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M16 rifle series

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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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:


(I am currently trying to update this page to the new table format, but have not finished yet. While I'm doing work on the page, I'd rather nobody besides other admins touch the page. Please be patient. -MT2008)

Specifications

Type: Assault Rifle

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

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

Fire Modes: Safe/Semi/Burst (M16A2, M16A4, M4) Safe/Semi/Auto (M16, M16A1, M16A3, M4A1)

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

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Across The Universe Various National Guardsmen 2007
Land of the Dead Various U.S. Army soldiers 2005
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
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

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

Video Games

Game Title Mods Passwords Release Date
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006
Enter the Matrix 2003
Vietcong 2002


XM16E1 Rifle

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XM16E1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the M16A1 was the Three prong flash hider and hard chrome bolt carrier. This image is built from MoviePropMaster2008's images.

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, 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. Army soldiers 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

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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
Rambo (2008) Various Karen rebels 2008
The Departed Various Massachusetts State Police at funeral Fitted with M16A2 hand guards 2006
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
Battlefield: Vietnam 2004
Grand Theft Auto III Fitted ith M16A2 hand guards and fictional 60-rd magazine 2001
Command & Conquer: Red Alert Fitted with M16A2 hand guards; used by Allied soldiers in FMV cut scenes only 1997

Anime

  • Ulgian soldiers in Noir


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, has 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

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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)


  • U.S. Marines doing the 21 Gun Salute in The Rock
  • Miami P.D. officers and U.S. military personnel in Bad Boys II
  • Security personnel in Jurassic Park (with and without barrel-mounted tactical flashlights)
  • Sierra Leone Army soldiers and South African mercenaries in Blood Diamond

Television

  • U.S. Military personnel in JAG
  • U.S. Marines in CSI: NY (episode: "Heroes", fitted with ACOG scopes, several having M203 grenade launchers)

Video Games

  • Seen in a magazine and on posters in Far Cry 2

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 (replica) ACOG scope 5.56x45mm. This is the USMC style set up.

The A4 is often mistaken as an A3 w/ RIS rails. This is not true. The A3 is a full auto A2 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
The Incredible Hulk U.S. Army soldiers 2008
28 Weeks Later U.S. Army soldiers 2007

Television

Actor Character Show Title / Episode Note Air Date
U.S. Marines CSI: Miami With ACOG scope, Surefire weaponlight, RIS foregrip, and AN/PEQ-2 IR designator 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

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Release Date
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare With optional Sure Shot red dot sight and M203 grenade launcher, erroneously shown as capable of full auto fire 2007
Insurgency With or without M203 grenade launcher 2007
Combat Arms As the "M-16A3" Erroneously shown as capable of both full auto and 3-round burst fire 2008
ArmA II With AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, ACOG scope, and M203 grenade launcher 2009
America's Army 3 With optional M68 Aimpoint scope, Surefire weaponlight, or Heckler & Koch M320 grenade launcher 2009
America's Army 3 As the "M16A4 DMR" With M150 ACOG scope and semi-auto fire only 2009
Ghost Recon As the "M16A2" With M68 Aimpoint scope and optional M203 grenade launcher 2001

Diemaco C7/Colt Model 715

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Diemaco C7/Colt Model 715 5.56x45mm
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Colt Canada C7A1 with ELCAN scope 5.56x45mm

A Canadian license-built copy of the M16, known in the U.S. as the Colt Model 715, the Diemaco C7 is identical to the M16A2 except it features the rear sight of the M16A1 and fires on full-auto rather than burst. The C7A1 is identical to the M16A4, aside from the fact that it, too, fires full-auto rather than burst. The C7A2 adds a 4-position M4-style stock, and the handguard, pistol grip, and stock are OD green. The A2s are standard issue in the Canadian military and are usually seen with ELCAN scopes or EOTech red dot sights and RIS foregrips.

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, but the Colt Model 715 was built by the American Colt for Canadian Special Forces and is available to armorers, so is the most likely version to be seen in any film. The Model 715 has been seen in many action movies and TV shows that were filmed in Canada, such as Stargate: SG1, where it is often used to stand-in for the M16A2.

Film

Television

  • U.S. military personnel and various bad guys in Viper
  • U.S. Army soldiers, Republican Guard Special Forces, and Cherokee rebels in Harsh Realm

Video Games


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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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 (with A2 rear Sight, brass deflector, heavy barrel and longer buttstock) 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher - 40mm

Film

  • Rogue U.S. Recon Marines in The Rock (M16A1)

Television

  • U.S. Army Rangers in Seven Days (M16A1, with and without night vision scope)
  • U.S. Marines in CSI: NY (episode "Heroes", M16A2, fitted with ACOG scope)

Anime

  • A U.S. soldier in Blood+ (M16A2)

Video Games

  • ArmA II (M16A4, with AN/PEQ-2 IR designator and ACOG scope)


Colt XM177/CAR-15/Commando Series

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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 (called the CAR-15 in the US Market) was designated the XM177 in Vietnam. It had a slab side receiver just like the original AR-15s. The Colt Model 609 was designated the XM177E1, where they added a forward assist, raised rib around the mag button 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

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 - 5.56x45mm. This image was edited using MoviePropMaster2008's images.
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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. 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.

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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 NATO. It should be noted this is actually an M16A1 upper used to build a mock up of a 733 for films.


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 a scope and silencer)
  • Delta Force operators and Ron Eldard as Mike Durant in Black Hawk Down (fitted with various accessories including Aimpoint scopes, silencers, tactical flashlights, and camouflage paint) (M727 and M733)
  • 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)

Video Games


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

  • Jeremy Renner as Brian Gamble, his men, and L.A. Police SWAT in S.W.A.T. (fitted with ACOG scopes and Surefire M500AB weaponlights)
  • Child recruits in Soldier (fitted with C-More red dot sights)
  • U.S. Army Soldiers in Transformers (fitted with ACOG scopes, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and RIS foregrips, some having custom camo paint schemes)
  • Marton Csokas as Yorgi, Jan Pavel Filipensky as Viktor, and Yorgi's henchmen in XXX (fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes, Beta-C mags, and RIS foregrips, Yorgi using one with a Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip)
  • U.S. Army soldiers including Jeremy Renner as Doyle in 28 Weeks Later (Renner using one fitted with RIS foregrip, EO-Tech red dot sight, and a night vision scope)
  • A Secret Service agent in The Sentinel (fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope)
  • U.S. Army soldiers and SWAT in Dragon Wars: D-War (fitted with M68 Aimpoint scopes and RIS foregrips)

Television

  • U.S. Army soldiers and an Iraqi civilian in Over There (fitted with RIS foregrip and AN/PEQ-2 laser system)
  • Keith Robinson as Pvt. Avery "Angel" King in Over There (fitted with RIS foregrip, AN/PEQ-2 laser system, and ACOG scope)
  • U.S. military regulars and Unit members in The Unit
  • Ravenwood mercenaries in Jericho (fitted with RIS foregrips, tactical flashlights, and M68 Aimpoint scopes)
  • Fake U.S. Marines in Jericho (episode "Semper Fidelis", fitted with AN/PEQ-2 laser systems and M68 Aimpoint scopes)
  • Various SAS troopers in Primeval (fitted with RIS foregrip, flip-up rear sight and ACOG scope)

Video Games

  • America's Army (can be fitted with M68 Aimpoint and ACOG scopes, Harris bipod, silencer, Trijicon RX01 red dot sight, and M203 grenade launcher)
  • Far Cry (as the "M4 Assault Weapon," despite being an M4A1)
  • ArmA II (with M68 Aimpoint scope and RIS handguards)
  • SWAT 4 (with Surefire M500AB weaponlight and vertical foregrip)

Anime

M4/M4A1 with M203 Grenade Launcher

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M4 Carbine 5.56x45mm with fixed carry handle with M203 grenade launcher 40mm.
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M4A1 carbine 5.56x45mm with 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

Video Games

  • America's Army (can be fitted with M68 Aimpoint and ACOG scopes, silencer, and ACOG reflex sight)
  • ArmA II (with EOTech red dot sight and camouflage paint scheme)

Colt Model 933

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Colt Model 933 - 5.56x45mm.
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Colt Model 933 with Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip and M68 Aimpoint 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

  • Josh Duhamel as Captain William Lennox in Transformers (fitted with M68 Aimpoint red dot and AN/PVS-17 night-vision scopes, Vltor Clubfoot stock, Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip, custom muzzle brake, and Wilcox AN/PEQ-7 designator)
  • Christian Bale as Jim Davis in Harsh Times (fitted with M68 Aimpoint red dot, AN/PEQ-2 IR designator, tactical flashlight, and RIS foregrip)

Television

  • Troy Police Department SWAT Team members and a Troy Police Narcotics Detective in DEA (fitted with EoTech 552.A65 Holographic sights, SureFire M900 Vertical Grips, and Crane stock)
  • U.S. Army soldiers in the Unit (fitted with EOTech 552 Holographic Sights, Crane stock, vertical grips, and an AN/PEQ-2 target illuminator)

Video Games

  • Battlefield 2 (promotional material only, fitted with M68 Aimpoint scope)

Anime

  • U.S. Special Forces soldiers and Lewis in Blood+ (with Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrip and EOTech red dot sight)





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.

Video Games

  • Combat Arms (as the "M4A1 CQB-R", with Crane stock and SOPMOD rear sight)

Television




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 - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Television

Anime

Video Games





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 - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Television

Anime

Video Games





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, nicknaming the gun an "M4gery".

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Colt Law Enforcement Carbine - 5.56x45mm.

Film

Television

Anime

Video Games


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

  • Melinda Clark as Jessica Priest in Spawn (heavily customized with flammable chemicals canister, C-More sight, and laser sight)
  • NSA commandos and hidden in the back seat of the GTO in XXX (fitted with Surefire M500AB forend weaponlight and C-More red dot sight)
  • Special operations soldiers in The Siege (fitted with C-More red dot sights)

Television

Video Games




Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle

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Mark 12 Mod 0 SPR, 5.56x45mm

Film

  • Helicopter Terrorist in Live Free or Die Hard (fitted with silencers, brass catchers, AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, and Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrips)
  • "Organization" snipers in Hitman (fitted with AN/PEQ-2 IR designators, silencers, and Surefire M900 weaponlight foregrips)

Video Games

Commercial Copies of the M16 Rifle series

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

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.

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.

Fim















Bushmaster XM15 "V-Match"

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Bushmaster XM15 "V-Match" 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


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.

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.
  • 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, 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 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.






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 Mod 0 Special Purpose Rifle.
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