M41A Pulse Rifle

"I wanna introduce you to a personal friend of mine. This is an M41A Pulse Rifle. Ten millimeter, with over-and-under thirty millimeter pump action grenade launcher."

―Cpl. Hicks to Ripley (from Aliens)

M41A Pulse Rifle
Production Information
Manufacturer	Armat Battlefield Systems
Model	M41A1
Type	Assault rifle
Technical Information
Size	Length 69.5 cm (stock retracted) 84.0 cm (stock extended)
Feed system	99-round detachable box magazine
Fire mode(s)	Fully automatic Four-round burst
Ammunition	10×24mm Caseless
Operation	Rotating breech, electronic pulse action
Rate of fire	900 rounds/min
Range	2,100 meters maximum 500 meters effective
Usage
Era(s)	Late 22nd century
Counterpart(s)	M41 Pulse Rifle M41AE2 Heavy Pulse Rifle M41A Pulse Rifle MK2 M41A/2 Pulse Rifle M41E
Affiliation	USCM Weyland-Yutani

The M41A Pulse Rifle is a pulse-action, air-cooled, automatic assault rifle chambered for 10×24mm Caseless ammunition manufactured by Armat Battlefield Systems. It was mainly employed by the United States Colonial Marine Corps and the United States Army as their primary infantry weapon during the late 22nd century. Through its use with the USCM, it saw regular use in various engagements with the Xenomorph and Yautja species.

History

The M41A Pulse Rifle first entered service with the US military in 2171 and went on to become the standard-issue rifle of the US Colonial Marine Corps and US Army. It is similar in concept to the earlier Harrington Automatic Rifle and is modeled after the revolutionary Weyland Storm Rifle manufactured by Weyland Corp almost a century earlier.

Overview

Private First Class Ricco Frost holding a Pulse Rifle.

Lightweight and rugged, the M41 is constructed largely from ultra-light alloy precision metal stampings, with a titanium aluminide alloy outer casing and high-impact, temperature resistant plastics for many of its internal parts. The M41A is fully sealed against corrosion, dirt and moisture and its electronics are hardened against TREE and background radiation, making it perfectly usable even in a vacuum. By itself the rifle weighs only 3.2 kg, although this increases to 4.9 kg when including the sling and fully-loaded magazine, and is built around a 24.7 cm long barrel.

The M41A uses an electronic pulse action to fire, controlled directly from the trigger. The internal mechanism, including the rotating breech, is mounted on free-floating rails within a carbon-fiber jacket and the entire assembly is recoil dampened to reduce the effects of muzzle climb during burst and fully-automatic fire. Even so, the weapon's recoil is fairly significant. A thumb selector allows the firer to switch between selective, four-round burst or fully automatic firing modes. In the event of a stoppage, a manual cocking handle on the right hand side of the receiver allows the user to check for rounds in the chamber or clear the breech in the event of a stoppage. The standard M41A ammunition magazine stores 99 rounds in a 'U' bend conveyor. Rounds are fed mechanically into the weapon's rotating breech. While the magazine weighs 1.5 kg when fully loaded, standard practice is to only fill it to 95% capacity (95 rounds) to prevent jamming.

Ellen Ripley uses her Pulse Rifle's U1.

The M41A usually mounts the underbarrel U1 Grenade Launcher, comprising a barrel, breech and four-round internal magazine, fired using a trigger just in front of the rifle magazine, the housing for which doubles as a grip during grenade firing. While this launcher was integral to initial versions of the rifle, later models (specifically the M41A MK2) featured a modular system that allowed the launcher to be swapped out for a different unit at the user's discretion. Grenades must be hand-loaded into the launcher's four-round magazine, which are then loaded into the breech and primed to fire from a pump action.

File:Pulse Rifle ammo counter (49).png

The ammo counter of Ripley's Pulse Rifle indicating there are 49 rounds left in the magazine.

Sighting is made down a groove in the top of the carrying handle, with an adjustable tangent leaf backsight in the rear aperture. The rifle can also be fitted with a 3x power AN/RVS-52 CCD television sight to allow for accuracy at range and under low light conditions. A spring-loaded extendible stock allows the gun to be used in either a carbine or rifle format while an LCD ammunition counter display just below the receiver informs the user of the remaining ammunition supply at a glance; this display can be dimmed for night operations. The carrying handle also contains the gun's Lithium battery; providing power for motor mechanism it is good for 10,000 rounds before requiring recharge from a rifle rack or portable power pack.

The number of vent holes on the M41A's barrel has also varied. Usually there are eight of them, but models have also been seen with ten, nine or five holes.

Ammunition

M309 round

Main article: 10×24mm Caseless

"Lieutenant, what do those Pulse Rifles fire?"
"10 millimeter explosive-tip caseless. Standard light armor-piercing round, why?"

―Ripley and Lt. Gorman (from Aliens)

Private First Class Jenette Vasquez firing M309 rounds for a Pulse Rifle.

The M41A is chambered for the standard US M309 10×24mm caseless round, a 210 grain, steel-jacketed and explosive-tipped round embedded within a rectangular propellant block of Nitramine 50. Although the propellant mass is small, it is highly efficient, generating muzzle velocities of 840 meters per second. The M309 round is optimized for lethality against infantry wearing personal armor, with its factory pre-set impact fuse designed to explode after the round has penetrated armor to inflict maximum damage. Consequently, the round is less effective against unarmored opponents, as it will often over penetrate soft targets without detonating, leaving the victim relatively unscathed and necessitating the use of multiple hits to score a kill.

Variants

M41

The first series of Pulse Rifles, the M41 was issued to Marines stationed on LV-426 during the events of the first Aliens versus Predator. Is accurate when fired in bursts but jams frequently when fired fully automatically. The weapon also features an attached grenade launcher but the grenades can be tricky to use and have an extreme blast radius that often catch the user in the blast zone itself.^{[citation needed]}

M41A

The second series of Pulse Rifles issued as the new standard for Marines over its predecessor the M41, seen in Aliens and Aliens versus Predator 2. It also appears in Aliens: Colonial Marines, as several bonus "Legendary Weapons", although the M41A MK2 is otherwise standard USCM issue in the game. Featuring an upgraded mechanism that eliminates the fully automatic feeding problems of the M41. The M41A is also able to fire long range grenades with alarming accuracy. The high rate of fire makes the weapon inaccurate at times, so short bursts are recommended, despite the improved full-auto performance.

In Aliens versus Predator 2, the rounds it fires have a good stopping power, being able to neutralize a Warrior or a Runner in a short burst, however, the M41A is only effective on light armor and is ineffective against Praetorians due to their tough exoskeleton. A design peculiarity causes the first round fired in a burst or during full automatic fire to have higher velocity than the subsequent rounds, making short bursts, so called tap bursts firing only 3-5 rounds before releasing the trigger, more powerful than fully auto fire. Unfortunately, the grenade launcher still has an alarming splash radius meaning it is potentially lethal to the user in close-quarters.

There is another variant of the M41A used by Marines in Aliens versus Predator: Extinction. This version is somewhat aesthetically different from standard M41A Pulse Rifles due to a slightly larger size (though the added weight does not seem to inhibit movement), more elongated barrel, and noticeably larger underslung grenade launcher. The modified M41A also fires stronger armor-piercing rounds, similar to the newer M41A/2. These rounds are capable of penetrating Praetorian and even Ravager exoskeletons, though concentrated fire is still needed to bring down these creatures due to their very high endurance and, in the Ravager's case, its sheer towering size over the battlefield.

M41AE2 Heavy Pulse Rifle

Main article: M41AE2 Heavy Pulse Rifle

Undergoing trial runs with select rifle and recon platoons, the M41AE2 is essentially a standard M41A with the grenade launcher removed and replaced with an 8cm-longer, removable barrel, an elongated barrel shroud and a folding bipod. The E2 is intended to function as a light support weapon, providing greater rates of sustain fire at longer ranges, feeding from an 'L' bend 300-round ammunition clip.

M41A Pulse Rifle MK2

Main article: M41A Pulse Rifle MK2

Corporal Christopher Winter checking the magazine of his MK2.

The third series of Pulse Rifles and an immediate successor to the M41A, the M41A MK2 is seen in Aliens: Colonial Marines. It is slightly smaller than its predecessor, with a corresponding reduced magazine capacity of 40 rounds, but offers up far greater modular and customisation options, including various optics, underbarrel attachments, and an extended 60-round magazine.

M41A/2 Pulse Rifle

Main article: M41A/2 Pulse Rifle

The fourth series of Pulse Rifles, issued to Marines during the events of Aliens vs. Predator. This version features minor alterations such as new front and rear iron sights to make aiming easier without the use of an auto aiming assist.

A Marine firing an M41A/2.

Problems concerning the weapon's grenade launcher were finalized. The grenades, while doing significant damage to targets on impact, often killing them in a single hit, now have a "shockwave" effect that stuns nearby targets close to its blast radius rather than doing standard fragmentation damage. While injury at very close range is still high, the survivability of a grenade fired in close quarters is significantly better than what could be expected with earlier models.

This version also fires stronger armor-piercing rounds capable of penetrating the armor of a Praetorian, though a large number of rounds are still needed to kill such a creature thanks to its high endurance.

M41E

The M41E is a successor series to the M41A in the Earth Hive novel by Steve Perry. This updated version has an effective range of about five hundred meters, although the underslung 30mm grenade launcher cannot fire accurately beyond one hundred meters. Marines are known to hate the range on the launcher, saying the "sights are for shit". At close range the weapon can deal serious damage to any target with anything below class VII spidersilk armor.

It has a weight of 4.8 kilos, making it a lighter and more compact version of its predecessor, as noted by users of older models when handling the M41E. It has different ammunition capacities when using different types of 10mm rounds: one hundred rounds with both the armor-piercing and anti-personnel, or seventy-five rainbow tracer rounds.

Behind the Scenes

File:ThompsonM1A1.png

The Thompson submachine gun, the weapon the M41As were made from.

The live-firing M41As in the Alien film series were designed by Aliens director James Cameron. Cameron's concept designs were then realized by Simon Atherton, head of British movie armorers Bapty & Co., who selected appropriate weapons on which to base the rifles. The practical Pulse Rifles were constructed from three real-world firearms — an M1A1 Thompson submachine gun as the rifle frame, and a cut-down Remington Model 870 covered with the foregrip and shroud of a Franchi SPAS-12 for the grenade launcher. In order for the Remington to fit under the weapon's main barrel, the shotgun's length had to be reduced to just 15 inches, and its shot capacity was limited to 3 rounds; Atheron described mounting the shotguns on the Pulse Rifles as the most challenging thing he had to do for the film. The rifles were finished with futuristic aluminum shells that were hand made by a race car manufacturer.

The original color of the Pulse Rifle has long been a cause of debate. The weapons originally used in Aliens were actually finished in brown shrouds, not green as is often erroneously stated (although due to on-set lighting, the weapons often appear to be olive green on-screen). This green has since been accepted as the standard finish and has been replicated in virtually every appearance of the weapon since, with the notable exception of Alien³, where the Pulse Rifles carried by Weyland-Yutani Commandos were finished in black (although some of these props were later repainted in an olive green for display).

Initial plans were to base the M41A on the Heckler & Koch MP5, using the weapon's original 1970s straight magazines; this original design can still be seen in the film on Private Frost's "PEACE THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER" T-shirt. However, James Cameron wanted the rifles to produce a large, impressive muzzle flash and this was not possible with the MP5's 9mm round. As a result, the M1A1 Thompson was adopted as the base weapon, using the larger .45 ACP round. Due to the use of the Thompson, metal casings can occasionally be seen ejecting from the rifles in Aliens, which is inaccurate for a weapon supposedly using caseless ammunition.

The 30mm grenade props were constructed from 12 gauge aluminum snap caps (an inert cartridge simulator made to the same external dimensions as a live round, used for training purposes). The snap caps were embellished with additional machining cuts made for cosmetic appearances, a push button on the top, and a colored plastic cap, which was red for the high explosive rounds seen on film.

Props

For the filming of Aliens, numerous props of the M41A Pulse Rifle were created. There were three (or very possibly four) live-firing Pulse Rifles used on the production, although only one "hero" weapon had both built-in firearms functional. During filming, the Pulse Rifles (along with all other live-fire weapons) were taken back to Bapty's overnight and whilst at Acton they were kept in a secure vehicle. After filming, the practical firing weapons were broken up, with the exception of the hero weapon. Numerous fiberglass and rubber prop weapons were also created for the safety and comfort of the actors, with the added advantage that, as they contained no real firearm components, they did not require an expensive armorer to be on set when they were in use. Additionally, dummy versions of the rifle were also used for background filming and as set dressing. Some of these props were later sold and reused on the Alien War attraction in the UK, alongside new aluminum mock-ups created specially by Bapty & Co.; in turn some of these were later photographed and used for reference in the Colonial Marines Technical Manual.

"Alpha" Pulse Rifle

The "Alpha" Pulse Rifle as it looks today.

The "Alpha" Pulse Rifle was a non-functional weapon, featuring eight vent holes and an ammo counter on the right side. The prop has gone through some restoration.

"Delta" Pulse Rifle

The "Delta" Pulse Rifle as it looks today.

The "Delta" Pulse Rifle, also known as the dual unit or the "Propstore" Pulse Rifle (as it is featured on the Prop Store's website), was the principle live fire (now legally de-activated) "hero" weapon, the main practical gun used on set, and the only one that featured both built-in firearms (the Thompson M1A1 and the Remington 870) functioning. It was also the only Pulse Rifle to feature a working, live-fire Remington 870 grenade launcher, as all other rifles had dummy units. The weapon features eight barrel vents and lacks the ammo counter on the right-hand side, and is also identifiable by the fact its grenade launcher extends fractionally further at the front of the weapon, to accommodate the working Model 870 within.

The Delta Pulse Rifle was the only functional Pulse Rifle that was not disassembled after the production of Aliens finished. It was notably used by Jenette Goldstein in the Operations Center assault scene, specifically shots where she can be seen using both the Pulse Rifle's primary fire and its grenade launcher in succession. Sigourney Weaver also used the weapon to fire grenades into the Queen's Egg sac inside the Hive, although this is only in the brief cuts where the grenade launcher is actually seen being fired (an alternate prop is used when the launcher is being pumped).

A Commando using the Delta Pulse Rifle to shoot Morse.

A Commando shooting Aaron with the Delta Pulse Rifle.

The weapon returned to the screen in Alien³, albeit painted black, where it is used by a Weyland-Yutani Commando to shoot Morse in the leg. The weapon is used again later when a Commando guns down Aaron. Interestingly, it appears that none of the Pulse Rifles used in Alien³ (including the Delta prop) have ammo counters in the film. This is possibly because additional props made for the film were based on the Delta weapon's shroud, which does not feature an ammo counter.

Photos of the "Delta" Pulse Rifle from when it was still colored black were also prominently featured in an interview with technicians who worked on Aliens in issue 48 of Science Fiction & Fantasy FX magazine in August 2000, where it once again can be identified by its longer grenade launcher barrel.

The Prop Store's Ian firing a Pulse Rifle from the sci-fi classic Aliens

The Prop Store's Ian firing the "Delta" Pulse Rifle

The Delta Pulse Rifle has been repainted many times since its creation, including black for use in Alien³. Later, the weapon (still colored black) was hired and further modified with cosmetic additions for use on the cover of the 1987 single "Revolution Baby" by UK band Transvision Vamp, where it was held by the lead signer. In the cover image, the Delta Pulse Rifle is still fitted with its sling, which was subsequently lost. Today the weapon has been repainted in a more familiar olive green military color.

"Zeta" Pulse Rifle

The "Zeta" Pulse Rifle as it appears in the Technical Manual. Note that the colors of the Zeta Pulse Rifle in this image are slightly different than they are in the book.

The "Zeta" Pulse Rifle, also known as the "Lawrence Nathan" (after the owner) or "Technical Manual" Rifle, is the Pulse Rifle prop photographed in the Colonial Marine Technical Manual. Described as a "working pulse rifle", the Zeta Pulse Rifle features eight barrel vents, an ammo counter on the right-hand side (which appears to be white in the "Fig.2.2 M41A Pulse Rifle" image on page 13, likely due to lighting), a black sling and wooden pistol grip (unlike the guns featured in Aliens, which all featured black grips).

As of June 1, 1996 the prop is owned by Lawrence Nathan who may possibly have created it too. Notably, AliensCollection.com features three supposed "studio shoot" images of the Zeta Pulse Rifle on their Aliens props page. However, the Pulse Rifle seen in the images has many differences from the Pulse Rifle seen in the Technical Manual, such as a lack of any paint scratches, a silver colored grenade launcher front-end, a lack of the piece below the shroud and behind the pistol grip, and a grenade launcher trigger. The Pulse Rifle in the images also features a green sling as opposed to the black one seen on the Zeta Pulse Rifle in the manual. However, given that slings are easily removable, this isn't proof of the one in the three images not being the Zeta Pulse Rifle. Also, the sling could have been changed to make the Pulse Rifle more accurate to the film as in Aliens the slings were also green. Given the numerous discrepancies, the Pulse Rifle featured in the three images is presumed to be a fake and not be the Zeta Pulse Rifle.

Trivia

• James Cameron spent two days perfecting the distinctive sound effects for the Pulse Rifle in Aliens.
• The M41A is undoubtedly one of the most popular weapons ever created for a sci-fi film, and countless variants (both official and fan-made) have been created since the release of Aliens. The weapon's popularity has also led to many physical reproductions and replicas being sold over the years. For some time, a kit was available to convert a Tokyo Marui airsoft M1A1 Thompson into an M41A Pulse Rifle, complete with working LCD counter. Replica Pulse Rifles include:
  • Icon's Pulse Rifle, limited edition, now fairly rare, Icon's Pulse Rifle is made of fiber glass and metal is regarded to have a good feel and weight, but does not feature any working actions.
  • Matrix Limited Edition Custom Alien Pulse Rifle Airsoft AEG, sold as a complete AEG (unlike the the Tokyo Marui Thompson kit), the Matrix Pulse Rifle features a "futuristic aggressive look", a working bullet counter, retractable stock, customizable integrated shotgun compartment and a carrying handle. Internally, the Alien Pulse Rifle features an advanced version 6 gearbox, torque up motor and a whopping 380 FPS right out of the box. The version 6 gearbox is a new system gearbox.
• In the movies the M41A Pulse Rifle is standard issue for the Colonial Marines and is the most prominent weapon used by the Colonial Marine detachment in Aliens. However, in the series of video games there are several different variations of the Pulse Rifle depicted. They are all largely similar with some minor differences in how they appear and operate. Aliens versus Predator and Aliens versus Predator: Extinction feature the M41 Pulse Rifle, Aliens vs. Predator (2010) features the M41A/2 Pulse Rifle and Aliens: Colonial Marines features the M41A Pulse Rifle MK2. The original M41A from the movies is only used in Aliens versus Predator 2 , Alien vs. Predator (1994 arcade game) and Aliens versus Predator: Extinction, although it also makes a cameo appearance in Aliens: Colonial Marines as two Legendary Weapons (Hudson's Pulse Rifle and Ripley's Pulse Rifle).
• While the original movie Pulse Rifles featured LCD ammo counters on their right side, the counters are typically switched to the weapon's left-hand side in its video game appearances (to make it visible to players wielding the weapon).
• If the player presses the 'block' button while using the M41A/2 Pulse Rifle in the 2010 video game Aliens vs. Predator, the USCM emblem can be seen at the end of the rifle.
• In Aliens Colonial Marines, Hudson's Pulse Rifle (an M41A) incorrectly fires in five-round bursts. The M41A only fires in four-round bursts or fully-automatic.
• In the Aliens: Colonial Marines level Mission 1: Distress, M41A Pulse Rifles can be found lying around the USS Sulaco's armory. The models used aren't very detailed have some parts colored black such as the magazine. The triggers for the grenade launcher and rifle are also notably absent and an ammo counter is located on both sides of the rifle, even though the ones in the film only had it on the right-hand side.
  • The same M41A Pulse Rifle model can also be found in various places in the level Firing Range.
  • The same Pulse Rifle model can also be found in Mission 3: Sulaco Falls being held by a dead Marine.
• In Aliens, M41As can sometimes be seen without the ammo counter. This is because not all of the props used in the film had the counter (such as the "Delta" prop).
• The number of holes in the shroud varies from weapon-to-weapon within Aliens, no doubt as a result of the use of both practical live-firing models and less dangerous fiberglass and rubber props in the production.
• In Aliens, when the camera is moving around the empty Sulaco, there are 15 Pulse Rifles seen in the weapon racks.

Figure accessories based on the M41A

Due to the weapon's popularity, many weapons for action figures have been based on the Pulse Rifle design.

The Black "M41A 'Xeno' Pulse Rifle".

• BrickArms.com sells (through "Authorized Online Resellers") a building toy-compatible "M41A 'Xeno' Pulse Rifle" available primarily in Black and Gunmetal for MSRP $.75 which is obviously based on the M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens. BrickArms also sell the "M1A1 SMG" (based on the Thompson submachine gun) and the "Combat Shotgun" (based on the SPAS-12) which are both based on weapons used in the construction of the M41A props used in the films. The site also sells the "Space Assault Rifle (SAR)" which is based on the MA5 Series of assault rifles from the Halo franchise which were themselves likely inspired by the M41A.

The Duke figure's rifle.

• The G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra "Desert Battle" Conrad "Duke" Hauser figure comes with a rifle which appears to be based on the M41A design. The rifle has some lengthened barrels and an odd paintjob which "hides" the Pulse Rifle design a bit.

• • Similarly, the G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra "City Strike" Iron Grenadier and the 30th Anniversary Iron Grenadier figures come with a "Thermo-reactive anti-armor assault cannon" which is obviously based on the M56 Smartgun.

• • A very similar (if not the same) weapon that came with the Iron Grenadiers based on the Smartgun also comes with the GI Joe Convention 2013 Night Force Repeater figures.

• The S.T.O.P. vs. S.C.U.M. figures "Tank" comes with a rifle which is obviously based on the M41A.

The "'NCM' Rifle".

• The site Marauderinc.com used to sell the "'NCM' Rifle" 1:18 scale weapon for 3 3/4 inch action figures in black for $0.99 which was obviously based on the M41A. However, this item has since been removed from the site's store, and replaced with the "'NCM Mark II' Pulse Rifle". Also, as part of Marauder's Kickstarter "Mark II" project, the "'NCM' Rifle" (known as the "Pulse" in the Kickstarter) was available in a "LIMITED EDITION 'Baby-Blue' Detail Test Shot" color, "PRE-PAINTED in 'Realistic' paint scheme" which gave the shroud a green color and "LIMITED EDITION PRE-PAINTED 'Desert Tan' paint scheme" which gave the shroud a tan color

• • Similarly, The site also sells the "Flamethrower Incendiary Weapon" which is obviously based on the M240 Incinerator Unit.

Appearances

• Aliens/novel (First Appearance)
• Aliens: Newt's Tale
• Aliens: Earth Hive (novel, as the M41E)
• Alien War (as the M41B)
• Alien³
• Alien³: The Gun
• Alien vs. Predator (1994 arcade game)
• Alien Trilogy (video game)
• Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual
• Aliens Online
• Aliens versus Predator (video game, as the M41)
• Aliens: Apocalypse - The Destroying Angels
• Aliens versus Predator 2 (video game)
• Aliens: Unleashed
• Alien versus Predator: Extinction (video game)
• Aliens: Extermination
• Aliens vs. Predator (video game, as the M41A/2)
• Aliens: Infestation
• Aliens: Colonial Marines (video game)
  • Stasis Interrupted (as the M41A Pulse Rifle MK2)
• AVP: Evolution
  • Special Bonus Mission (loading screen only)

Appearances in other media

Owing to its fame, the M41A has appeared in numerous media outside of the Alien franchise.

• In the episode "The Lastest Gun in the West" of The Simpsons, the character Snake and some cronies use Pulse Rifles to fight off Springfield's police force during a bank siege.
• In Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun, GDI soldiers use a weapon called the M16MKII Pulse Rifle, which may be inspired by the M41A.
• In the 1998 film Soldier, the screen displaying Todd's stats includes numerous references such as listing the "3008 USCM SMARTGUN" as one of Todd's "ORDNANCE LEVELS". The list also possibly includes the M41A Pulse Rifle as the letters "LE" (which are the last two letters in M41A Pulse Rifle) are briefly seen in the list before the word they are attached to disappears. Given the reference to the Smartgun, it seems likely this could have been part of the word "M41A PULSE RIFLE" , or something similar. Notably, despite the words "M41A PULSE RIFLE" not appearing in the film, IMDb's trivia section for the film notes that the ordnance list does include the "M41A pulse rifle".
• In the South Park two-part episode "Go God Go", Pulse Rifles are used by anthropomorphic sea otters.
• In the opening cinamatic of the game Independence War: Defiance, the crew of the Sparticus are shown to carry M41As.
• Several models of the Pulse Rifle are shown in the Sony PlayStation G-Police game series, where they are used in a few FMV cutscenes.
• In two-part season 3 finale of the animated comedy Archer, "Space Race", the crew of the space station Horizon are armed with the "M41 Mark 2 Plasma Pulse Rifle with concussion grenade launcher", a clear reference to the M41A. As well as a similar name, the M41 Mark 2 has an underslung pump-action grenade launcher, a similar color scheme and design, an electronic ammo counter, a large carrying handle and a magazine capacity of 99 rounds. However, the Mark 2 does have several notably differences, chiefly its bullpup design and use of energy-based plasma ammunition.
• In the online game SAS: Zombie Assault 2, the M41A Pulse Rifle is one of the premium guns. The M41A fires in four-round bursts (which is said to be a feature of the M41A Pulse Rifle in the Colonial Marines Technical Manual), uses 10mm caseless ammuntion (also like the Aliens M41A) and has a 200-round magazine which can be upgraded to a 400-round one.
• In the sequel to SAS: Zombie Assault 2, SAS: Zombie Assault 3, Ninja Kiwi made a premium, stronger version of the M41A Pulse Rifle, the M41-A Grendel 12.7. The Grendel is described as being "the standard issue primary of space marines in the distant future" (an obvious reference to the USCM) and is fully automatic, uses 12.7mm caseless rounds, fires at 11.6 rounds/sec or 696 rounds/min and uses a 200-round magazine which can be upgraded to a 400-round one.
• In the movie Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, after the T-X Terminator's main plasma cannon is damaged, the cyborg can be seen scrolling through a list of alternative weapons in its internal memory. The M41A Pulse Rifle is on the list, although the weapon itself is never seen.
• In the Ben 10: Alien Force episode Kevin's Big Score, a weapon which appears to be based on the M41A Pulse Rifle can be seen in the Rust bucket's gun rack when Kevin shows Argit the hidden Alien Tech.
• In the 2013 video game Saints Row IV, the Pulse Rifle appears as a "costume" for the "Burst Rifle" known as the "Impulse Rifle". The weapon is overall very similar to the M41A Pulse Rifles seen in Aliens, although a foregrip has been added. The Impulse Rifle fires in 5-round bursts and the underbarrel grenade launcher is unusable. It also has three skins, with the "Default" skin displaying Hicks' famous quote "Remember: Short, controlled bursts." Additionally, the "Black Gold" skin colors the shroud black (similar to the Pulse Rifles used by the Weyland-Yutani Commandos in Alien³) and the gray parts gold, while the "Blue Plaid" is actually a reference to Space Balls. The weapon also appears on the weapon racks in gun stores.

Gallery

Pvt. Frost with a Pulse Rifle in Aliens.

Ellen Ripley holds a Pulse Rifle in Aliens

Aliens- Ripley4.jpg

Ripley as she fires the M41A for the first time.

Hudson lets rip with the M41A.

Ripley searches the Atmosphere Processor for Newt. Note the M41A's filled-in barrels, indicating that it is a stunt prop.

The M41A based on a Heckler & Koch MP5 seen on Frost's T-shirt in Aliens.

Holding the M41 in Aliens versus Predator.

Concept rendering of an M41A from Aliens: Colonial Marines. The M41A was eventually replaced with the M41A Pulse Rifle MK2.

The original cover to Transvision Vamp's 1987 single "Revolution Baby"; the modified "Delta" Pulse Rifle can be made out on the right.

Concept rendering of an M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens: Colonial Marines (although in the final game it was replaced with the MK2). Note what appears to be a leaf sight for the U1 and the ammo counter indicating that there are 37 rounds left in the magazine.

Concept rendering of a Pulse Rifle from Aliens: Colonial Marines. Note the leaf sight presumably for the U1 and the ammo counter whose numbers are less "square" than they normally are. Also note that the ammo counter indicates that the magazine is loaded with 99 rounds instead of 95, meaning that the jamming issue may have been fixed.

The Pulse Rifle as it appears in Aliens: Unleashed.

Firing the Pulse Rifle in Aliens: Unleashed.

The Aliens Predator CCG "M41A PULSE RIFLE" card number 210.

External Links

• www.m41a.com
• Evike.com - Matrix Limited Edition Custom Alien Pulse Rifle Airsoft AEG