Uncommon Valor is a 1983 military action film directed by Ted Kotcheff (First Blood) and stars Gene Hackman as Jason Rhodes, a retired US Marine Colonel who leads a group of Vietnam veterans and a young former Marine (Patrick Swayze) back into the country on a mission to rescue American POW's left behind, one of whom may be his son. John Milius produced the movie. Actor Wings Hauser is credited with the original story though it went through multiple re-writes before it was produced.
The following weapons were used in the film Uncommon Valor:
Several members of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) are also seen armed with what appear to be CAR-15 rifles in the 1972 Vietnam prologue. The rifles also are used when the men train in Galveston for the mission. The majority of these rifles appear to be converted Colt Sporter I Carbines with 16" barrels to resemble the XM177 series of short rifles with an aftermarket flash hider. These conversions were in popular use in productions of the 1980s, including The Dogs of War.
In the 1972 Vietnam prologue, LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) members are seen running back to the helicopters, some (including Frank Rhodes (Todd Allen)) were carrying the MGC CAR-15 replica rifle, but were never seen firing. The CAR-15s by MGC were always sold with the replica 30 round magazines. In order to make the weapons more period accurate, some of the CAR-15s in the film took 20 round magazines off of the MGC M16 replica rifles and used those. Others retained the stock 30 round magazine.
Several LRRP members are seen running with M16A1s during the 1972 Vietnam prologue. Several M16s are among the weapons confiscated while in Thailand. Some M16A1's also are seen in the underground arms cache.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM16A1 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.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe young MacGregor (Kelly Junkerman) is hit in the leg while carrying his M16A1 during the 1972 Vietnam prologue.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe LRRP member on the right is seen with a M16A1 during the 1972 Vietnam prologue.Error creating thumbnail: File missingRhodes holds an M16A1 before being told that the bargain basement weapons are in another area.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn NVA soldier who steps on one of Blaster's mines is seen holding an M16 replica.
M16
During the opening Vietnam sequence, Blaster is seen firing an M16 rifle with a full-fence lower.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM16 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 - 5.56x45mmError creating thumbnail: File missingBlaster (at right) is seen firing an M16SP1 during the 1972 Vietnam prologue.
Norinco Type 56
The Norinco Type 56 is a common assault rifle used in movies and television to stand-in for the AK-47. This rifle is seen carried by Laotian border patrol guards as well as Jiang (Kwan Hi Lim) and Lai Fun (Lau Nga Lai), who cover their weapons with improvised camouflage.
Laotian Border Patrol and Prison Camp guards are seen firing the Norinco Type 56 carbine, the Chinese version of the SKS. At one point, Wilkes (Fred Ward) also uses the rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingChinese Type 56 Carbine aka the Chinese SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Chinese SKS has a stamped receiver and a spike bayonet (aka a "pig sticker") much like one of their AK47 copies - the Type 56 assault rifle. This version, like many imported SKS rifles, have the infamous 'orange cratewood' stocks, probably the lowest quality wood in any mass produced rifle, save for the last ditch Arisaka Type 99 rifles at the end of WW2. Many SKS rifles during the Vietnam War were issued with reddish plastic stocks, because of the incidents of 'wood rot' in the humid SE Asian jungles.Error creating thumbnail: File missingLaotian Border guards open fire on the men.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn guard is seen firing the carbine at Sailor's position.Error creating thumbnail: File missingWilkes (Fred Ward) fires the carbine with the bayonet extended.
M14-E2
Scott (Patrick Swayze) uses an M14-E2 outfitted with a night vision scope as a sniper rifle during the training exercise.
When their weapons are confiscated before the rescue mission, the men are forced to use older WWII-era weapons including the M1 Garand, which is primarily used by Col. Rhodes (Gene Hackman).
Jiang's associate in the bar is seen holding an M1 Carbine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingWorld War II era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WW2, shown with khaki sling and Magazine pouch for buttstock - .30 carbineError creating thumbnail: File missingJiang's associate is carrying an M1 Carbine (late model) when Rhodes and Jiang sit at the table.
Mosin Nagant rifle
A Mosin Nagant rifle is one of the weapons glimpsed in the arms dealer's cache.
An authentic M60 is carried by Sailor (Randall "Tex" Cobb) during the Vietnam sequence and during the training and preparation and actual rescue mission.
When the team raids the prison camp, several guard towers as well as captured US helicopters appear to have MG42 machine guns positioned within. Upon closer inspection, several of these MG42s are in fact M60 machine guns fitted with a fake barrel shroud. In several images, there is no opening to remove the barrel on the right hand side. Also there is an ammo bag hanger on the left side and the nut on the bottom of the gas cylinder is showing below the shroud. The stock was left off on the helicopter just like the M60C and a fake rubber stock was add for the ground scene.
An authentic MG42 machine gun is seen on the wall of the arms cave. Sailor later uses an actual MG42 when he is bursting through the prisoner huts, but it is never fired (the only firing scenes of the MG42 utilize the mocked up M60).
When their weapons are confiscated before the rescue mission, the men are forced to use older WWII-era weapons including the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), which is used primarily by Scott (Patrick Swayze).
One of the Thai Cops carries a Smith & Wesson Model 686 Revolver in the raid. Since the revolver was introduced in 1980 and as the scene takes place in 1983 Bangkok, this is possible.
When Rhodes goes to a Thai bar to find Jiang, a bar patron is briefly seen at a card table firing a small revolver that could be a Smith & Wesson Model 19 Snub Nose. A similar revolver is seen in the hands of a prison guard officer.
When their weapons are confiscated before the rescue mission, the men are forced to use older WWII-era weapons including the M1928A1 Thompson. Wilkes, Blaster and Charts (Tim Thomerson) are armed with Thompsons that lack the compensator. These weapons are M1928A1s because of the location of the actuators, although it appears the rear sights have been removed.
When Rhodes visits Sailor in prison, a guard is seen with a Remington 870 Slug Gun shotgun. Later, an arms dealer's guard in Bangkok is seen holding an 870.
Several RPG warheads are seen in the arm dealer's cache of weapons. An RPG-7 launcher and several warheads are later seen carried by Jiang (Kwan Hi Lim). Also, an RPG-7 is briefly seen being loaded near the end of the film, but not fired.
An M18 Recoilless Rifle is used by Scott (Patrick Swayze) during the training exercise. While in Laos, both Jiang and Johnson (Harold Sylvester) use a recoilless that has been covered with improvised camouflage.
One of Sailor's unusual traits is carrying a live hand grenade around his neck. He is seen carrying an M67 fragmentation hand grenade while training in Texas.
Several Mk II Hand Grenades are seen among other WWII weapons purchased by the team. One Mk II is seen worn around the neck of Sailor. Also all members of the team during the rescue mission wear them on their web gear.
When the team checks out their weapons purchase, M18A1 Claymore mines are seen amongst the ordnance being organized on the table. These have the obvious blue painted stripe on them, indicating that they are inert trainers and not the real thing.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingAt the left, there are at least two M18A1 Claymore mines on the table. However, these are obvious trainers as evidenced by the blue paint.
M15 Anti-Tank Mine
M15 anti-tank mines also are seen amongst the ordnance being organized on the table when the team checks their weapons purchase.
Rhodes and his team are seen going to an arms dealer's weapons cache, which houses several modern weapons, a trunk full of World War II-era weapons, and the following:
The "Bargain Basement" lot of weapons Rhodes purchases for $4000 consists mostly of World War II vintage weapons including M1 Garands, M1928A1 Thompsons, and M1911A1 pistols.
