--- title: "The M41A Pulse Rifle From ‘Aliens’ Is Real Thanks To These Firearms Manufacturers" date: "2017-06-09" modified: "2017-06-09" authors: - name: "James Clark" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/james-clark/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/m41a-pulse-rifle-aliens-real-thanks-firearms-manufacturers/" categories: - "Culture" - "Entertainment" - "Guns" - "Tech & Tactics" - "Weapons" --- # The M41A Pulse Rifle From ‘Aliens’ Is Real Thanks To These Firearms Manufacturers ![]() An iconic science-fiction firearm, the M41A pulse rifle is the standard-issue weapon of the Colonial Marines, the ill-fated, but unquestionably badass protagonists in James Cameron’s 1986 blockbuster: “Aliens.” Because of its huge popularity — I mean come on, that thing is way more badass than a blaster from “Star Wars” *—* a number of gun aficionados and sci-fi fans have made their own versions of the combo-pulse rifle and grenade launcher over the years, and the videos are [again making the rounds](). On June 2, [BLK RFL DIV](), dug up this video from 2014, showing a pulse rifle by Lage Manufacturing, LLC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT90YzPIhVE The pulse rifle from Lage weighs in at 14 pounds and is a combination 9mm submachine gun affixed to a short-barreled 12-gauge shotgun. It holds 50 rounds in a "coffin" magazine, and even has a LED counter on the side, so you can visibly watch your ammo deplete as you annihilate [hordes of imaginary Xenomorphs at the range.]() But, it’s hardly the only one out there, with the occasional hobbyist taking to [YouTube]() to show off his own version of the mainstay of the Colonial Marines’ arsenal. Like this one, made with an M1A1 Thompson and a Remington 12-gauge shotgun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeDish-Antk These custom-made pulse rifles are actually closer to the “real” thing than you might think. The original [M41A pulse rifles used in “Aliens”]() were made from an M1A1 Thompson and fitted with a cut-down Remington 870 shotgun, with the heat shield and foregrip from a Franchi SPAS-12, plus a bit of rubber and plastic tossed in here and there. If “Aliens” is less your style, but you still think the only good bug is a dead bug, don’t fret: Someone else has figured out how to make the Morita Assault rifle wielded by Johnny Rico from "Starship Troopers." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBskIuSdp34 ## Author James Clark is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose. He is a former Marine and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()