In many scenes, the flat 'slab side' upper receiver of the original M16 (AR-15/SP1) rifle is seen. Some of them appear to be genuine civilian AR-15/SP1s and aren't seen fired full-auto. Instead, M16A1s seem to be used to depict full-auto fire. That is, until the Grenada sequence, when the Recon platoon's weapons are both M16A1s and M16 rifles, possibly AR-15/SP1's converted to fire full-auto, perhaps to to a lack of enough M16A1 rifles for those scenes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM16 (AR-15/SP1) 5.56x45mmError creating thumbnail: File missingRecon Marines in training fire their M16s down range, although they are likely AR-15/SP1s, as they aren't seen firing full-auto until in Grenada, when more full-auto guns were required. One marine fires his weapon full-auto during the rifle training, but it is clearly an M16A1.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGunnery Sgt. Highway (Clint Eastwood) shows his recruit his AR-15/SP1 is not "Fuckin' fucked up."
What's the language limits of this site? Just to be sure.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingPvt. "Stitch" Jones (Mario Van Peebles) with his AR-15/SP1 while Highway hassles him over pawning his kevlar helmet.Error creating thumbnail: File missingHighway with his AR-15/SP1 in Grenada. This one appears to be converted to full-auto or it could be an actual M16 fitted with an A1 birdcage muzzle break, but it's a bit less likely.Error creating thumbnail: File missingLt. Ring with the AR-15/SP1 in Grenada, his also featuring full-auto fire, making it a possible M16 with a birdcage muzzle break as well.
Seen in the hands of several Recon Marines, used when a fully-automatic weapon is required early in the film, until Grenada when possibly all the weapons were converted to full-auto fire, perhaps do to a lack of M16A1s.
One of the Marines has an AR-15/SP1 (or possible M16) fitted with an underslung Colt 37mm flare launcher, made to take the place of the HE M203 40mm launcher.
Used by Recon Marine Private Johansson "The Swede", Used inside an armored vehicle by the Cubans, and seen on the helicopter that picks up the Recon men after the operation is complete.
Gunnery Sgt. Tom Highway (Clint Eastwood) uses an AKM to teach his recruits in basic training, by shooting at them so they know the distinct sound of an AK-47 being fired at them. Several Cuban soldiers use them as well, just as Highway said they would.