The Deer Hunter is the 1978 Vietnam War film co-written and directed by Michael Cimino. The film follows a group of friends from a small Pennsylvania working class town through their harrowing experience serving as soldiers during the Vietnam War and how it comes to affect them when in their return to the United States. The film, which would go on to receive Academy Awards for and Best Director, did encounter controversy for its graphic depiction of Russian roulette. The cast includes Robert De Niro, John Savage, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken, who received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.
The following weapons were used in the film The Deer Hunter:
A Colt Detective Special is seen being used in the initial Saigon Russian Roulette match observed by Nick (Christopher Walken). The ejector rod shroud that is unique to the 3rd Generation DS is visible on the revolver being used.
When Michael (Robert De Niro) returns to Saigon to search for Nick (Christopher Walken), the revolver being used in the Russian Roulette matches is now a Smith & Wesson Model 36. Since the Model 36 is a 5-shot revolver, the chances of shooting one's self is now 1/5, instead of a 1/6 chance (as with a 6-shot revolver).
Following the wedding when the men get ready to go hunting, Stan (John Cazale) is seen pulling his Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub. What appears to a different firearm is seen from the latter part of the movie. See the quote in the fourth screencap. Axel takes a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver with 2" barrel out of Stan's waistband to show Michael. Later in the hunting cabin Stan threatens Axel with it, and Michael takes it from him and puts one round in the cylinder, clicking it empty against Stan's head. (Trivia: According to the director, De Niro requested a live bullet to be used in this scene to heighten the sense of danger. John Cazale, who played Stan, did not protest, yet compulsively and understandably checked that the bullet was not next in the chamber for the scene.)
The Viet Cong soldiers order the POW's to play Russian Roulette with a Smith & Wesson M&P revolver. Michael (Robert De Niro) notably uses it when he asks the Vietnamese soldiers to load three bullets in the gun, which he then uses to kill three soldiers and uses their weapons to dispatch the rest. It's identified as a Pre-Model 10 M&P from its hammer configuration. That is what is known as a "Long-Action" M&P. The "Long Action" was phased out in 1948. Smith & Wesson did not start numbering the models until 1957. By then the "Short Action" with the re-designed hammer was standard on all models.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe ARVN Lt. Colonel is seen with a holstered revolver, most likely a Smith & Wesson but due to lack of screen time it's impossible to tell.
Remington 700 BDL rifles are used by the members of the hunting party. Michael (Robert De Niro) notably carries a left-handed model. Interestingly, De Niro shoots right-handed when using a handgun (particularly in the famous Russian Roulette scenes) and when using the flamethrower. He switches to left-handed with the Remington 700, as well when using the M16A1. Cross-dominant shooters will often switch sides when using long guns, in order to be able to aim with their dominant eye when shouldering the weapon.
M16A1 rifles are carried by Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steven (John Savage) while serving in Vietnam. Michael (Robert De Niro) notably uses one to finish off an NVA soldier after setting him on fire with a flamethrower. Many US soldiers carry them as well when Michael returns to Saigon to look for Nick.
A US soldier is seen carrying what appears to be an XM177 rifle upon exiting a helicopter. The footage appears to be actual documentary footage from the war so it's likely the real thing.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingActual XM177E2 Carbine aka Colt Model 629 - 5.56x45mm. This was the last variant of the XM177 rifle used in the Vietnam War.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA US soldier is seen carrying what appears to be an XM177 rifle upon exiting a helicopter. The footage appears to be actual documentary footage from the war so it's likely the real thing.
Norinco Type 56
Norinco Type 56 rifles are used by the Vietcong. Michael (Robert De Niro) and Nick (Christopher Walken) both take one from them during the Russian Roulette scene and use them to dispatch them all.
A US helicopter that manages to save Nick (Christopher Walken) has two M60 machine guns mounted on it. An ARVN jeep that stops for Michael and Stevie has an M60 mounted on it as well. M60's are also seen atop the US embassy during the fall of Saigon.
