The X-Files - Season 5

Season 5 of The X-Files premiered on November 2, 1997 - rather late compared to prior seasons - and would conclude the following May with 20 episodes; the second-shortest season in the original-run series. Season 5 would be notable for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest would be that this would be the last season of the show to be filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia until the Season 10 revival - Following S5, the series would move filming and main production to Los Angeles, California. The move was precipitated primarily by lead actor Duchovny, who grew weary of being away from his then-wife Téa Leoni. Co-star Gillian Anderson and others in the X-Files crew supported the move (though not as strongly and for other reasons), while others, notably showrunner Chris Carter, not so much. In any event FOX moved the series to LA for its' sixth season, and the show would film in LA for the remainder of its' original run.
Of additional note is that this would be the first season in which, story-wise, the overarching background mythology would be mostly preplanned, as a result of the upcoming feature film, which had actually been mostly filmed and produced prior to the start of the fifth season. Among the new elements revealed in the background mythology would include the addition of the 'Alien Rebels' as well as the near-collapse of Mulder's belief in the extraterrestrial conspiracy. Other, more tangential episodes, such as "Travelers" and "Unusual Suspects", would expound on several background elements (the origin of the X-Files unit and the 'The Lone Gunmen', respectively). 
The stand-alone 'Monster of the Week' episodes continued in earnest, with several highly acclaimed and regarded episodes in Season 5, many considered the best in the show, such as "The Post-Modern Prometheus" and "Bad Blood", the former filmed entirely in black-and-white, as a stylistic nod to the classic 1931 film Frankenstein. Other episodes were notable for the writers behind them, such as "Chinga", co-penned (with Chris Carter) by noted horror writer Stephen King and "Kill Switch", penned by 'Cyberpunk'-pioneering authors William Gibson and Tom Maddox.
Season 5 of The X-Files (which, in Chris Carter's original plan, was to be the last season of the show, where it would then segue into a film franchise) would be both the highest rated of the series as well as the highest-rated show for FOX for the 1997-1998 season. As such, FOX found the show too popular and lucrative to nix, and would instead order two additional seasons. Carter and crew subsequently had the challenge of ensuring Season 5 could effectively transition into both the upcoming feature film and Season 6 of the show (as well as ensuring the film could both stand on its own and also be a bridge between the series' fifth and sixth seasons). Season 5 concluded with its' finale "The End" being the last X-Files production to be shot in Vancouver until the second feature film I Want To Believe, roughly a decade later.
__TOC__
=Pistols=
==SIG-Sauer P226==
FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) carries a SIG-Sauer P226 as his sidearm. Other FBI agents and government personnel are seen with P226s.
==SIG-Sauer P228==
FBI Special Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) carries a SIG-Sauer P228 as her sidearm. However, for the vast majority of episodes in Season 5, she used a SIG-Sauer P225 instead (see below). FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) also carries a P228. A SIG P228 is also used by one of the New Spartans militia members involved in the robbery in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18). Other FBI and government agents on the show are also seen using P228s. 
Note that almost all appearances of the SIG-Sauer P228 in Season 5 show the weapon being handled roughly or during stunts, indicating those P228s are likely the rubber stunt version. It is possible that during Seasons 4 and 5 (the latter especially) the P228 was used more for stunt work while the P225 (mentioned below) was used more for firing sequences.
==SIG-Sauer P225==
In the vast majority of episodes in Season 5, Dana Scully used a SIG-Sauer P225 rather than the P228. This might have occurred because the show's armorer was unable to bring a live P228 on-set for those particular episodes/sequences (At times the weapons interchange during the same episode). This was also an occurrence during the fourth season as well. Assistant Director Walter Skinner is also seen (albeit rarely) with a SIG P225.
thumb|none|300px|SIG-Sauer P225 - 9x19mm
==Beretta 92FS==
Beretta 92FS pistols are seen numerous times throughout the series, carried and used by police officers and government agents, as well as soldiers and military personnel as a Beretta M9 substitute. A Beretta 92FS is notably carried by Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) in "Patient X" (S5E13) and "The End" (S5E20).
==Smith & Wesson 5906==
Newer-model Smith & Wesson 5906 pistols are seen several times in Season 5. The first appearance of this weapon is near the beginning of "Kill Switch" (S5E11), where one of the assembled drug dealers draws one. They appear most prominently in the hands of a sheriff conducting an eviction at the beginning of "Travelers" (S5E15) and in the hands of Marty Glenn (Lili Taylor), a blind murder suspect in the next episode "Mind's Eye" (S5E16). These appearances are notable in that the weapons appear to be the same S&W 5906 handguns wielded by the main characters in Season 3 - In the latter aforementioned episodes, the pistols are seen closely, and feature the same rounded trigger guards and adjustable sights, as well as - most particularly - the blued-steel triggers and hammers (Or, at least, the S&W in "Travelers" features blued trigger and hammer; the 5906 in "Mind's Eye" appears to feature a blued hammer but a stainless trigger).
==Glock 17==
Glock 17 pistols are seen used by police and government officers throughout the series. A Glock 17 is also seen in the hands of a Syndicate operative accompanying Krycek in the season finale "The End" (S5E20).
==M1911A1==
Standard M1911A1 pistols are seen occasionally throughout the series. August Bremer (Michael MacRae), the leader of the New Spartans militia group in which Mulder infiltrates in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18), notably wields a blued M1911A1.
==Beretta 92FS (Mocked up as Beretta 93R)==
Syndicate operatives are seen firing what first appear to be Beretta 93R machine pistols in "Unusual Suspects" (S5E03). Upon closer inspection, the pistols have slide-mounted safeties, indicating they are actually Beretta 92FS pistols modified to pass for 93Rs; loaded with extended magazines, fitted with extended barrels with flash-hiders and faux folding foregrips and converted to full-auto (itself an indicator of a mockup, as the actual 93Rs fire in three-round bursts and not fully-automatic). These weapons have also been seen in the series Dark Angel, Harsh Realm, and other productions filmed in British Columbia.
==Star Firestar M-43==
'The Well-Manicured Man' (John Neville) is briefly seen with a blued Star Firestar M-43 in "Patient X" (S5E13).
==Ruger KP89==
One of the drug dealers being assembled at a diner near the beginning of "Kill Switch" (S5E11) is seen arming himself with what appears to be a Ruger KP89. Another KP89 is wielded by Syndicate operative/assassin 'Quiet Willy' (Willy Ross) during a flashback sequence shown in "The Red and the Black" (S5E14).
thumb|none|325px|Ruger KP89, Stainless version of P89 with stainless steel slide and alloy frame - 9x19mm
==Taurus PT92AFS (Nickel)==
A nickel-plated Taurus PT92AFS is seen wielded by New Spartans militia member 'Skin-Head Man' (Douglas Arthurs) in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18).
==Smith & Wesson 5946 (Suppressed)==
Syndicate operative 'The Black-Haired Man' (Michael Shamus Wiles) uses what appears to be a Smith & Wesson 5946 with suppressor mounted in the series finale "The End" (S5E20).
==Unknown Pistol==
One of the militia robbers in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18) has an unknown stainless pistol holstered.
=Revolvers=
==Taurus Model 66==
Various Taurus Model 66 revolvers appear occasionally throughout the earlier seasons of the series. What appears to be a blued 4" barreled Taurus Model 66 is carried and wielded by Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) in "Unusual Suspects" (S5E03), however it is not seen clearly. Though he normally carries a SIG-Sauer P226 pistol in Season 5, this episode is a flashback story that takes place in 1989, prior to the events of the series. 
==Smith & Wesson Military & Police==
Early-version Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolvers (Then known as 'Military & Police' models) are seen throughout the flashback story in "Travelers" (S5E15), carried and wielded by FBI Agents Arthur Dale (Fredric Lane), his partner Agent Hayes Michel (Brian Leckner), as well as several other agents and police officers. 
==Rossi Model 68==
What appears to be a stainless snub-nosed Rossi Model 68 is carried and used by Susanne Modeski (Signy Coleman) in "Unusual Suspects" (S5E03). The revolver is also wielded by Mr. 'X' (Steven Williams).
==Smith & Wesson Model 66==
A Smith & Wesson Model 66 is drawn by 'Pusher' Robert Patrick Modell (Robert Wisden) in "Kitsunegari" (S5E08).
==Smith & Wesson Model 586==
Sheriff Hartwell (Luke Wilson) carries what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 586 as his sidearm in "Bad Blood" (S5E12).
=Submachine Guns=
==Heckler & Koch MP5A3==
Numerous Heckler & Koch MP5A3s are seen throughout the series. These are wielded by police tactical officers and government agents, as well as military and black-ops personnel. The Baltimore PD SWAT team in "Unusual Suspects" (S5E03) notably uses H&K MP5A3s fitted with Surefire 628 forearms (Notable because the episode takes place in 1989, and neither MP5s nor Surefire forearms were widely used by SWAT teams at the time). Unlike in the previous season, the MP5A3s now also have optical sights on claw mounts in addition to dual-magazine clamps; this configuration is identical to the MP5A3s in first season of Stargate SG-1, which is not a coincidence because they are the same weapons used on both shows. (Both Season 5 of The X-Files and the first season of Stargate SG-1 were filmed concurrently in Vancouver and the MP5s were supplied by Tom Felcan.) More MP5A3s appear - without the aforementioned accessories - in the hands of Dutch UN peacekeeping troops in "Patient X" (S5E13).
==Heckler & Koch MP5SD3==
In "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18), an undercover Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and the New Spartans militia group he infiltrates, wield Heckler & Koch MP5SD3s during a robbery. These weapons also appear again (fitted with laser sights) in the hands of FBI HRT operators in the next episode, "Folie à Deux" (S5E19).
==Heckler & Koch MP5SD2==
Some fixed-stock Heckler & Koch MP5SD2s are seen wielded along with the collapsible-stock SD3s in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18) and "Folie à Deux" (S5E19).
==Heckler & Koch MP5A2==
Two members of New Spartans militia group use fixed-stock Heckler & Koch MP5A2 submachine guns during the bank robbery in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18). Strangely, when the group is earlier seen unpacking and preparing weapons for the heist, they appear to be in possession of a large quantity of MP5A2s (at least 6-8 are visible during the sequence), but only two of the gunmen carry MP5A2s during the actual robbery (the rest, including Mulder, use MP5SD3s and Spectre M4s).
==Spectre M4==
Two members of the New Spartans militia group in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18) use Spectre M4 SMGs. These weapons also previously appeared in Season 4.
==Micro Uzi==
The first drug dealer seen being sent to the diner at the beginning of "Kill Switch" (S5E11) is seen arming himself with a Micro Uzi.
thumb|none|300px|IMI Micro Uzi with 15 round magazine - 9x19mm
==Uzi==
Full-size Uzi SMGs are seen wielded by several Dutch UN peacekeepers in "Patient X" (S5E13).
==MAC-10==
A MAC-10 is seen among the weapons seen being checked by the New Spartans militia group in "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18).
‎
=Rifles / Carbines=
==Colt Model 715 / Olympic Arms K4B==
Due to the series' filming in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the first five seasons, most of the M16-type rifles seen throughout this period were Colt Model 715s, or, more likely, the Olympic Arms K4B equivalent, which seems to be favored by the Canadian armorers. These weapons generally appeared in the hands of US military personnel as an M16A2 stand-in.
==XM177 (Mock-ups)==
XM177-style carbines are seen used by military personnel and SWAT officers, including Baltimore SWAT officers in "Unusual Suspects" (S5E03) and USAF airmen in "The Red and the Black" (S5E14). These appear to be the same weapons from previous seasons of the show - All of them seem to be mocked up from other various AR-15 carbines (some have SP1 upper receivers, others have A1-style, and still others have the A1E1 style), as per the norm with XM177s in the vast majority of films and television.
==Colt Model 933 / Olympic Arms K3B-FT 'Commando'==
Several episodes in Season 5 feature appearances of newer-type Colt "Commando"-type carbines, usually in the hands of military personnel and SWAT officers. Though not seen closely, the Commando carbines seen in Season 5 appear to have 10" barrels, similar to the weapons from earlier seasons of the show, but upon closer inspection feature newer 'flat-top' railed upper receivers with detachable carry-handles, unlike the previously-seen fixed carry handle A1E1 upper-receiver carbines. This indicates that these weapons are more similar to the Colt Model 933 / MK 18 Mod 0 weapons. Most likely these are still short-barreled Olympic Arms K3B equivalents, but simply newer K3B-FT ('flat-top') variants of that series.
==Norinco Type 84S==
The Norinco Type 84S was briefly used on the show by Russian soldiers (as an AK-74 stand-in). Several of these weapons are notably seen in the hands of several soldiers in a group of Russian troops led by Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea) as they encounter a Dutch UN military force at a UFO abduction site in Kazakhstan near the beginning of "Patient X" (S5E13). Most of these rifles appear to be 'Target' variants (see below). Only a few of these weapons are seen (not all the troops are armed with them) - There is a possibility that there were not many AK rifles available in Vancouver during the mid-1990s, which could explain why not all of the soldiers were armed with these rifles.
thumb|none|450px|Norinco Type 84S-1 Underfolder Model - 5.56x45mm
===Norinco Type 84S Target===
Most of the relatively few Type 84S rifles seen on the show were 'Target' variants with long barrels - Some with full stocks and some with an underfolder stock (Norinco Type 84S-1). A Type 84S-1 'Target' variant appeared most prominently in the episode "Folie à Deux" (S5E19) where it was used by call-center worker Gary Lambert (Brian Markinson) to hold Mulder and several employees in his office hostage.
==L1A1 SLR==
Standard L1A1 SLRs are seen wielded by several Dutch UN peacekeepers near the beginning of "Patient X" (S5E13).
thumb|none|500px|L1A1 SLR - 7.62x51mm NATO. This is the later, typical version of the L1A1 which used black fiberglass furniture.
==M16A2==
What appear to be actual M16A2 rifles are seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in the first part of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01).
==M16 / XM16E1==
An original M16 Rifle or XM16E1 Rifle is seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in "Redux" (S5E01). The rifle has the tapered '3 Prong' flash-hider which was used on the original M16/SP1, the early-version USAF-issued M16 (Colt Model 604) and the XM16E1, however the receiver of the rifle is not shown so a more definitive ID can't be made.
==Ruger Super Redhawk (Mocked up to resemble the KAC Revolver Rifle)==
The weapon used by Syndicate operative/assassin 'Quiet Willy' (Willy Ross) in the second part of the two-part season opener "Redux II" (S5E02) is what appears to be a Knight's Armament Revolver Rifle. This rifle is actually a mock-up built on a Ruger Super Redhawk revolver that was fitted with a carbine length bull barrel, scope, bipod, and a black synthetic buttstock. The weapon was originally built by Felcan Enterprises for the film Another Stakeout, but would subsequently be re-used on numerous productions filmed in Vancouver, including The Sentinel, Supernatural and Psych, in addition to The X-Files. Since the real Knight's Revolver Rifle also used a Ruger Super Redhawk as a base gun, this method for creating the mockup approximated the production method for the original weapon.
==Remington 700 (Choate Ultimate Sniper Stock)==
A syndicate assassin known only as 'The Shooter' (Martin Ferrero) uses what appears to be a Remington 700 modified/fitted in a Choate Ultimate Sniper Stock in an attempt to assassinate Gibson Praise (Jeff Gulka) at the beginning of the season finale "The End" (S5E20).
thumb|none|500px|Remington 700 fitted with Choate Ultimate Sniper Stock - 7.62x51mm NATO
=Shotguns=
==Ithaca 37 "Stakeout" (Custom)==
A custom Ithaca 37 "Stakeout" with a chrome finish on the barrel and magazine tube and an MP5K style pump is used by Scott Ostelhoff (Steve Makaj) in part one of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01). This weapon had appeared in the preceding episode, Season 4's finale "Gethsemane" (S4E24). This gun can also be seen in several episodes of the television series Supernatural, Human Target, Painkiller Jane, and several other TV shows filmed in British Columbia.
==Remington 870==
Remington 870s are wielded by police officers and and government agents throughout the series. 870s are also seen rarely in the hands of black ops soldiers. Both standard variants and variants with mounted forend weaponlights are seen.
===Remington 870 Shorty Custom===
One particular customized Remington 870 is briefly seen wielded by a SWAT officer near the conclusion of "The Pine Bluff Variant" (S5E18). The shotgun features a short barrel and forend with Butler Creek tactical synthetic loop pump-grip, pistol grip, and and top-mount accessory rail as well as a heatshield over the barrel. Though some of these features are not clearly seen, they match those of custom Remington 870s that have appeared previously in the first and third seasons of the series, as well as in the films Timecop, Crying Freeman, and several other movies and TV shows filmed in British Columbia. 
==Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotgun==
Michael Asekoff (Alf Humphreys) is seen wielding a Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotgun when he and his son Louis (Tyler Thompson) are out hunting in "Detour" (S5E04).
==Sawed-Off Side-by-Side Double Barreled Shotgun==
A Sawed-off Side-by-Side Shotgun is seen being wielded by one of the drug dealers assembled in the diner near the beginning of "Kill Switch" (S5E11).
=Machine Guns=
==M249 SAW / FN Minimi==
What appears to be either an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) or FN Minimi is seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in the first part of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01).
==M60==
An M60 machine gun is seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in "Redux" (S5E01).
thumb|none|500px|M60 machine gun with bipod folded - 7.62x51mm NATO
==Daewoo K3==
A Daewoo K3 Paratrooper is briefly seen wielded by one of the Dutch UN peacekeepers in "Patient X" (S5E13).
==Browning M37 (M1919 Coaxial / Vehicle-Mount) ==
What appear to be twin M37 Machine Guns are mounted in a turret on the SWAT vehicle used to smash into the building in which Gary Lambert (Brian Markinson) is holding Mulder and other individuals hostage in "Folie à Deux" (S5E19). This vehicle would later appear in an episode of Dark Angel, also filmed in British Columbia.
=Other=
==M136 AT-4==
An M136 AT4 launcher is seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in the first part of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01).
thumb|none|450px|M136 AT4 Anti-Tank recoilless launcher - 84mm
==M107 175mm Gun==
What appear to be M107 175mm towed artillery guns are seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in the first part of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01).
==105mm Howitzer==
What appears to be a 105mm Howitzer is seen in archived media footage shown as extra exposition during Michael Kritschgau's (John Finn) conversation with Mulder in the first part of the two-part season opener "Redux" (S5E01).
=See Also=
Category:Television
Category:Science-Fiction
Category:Mystery
Category:Detective