The Colt M1911A1. Standard issue U.S. pistol since 1917 World War 1. Rarely used by U.S. Army soldiers in single player but is the most common equipment for U.S. multiplayer classes.
The Izhmekh Makarov PM. Another Soviet pistol. Instead of a realistic 8 round magazine, in the game this pistol has a 9 round mag. Like the TT-33, the Makarov is rare in single player, in multiplayer it is used by the "Machine gunner", "Sniper" and "Radioman" classes. Both Soviet and Chinese (Type 59) models are used.
The Smith & Wesson 39 aka Mk.22 Model 0. Seen equipped with a suppressor, and called the "Hush Puppy". In the game it shares the .45ACP ammunition of the M1911A1 instead of the correct 9x19 NATO. It is used by U.S. Special Forces and is the primary pistol used in the Tunnel Rat mission.
The Smith & Wesson Model 10. Described in the game as a Chinese copy of some Colt revolver. It is the main handgun of the Vietcong; particularly prevalent in the tunnel levels, it is quite accurate but slow to reload although a speedloader appears to be used. In multiplayer mode, it is used by the "Medic" class on both teams.
The Tula Tokarev T-33. Standard sidearm of the North Vietnam Army along with the Chinese copy (Type 54). Rare in the single player campaign, in Vietcong: Fist Alpha it is more common. It also is a standard weapon for the "Fighter" and "Sapper" Vietcong classes in multiplayer.
The M3/M3A1 Grease Gun. U.S. machine pistol. The recoil (in game) drives the muzzle down instead of up. The M3 was rarely issued to US forces (except for armoured vehicle and aircraft crews). However, it was used extensively by the South Vietnamese, especially irregular troops like the Civic Guard. US Marines, and US Army special forces also used it. The M3 is rare in the game. In the single player campaign it is often used by local Vietcong fighters. In multiplayer it can be chosen by US soldiers and the Radioman. The M3 shares the same ammunition as the Thompson.
The M1A1 Thompson. U.S. main submachine gun, the first selectable automatic weapon, widely used by US soldiers in the single player campaign. Its main characteristics are the high firing rate, good stopping power and the short reload time.
A compact Czechoslovakian weapon with a high rate of fire and easily controllable in full auto, due to the reaction of the 7.65x17mm Browning cartridge. Available in the Vietcong: Fist Alpha expansion.
Note: the name "Skorpion" or "Scorpion" was created only as after-market term used after the '90 to indicate both the SA 361 machine pistol and the SA 91s civilian pistol.
The PPS-43. Soviet machine pistol, common throughout the campaign. It has a curved magazine with a capacity of 35 7.62x25mm Tokarev rounds. In multiplayer is the Vietcong's common primary weapon along with the AK-47. The Chinese copy is designated Type 54.
The PPSh-41. Soviet submachine gun loaded with 71 round drum magazine, share the same ammunition of the PPS-43. Used mainly by the Vietcong, but can sometimes be seen used by NVA officers. The Chinese copy is designated Type 50.
The Baikal IZH-43. A Russian/Soviet double-barrelled side-by-side hunting shotgun, can fire either one, or both shells. Rare in single player, and likely the U.S. counterpart, in multiplayer is used only in close combat or for a "personal challenge" (due its short range, the small "clip" and the long reload time make it rather difficult to use effectively). Anachronistic, since the IZH-43 was put into production only in 1986. The Baikal IZH-58, which is the model the IZH-43 was based on, would be the correct choice for the time period.
The Remington 870. In game it has a 7 round magazine and plastic composite furniture. In the SP Campaign it is often used by the ARVN Soldier Sgt. Le Duy Nhut. In multiplayer is deadly at short range.
The Colt XM16E1. Standard U.S. Army assault rifle, fitted with a detachable M7 knife bayonet. Probably the best and most used weapon in game. In Vietcong his rifle uses 20 round magazines loaded with 18 rounds (N.B. loading a magazine with two rounds less than standard capacity is a trick often used by troops to reduce magazine-related malfunctions) and it can be found in the armoury later in the game, the arrival of the "new M16 rifles" is quoted in Hawkins' diary.
The Simonov SKS-45. Soviet battle rifle with non-detachable 10 round magazine that can be reloaded only when empty. The SKS is fitted with an integral under-barrel folding spike bayonet that can be used in the Vietcong: Fist Alpha expansion. Used by Vietcong fighters and North Vietnam Army (NVA) soldiers.
The Izhmash AK-47. The standard Soviet assault rifle, used by Main Force Viet Cong fighters and NVA soldiers. The version seen in the game is the Type III version with milled receiver, equipped with a detachable AK-47 Type 1 knife bayonet and magazine loaded with only 28 rounds instead of the normal 30 rounds. In the conflict the Vietnamese forces used it alongside the slightly more modern AKM and the Chinese Type 56.
Available only in the Fist Alpha expansion pack, also fitted with a PU optical sight and used by Regional Vietcong snipers. Strangely enough it is equipped with a 20 round magazine and has the capability to fire in full automatic mode, more like an AVT-40.
The Dragunov SVD is called the "SVD-63", fitted with a PSO-1 4x optical sight and a detachable AKM Type 1 knife bayonet. Rare to see in Single player, it is usually used by NVA snipers, but it is possible to see it used by an ARVN marksman during the "Hamburger Hill" mission. Great damage, rapid fire capability and high precision make this rifle one of the most deadly weapons of the game. Note that the bayonet becomes useable in Vietcong: Fist Alpha.
The only U.S. portable Machine Gun, it's heavy and affected by a wild recoil and is the main weapon of Sergeant First Class C.J. Hornster. All the models seen in game have the bipod and front-sight removed. It it also seen as a mounted weapon in some levels.
World War II-era Soviet drum-fed light machine gun added in "Fist Alpha", with accuracy problems and heavy recoil. Used only by Local Vietcong units, it is later replaced by the Degtyarev RPD.
A top-break single-shot grenade launcher. Used to cover the intermediate distance between the hand grenade and light mortar ranges. Useable only in single player and in very few missions.
The M18A1 Claymore. A U.S. remote controlled mine. It has a small detonation radius. In the game it is used only in multiplayer by the "Engineer" or "Sapper" class.
