gun. Coupled with that, 1) It's safe to say she's never fired a gun before. 2) She is portrayed as being very weak, especially when holding a gun. 3) Where the hell did she get the gun from (British police officers are not regularly armed with any firearm, and even then they use Glocks). 4) She's remarkably accurate. It's safe to say that the program focuses more on the plot than on realism.
Possibly nicked from one of the USAF bases in Britain. The Wired It
A small number of police units have at one time or another used the Berretta 92 and several are in the hands of various museums so its possible that could be the source the tactical fella
In season two, the gun is seen again. Willis uses it to great effect in episode 3, and in episode 6 the main protagonist Abby Grant holds the same gun to Dr. Whitaker's head.
Beretta 87 'Cheetah'
Seen in the last episode of season 2. Dr. Whitaker gives the gun away shortly after it is shown.
Tokarev TT-33
Seen at the hands of a raider that holds up the family at the beginning of episode five (Season two)
Smith and Wesson Model 64
In episode 5 of series 2, a survivor ("Mr. Stevens") commits suicide with a Smith & Wesson Model 64.
CZ 100
Greg holds a CZ 100 pistol on Mr. Landry and his men during the exchange.
Remington 870 w/ extended magazine tube and rifle sights
Used by survivors in Samantha Willis's community. In the course of the first season, the gun is shown prominently from the third episode onwards. In season two of the show, the gun is used from the outset until episode three, whereby it is lost when one of the characters is captured and taken to a mine. It is also revealed to be unloaded at the end of season two, episode one. It is a standard extended barrel 870 with deer gun (slug) sights on the barrel.
12 gauge double barreled shotgun
The double barreled boxlock shotgun is in the hands of a 'raider' named Dexter. It is featured prominently throughout the second episode, where it is used in a threatening manner many times and is also used for shooting down some wild champagne bottles in a car park. It appears to be a higher end British manufactured shotgun, noting the stock style and the possibly engraved 'silver' receiver - maybe a Purdey's or Holland & Holland or Churchill or Greener.
Heckler & Koch MP5
In series 2, the MP5 is commonly seen used by unknown British military/government/private contractors who guard key surviving installations. It is also seen in the hands of guards at Samantha Willis's colony and in episode 6 of series 2, in the hands of the survivors. Presumably in its A3 variant, the weapon would be regularly available in the UK, as it is a firm favourite with the British regular Police, CO19 (SWAT style unit) and with special forces/government agencies inside the UK. Why no standard British army weapons are seen is unknown, as many hundreds of thousands of L85A2's and other weapons would be available, and possibly the soldiers to use them. Especially to any government unit such as the lab where the vaccine is being developed.
SA Vz.61 Skorpion
In episode 6 of series 2, one of Landry's guard's uses an SA Vz. 61 Skorpion as his side arm, after Tom Price opens fire on the guard from behind.
Heckler & Koch HK33
Landry's men in episode 6 of series 2 both use what looks like a pair of HK33's. Such H&K weapons are regularly available as props for the BBC, and are seen in series like Spooks and Torchwood.
