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Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lethal Weapon is the 1987 action film that was one of the first in the modern "buddy cop" genre. Mel Gibson stars as LAPD Detective Martin Riggs, a cop who lives on the ragged edge and who could be suicidal, much to the chagrin of his new partner Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) , who is celebrating his 50th birthday. Together they uncover a drug smuggling ring that involves a criminal gang comprised of mercenaries and former members of a CIA / special forces "Black Ops" unit with ties to the Vietnam War. The film was written by Shane Black and was directed by Richard Donner (Superman: The Movie). The success of the movie would help spawn a film franchise that spanned four films as well as numerous movie imitators.
The following weapons were used in the film Lethal Weapon (1987):
Error creating thumbnail: File missing WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Pistols
Beretta 92F
The Beretta 92F is the sidearm of Detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). As his new partner Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) famously puts it, "Nine millimeter Beretta, takes fifteen in the mag, one up the pipe, wide ejection port, no feed jams." In a memorable scene in the film, Riggs takes out his Beretta and loads a single round into the chamber, and contemplates suicide. Later, Riggs claims that this round is a special hollow-point saved for that purpose, making that sure the job's done right. However, when seen in closeup, the bullet seen is a standard full metal jacketed round, not a hollow-point. He's also highly proficient with the weapon, able to "draw" a smiley face on a silhouette target at several dozen yards with it, much to the bewilderment of Murtaugh. An identifying feature of this particular 92F was the gold finish on the Beretta logos on the grips. In the director's cut of the film, Riggs is seen drawing his Beretta during a sniper situation at a school.
Det. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) pulls his Beretta while working undercover.
Riggs shows off his prowess with his Beretta 92F, shooting a smiley face onto the head of a paper target down-range as Murtaugh (Danny Glover) looks on.
In the Director's Cut, Riggs takes aim with his Beretta.
Riggs aims his Beretta at the sniper's hideout. In the ensuing shootout, Riggs appears to fire 19 rounds even though the magazine holds only 15 rounds.
Beretta 950 Jetfire
Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) uses a Beretta 950 Jetfire during a standoff with Murtaugh in the desert. He later appears to pull it when confronting two police officers at Murtaugh's home.
M1911A1
During the escape from Shadow Company's nightclub hideout, several Shadow Company goons can be seen armed with M1911A1 pistols. Riggs forces one of the Shadow Company goons, Mr. Larch, to shoot one of his comrades with his before briefly commandeering it until he recovers his Beretta.
Smith & Wesson 459
Murtaugh briefly carries a Smith & Wesson 459 while chasing Mr. Joshua down Hollywood Boulevard.
Walther PPK/S
While following up on a lead, Riggs and Murtaugh are ambushed by a suspect brandishing a shotgun. After Murtaugh wounds him and tries to cuff him, the man pulls a stainless steel Walther PPK/S out of his coat.
The suspect reveals his Walther PPK/S while being apprehended by Riggs.
Heckler & Koch P7
What appears to be a Heckler & Koch P7 is seen among the weapons in a bag taken by General McAllister when Riggs and Murtaugh escape.
Revolvers
Smith & Wesson Model 19
The Smith & Wesson Model 19 is the sidearm carried by Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The script calls for him to carry a ".38 Special wheelgun", but the Model 19 is a .357 Magnum. He refers to it as a "Four-inch Smith". In a famous scene in the movie which is repeated in later films, Murtaugh rolls his neck before dispatching a villain with a single shot from his Model 19. At one point, Murtaugh gives his revolver to Riggs and challenges him to prove his sincerity in his claims of being suicidal. Riggs then places the barrel under his chin and slowly squeezes the trigger, Murtaugh blocking the hammer with the web of his hand at the last moment being the only thing that keeps the weapon from firing. Standard Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolvers can also be seen in use as the sidearms of numerous L.A.P.D. officers throughout the film.
Det. Sgt. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) demonstrates his prowess with his Smith & Wesson Model 19 on the range, putting a round dead center on the head of a paper target.
Riggs holds Murtaugh's Smith & Wesson Model 19 to his head when Roger challenges him to prove he's suicidal. Notice the gun is in single-action mode.
Astra Terminator
During the undercover drug bust near the beginning of the film, one of the drug dealers (Blackie Dammett, who is actually the father of Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis) holds Riggs at gunpoint with an Astra Terminator. Another dealer draws his before Riggs unloads on him. When the other officers fail to act to end the crisis, Riggs manages to disarm the suspect and take his revolver, holding it on the suspect and threatening to shoot him.
The drug dealer holds Riggs hostage with an Astra Terminator.
Riggs angrily holds a drug dealer at gunpoint with his own Astra Terminator.
Smith & Wesson Model 15
Also from the Director's Cut, a female patrol officer (Gail Bowman) can be seen with a Smith & Wesson Model 15 as her sidearm. Other LAPD officers are also seen with them throughout the film; appropriate since it was their service revolver in real life back then.
Smith & Wesson Model 36
During the undercover sting in the Christmas tree lot at the beginning of the film, several of the undercover cops pull out Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolvers. An LAPD detective is also seen firing what appears to be a S&W on the shooting range.
An LAPD narcotics officer (Gail Bowman) wields a Smith & Wesson Model 36 when the drug bust goes bad.
LAPD narcotics officers aim their S&W Model 36s.
Submachine Guns
Heckler & Koch HK94A3 (converted to resemble the MP5A3)
After fighting their way out of the Shadow Company hideout, Riggs commandeers a Heckler & Koch MP5A3 fitted with a scope from one of the slain Shadow Company henchmen and uses it in a running shootout with Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) on a crowded L.A. freeway. General Peter McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) and several of his men also use them earlier in the film when meeting with Murtaugh when he and Riggs are captured. In the Director's Cut, SWAT officers can also be seen carrying them. In reality, the MP5s that appear in this movie are the elusive "chopped-'n-converted" Heckler & Koch HK94s that frequently appear in films made in the 1980's and 1990's.
IMI Uzi
During the ill-fated rescue attempt that leads to Riggs and Murtaugh being captured by Shadow Company, several henchmen can be seen wielding Uzis. Another henchman can be seen using one when the protagonists make their escape from Shadow Company's nightclub hideout.
Rifles & Carbines
Heckler & Koch PSG-1
When Riggs and Murtaugh attempt to rescue Murtaugh's daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe) in the desert, Riggs provides cover for Murtaugh using a Heckler & Koch PSG-1 sniper rifle with a high-capacity magazine and Harris bipod. He succeeds in taking out several Shadow Company goons and is about to shoot Mr. Joshua when General McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) interferes and captures him, later seen carrying the rifle across his back while escorting the captured Riggs.
Colt XM177 Commando
During the ill-fated attempt to rescue Rianne from Shadow Company, several of the Shadow Company henchmen can be seen carrying Colt XM177 Commando carbines, using them to shoot Murtaugh's station wagon to pieces and force him to surrender. Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) is also seen using one fitted with a scope atop the carry handle; first to assassinate Michael Hunsacker (Tom Atkins) from a helicopter at the funeral of his daughter, then during a running shootout with Riggs on an L.A. freeway, and finally when he reaches Murtaugh's house and starts shooting the place apart. In the latter appearance, it has two magazines taped together 'jungle style'. In reality, these are actually civilian AR-15 Sporter 1 carbines which have been visually modified to look like XM177s, with fake flash hiders and shorter barrels.
Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) shoots a T.V. displaying a Christmas commercial with his Colt XM177 Commando at Murtaugh's home. Also notice the "Free South Africa" sticker on the fridge.
M14
In the Director's Cut, Riggs responds to a call of a sniper armed with an M14 Rifle at a school. After he is provoked by the suicidal Riggs, who himself hopes to be shot, The sniper begins firing several rounds that fail to hit their mark, Riggs, being forced to fire, unloads 20 rounds from his Beretta, the magazine capacity of which is 15+1.
In the Director's Cut, the sniper fires the M14 at Riggs, missing him with every shot.
MGC M-16 Model Replica Gun
In the Director's Cut, SWAT officers are seen carrying MGC M16 Model Gun Replica loaded with 30-round magazines.
Shotgun
Mossberg 500
What appears to be a pistol-gripped Mossberg 500 shotgun is briefly seen during an undercover bust that Riggs is on.
Remington 870 'Witness Protection'
The suspect that opens fire when Murtaugh and Riggs arrive at his home appears to use the "Witness Protection" model of the Remington 870.
Remington 870
Mr. Joshua can also be seen wielding a Remington 870 (extended magazine tube) when he attempts to kill Riggs in a drive-by shooting. What appears to be a Remington fitted with a pistol grip and extended magazine tube is held by a Shadow Company goon who guards Rianne Murtaugh in the desert.
Ithaca 37
In the Director's Cut, an L.A.P.D. SWAT officer can be seen carrying an Ithaca 37 during the sniper situation. One of the Shadow Company mercenaries carries one when they meet Murtaugh in the desert. One can also be seen in Murtaugh's squad car.
Other
M26 Hand Grenade
During the meeting in the desert, Murtaugh pulls out what appears to be an M26 hand grenade, threatening to kill everyone present including himself and his daughter if she's not released. Several grenades are also seen in the car carrying General McAllister that is involved in a crash with a bus.
Murtaugh (Danny Glover) threatens Shadow Company with what appears to be an M26 frag grenade.
See Also
Lethal Weapon Series
- Lethal Weapon
- Lethal Weapon 2
- Lethal Weapon 3
- Lethal Weapon 4