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M16 rifle series

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
Revision as of 06:36, 1 March 2011 by Jackbel (talk | contribs)
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Please check the talk page for additional variants not shown on the main page.



Specifications

(1960-Present)

Type: Assault Rifle

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Capacity: 5, 20, 30, 40 round box magazine/ 90 round snail drum/ 100 round dual drum Beta-C magazine

Fire Modes: Safe/Semi (Mk 12 SPR, AR-15, civilian variants) Safe/Semi/Burst (M16A2, M16A4, M4) Safe/Semi/Auto (M16, M16A1, M16A3, M4A1)



The M16 series of assault rifles and carbine variants are used by the following actors in the following movies, television series, video games, and anime:


Colt and Official Government Models

M16 Rifle

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The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm
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M16 aka SP1 (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" Flash hider, used to imitate the M16A1 in many Vietnam era movies. This version has a 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
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M16 aka SP1 (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" Flash hider, used to impersonate the M16A1 during the 1970s and 1980s. This version has a 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
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M16 aka SP1 (flat "slab side receiver") with A2 style handguards used to impersonate the M16-A2 - 5.56x45mm

Since the original M16 is the first pattern AR-15 select fire rifle that was adopted in 1964 by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam (and also given to the ARVN) all appearances of the slab side M16 in movies and television shows would be either the Class III Colt M16 or the commercially available Colt AR-15 SP1 rifle. After being phased out from active duty, the military owned weapons were issued to National guard units (and later bequeathed to Federal and local law enforcement agencies). Movie Armorers could acquire Law Enforcement Sales models of the M16, as Class III transferable weapons or built as Class III manufacturers. However, an easier way was for commercially sold semiautomatic Colt AR-15 SP1 rifles to be converted to full auto fire in the 1970s and 1980s and these were in movie armories for years.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Across The Universe Various National Guardsmen 2007
Alone in the Dark (2005) Various Bureau 713 Commandos 2005
Land of the Dead Various U.S. Army soldiers 2005
Once Upon a Time in Mexico Gerardo Vigil General Marquez Fitted with M16A2 hand guards and M16A1 flash hiders 2003
Once Upon a Time in Mexico Various General Soldiers Fitted with M16A2 hand guards and M16A1 flash hiders 2003
Coronado Clayton Rohner Arnet McClure 2003
Coronado Various Rebel Soldiers 2003
Analyze This Various Mobsters Fitted with M16A2 hand guards and M16A1 flash hiders 1999
The Matrix Various Lobby guards Fitted with both 3-prong and M16A1 flash hiders 1999
The Matrix Keanu Reeves Neo 1999
The Pest John Leguizamo Pestario "Pest" Vargas Fitted with A2 handguards, A1-style flash hider, and fake A2-style windage adjustment knob 1997
The Rock Tony Todd Captain Darrow Fitted with M16A1 flash hider and M203 grenade launcher 1996
Village of the Damned . U.S. Soldiers Fitted with M16A2 foregrips 1995
Forrest Gump Tom Hanks Forrest Gump 1994
Forrest Gump Various U.S. Army soldiers 1994
In the Army Now Pauly Shore PFC "Bones" Conway LaFrance-converted AR-15 SP1; fitted with M16A1 flash hider and M16A2 hand guards 1994
In the Army Now Various U.S. Army personnel LaFrance-converted AR-15 SP1s; fitted with M16A1 flash hiders and M16A2 hand guards 1994
Jurassic Park Unknown actor InGen worker Fitted with M16A2 hand guards and M16A1 flash hider 1993
Showdown in Little Tokyo Dolph Lundgren Sergeant Chris Kenner Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1991
Showdown in Little Tokyo Brandon Lee Johnny Murata Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1991
Die Hard Various LAPD S.W.A.T. officers 1988
They Live Roddy Piper Nada 1988
They Live Keith David Frank 1988
They Live Various Cable 54 building guards 1988
Full Metal Jacket Various U.S. Marines 1987
Lethal Weapon Various LAPD S.W.A.T. officers Deleted scene only 1987
Predator Arnold Schwarzenegger Dutch Fitted with M16A1 flash hider and Fake M203 Launcher 1987
Predator Sonny Landham Billy Fitted with M16A2 hand guards, M16A1 flash hider, and Mossberg 500 shotgun 1987
Heartbreak Ridge Various U.S. Marines Fitted with M16A1 flash hiders 1986
The Park is Mine Various N.Y.P.D. SWAT officers Fitted with AN/PVS-2 Starlight night vision scopes 1986
Platoon Chris Pedersen Crawford Fitted with M16A1 flash hider 1986
Raw Deal Various Patrovita's thugs . 1986
Commando Arnold Schwarzenegger John Matrix Fitted with M16A1 flash hider; becomes an M16A1 in some shots 1985
Commando Various Arius' men and U.S. Army soldiers Fitted with M16A1 flash hiders, some with M16A2 hand guards 1985
My Science Project Various Various . 1985
Rambo: First Blood Brian Dennehy Hope Sheriff Will Teasle . 1982
Rambo: First Blood Various Hope County sheriff's deputies . 1982
Wolfen Albert Finney NYPD Detective Dewey Wilson Night Vision Scope 1981
Wolfen Gregory Hines Whittington Night Vision Scope 1981
Stripes Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1981
Taps Various Cadets . 1981
Escape from New York Various U.S. Police Force and Secret Service Agents handguards removed 1981
Apocalypse Now Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1979
The Boys from Brazil Various Nazis . 1978
The Spy Who Loved Me Various U.S. Navy sailors Stolen from Armoury and Stromberg guards 1977
The Enforcer Various People's Revolutionary Strike Force terrorists and SFPD officers Fitted with both 3-prong and M16A1 flash hiders 1976
Silver Streak Various FBI Agents . 1976
Two-Minute Warning John Cassavetes L.A.P.D. Sgt. Buttons With 30-round magazine 1976
Badlands Various Army National Guard . 1973
Soylent Green Various Guards . 1973
The Friends of Eddie Coyle Various Gangsters . 1973
Shaft's Big Score! Various Gangster With 30-round magazine 1972
Diamonds are Forever Various Blofield's henchmen . 1971
Ice Station Zebra Various U.S. Navy crew and Marines . 1968
The President's Analyst James Coburn Dr. Sidney Schaefer . 1967
Agent for H.A.R.M. Unidentified Eastern Bloc soldier Colt Firearms credited 1966
Seven Days in May Andrew Duggan Col. William 'Mutt' Henderson Possibly the first depiction of a M-16 in a Hollywood film 1964

Television

Show Title / Episode Actor Character Note Air Date
Supernatural Unknown actor Conspiracy theorist 2005-
Mail Call R. Lee Ermey Himself 2002-
JAG Various U.S. soldiers Only seen in flashbacks to Vietnam War 1995-2005
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Various U.S. soldiers, guards, criminals 1993-1997
The Stand Unknown actor henchman 1994
The A-Team Various 1983-1988

Video Games

Game Title Mods Passwords Release Date
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006
Enter the Matrix 2003
Shellshock Nam '67 Called the "Assault Rifle" 2004
Vietcong 2002
Call of Duty: Black Ops w/ optional scope, reflex sight, grenade launcher, and shotgun attachments 2010

Anime

Character Film Title Note Date
Mafia sniper Hayate the Combat Butler With A2 handguards and scope 2007 - 2009


XM16E1 Rifle

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XM16E1 rifle with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of the forward assist button and a chrome bolt carrier (which was later dropped with the M16A1).
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Currently seen Mockup of an XM16E1 (built from an M16A1 as the base) with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. This example is the screen-used rifle used by Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers.

The XM16E1 is a modified variant of the original M16 which featured several improvements, including the forward assist, the most visually obvious difference. The Army requested this feature, but the Air Force believed it had no benefit and only increased the weapon's per-unit cost. Consequently, the M16 (SP1) was the version adopted by the Air Force, while the Army adopted the slightly more expensive XM16E1. After the M16A1 was introduced in 1967, both services transitioned to this rifle. Before 1968, this was the most common version of the M16 rifle platform. Many examples in recent films are actually 'faux' XM16E1 rifles. The real XM16E1 has a partial magazine fence on its' lower receiver, whereas the M16A1 has a full raised rib around the magazine release button).

Film

Title Actor Character Notation Date
Tropic Thunder Jay Baruchel Kevin Sandusky mocked up from an M16A1 2008
Tropic Thunder Brandon T. Jackson Alpo Chino mocked up from an M16A1 2008
Tropic Thunder Various Actors playing U.S. soldiers mocked up from an M16A1 2008
We Were Soldiers Mel Gibson Lt. Col. Hal Moore mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Barry Pepper Joe Galloway mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Josh Daugherty Spc. Robert Ouellette mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Ryan Hurst Sgt. Ernie Savage mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Robert Bagnell 1LT. Charlie Hastings mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Chris Klein 2LT. Jack Geoghegan mocked up from an M16A1 2002
We Were Soldiers Various U.S. Army soldiers mocked up from an M16A1 2002
Dead Presidents Jaimz Woolvett Lieutenant Dugan mocked up from an M16A1 1995
Dead Presidents Various U.S. Marines mocked up from an M16A1 1995
Hamburger Hill Various U.S. Army 101st Airborne personnel mocked up from an M16A1 1987
Stakeout Various Police . 1987
The Green Berets John Wayne Colonel Mike Kirby Real XM16E1 1968
The Green Berets Various U.S. Special Forces Real XM16E1 1968

Video Games

Game Title Mods Notes Release Date
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 2004


M16A1 Rifle

Film

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M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward Receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver.
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M16A1 with 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
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M16A1 with A2 style handguards - 5.56x45mm. Putting the distinctive A2 handguards on the older rifle was a method used by Movie/TV armorers to simulate A2 rifles when M16A1s were the only ones available. The same thing has been done vice-versa, Using M16A2's with A1 handguards for Vietnam War B Movies.
Title Actor Character Note Date
The Sniper . hong Kong SDU Sniper Team M16A1 with A2 style handguards and ACOG 2009
Rambo Various Karen rebels . 2008
The Departed Various Massachusetts State Police at funeral Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 2006
The Devil's Rejects Various Sheriffs deparment and Rejects . 2005
Land of the Dead Various Fiddler's Green Soldiers . 2005
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course Various U.S. Army Rangers Some fitted with M203 grenade launchers 2002
XXX Unknown actor Colombian narcotics officer . 2002
Battlefield Earth . Human resistance fighters With & without M203 grenade launchers 2000
Beau Travail Various French Foreign Legion Used during the river crossing scene 1999
Blue Streak Various Mexican Border Security Officers Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1999
The Pentagon Wars . U.S. Army soldiers With M16A2 handguards 1998
The Pentagon Wars Cary Elwes Lt. Col. James G. Burton With magazine removed and M16A2 handguards 1998
Con Air Various Convicts and U.S. National Guardsmen Fitted with M16A2 handguards 1997
The Devil's Own Unknown Actor Desmond - Provisional IRA Gunman Used by Desmond to fire on British Soldiers from a 2nd floor window. It is on semi-automatic firing mode. 1997
The Postman Various Holnist soldiers . 1997
Eraser Various U.S. Marshalls Fitted with M16A2 handguards 1996
The Rock Various Rogue U.S. Marines Fitted with M16A2 handguards and tactical flashlights, with & without M203 grenade launchers 1996
Romeo & Juliet Various Verona Beach police officers Some fitted with M16A2 handguards 1996
Species Background extras U.S. Soldiers 1995
Heat Wes Studi Detective Casals Fitted with M16A2 handguards 1995
RoboCop 3 . . Seen on the wall of a Splatterpunks house 1993
Hard Boiled Philip Kwok Mad Dog Fitted with M203 grenade launcher 1992
Hard Boiled Various Hong Kong police and Johnny Wong's thugs . 1992
Terminator 2: Judgement Day N/A N/A Seen on the walls of Sarah's armory 1991
Toy Soldiers Various Colombian soldiers . 1991
Nothing But Trouble Various National Guardsmen . 1991
Die Hard 2 Various Airport police and U.S. Army Special Forces The Army team's fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1990
Fire Birds Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1990
Total Recall N/A N/A Seen at Kuato's resistance base 1990
A Better Tomorrow III Chow Yun-Fat Mark Lee . 1989
A Better Tomorrow III Anita Mui Chow Ying Kit . 1989
A Better Tomorrow III Tony Leung Ka-Fai Cheung Chi Mun . 1989
A Better Tomorrow III Various ARVN soldiers . 1989
Casualties of War Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1989
Iron Eagle II Various U.S. Military Police . 1988
Extreme Prejudice Various Special Unit and cartel members some with A2 hand guards 1987
Hamburger Hill Various U.S. Army 101st Airborne personnel . 1987
Gardens of Stone . U.S. Army personnel. Newsfootage of Vietnam War . 1987
Aliens N/A N/A Seen on the walls of the Sulaco's armory 1986
Equalizer 2000 Various Gang members Some fitted with futuristic shells 1986
Heartbreak Ridge Various U.S. Marines With and without MILES gear 1986
Iron Eagle Various U.S. Air Force security guards . 1986
The Park is Mine Various NYPD S.W.A.T. officers . 1986
Platoon Charlie Sheen Pvt. Chris Taylor . 1986
Platoon Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1986
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Various U.S. Marines . 1986
Commando Arnold Schwarzenegger John Matrix Alternates with M16 SP1 1985
Commando Various Arius' men and U.S. Army soldiers Some fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1985
Day of the Dead Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1985
Rambo: First Blood Part II Various Vietnamese troops and pirates Some fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1985
Ghostbusters Various U.S. National Guardsmen . 1984
The Terminator Paul Winfield Lt. Edward Traxler . 1984
The Terminator Lance Henriksen Detective Hal Vukovich . 1984
The Terminator Various LAPD officers . 1984
Rambo: First Blood Various U.S. National Guardsmen . 1982
The Day After Various U.S. Air Force Security Police . 1983
Death Wish 2 Various Thugs . 1982
The Blues Brothers Carrie Fisher Jake's ex-fiance . 1980
The Blues Brothers Various State Troopers, Sheriff's Deputies, Chicago Police SWAT, U.S. Army soldiers . 1980
The Final Countdown Various U.S. Marines . 1980
Apocalypse Now Various U.S. Army soldiers . 1979
The Jerk M. Emmet Walsh The Madman Fitted with scope 1979
Moonraker Various Drake launch base guards . 1979
The Odd Angry Shot Various Australian SAS troopers . 1979
The Enforcer Various SFPD officers . 1976
Close Encounters of the Third Kind Various Soldiers . 1976

Television

Show Title / Episode Actor Character Note Air Date
Going Back Pablo Espinosa Chico Spaceman . 2001
Harsh Realm Various U.S. Army soldiers Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 1999-2000
Seven Days Various U.S. Army personnel Fitted with M16A2 hand guards, some fitted with Cobray CM203 Flare Launchers, one fitted with a night-vision scope 1998-2001
Bugs Various 1995-1999
The Stand Gary Sinise Stud Redman 1994
The Stand Various U.S. Army soldiers 1994
Tour of Duty Various U.S. Army soldiers 1987-1988
The A-Team Various U.S. Army soldiers 1983-1987

Video Games

Game Title Mods Notes Release Date
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops 2006
Scarface: The World is Yours Can be fitted with M203 grenade launcher 2006
Project Reality With optional A2 handguards and M203 grenade launcher 2005
Battlefield: Vietnam 2004
Conflict: Vietnam 2004
Spec Ops: Ranger Elite also available with M203 2001
Grand Theft Auto III Fitted with fictional 60-rd magazine 2001
Command & Conquer: Red Alert With A2 handguards; used by Allied soldiers in FMV cutscenes only 1997
Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow ACOG Scope Possibly an A1 fitted with A2 handguards 2002
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War With A2 handguards Seen in cutscene, non-playable 2004
Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam With cloth wrappings on handguards 2010

Anime

Character Film Title Note Date
Kochikame, The UFO Movie
Various characters Full Metal Panic! fitted with A2 handguards 2002
Ulgian Soldiers Noir
Rally Vincent's Bedroom Riding Bean 1989
US Army soldiers Blood+
Thugs/Mercenaries/US Military Black Lagoon 2006/2010
U.S. soldiers The Skull Man 2009
Spec-Ops Commandos Black Magic M-66 Some are outfitted with M203s 1987
Cyborg terrorist Appleseed 1988
Various Asobi ni Ikuyo: Bombshells from the Sky With and without A2 handguards and M203s 2010


M16A2 Rifle

In contrast to the real world M16A2 rifle adopted by the U.S. Military in the early 1980s, most of the A2s seen in movies are A2 'kits' built on A1 full auto lower receivers (or converted A2 style receivers). Most movie "M16A2" rifles have the A1 Birdcage flash hider installed, since Cinematographers want the "starburst" of the Flash to go all the way around, not just divert upwards (as is the case with the correct A2 Flash hider). In the real world, the fully automatic version of the M16A2 is known as the M16A3, however, because nearly all movie "M16A2s" fire full automatic, it is not IMFDB policy to designate these rifles as "M16A3s" when identifying them in movies, since in nearly all cases they are intended to pass for M16A2s.

Also note that some American movies feature M16A1 rifles fitted with M16A2-style handguards, such as Heat and Die Hard 2. An example of such a rifle can be seen in the M16A1 entry above. When identifying M16 variants, please look at the receiver of the rifle in question, not just its handguards, to determine whether it is an A1 or an A2.

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M16A2 Rifle - 5.56x45mm. Select Fire rifle (Safe/Semi/3 round Burst Only).
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Colt Government Model HBAR, the A2 version of the AR15 Civilian Rifle - 5.56x45mm (note the lack of a third position for burst mode for the selector switch)

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra US Army soldier fitted with a M203 grenade launcher with the lower half of the standard handguard removed 2009
Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia Colombian Army soldiers 2009
Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia Rogue unit 2009
Crank: High Voltage Stripper 2009
Cloverfield US Army Soldiers 2008
Babylon A.D. Neolite 2008
Bangkok Dangerous Police sniper With scope, Harris bipod, and cheekpad 2008
I Am Legend Guard 2007
Bobby Z Laurence Fishburne Tad Gruzsa 2007
Home of the Brave Brian Presley SPC. Tommy Yates 2006
Home of the Brave US Army soldiers 2006
The Departed Police honor guard 2006
Blood Diamond Sierra Leone Army soldiers 2006
Blood Diamond South African mercenaries 2006
X-Men: The Last Stand US Army soldiers 2006
War of the Worlds US Army soldiers With & without Surefire Universal weaponlight 2005
War of the Worlds US Marines 2005
Jarhead Jake Gyllenhaal Anthony "Swoff" Swofford 2005
Jarhead Jamie Foxx SSGT. Sykes With & without paintball conversion 2005
Jarhead Lucas Black LCPL. Chris Kruger 2005
Jarhead Laz Alonso LCPL. Ramon Escobar With Cobra CM203 2005
Jarhead Brian Geraghty Fergus With & without M203 grenade launcher 2005
Jarhead Peter Sarsgaard Troy With M203 grenade launcher/Cobray CM203 2005
XXX 2: State of the Union US Marines 2005
XXX 2: State of the Union US Army soldiers 2005
Lord of War Seen in warehouse 2005
The Day After Tomorrow US Army soldier 2004
The Whole Ten Yards Bruce Willis Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudesky 2004
The Whole Ten Yards Matthew Perry Oz 2004
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout Ron Livingston Donnie Anderson 2003
Bad Boys II US Marines 2003
Bad Boys II [[Miami PD officers 2003
A Man Apart Guard 2003
The Core US military personnel 2003
Battle Royale II: Requiem Japanese soldiers 2003
Tears of the Sun US Marines 2003
Dreamcatcher US Army soldiers 2003
The Sum of All Fears US Marines With & without M203 grenade launcher 2002
Die Another Day US military personnel 2002
Die Another Day South Korean Military Police 2002
Blade II Matt Schulze Chupa fitted with a tactical flashlight, two MWG 90-round magazines coupled together (night club scene) and standard 30-round mag (sewer scene) 2002
Ali G Indahouse Sasha Baron Cohen Ali G 2002
Black Hawk Down Josh Hartnett SSGT. Matt Eversmann 2001
Black Hawk Down Ewan McGregor SPC. John Grimes With M203 grenade launcher 2001
Black Hawk Down Johnny Strong SFC Randy Shughart 2001
Black Hawk Down Carmine Giovinazzo SGT. Mike Goodale 2001
Black Hawk Down Matthew Marsden SPC. Dale Sizemore 2001
Black Hawk Down Gregory Sporleder SGT. Scott Galentine 2001
Black Hawk Down Brian Van Holt SGT. Struecker 2001
Black Hawk Down Enrique Murciano SSGT. Ruiz With Cobray CM203 2001
Black Hawk Down US Army Rangers 2001
Jurassic Park III US Marines 2001
Behind Enemy Lines US Marines 2001
Evolution US Army soldiers 2001
Swordfish Police officer 2001
The General's Daughter Various actors U.S. Army soldiers . 1999
Three Kings Mark Wahlberg SFC Troy Barlow 1999
Three Kings Ice Cube SSGT. "Chief" Elgin 1999
Three Kings US Army soldiers 1999
Blue Streak US Custom agents 1999
Blue Streak Mexican Border Patrol officers 1999
The Siege US Army soldiers 1998
Godzilla US Army soldiers 1998
Armageddon US military personnel 1998
Con Air John Malkovich Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom 1997
Con Air Ving Rhames Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones 1997
The Pest Aries Spears Chubby With A1-style forward assist 1997
Volcano Army National Guard soldiers 1997
The Rock US Marine honor guard 1996
Bulletproof LAPD SWAT officers 1996
Bulletproof DEA agents 1996
Courage Under Fire Meg Ryan CPT. Karen Emma Walden With full-auto lower receiver 1996
Courage Under Fire Seth Gilliam SGT. Steven Altameyer 1996
Courage Under Fire US Army soldiers 1996
Independence Day US military personnel 1996
Eraser US Marshal 1996
GoldenEye US Marines 1995
Clear and Present Danger US Army soldiers 1994
In the Army Now Pauly Shore PFC Bones Conway 1994
Jurassic Park Guards With & wouthout barrel-mounted weaponlights 1993
Stone Cold Soldiers 1991
Robocop 2 Detroit Police officers fitted with MWC "90-rounder" inverted drums and 30-round translucent magazines 1990
In the Line of Duty: The FBI Murders Michael Gross William Matrix 1988

Television

Show Title / Episode Actor Character Note Air Date
Over There Nicki Lynn Aycox Pvt. Brenda "Mrs. B" Mitchell 2005
Over There Lizette Carrión PFC Esmaralda "Doublewide" Del Rio 2005
The Kill Point Pittsburg PD officers 2007
The Kill Point Armored van driver 2007
The Kill Point Henchman 2007
JAG / "In Country" Randy Vasquez GSgt. Galindez 1995 - 2005
JAG / "In Country" David James Elliott Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb 1995 - 2005
JAG / "In Country" Catherine Bell Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie 1995 - 2005
The Unit / "Play 16" Max Martini MSgt. Mack Gerhardt With M9 bayonet 2006 - 2009
The Unit / "Dark of the Moon" Eric Ladin Cpl. Blaylock 2006 - 2009
The Unit / "Dark of the Moon" US Army soldiers 2006 - 2009
Jericho / "Coalition of the Willing" Skeet Ulrich Jake Green 2006 - 2008
Jericho / "Reconstruction" Kenneth Mitchell Eric Green 2006 - 2008
Jericho Brad Beyer Stanley Richmond 2006 - 2008
Jericho Gerald McRaney Johnston Green 2006 - 2008
Seven Days / "Doppleganger" Johnathan LaPaglia Frank Parker 1998 - 2001
Seven Days / "Peacekeepers" Don Franklin Cpt. Craig Donovan 1998 - 2001
Seven Days / "Peacekeepers" Rick Worthy Sgt. Grubbs 1998 - 2001
Star Trek: Voyager / "Future's End" Militant extremists 1995 - 2001
CSI: NY / "Heroes" US Marines With ACOG scopes, with & without M203 grenade launchers 2004 - ????
CSI: NY / "Charge of This Post" Eion Bailey Dean Lessing 2004 - ????
Tremors: The Series / "Night of the Shriekers" Patrick St. Esprit Karl Hartung 2003
Tremors: The Series / "Night of the Shriekers" Security personnel 2003
Ultimate Force / "Dead Is Forever" Ross Kemp Sgt. Henno Garvie With M203 grenade launcher 2002 - 2006
The X Files 1993 - 2002

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Release Date
50 Cent: Bulletproof 2005
GoldenEye 007 As the "AR33" Erroneously shown capable of full auto fire 1997
Operation Flashpoint With and without M203 grenade launcher 2001
Battlefield 2 With and without M203 grenade launcher 2005
Conflict: Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad With M203 grenade launcher 2003
America's Army With and without M203 grenade launcher 2002
America's Army: Rise of a Soldier With and without M203 grenade launcher 2005
Postal 2 2003
The Punisher As the "5.56mm Assault Rifle" With optional M203 grenade launcher and night-vision scope, incorrectly shown capable of full auto fire 2005
Project I.G.I 2000
Project IGI 2: Covert Strike With M203 grenade launcher 2003
Left 4 Dead Assault Rifle With barrel-mounted weaponlight
50-round magazine		 2008
Left 4 Dead 2 M-16 Assault Rifle With barrel-mounted weaponlight and optional laser sight
50-round magazine		 2009
ArmA II 2009
Command & Conquer Seen on box art only, non-playable 1995
Far Cry 2 As the "M16A3" Seen in a magazine and on posters, non-playable 2008
Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Available w/ M203 grenade launcher 2003
Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising Available w/ M203 grenade launcher 2004
Manhunt As the "M16" 2003
Manhunt 2 As the "M16" 2007

Anime

Title Character Notes Date
Mayoi Neko Overrun!
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Banken Soldiers Using 20 round magazines 2006
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex American Empire soldiers 2002


M16A4 Rifle

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M16A4 with carry handle attached and standard A2 handguards - 5.56x45mm
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M16A4 MWS (Modular Weapon System) with RAS rails installed, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, RIS foregrip, and ACOG scope 5.56x45mm. This is the U.S.M.C. style setup.

The M16A4 is often mistaken as an M16A3 w/ RIS rails. This is not true. The M16A3 is a full auto M16A2 with the standard A2 upper receiver and barrel. The Flat top with removable carry handle and RAS rails only appear on the A4s. Also the A4 is a 3-round burst rifle like the A2. As is the case with the A2 rifle, all movie/TV appearances of the 'flat top' M16 are full auto, not three round burst, since no director wants to see only three rounds fire at a time. So these are, again, A4 uppers built on full auto lower receivers. Despite the fact that the real world A4 is a three round burst rifle, IMFDB will still refer to the movie incarnations as A4s, since that is the rifle they are supposed to represent on film.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Battle: Los Angeles . U.S. Marines . 2011
Survival of the Dead Athena Karkanis Tomboy . 2010
Legion Paul Bettany Michael Fitted with an M203 grenade launcher 2010
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen . U.S. military personnel With ACOG scopes, Surefire Universal weaponlights, and RIS foregrips 2009
Far Cry . Mercenary With Aimpoint sight 2009
The Hurt Locker . U.S. Army soldiers With Aimpoint sight 2009
The Day the Earth Stood Still . U.S. Army soldiers . 2008
The Incredible Hulk . U.S. Army soldiers . 2008
28 Weeks Later . U.S. Army soldiers . 2007
Home of the Brave . Sgt. First Class Duhon With EOTech red dot sight 2006

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
U.S. Marines CSI: Miami / "Come As You Are" With ACOG scope, Surefire Universal weaponlight, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2002 - ????
Miami-Dade P.D. officer CSI: Miami / "Seeing Red" With EOTech red dot sight 2002 - ????
New Bern residents Jericho 2006 - 2008
Beck's soldiers Jericho With and without M68 Aimpoint scope and Surefire weaponlight 2006 - 2008
U.S. Army soldier The Unit 2006 - 2009

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Flag UNF soldiers used in multiple configurations 2006

Video Games

Game Title Used By Appears as Mods Release Date
Ghost Recon Major Harold "Buzz" Gordon "M16A2" Fitted w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, and M203 grenade launcher. 2001
Project Reality U.S. Marines M16A4 Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, EOTech Holographic sight, Trijicon ACOG scope, foregrip, and M203 grenade launcher. 2005
Insurgency U.S. Marines M16A4 Available w/ iron sights, and M203 grenade launcher. 2007
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare U.S. Marines M16A4 Available w/ iron sights, SureShot red dot sight, AN/PEQ-2 laser designator, and M203 grenade launcher. 2007
America's Army: True Soldiers U.S. Army Soldiers M16A4 Fitted w/ Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, and M203 grenade launcher. 2007
Combat Arms "M-16A3" 2008
Counter-Strike Online "Black Angel" Fitted w/ foregrip. 2008
America's Army 3 U.S. Army Soldiers M16A4/M16A4 DMR Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon M150 ACOG scope, and Heckler & Koch M320 grenade launcher. 2009
ArmA II U.S. Marines M16A4, M16A4 RCO, M16A4 M203, and M16A4 M203 RCO Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, AN/PEQ-2 laser designator, and M203 grenade launcher. 2009
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising U.S. Marines M16A4, M16A4 (Assault), M16A4 (CQB), M16A4 (Night Ops), M16A4 (Marksman), M16A4 (Stealth). Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, EOTech 556 Holographic sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, AN/PVS-17 night vision scope, suppressor, AN/PEQ-2 laser designator, and M203 grenade launcher. 2009
Modern Warfare 2 U.S. Army Ragners M16A4 Can be fitted w/ iron sights, red dot sight, EOTech 556 Holographic sight, Trijicon ACOG scope, Thermal scope, silencer, and M203 grenade launcher. 2009
Marines: Modern Urban Combat Fitted w/ Trijicon ACOG scope, and M203 grenade launcher. 2010
Homefront U.S. Army Soldiers 2011
Operation Flashpoint: Red River U.S. Marines Fitted w/ Iron sights, Aimpoint CompM2 red dot sight, Trijicon TA31RCO-A4CP ACOG scope, and SureFire Universal WeaponLight. 2011


Colt AR-15 Sporter-1

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Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 (SP1) - 5.56x45mm

Films

Title Actor Character Note Date
In the Army Now Pauly Shore PFC "Bones" Conway With A2-style handguards 1994
In the Army Now Lori Petty Pvt. Christine Jones With A2-style handguards 1994
In the Army Now David Alan Grier Pvt. Fred Ostroff With A2-style handguards 1994
In the Army Now US Army soldiers With A2-style handguards 1994
Trespass Ice Cube Savon With A2-style handguards and rubber bands on pistol grip & handguard 1992
Trespass Byron Minns Moon With A2-style handguards and rubber bands on pistol grip & handguard 1992
Trespass Tommy "Tiny" Lister Cletus With A2-style handguards and rubber bands on pistol grip & handguard 1992
Trespass Tico Wells Davis With A2-style handguards and rubber bands on pistol grip & handguard 1992
Time and Tide 2000
Four Brothers Police honor guard With A2-style handguards and 20-round magazines 2005

Television


Colt Match Target

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Colt Match Target with 20-round magazine 5.56x45mm

Post-ban version of the AR-15A2 HBAR; it has the bayonet lug deleted and features a barrel that has no threading and therefore cannot accept a muzzle brake or flash hider.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Home of the Brave Brian Presley Tommy Yates With magazine removed 2006


Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine

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Colt Sporter I Carbine - 5.56x45mm. Colt's public offering of a lightweight carbine based on the AR-15 Platform. This rifle has been erroneously called "the M16 Shorty" for years by Law Enforcement and Firearms "authors". The "M16 Shorty" or "Shorty Carbine" have never been authorized or used names for the rifle by Colt or the Government.
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Colt Sporter II Carbine with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. Colt model #R-6420. Colt still insisted on using the SP1 style lower receiver so any rifle that looks like this but has the ribbing around the magazine release button is not a Colt rifle. Variants of this rifle have both the round and tear drop forward assist buttons, however, most of the early years of production had the tear drop button, like this rifle in the photo.
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Colt Sporter II Carbine with 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. This is the exact same rifle as above except with a 30 round magazine instead of a 20 round magazine.

Films

This info is incorrect. Speedman's rifle, though a 16" carbine is not either a Sporter I or Sporter II. MoviePropMaster2008 19:54, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Different Actors U.S. Army soldiers X-Files, The Mocked up to look like M16A2 1993 - 2002


Diemaco C7/Colt Model 715

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Colt Model 715 (virtually identical rifle to the Colt Canada C7) - 5.56x45mm
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Colt Canada C7A1 with ELCAN scope and polymer magazine 5.56x45mm
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Colt Canada C7A2 with ELCAN scope and polymer magazine 5.56x45mm

Known as the Colt Model 715 in the United States, the Diemaco C7 is a Canadian license-built version of the M16 that was developed in tandem with the M16A2, but retains the rear sight and the automatic firing mode of the earlier M16A1, with the further addition of a heavier barrel and brass deflector. The original C7 was gradually replaced by the C7A1 in Canadian service during the mid 1990s, eliminating the carrying handle in favor of a Weaver rail system and a 3.5x ELCAN optical sight. The C7A2 is a mid-life upgrade of the C7A1 that adds a 4-position M4-style stock, a new handguard and pistol grip in OD green, and a Triad rail system that allows for the mounting of additional accessories such as RIS foregrips or AN/PEQ-2 laser illumination devices.

NOTE: Diemaco (currently Colt Canada) does not permit sale of their weapons to civilians (including film armorers), so C7s in films is near impossible to see. However, several AR-15 manufacturers built identically-configured rifles with the same receiver style, which were usually marketed as "budget" alternatives to their M16A2 clones. Colt manufactured the Model 715, while Olympic Arms manufactured its own version, the K4B (which is currently sold as the "Plinker Plus 20"). Most of the "C7" rifles appearing in movies and TV shows are the older-model (pre-1994) Olympic Arms K4B rifles; these guns are evidently preferred by the armorers in Vancouver, British Columbia and have been featured on TV shows such as Stargate: SG1, The X-Files, Millennium, and Viper. If the movie or TV show you are watching was filmed in British Columbia, chances are that you're seeing a converted Olympic Arms K4B, and not a genuine C7.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Walking Tall Ex-Deputy With Beta-C drum magazine 2004
Operation Dumbo Drop Green Berets,US Soldiers,ARVN Mocked up as M16A1 1995

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
James McGowan Major Mike Kessler The Border (TV Series) / "Blowback" With ELCAN sight 2008-2010
Various U.S. Army soldiers Harsh Realm 1999
Various Repblican Guard Special Forces Harsh Realm 1999
Various Cherokee rebels Harsh Realm 1999
Various Survivalists/other characters Millennium 1997 - 2007
Various U.S.A.F. personnel Stargate: SG1 1997 - 2007
Various U.S. military personnel/various bad guys Viper 1996 - 1999
Viper / "Diamond in the Rough" With 20-round magazine and Cobray CM203 launcher 1996 - 1999
Various Villains Viper 1996 - 1999
Armored van robber The Sentinel / "Love and Guns" with Cobray CM203 1996 - 1999
Richard Burgi Det. Jim Ellison The Sentinel / "Siege" 1996 - 1999

Video Games

Game Title Referred as Mods Notation Release Date
Jagged Alliance 2 C-7 1999
Project Reality C7A2, with Back-Up Iron Sights, EOTech red dot sight, ELCAN scope, and M203 grenade launcher 2005


Diemaco/Colt Canada C8 Carbine

Colt Canada C8A1 carbine 5.56x45mm with ELCAN scope. Also known as the "C8FT" (Flat-Top)
Colt Canada C8A3 carbine 5.56x45mm with ELCAN scope and polymer magazine. Also known as the "C8FTHB" (Flat-Top Heavy Barrel)

Essentially a carbine version of the C7 rifle, the C8 carbine serves the same role in the Canadian Armed Forces as the M4A1 carbine serves in the U.S. military. The original C8 is virtually identical to the Colt Model 653 carbine, while later variants introduced heavier barrels and flat-top upper recievers.

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Various Gunmen The Border (TV Series) / "Gross Deceptions" C8A1, with ELCAN scope 2008-2010

Video Games

Game Title Referred as Mods Notation Release Date
Project Reality C8A3, with EOTech red dot sight and ELCAN scope 2005


M16 with M203 Grenade Launcher

NOTE: In some movies and TV shows, the Cobray 37mm Launcher is used to impersonate the M203. For a list of ways to tell the two launchers apart, visit the Cobray 37mm Launcher page.


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Screen-used Faux M203 launcher attached to M16/SP1 5.56x45mm configured as seen in Predator © Copyright MPM2008 - 2009 Licensed to www.imfdb.org
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M16A1 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm
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M16A1 with Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launcher for Comparison - 37mm. Many times these unrestricted 37mm launchers double for the real M203 launcher.
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M16A2 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher - 40mm
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M16A4 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Scarface Al Pacino Tony Montana M16A1, with two magazines taped together "jungle style" 1983
Predator Arnold Schwarzenegger Dutch AR-15/SP1 1987
Police Academy 6: City Under Siege David Graf Eugene Tackleberry M16A1 1989
Jarhead Peter Sarsgaard Troy M16A2 2005
Jarhead Brian Geraghty Fergus M16A2 2005
Jarhead Laz Alonso LCpl. Ramon Escobar M16A2 2005
The Boondock Saints M16A1, hanging on wall 1999
Black Hawk Down Ewan McGregor Spc. John Grimes M16A2 2001
Black Hawk Down Enrique Murciano Sgt. Ruiz M16A2 2001
Hard Boiled Philip Kwok Mad Dog M16A1 1992
Clear and Present Danger Jaime Gomez Sgt. Julio Vega M16A1 1994
Clear and Present Danger Reciprocity team member M16A2 1994
Heartbreak Ridge Rodney Hill Collins AR-15/SP1 1986
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course US Army Ranger M16A1 2002
Tomorrow Never Dies Henchmen M16A2, with Beta-C drum magazines 1997
American Gangster M16A1 2007
The Rock Bokeem Woodbine Sgt. Crisp M16A1 1996
The Rock Tony Todd Cpt. Darrow Switches between AR-16/SP1 and M16A1 1996
The Rock Rogue Marines M16A1 1996
Without a Paddle Seth Green Dan M16A1 2004
Without a Paddle Ethan Suplee Elwood M16A1 2004
The One That Got Away Paul McGann Chris Ryan AR-15/SP1, with camouflage paint scheme 1996
Bravo Two Zero Sean Bean Andy McNab M16A2, with camouflage paint scheme and compass attached to handguard 1999
Bravo Two Zero Kevin Collins Chris Ryan M16A2, with camouflage paint scheme 1999
Sniper 2 M16A1, with scope mounted on carry handle 2002
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home US Marine M16A1 1986
In the Army Now Pauly Shore Bones Conway M16A1, promotional material only 1994
Battlefield Earth Human resistance fighters M16A1 2000
The Punisher Thomas Jane Frank Castle M16A2, promotional material only 2004
The Sum of All Fears US Marine M16A2 2002
Green Zone US Army soldier M16A4, airsoft replica 2010
Green Zone MET-D soldier M16A4, airsoft replica 2010
Legion Paul Bettany Michael Switches between M16A2 and M16A4 2010

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Various U.S. Army soldiers The Unit Mounted on M16A2 2006 - 2009
Kieran Mulroney Cpl. Mick Kirkland Seven Days / "Daddy's Little Girl" Mounted on M16A1, with and without night vision scope 1998 - 2001
Todd Kimsey Lt. Willis Seven Days / "Daddy's Little Girl" Mounted on M16A1, with and without night vision scope 1998 - 2001
Gary Dourdan Sgt. Mohmand Seven Days / "Daddy's Little Girl" Mounted on M16A1, with and without night vision scope 1998 - 2001
Various U.S. Marines CSI: NY / "Heroes" Mounted on M16A2, with ACOG scope 2004- ????
George Peppard Col. John "Hannibal" Smith The A-Team / "The Sound of Thunder" Mounted on AR-15/SP1 1983 - 1988

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Release Date
Battlefield 2 Mounted on M16A2 2005
Spec Ops: Ranger Elite on M16A1 2001
Project Reality Mounted on M16A4, with optional ACOG scope 2005
Project Reality Mounted on M16A1 2005
America's Army Mounted on M16A2 2002
America's Army: Rise of a Soldier Mounted on M16A2 2005
Operation Flashpoint Mounted on M16A2 2001
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising Mounted on M16A4, with AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2009
ArmA II Mounted on M16A4, with AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and ACOG scope 2009
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Mounted on M16A4 2007
Ghost Recon Mounted on M16A4 2001
Insurgency Mounted on M16A4 2007
America's Army: True Soldiers Mounted on M16A4, with optional M68 Aimpoint red dot scope 2007
007: Agent Under Fire As the "Windsor FSU-4" Mounted on M16A1 2001
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 As the "M16A2" Mounted on M16A4, with optional ACOG scope, red dot sight, and camouflage paint scheme 2010
Marines: Modern Urban Combat Mounted on M16A4, with ACOG scope 2010

Anime

Character Film Title Note Date
Asano Mezzo DSA Mounted on M16A1 2004
U.S. soldier Blood+ Mounted on M16A2 2005 - 2006


Colt XM177/CAR-15/Commando Series

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Colt Model 609 aka U.S. Army's XM177E1- 5.56mm. This submachine gun utilized the partial magazine fence, the tear drop forward assist, but kept the 10" barrel and Flash hider/Suppressor that did not have a grenade ring (a later feature on the E2 model).
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GAU-5/A aka Colt Model 610 - 5.56x45mm. This is the USAF version and was only used by them. This is NOT the E1 version, which was used almost exclusively by the Army.
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XM177E2 Carbine aka Colt Model 629 aka - 5.56x45mm. This was the last variant of the XM177 rifle used in the Vietnam War.
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Late 1970s model AR15 Sporter 1 Carbine - converted into an XM177 Lookalike for the film The Dogs of War - 5.56mm
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Commercial CAR-15 semiautomatic Rifle - 5.56x45mm. This is strictly a semiautomatic civilian copy of the XM177 style of rifles. The flash hider is a smaller diameter copy of the XM-177 and has no sound suppression qualities and is permanently welded onto the barrel to make it legal length for over the counter gun store sales.

During the Vietnam War, Colt made several short barreled carbines that were fielded. The Colt Model 607 (a line of carbines that would eventually be called the CAR-15 in the US Market) was designated the XM177 in Vietnam. It had a 10" barrel and a slab side receiver just like the original AR-15s. The Colt Model 609 was designated the XM177E1, where they added a forward assist, upgraded breakdown pin assembly and a chromed chamber (the same modifications made to the A1 upgrade of the M16 rifle). This version was also where they started stamping the receivers "Commando", thus known as the "Colt Commando" back in the States. The Colt Model 610 was a version built for the USAF security forces, and was called the XM177 GAU-5/A or when formally adopted by the US Air Force, 'the GAU-5/A ' (which is why the gun is seen on the show Stargate: SG1 since the USAF used the carbine until recently). The Colt Model 629 was officially designated the XM177E2 having changed the barrel from 10" to 11.5" and slightly changing the flash hider/sound suppressor. This is the version most seen as replica and airsoft guns throughout the world.

The XM177 was adopted by the US Air force during the vietnam war and is still used by the USAF. The XM177E1 and the XM177E2 was adopted by the US Army and is no longer used.

Movie Armorer's note: Since the ATF viewed the flashhider of the XM177 as a 'silencer' due to the sound baffles within the item, it was as strictly controlled as any other silencer. Also the interior design of the flash hider / sound suppressor of the XM177 made it difficult to adapt to fire movie blanks. Thus there are virtually NO real XM177s used in movies. Most of the versions seen in films are modified commercial SP1 Carbines/M16 shorties with 'fake' XM177 flash hiders slipped over or welded to the end of the barrel. Also movie armorers used aftermarket barreled uppers by third party manufacturers and mated them to existing fully automatic lower receivers, thus were constantly swapping parts to build up guns which were requested by movie directors. So it is possible to see various upper receiver assemblies on recognizable M16/A1/A2 lower receivers.

Film

  • Sean Connery as John Mason, Nicolas Cage as Stanley Goodspeed, and Rogue US Recon Marines in The Rock (fitted with tactical flashlights and/or M203 Grenade Launchers)
  • Richard Norton in Equalizer 2000 (heavily modified to look somewhat futuristic)
  • Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer in Blood Diamond (with Aimpoint M3 red-dot sight and camouflage paint) (unknown variant; A2 receiver with XM177-style front end)
  • Colonel Coetzee (Arnold Vosloo)'s men in Blood Diamond (with Aimpoint M3 red-dot sight and camouflage paint) (unknown variant; A2 receiver with XM177-style front end)
  • Shadow Company goons and Gary Busey as Mr. Joshua in Lethal Weapon (Busey using one with a scope as well as with and without 'jungle-style' taped magazines)

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Raymond Cruz Rodriguez Seven Days / "Daddy's Little Girl" Mocked-up weapons with M16A2-style receivers 1998 - 2001
Various U.S. Army soldiers Seven Days Mocked-up weapons with M16A2-style receivers 1998 - 2001
Various NNL Personnel Seven Days Mocked-up weapons with M16A2-style receivers 1998 - 2001
Terence Knox Sgt 1st Class Clayton "Zeke" Anderson Tour of Duty 1987 - 1989

Anime

Video Games

  • The World Is Not Enough (as the "Mustang MAR-4", available with an M203 grenade launcher as the "Mustang MAR-4 GL")


Colt Carbine/Model 653/Model 727/Model 733

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Colt Model 653 Carbine 16" barrel - 5.56x45mm
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Colt Model 654 - a Model 653 designed for export - 14.5" barrel and no forward Assist - 5.56x45mm

After 1973 Colt made several lightweight versions of the M16 and Commando rifles for use with Police and Security forces, as well as civilian sales worldwide. It had the features of the XM177 rifle series, including the telescoping stock, but had either a 14.5" or a 16" lightweight barrel, depending on the demands of the customer, whether domestic or foreign. It was NOT correct for Viet Nam, despite what the movie Platoon portrays. Though 'unofficially' called the "M16 Shorty" by some writers and shooters, the 16" barreled lightweight carbine was never adopted formally by the US Military, and thus never had an "M" or "XM" designation. It was used in the U.S. by Federal and local law enforcement. The Model 653 is also the basis for the Diemaco/Colt Canada C8 carbine series (see above).

Colt also made the Model 733, which was a 11.5" barreled version of the Model 653, intended for Tactical police and security work. Later manufactured versions of both guns had A2 style heavy barrels. The Model 723 was a 733 designed for export for the UAE and used by US Delta Force.

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Colt Model 723 - 5.56x45mm.
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Model 725 - aka the Colt R6520 A2 Govt. Model Carbine - 5.56x45mm
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Colt Model 727 5.56x45mm

What is confusing is that other manufacturers made all sorts of modified short barreled AR-15 rifles for the Police and Civilian markets throughout the years. Colt themselves bastardized so many of their rifles throughout the years, swapping particular uppers with different lowers so that there will always be exceptions to the rule. The explosion of custom and unique looking AR-15 rifles in the 1980s and 1990s has led to a lot of confusion regarding what rifle is in what movie.


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Colt Model 733 SMG - 5.56x45mm. Note that the Colt Model 733 has the A1E1 upper receiver (A1 rear sights, but has a brass deflector, like the Model 715 or any of the Canadian M16s)


Film

  • Michael Paul Chan as U.N. Cultural Attache of China Xian Chen in U.S. Marshals ((Colt AR-15 Carbine, Civilian version of the Colt M653); fitted with Aimpoint 9000 SC red dot scope and silencer)
  • Delta Force operators and Ron Eldard as Mike Durant in Black Hawk Down (M727 and M733, fitted with various accessories including M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, silencers, tactical flashlights, and camouflage paint)
  • Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgement Day (fitted with silencer, laser sight, and ACOG scope, and a standard issue one on the freeway shootout) (Supposed to be an XM177E2 but was Commercial Colt version of the Model 653 with a fake slip on flash hider)
  • Models at the Berlin Arms Fair in Lord of War (M653 and M723)

Television

  • Pittsburg P.D. SWAT in The Kill Point (M653, fitted with Surefire M500AB weaponlights)
  • Seen in the armoury but never used in Sanctuary (episode "Penance", M733)

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Release Date
Project Reality "M16A1 Menosar" Model 653, with optional M203 grenade launcher 2005
Project Reality "M16A1 Mekotzrar" Model 733, with A1-style upper receiver 2005
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City "M4" Model 733 2002
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas "M4" Model 733 2004
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories "M4" Model 733 2005
Delta Force: Black Hawk Down "CAR-15" Model 727 2003
Max Payne "Colt Commando" Model 733 2001
Tomb Raider: Underworld "A12 Carbine" Model 727 2008
Call of Duty: Black Ops "Commando" Model 733, with flat top 2010

Anime


AR-15 Carbine

The AR-15 (for Armalite model 15)Carbine is the common name for the widely-owned semi-automatic rifle which soon afterwards became the selective fire M16 and M4 carbine assault rifles, which are currently in use by the United States military. AR-15 was the original name for what became the militarily designated M16, the assault rifle first used by the U.S. in the Vietnam War. The name AR-15 is now used almost exclusively to refer to the semi-automatic (commercially available) civilian version(s) of the M16 and M4 assault rifles. Standard AR-15 rifles accept detachable magazines of widely varying capacities, and have a pistol grip that protrudes beneath the stock. AR-15 rifles are highly configurable and customizable. They are commonly fitted with several accessories such as bipods, folding or collapsing stocks, threaded barrels for the attachment of a flash suppressor, and a rail system for the attachment of vertical grips, flashlights, laser sights, telescopic sights, etc. The AR-15 consists of separate upper and lower receiver assemblies, which are attached with two through-pins and can be quickly interchanged with no tools. The upper receiver assembly is simply considered a part, and may be freely purchased and mail-ordered in most locations. This is a very attractive feature for enthusiasts, who often purchase a number of upper receivers (often in different calibers) and interchange them with the same lower receiver. However, one must be thoroughly familiar with firearms laws before doing this as it is possible to make an illegal configuration.

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AR-15 Carbine with 20 round magazine.

Films

Title Actor Character Note Date
Planet Terror Freddy Rodriguez El Wray With night-vision scope 2007


M4/M4A1 Carbine

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Colt M4A1 Carbine with 4 position collapsible stock 5.56x45mm
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Colt M4A1 with 6 position collapsible stock - 5.56x45mm. Note slight difference in shape of stock compared to older model M4 (above).
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Colt M4A1 Carbine with M68 Aimpoint reflex optic and Knight's Armament RAS railed handguard and vertical forward grip - 5.56x45mm

The M4 Carbine is a 14.5" barreled select fire Assault Rifle. It has a distinctive 'step down' in the barrel to allow for mounting the M203 grenade launcher. Many of them in the battlefield are customized with forearm rails (usually holding the AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, a vertical forward grip, sometimes a flashlight, or one of many types of rifle scopes and red-dot or reflex optics). The M4 has three round burst capability, while the M4A1 has full auto fire capability. The very earliest M4s delivered to the U.S. Army had fixed carry handles and were known in Colt's catalog as the Model 777; however, soon after, the military started buying the Model 920, which featured a detachable carry handle, but continued to call these guns "M4s". Contrary to popular misconception, the carry handles on most M4s and M4A1s are detachable, and most of these carbines are used with the carry handle removed, and a folding rear sight and optic being attached to the receiver instead. As far as the procurement program has always been concerned, the burst/auto capability is the only difference between an M4 and M4A1, however, the M4A1 also utilizes a heavier barrel profile under the handguards in order to prevent the barrel from rapidly overheating during fully automatic fire.

What is confusing is that many civilian commercial makers of AR-15 style rifles call their 16" Carbine "The M4". Though there is no rule saying they can't name their gun whatever they want, the official M4 is the version used and originally issued by the U.S. Army and built by Colt. Colt tried to sue other gun makers to stop using the term 'M4' however, it was ruled that M4 refers to a type of firearm and Colt cannot copyright the term.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Air Force One Gary Oldman Ivan Korshunov Fitted with C-More Sight, first film to feature M4A1 1997
Air Force One Elya Baskin Andrei Kolchak Fitted with C-More sight 1997
Soldier . Child recruits Fitted with C-More Sights and RIS foregrips 1998
The Cell . FBI HRT members Fitted with tactical light 2000
2009: Lost Memories . JBI SWAT officers Fitted with scope, rails, forward handgrips, tactical light and laser aiming devices 2002
The Sum of All Fears . U.S. military personnel Fitted with Trijicon RX01 red dot sight 2002
XXX Marton Csokas Yorgi Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, Beta-C mag and Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip 2002
XXX Jan Pavel Filipensky Viktor Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, Beta-C mag and RIS foregrip 2002
XXX . NSA commandos Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope and Surefire M500AB forend weaponlight 2002
Dreamcatcher . Soldiers . 2003
X2: X-Men United . Col. Stryker's men Fitted with RIS foregrips, tactical flashlights and laser pointers 2003
The In-Laws David Suchet Jean-Pierre Thibodoux . 2003
Bad Boys II Yul Vasquez Det. Reyes Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, Surefire M500AB forend weaponslight and laser pointer 2003
Bad Boys II . TNT members Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes, M500AB forend weaponslights and laser pointers 2003
S.W.A.T. Jeremy Renner Brian Gamble Fitted with ACOG compact scope and Surefire M500AB weaponlight 2003
S.W.A.T. L.L. Cool J Officer Deacon 'Deke' Kay Fitted with ACOG compact scope and Surefire M500AB weaponlight handguard 2003
S.W.A.T. Colin Farrell Officer Jim Street Fitted with ACOG compact scope and Surefire M500AB weaponlight handguard 2003
Underworld Robbie Gee Kahn Fitted with a scope and Surefire M500AB weaponlight 2003
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Nick Stahl John Conor Fitted with C-More sight and M26 MASS 2003
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines . S.W.A.T. officers Fitted with C-More sights and Surefire M500AB weaponlight 2003
Cube Zero . Soldiers . 2004
XXX 2: State of the Union Scott Speedman Agent Kyle Steele Fitted with aforementioned weaponlight and a Leupold CQ/T scope 2005
XXX 2: State of the Union . NSA security forces Fitted with Surefire M500AB forearm weaponlights 2005
XXX2: State of the Union . S.W.A.T. officers . 2005
Mr. & Mrs. Smith . Company Men members . 2005
Transporter 2 . Miami S.W.A.T. member . 2005
The Sentinel . CAT operator Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope 2006
Children of Men Chiwetel Ejiofor Luke Fitted with M203 Grenade Launcher, tactical light and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2006
Children of Men . 'Fish' gunman Fitted with Elcan optical sight 2006
Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise Kohl Sudduth Officer Simspon Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope 2006
28 Weeks Later Jeremy Renner Sgt. Doyle Fitted with EOTech sight, ERGO grip, CAA CBS CAR telescoping stock, PVS-14 NVG sight, and no front post sight 2007
28 Weeks Later Rose Byrne Major Scarlet Same one like above 2007
28 Weeks Later . U.S. Army personnel Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes, ACOG scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators and tactical flashlights 2007
Transformers Tyrese Gibson USAF Technical Sergeant Epps Fitted with ACOG scope and M203 Grenade Launcher 2007
Transformers . SOCCENT personnel and Delta team Fitted with ACOG scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, RIS foregrips and camouflage paint schemes 2007
Dragon Wars: D-War . S.W.A.T. teams and U.S. military personnels Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes and RIS foregrips 2007
Lions for Lambs Derek Luke Arian Finch Fitted with ACOG scope 2007
Cloverfield . U.S. Army soldiers Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes and AN/PEQ-2 IR designators 2008
The Hurt Locker Jeremy Renner SFC William James Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, tactical weaponlight, RIS foregrip and flip-up rear iron sights 2008
The Hurt Locker Anthony Mackie SGT J.T Sanborn Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, ACOG scope, tactical weaponlight, RIS foregrip and flip-up rear iron sights 2008
The Hurt Locker Brian Geraghty SPC Owen Eldridge Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, tactical weaponlight and RIS foregrip 2008
Tropic Thunder . Guerrilla Forces Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, RIS foregrip and ACOG scope 2008
Babylon A.D. Vin Diesel Toorop . 2008
Punisher: War Zone Ray Stevenson Frank Castle Fitted with KAC Quad-rails, a C-More red dot optic, an M4-2000 by Advanced Armament Corp suppressor and a short version of the AG36 grenade launcher 2008
Resident Evil Degeneration . Leon Fitted with folding iron sight, M203 Grenade Launcher and an optical grenade sight 2008
Resident Evil Degeneration . Greg Fitted with different rear iron sights and tactical weaponlight 2008
Resident Evil Degeneration . U.S. Marines Fitted with folding iron sight, M203 Grenade Launcher and an optical grenade sight 2008
Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia . U.S. Navy SEALs Fitted with AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, ACOG scope, vertical foregrip and flashlights 2009
31 North 62 East . SAS commandos . 2009
Edge of Darkness . S.W.A.T. officers Fitted with EOTech Holographic Sights and weaponlights 2010
The Crazies U.S. Army soldiers and an infected hunter Fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope, ACOG scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, RIS foregrip and weaponlight 2010
Green Zone Matt Damon CWO Roy Miller Fitted with ACOG scope and flashlight 2010
Green Zone . MET-D soldier Fitted with ACOG scope and flashlight 2010
The Book of Eli Michael Gambon George . 2010


Television

Show Title / Episode Actor Character Note Air Date
Over There Erik Palladino Sgt. Chris "Scream" Silas With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and RIS foregrip 2005
Over There Omid Abtahi PFC Tariq Nassiri With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and RIS foregrip 2005
Over There Keith Robinson Pvt. Avery "Angel" King With ACOG scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, and RIS foregrip 2005
Over There Luke MacFarlane Pvt. Frank "Dim" Dumphy With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and M203 grenade launcher 2005
Over There Michael Cudlitz Col. Ryan With silencer, Surefire Universal weaponlight, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, custom camo paint, and RIS foregrip 2005
Over There US Army soldiers With AN/PEQ-2 IR designators and RIS foregrips 2005
Over There Iraqi civilian With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and RIS foregrip 2005
Stargate: SG1 US military personnel With & without ELCAN scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, & M203 grenade launcher 1997 - 2007
The Kill Point Pittsburgh PD SWAT officers With Surefire Universal weaponlights 2007
The Unit Dennis Haysbert Sgt. Maj. Jonas Blane With & without M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, RIS foregrip, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, ACOG scope, and Surefire Universal weaponlight 2006 - 2009
The Unit Max Martini Sgt. Mack gerhardt With ACOG scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, Surefire Universal weaponlight, and M203 grenade launcher 2006 - 2009
The Unit Wes Chatham SSgt. Sam McBride With M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, Surefire Universal weaponlight, and RIS foregrip 2006 - 2009
The Unit Scott Foley Sgt. Bob Brown With M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, and RIS foregrip 2006 - 2009
Jericho D.B. Sweeney Goetz With AN/PVS-17 night-vision & M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, Surefire Universal weaponlight, and RIS foregrip 2006 - 2008
Jericho Ravenwood mercenaries With AN/PVS-17 night-vision & M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, Surefire Universal weaponlights, and RIS foregrips 2006 - 2008
Jericho / "Semper Fidelis" Fake Marines With AN/PEQ-2 IR designators and M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes 2006 - 2008
Jericho AS Army soldiers With ACOG scopes, Surefire Universal weaponlights, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, and laser pointers 2006 - 2008
24 Keifer Sutherland Agent Jack Bauer With ACOG scope, EOTech red dot sight, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, RIS foregrip, Pentagonlight MD3R weaponlight, 20 & 30-round magazines, M68 Aimpoint red dot & AN/PVS-17 night-vision scopes 2001 - 2010
24 CTU Tactical Team members With M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, RIS foregrips, Surefire M500AB & Universal weaponlights 2001 - 2010
24 Sarah Clarke Nina Myers With ACOG scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, RIS foregrip, and 20-round magazine 2001 - 2010
24 Mary Lynn Rajskub Chloe O'Brian With Surefire Universal weaponlight 2001 - 2010
24 Coral Snake Commandos With ACOG scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and RIS foregrips 2001 - 2010
24 Delta 3 members With M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and Surefire Universal weaponlights 2001 - 2010
24 US Marines With M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and Surefire Universal weaponlights 2001 - 2010
24 LAPD SWAT officers With Surefire M500AB weaponlights 2001 - 2010
24 US Customs officers With Surefire M500AB weaponlights 2001 - 2010
24 US Navy SEALs With EOTech red dot sights, M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and M203 grenade launchers 2001 - 2010
24 FBI agents With EOTech red dot sights, RIS foregrips, Surefire Universal weaponlights, with & without brass catchers 2001 - 2010
24 NYPD ESU officers 2001 - 2010
CSI: Miami Miami PD SWAT officers With EOTech red dot sights, Surefire Universal weaponlights, and ACOG scopes 2002 - ????
Heroes US Special Forces With M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, Surefire Universal weaponlights, RIS foregrips, and laser pointers 2006 - 2010
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation LVPD SWAT officers With Surefire M500AB weaponlights and M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes 2000 - ????
CSI: NY / "Snow Day" Melina Kanakaredes Det. Stella Bonasera With M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, Surefire Universal weaponlight, and RIS foregrip 2004 - ????
CSI: NY NYPD ESU officers 2004 - ????
Primeval Mark Wakeling Cpt. Tom Ryan With ACOG scope, RIS foregrip, and Surefire Universal weaponlight 2007 - ????
Primeval SAS soldiers With ACOG scope, RIS foregrip, and Surefire Universal weaponlight 2007 - ????
The Glades Police officer With M68 Aimpoint red dot scope and RIS foregrip 2010 - ????
Sanctuary Police officer 2008 - ????

Video Games

Game Title Used By Appears as Mods Release Date
Counter-Strike Counter Terrorist Maverick M4A1 Carbine 2000
Urban Terror 2000
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty 2001
Delta Force: Task Force Dagger M4A1SD 2002
America's Army U.S. Army M4A1 Carbine/M4A1 SOPMOD Can be fitted with iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, Trijicon RX01 Reflex sight, Harris bipod, KAC suppressor, and M203A1 grenade launcher 2002
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Counter Terrorist Maverick M4A1 Carbine 2004
Far Cry Jack Carver, Mercenaries M4 Assault Weapon 2004
Counter Strike: Source Counter Terrorist Maverick M4A1 Carbine 2004
Full Spectrum Warrior 2004
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction Carbine 2005
SWAT 4 NYPD SWAT, Suspects M4A1 Carbine Fitted with SureFire M500AB WeaponLight, and foregrip 2005
Battlefield 2 U.S. Marines M4A1 Carbine Fitted with Aimpoint M68 red dot sight 2005
Project Reality U.S. Army soldiers, U.S. Marines, Hamas, and IDF soldiers M4/M4A1 Carbine Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon TA31F and TA31RCO ACOG scopes, ITL MARS, Kimber Mepro, EOTech Holographic sight, foregrip, Harris bipod, and M203 grenade launchers 2005
Far Cry Instincts: Predator M4 Carbine Fitted with C-More sight, suppressor, and camouflage paint scheme 2005
Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers 2006
Saints Row AR40 Xtnd 2006
ArmA: Armed Assault U.S. Army soldiers M4, M4 CompM2, M4 ACOG, M4 + M203, M4 + M203 CompM2, M4A1 ACOG, M4A1 ACOG + M203, and M4A1 QDS CompM2 Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, suppressor, and M203A1 grenade launcher 2007
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men 2007
Insurgency U.S. Marines M4A1 Carbine Fitted with iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, and foregrip 2007
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare U.S. Marines, British SAS M4A1, M4 Suppressed, M4A1 Grenadier, M4A1 SOPMOD, M4 SOPMOD Available w/ iron sights, tasco Red Dot, EOTech 552 Holographic sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, suppressor, foregrip, AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designator, and M203A1 grenade launcher 2007
Combat Mission: Shock Force U.S. Army soldiers M4A1 Carbine Fitted w/ Aimpoimt M68 red dot sight, and M203A1 grenade launcher 2007
Counter-Strike Online Counter Terrorist Maverick M4A1 Carbine 2008
Army of Two M4A1 2008
Saints Row 2 AR40 Xtnd 2008
Grand Theft Auto IV Nico Belic, LCPD N.O.O.S.E. teams, police officers, and prison guard 2008
Mercenaries 2: World In Flames Carbine 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Old Snake Can be fitted with iron sights, Aimpoint red dot sight, ACOG scope, SureFirce WeaponLight, laser module, two types of RIS grips, Masterkey shotgun, and Heckler & Koch M320 grenade launcher 2008
Combat Arms M4A1 2008
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand 2009
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising U.S. Marines M4A1, M4A1 (Assault), M4A1 (CQB), M4A1 (Night Ops), M4A1 (Marksman), M4A1 (Stealth) Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, EOTech 556 Holographic sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, AN/PVS-17 night vision scope, suppressor, AN/PEQ-2 laser designator, and M203 grenade launcher 2009
Modern Warfare 2 U.S. Army Rangers, Task Force 141, and Ultranationalist slaughter group M4A1 Carbine Can be fitted w/ iron sights, red dot sight, EOTech 551 Holographic sight, Trijicon ACOG scope, suppressor, and M203 grenade launcher 2009
America's Army 3 U.S. Army soldiers M4A1 Carbine Can be fitted w/ Aimpoint M68 red dot sight 2009
ArmA II U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, and Private Military Company M4A1, M4A1 QDS, M4A1 QDS CAMO, M4A1 M203 RCO, M4A1 CCO, M4A1 M203 Holo SD, M4A1 M203 Holo, and M4A1 M203 SOPMOD SD CAMO Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, EOTech 556 Holographic sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, suppressor, AN/PEQ-2 laser designator, and M203A1 grenade launcher 2009
Homefront Korean soldiers and police, American resistance fighters M4A1 Fitted w/ iron sights, and EOTech 551 Holographic sight 2011
Operation Flashpoint: Red River U.S. Marines M4A1 Carbine Fitted w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sights, Trijicon TA31RCO-A4CP ACOG scopes, EOTech 551 Holographic sights, AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designators, SureFire Universal WeaponLights, and M203A1 grenade launchers 2011
Prototype Marines, Blackwatch Assault rifle 2009

Anime

Character Film Title Note Date
Kochikame, The UFO Movie
1st Division operators Ga-rei: Zero 2008
American SOF operators Canaan outfitted with various SOPMOD accessories 2009


M4/M4A1 with M203 Grenade Launcher

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M4A1 carbine 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm
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M4A1 carbine 5.56x45mm with M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, flip-up rear sight, and M203 grenade launcher 40mm

Film

  • U.S. Army soldiers in War of the Worlds (fitted with M68 Aimpoint and ACOG scopes, C-More red dot sights, and AN/PEQ-2 laser systems)

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Dennis Haysbert Sgt.Maj. Jonas "Snake Doctor" Blane The Unit With various optics and attachments 2006 - 2009
Various U.S. Army soldiers The Unit 2006 - 2009
Luke MacFarlane Pvt. Frank "Dim" Dumphy Over There With an M68 red dot sight, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2005
Alexander Skarsgard Sgt. Brad "Iceman" Colbert Generation Kill With AN/PVS-17 night-vision and ACOG scopes and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2008
Brian Wade Cpt. Craig "Encino Man" Schwetje Generation Kill With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2008
US military personnel Stargate: SG1 With ELCAN scope and AN/PEQ-1 IR designator 1997 - 2007

Video Games

Game Title Used By Appears as Mods Release Date
America's Army U.S. Army soldiers M4A1 Carbine/M4A1 SOPMOD Can be fitted with iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, Trijicon RX01 Reflex sight, Harris bipod, and KAC suppressor 2002
Project Reality U.S. Army and IDF soldiers M4/M4A1 Carbine Available w/ ACOG scope, ITL MARS & EOTech red dot sights 2005
ArmA: Armed Assault U.S. Army soldiers M4 + M203, M4 + M203 CompM2, and M4A1 ACOG + M203 Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, and suppressor 2007
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare U.S. Marines, British SAS M4A1 Grenadier, and M4A1 SOPMOD Fitted w/ tasco Red Dot, EOTech 552 Holographic sight, suppressor, foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designator 2007
Combat Mission: Shock Force U.S. Army soldiers M4A1 Carbine Fitted w/ Aimpoimt M68 red dot sight 2007
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising U.S. Marines M4A1 (Assault) FItted w/ iron sights, and AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designator 2009
Modern Warfare 2 U.S. Army Rangers, Task Force 141, and Ultranationalist slaughter group M4A1 Carbine Can be fitted with iron sights, red dot sight, EOTech 551 Holographic sight, Trijicon ACOG scope, and suppressor 2009
ArmA II U.S. Marines, U.S. Army soldiers, and Private Military Company M4A1 M203 RCO, M4A1 M203 Holo SD, M4A1 M203 Holo, M4A1 M203 SOPMOD SD CAMO Available w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sight, EOTech 551 Holographic sight, Trijicon 4x32 ACOG scope, suppressor, and AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designator 2009
Operation Flashpoint: Red River U.S. Marines M4A1 Carbine Fitted w/ iron sights, Aimpoint M68 red dot sights, Trijicon TA31RCO-A4CP ACOG scopes, EOTech 551 Holographic sights, AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL laser designators, and SureFire Universal WeaponLights 2011


Colt Model 933

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Colt Model 933 - 5.56x45mm.
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Colt Model 933 with stock extended 5.56x45mm
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Colt Model 933 with SIRS handguard, Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip, and M68 Aimpoint red dot scope 5.56x45mm

The Colt Model 933 carbine is similar to the M4 carbine listed above, except with an 11.5" barrel as opposed to the 14.5" barrel on the M4. Aside from that, it has all the same features, including the removable carry handle/rear sight assembly. This has led some people (including Airsoft manufacturers) to nickname it the "M4 Commando" or "M4 CQB", though these are not its' official designations.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Transformers Josh Duhamel Captain William Lennox With M68 Aimpoint red dot & AN/PVS-17 night vision scopes, Vltor Clubfoot stock, Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, and Phantom muzzle brake 2007
Harsh Times Christian Bale Jim Davis With M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, Surefire weaponlight, and RIS foregrip 2006
Romeo Must Die DMX Silk With custom muzzle brake 2000
Home of the Brave U.S. Army soldiers 2006

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Dennis Haysbert SGM Jonas "Snake Doctor" Blane The Unit / "Five Brothers", "Play 16" With EOTech red dot sight, Crane stock, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2006 - 2009
Scott Foley SFC Bobby "Cool Breeze" Brown The Unit / "Five Brothers", "Play 16" With EOTech red dot sight, Crane stock, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2006 - 2009
Max Martini MSGT Mack "Dirt Diver" Gerhardt The Unit / "Five Brothers", "Play 16" With EOTech red dot sight, Crane stock, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2006 - 2009
Michael Irby SFC Charles "Betty Blue" Grey The Unit / "Five Brothers", "Play 16" With EOTech red dot sight, Crane stock, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 2006 - 2009
Chicago PD officers The Chicago Code With M68 Aimpoint red dot scopes, RIS foregrips, and Surefire Universal weaponlights 2011 - ????

Video Games

Game Title Mods Passwords Release Date
Battlefield 2 Promotional material only, with M68 Aimpoint red dot scope 2005
GoldenEye 007 w/ optional ACOG scope 2010

Anime

Character Film Title Note Date
Lewis Blood+ With Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip and EOTech red dot sight 2005 - 2006
U.S. Special Forces soldiers Blood+ With Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrips and EOTech red dot sights 2005 - 2006
Dejima Refugees Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG 2004-2005
American Soldiers Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG With futuristic furniture, cybernetic sights and underbarrel M203 2004-2005


CQB-R / Mk. 18 Mod 0

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Mk. 18 Mod 0 5.56x45mm with RIS handguard

An even shorter-barreled M4 Carbine, it has about a 10.5 inch barrel. The upper receiver, which is used on a regular M4 lower receiver, is designated CQB-R (Close Quarters Battle-Receiver), while the entire weapon system is designated as Mark 18 Mod 0 by the United States Navy. Used by Navy VBSS units, NCIS and Navy SEALs. It is another one of the weapons that fell under the 'M4 Commando' nickname as an airsoft gun.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Blood Work Jeff Daniels Jasper 'Buddy' Noone With front sight removed and C-More red dot sight 2002
Tropic Thunder Flaming Dragons guerrilla With ACOG sight 2008
The Expendables Sylvester Stallone Barney "The Schizo" Ross With EOTech sight, tactical flashlight and suppressor 2010
The Losers Various characters With various accessories 2010

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Kiefer Sutherland Jack Bauer 24 / Season 7 "Episode 15 - 10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M." With Aimpoint M4 red dot sight, Aimpoint 3x Magnifier, Gemtech G5 suppressor, LaRue Tactical 7.0 railed handguard, Yankee Hill Mfg front & rear sights, DPMS Inc. 4-railed Gas Block, and Vltor Modstock 2001 - 2010

Video Games

Game Title Mods Passwords Release Date
Combat Arms As the "M4A1 CQB-R", with Crane stock and SOPMOD rear sight 2008
Medal of Honor (2010) As M4 CQB-R Equipped with Various Accessories 2010

Anime

Title/Episode Character Note Air Date
Angel Beats! Yuri with EOTech Holograhic sight and Beta C-Mag 100 rounds drum magazine 2010




Colt AR-15A2 Government Carbine

A civilian released carbine rifle with a 16" barrel, A2 upper reciever. Designed for law enforcement.

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Colt AR-15A2 Government Carbine with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
The Fast and the Furious L.A.P.D. SWAT officer With M16-style stock 2001
Conspiracy Theory John Schwartzman Sniper With night-vision scope, 20-round magazine, and laser pointer 1997





Colt AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine

A civilian released carbine rifle with a 16" barrel and a removable carry handle. By designating this rifle as an "A3", much confusion has been made leading people to believe the M16A3 has a removable carry handle as opposed to the M16A4.

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Colt AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
The Fast and the Furious L.A.P.D. SWAT officer With M16-style stock 2001


Colt Law Enforcement Carbine

The "M4A1" of the civilian world, this rifle has a 16" barrel (as opposed to the M4A1's 14.5") with step-cuts to attach a launcher such as an M203 grenade launcher and the Cobray 37mm Launcher. In films, this gun has been converted to full auto to trick viewers into believing it is an M4A1, earning it the nickname "M4gery".

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Colt Law Enforcement Carbine - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
I Am Legend Will Smith Dr. Robert Neville With ACOG scope and PentagonLight MD3R weaponlight 2007
Casino Royale Miami-Dade Police 2006


Colt 9mm Submachine Gun

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Colt 9mm SMG aka (Colt Model R0635) - 9x19mm
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Colt 9mm Carbine aka (AR-15A2 Sporter II carbine in 9mm) also officially known as the Colt Model R6450 - 9x19mm. This version is an R6450 barreled upper on a full auto R0635 lower for law enforcement.

Film

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
Johnathan LaPaglia Frank Parker Seven Days / "Daddy's Little Girl" 1998 - 2001

Video Games

Game Appears As Note Release Date
Enter the Matrix 9mm Carbine 2003


Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle

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Mark 12 Mod 0 SPR with Parker & Hale bipod 5.56x45mm

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
28 Weeks Later Delta Sniper With 30-round magazine. 2007
Live Free or Die Hard Cyril Raffaelli Rand With silencer, brass catcher, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip, and Leupold CQ/T scope 2007
Hitman Sniper With AN-PEQ-2 IR designator, silencer, and Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip 2007

Video Games

Game Title Mods Passwords Release Date
America's Army With bipod and optional silencer 2002
Ghost Recon 2 Incorrectly firing 6.8mm ammo 2004
ArmA II 2009


Commercial Copies of the M16 Rifle series

Many of the guns seen as Colt model guns aren't Colt at all, but the many various other manufacturer copies of the M16/AR-15 series of firearms. The most common clones are the guns made by Bushmaster, PWA, Eagle Arms. Though there are now many semiautomatic rifles made by companies like Panther DPMS and others, most of the Movie Prop houses acquired their guns before the 1990s. So only the most common third part manufacturers will be seen. Since it's difficult to determine which maker built the gun, for the sake of simplicity, the rifle variants in movies will be identified by the COLT model they most look like, unless there is clear evidence of a third party manufacturer. Sometimes this is possible via DVD commentary, direct information from the Armorer, or a clear shot of the manufacturer trademarks on the gun in a screenshot.


Bushmaster XM-15 Rifle Series

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The Bushmaster HBAR Carbine - listed in the Bushmaster Sales catalog as "Bushmaster 16" Heavy Barrel Carbine" - 5.56x45mm

Film


Rock River Arms Tactical CAR-A4 DEA Carbine

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Rock River Arms Tactical CAR-A4 Carbine 5.56x45mm with EOTech 552.A65 Holographic sights, a GG&G A2-style BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight), Hogue rubber pistol grip, SureFire M73 1913 Picatinny fore end rail system, and SureFire M951XM05 tactical light w/M49 mount (for M73 rail).

The standard rifle for DEA agents.

Television

  • Used by DEA agents in the SPIKE TV series DEA


LaFrance Specialties M16K

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LaFrance Specialties M16K w/o Forward Assis- 5.56x45mm.
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LaFrance Specialties M16K w/ Forward Assist - 5.56x45mm.

Note the sight arrangement to reduce weight and restriction for confined spaces. Special order weapon system built for Law Enforcement and Government Agencies.

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Escape from L.A. Kurt Russell Snake Pliskin Used as base for Coreburner 1996
Police Story 3: Supercop Jackie Chan Inspector Chan With 90-round drum magazine 1992
The Dead Pool Mob assassin 1988
Pink Cadillac Militia member 1989


Bushmaster XM15 "V-Match"

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Bushmaster XM15 "V-Match" Note smooth handguard and absence of front sight - 5.56x45mm

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Mr. & Mrs. Smith Seen leaning against wall 2005
Soldier Arcadia 234 Inhabitant With C-More red dot sight 1998
Ronin Sniper With scope 1998


Olympic Arms K23B

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Olympic Arms K23B 5.56x45mm

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
The Departed SWAT officers 2006
Righteous Kill Robert De Niro Turk 2008
Righteous Kill Al Pacino Rooster 2008


Norinco Model 311

Chinese copy of the M16A1, also called the CQ 5.56. Can be differentiated by the grips, front sight and handguard.

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Norinco Model 311 (CQ 5.56) - 5.56x45mm NATO

Film

Television



Non Firing Replicas of the M16 Rifle

MGC M-16 Model Gun Corp Replica Rifle

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The MGC M16 Assault rifle: a non firing metal replica built by the Model Gun Corp of Japan and one of the most used non firing replicas of the M16 in movies and television. The 'forward assist' on the early models like the one imaged here are bolt inserts to keep the receiver together. Modern MGC M16 replicas have improved by third parties over the years (like adding A1 flash hiders) making it more accurate to the real thing making it harder for 'Connoisseurs' to identify
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The MGC M16 Assault rifle: a non firing metal replica built by the Model Gun Corp of Japan. This is a closeup of the receiver and clearly shows how the 'fake' forward assist is actually a connector with allen nut in the back. Removal of this nut separates the upper and lower receivers.
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MGC CAR-15 replica assault rifle with 20 round MGC magazine.
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The MGC CAR-15 Assault rifle: Model Gun Corporation's XM177 offering. Interesting enough, MGC called their replica rifle the CAR-15 which was Colt's name for the civilian (non-military designation) rifle, rather than any of the names give by the U.S. Military. This replica rifle was built on the same MGC M16 receiver, however the buttstock was pot metal, not plastic and it did not telescope. Instead the makers of the gun split the difference and locked the non-adjustable stock into the 'half extended/half closed' position. This feature did not enamor replica gun collectors to the weapon and it did not sell well.

Before the advent of inexpensive Airsoft guns there were precious few replica weapons that could be used in productions if they didn't want to have a live firing weapon on set, or for a stunt or if they didn't have the budget to get a real gun (and armorer). Though the U.S. Army had a "rubber duck", i.e. slang for the hard rubber training M16 they used, it was not readily available on demand for the movie prop houses of the 1970s and the 1980s. Thus the metal REPLICA gun was used (those models that were actually available for purchase). Model Gun Corporation of Japan made and built excellent quality metal replica guns between the late 1960s and the early 1980s and the most utilized one was the MGC M16 assault rifle. They were sold in the United States by Collector's Armory, Ltd. (and should not be confused with the inferior quality zinc-pot metal replicas currently coming in from Spain). There is also the MGC XM177 Commando carbine variant (listed in the catalog as the CAR-15), which is basically the same as above but with a non-retractable stock for imitation purposes.

If you've seen a movie with M16s in it, chances are you've seen many replicas of the rifle on camera.

In the following, the use of a metal replica M16 was (painfully) obvious:

Film

  • Full Metal Jacket : the MGC M16 was visible being held by all soldiers who carried the M16. Only when they were firing on screen, did it switch to a live version of the weapon.
  • Hamburger Hill : used by background Airborne Soldiers during a medical Evac.
  • The Spy Who Loved Me : used by the British/Russian/US Navy Sailors during the gun battle on the Liparus.
  • Commando : Used by bad guys who kidnap Matrix and hold their M16s on him.
  • Uncommon Valor : in any of the armory scenes or flashback scenes of soldiers not firing their M16s, the MGC M16 is evident. Also the CAR-15 replica is heavily used by the LRRP teams in the beginning of the film.
  • First Blood : the Army National Guardsmen are seen holding many MGC M16 rifles. Only when an actor fired, did the weapon change to a real weapon.
  • Hulk : when the Hulk explodes out of the ground on Powell Street in San Francisco, many of the U.S. Army Soldiers were carrying MGC-16 replica rifles (in addition to real AR15-A2 rifles). One of the soldiers holding the fake rifle has a closeup in one of the 'split screen' shots of their reaction to the Hulk.
  • The Final Countdown : used by Marines on the deck of the Nimitz in scenes where there is no firing.
  • Barb Wire : outfitted with ill fitting 30 round magazines, A2 handguards and A1 birdcage flash hiders, held by Congressionals.
  • Dragon Wars: D-War : outfitted with ill fitting 30 round magazines, A2 handguards and A1 birdcage flash hiders, used by background U.S. Army troops defending Los Angeles.
  • Used by many cadets in Taps
  • Ghostbusters : some of the Army National Guard soldiers near the climax can be seen with these weapons fitted with A1-style flash hiders, supplimenting real M16A1's.
  • An L.A.P.D. SWAT officer in Bandits (fitted with A2-style handguards)

Television


.22 caliber Clones of the M16 Rifle

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Armi-Jager AP15 rifle - .22 LR. The AP -15 has a slab side receiver and a tiny ejection port (for the .22 brass) and a birdcage flash hider. The AP74 has a three prong flash hider.
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Adler-Jager AP74 rifle - .22 LR. Note the sharply angled three prong flash hider and the forward assist, which differentiate it from the AP15.

Adler-Jager AP-74/Armi-Jager AP-15

Made in Italy and imported by Mitchell Arms (during the 1970s and early 1980s), these M16 clones were chambered for .22 LR and looked very similar to the M16 or M16A1 rifles. The dummy "20 round magazine" was a solid part of the lower receiver. A small .22LR magazine was inserted into the bottom of the dummy magazine. They were used sometimes in films due to budgetary reasons, since low budget films (especially in the 1970s and 80s) could pick up a .22LR M16 clone for less than a real AR-15. There were .22LR guns imported into the U.S. with either Armi-Jager or Adler-Jager markings (but the Armi-Jager was most common), so both names are correct.

Film

Armscor M16 22

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Armscor (Squires Bingham of the Philippines) M16 22 rifle - .22 LR. Sometimes sold as the M-1600

Armscor (out of the Philippines) made another .22LR clone rifle, the Armscor M16 22, however this rifle looked even less like a real M16 and was rarely (if ever) used in a film to impersonate an M16 rifle.

Television


See Also

  • Armalite AR-10 - Firearm from which the M16 is derived.
    • Knight's Armament SR-25 - Firearm that uses the AR-10 (and by extension the M16) as the base of its' design, sometimes mistaken for the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle.
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