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M16 rifle series
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:
Please check the talk page for additional variants not shown on the main page.
Specifications
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)
M16 Rifle
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 the Commercially sold 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 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 Rock | Tony Todd | Captain Darrow | Fitted with M16A1 flash hider and M203 grenade launcher | 1996 |
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 |
Rambo: First Blood | Brian Dennehy | Hope Sheriff Will Teasle | 1982 | |
Rambo: First Blood | Various | Hope County sheriff's deputies | 1982 | |
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 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 | |
Ice Station Zebra | Various | U.S. Navy crew | 1968 | |
Seven Days in May | Andrew Duggan | Col. William 'Mutt' Henderson | Possibly the first depiction of an 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 and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Various | U.S. soldiers, guards, criminals | 1993-1997 | |
The Stand | Unknown actor | henchman | 1994 |
Video Games
Game Title | Mods | Passwords | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories | 2006 | ||
Enter the Matrix | 2003 | ||
Vietcong | 2002 |
XM16E1 Rifle
The XM16E1 is an improved variant of the original M16 which featured several improvements, including the forward assist (visually, the most 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.
Film
Title | Actor | Character | Notation | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tropic Thunder | Jay Baruchel | Kevin Sandusky | 2008 | |
Tropic Thunder | Brandon T. Jackson | Alpo Chino | 2008 | |
Tropic Thunder | Various | Actors playing U.S. soldiers | 2008 | |
We Were Soldiers | Mel Gibson | Lt. Col. Hal Moore | (with and without M7 bayonet) | 2002 |
We Were Soldiers | Various | U.S. Army soldiers | (with and without M7 bayonet) | 2002 |
Dead Presidents | Jaimz Woolvett | Lieutenant Dugan | 1995 | |
Dead Presidents | Various | U.S. Marines | 1995 | |
Hamburger Hill | Various | U.S. Army 101st Airborne personnel | 1987 | |
The Green Berets | John Wayne | Colonel Mike Kirby | 1968 | |
The Green Berets | Various | U.S. Special Forces | 1968 |
Video Games
Game Title | Mods | Notes | Release Date |
---|---|---|---|
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | 2004 |
M16A1 Rifle
Film
Title | Actor | Character | Note | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rambo (2008) | 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 | |
Blue Streak | Various | Mexican Border Security Officers | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards | 1999 |
Con Air | Various | Convicts and U.S. National Guardsmen | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards | 1997 |
Eraser | Various | U.S. Marshalls | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards | 1996 |
The Rock | Various | Rogue U.S. Marines | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards and tactical flashlights; some fitted with M203 grenade launchers | 1996 |
Romeo & Juliet | Various | Verona Beach police officers | Some fitted with M16A2 hand guards | 1996 |
Species | Background extras | U.S. Soldiers | 1995 | |
Heat | Wes Studi | Detective Casals | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards | 1995 |
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 | |
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 | |
The Sniper | hong Kong SDU Sniper Team | M16A1 with A2 style handguards and ACOG | 2009 |
Television
Show Title / Episode | Actor | Character | Note | Air Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scarface: The World is Yours | Can be fitted with M203 grenade launcher | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Battlefield 2 | Project Reality mod | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Battlefield: Vietnam | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grand Theft Auto III | Fitted with fictional 60-rd magazine | 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Command & Conquer: Red Alert | Fitted with M16A2 hand guards; used by Allied soldiers in FMV cut scenes only | 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shellshock 2: Blood Trails | (20080
Anime
Animation
M16A2 RifleIn 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. Film
Television
Video Games
M16A4 RifleThe 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
Television
Video Games
Colt AR-15 Sporter-1FilmsTelevision
Colt AR-15 Sporter CarbineFilms
Television
Diemaco C7/Colt Model 715Known 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. 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
Television
Video Games
M16 with M203 Grenade LauncherNOTE: 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.
Film
Television
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Anime
Colt XM177/CAR-15/Commando SeriesDuring 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
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Colt Carbine/Model 653/Model 727/Model 733After 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. The Model 653 was sold in the US as the SP1 Carbine or AR-15 Carbine. 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. 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. 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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AR-15 CarbineThe 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. Films
M4/M4A1 CarbineThe 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
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M4/M4A1 with M203 Grenade LauncherFilm
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Colt Model 933The 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
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CQB-R / Mk. 18 Mod 0An 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
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Colt AR-15A2 Government CarbineA civilian released carbine rifle with a 16" barrel, A2 upper reciever. Designed for law enforcement. Film
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Colt AR-15A3 Tactical CarbineA 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. Film
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Colt Law Enforcement CarbineThe "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". Film
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Colt 9mm Submachine Gun
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Mk 12 Special Purpose RifleFilm
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Commercial Copies of the M16 Rifle seriesMany 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. Film
Rock River Arms Tactical CAR-A4 DEA CarbineThe standard rifle for DEA agents. Television
LaFrance Specialties M16KNote the sight arrangement to reduce weight and restriction for confined spaces. Special order weapon system built for Law Enforcement and Government Agencies. Fim
Bushmaster XM15 "V-Match"Film
Olympic Arms K23BFilm
Non Firing Replicas of the M16 RifleMGC M-16 Model Gun Corp Replica RifleBefore 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
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.22 caliber Clones of the M16 RifleAdler-Jager AP-74/Armi-Jager AP-15Made in Italy and imported by Mitchell Arms, 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.
Armscor M16 22Armscor (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.
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