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 included 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 movie Basic:

Colt 1911A1

Master Sergeant Nathan West (Samuel L. Jackson) carries a Colt M1911A1 in a black holster on his hip. He fires it at Nuñez (Roselyn Sanchez) during a version of what happened.

WWII era Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP.

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

West shoots at Nuñez with his 1911.

Cobray Launcher

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

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

Kendell flicks the safety off of his M4.

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

The charging bolt of the Cobray is visible as well.

Colt M4A1

All of the Rangers carry M4A1s into the field for the operation. All of them have an ACOG sight attached to the carry handle and a Cobray CM203 launcher. MSG West's 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 also has one hanging on his wall at his apartment, which is understandable, as he is in “Cocaine Central” and would need protection. A sound error means that spent casings 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

Kendell flicks the safety off of his M4.

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

So does Dunbar.

Castro, awake now, aims his rifle during the Mexican standoff.

Mueller tries to kill Dunbar and a wounded Kendell.

MSG West with his commandeered M4A1. Why he has his raincoat draped over him like a cape? Because it is awesome that's why.

Dunbar returns fire at Mueller.

Hardy, (John Travolta), talks on the phone with his M4 nearby. We can assume it is fitted with a M203 launcher, because why order another M4 if it isn’t seen again.

Beretta 92FS

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 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 M9 just before the stand-off.

Nuñez, the WORST mistake in this movie, pulls her M9.

Nuñez’s again.

Osborne pulls her Beretta breaking up a fight between her and Hardy.

West and Castro’s Beretta.

Colt M16A2

The M16A2 carried by Castro and other Army personnel.

M16A2 5.56x45mm

Pretty cool way to get back to base.

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.

M18 Smoke Grenade

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

M18 smoke grenade

Grenade, vest, last we see of it.

White Phosphorous Grenade

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

US M34 White Phosphorus Grenade.

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

Mueller does the same.