Whenever a scene calls for the firing of a weapon, the MGC M16 is replaced with an M16A1 fitted with a 30 round magazine. Later on fired by Capt. Rhodes (Joe Pilato) and Pvt. Steel (Gary Howard Klar).
Capt. Rhodes (Joe Pilato) carries two Smith & Wesson 629 .44 magnum revolvers with 6 inch barrels in crossdraw shoulder holsters, Additional .44 ammunition kept in a bandolier across his chest. John (Terry Alexander) Use's them until they run out of ammo.
It can be seen that the barrels of the revolvers have received the Mag-Na-Port recoil-reducing porting.
Most of the soldiers in the film are armed with Colt MK IV Series 70s during firing scenes. However Pvt. Steele & Bub are the primary users of the Series 70 in the film. When there is no firing, they used MGC M1911A1 replica pistols.
The Japanese Metal replica M1911A1 built by MGC (Model Gun Corp) was extensively used in any scene where there was no firing, and even those with firing that were done with squib effects. The MGC Replica M1911A1 pistol also used a proprietary magazine that was not interchangeable with real M1911 Magazines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMGC M1911A1 Replica .45 acp Pistol - note silver MGC medallion on the grip, versus the Colt Medallion.Error creating thumbnail: File missingDiscarded MGC M1911A1 Replica pistols after being disarmed by Capt. Rhodes.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPvt. Steele loads his MGC M1911A1 Replica Pistol with dummy magazines.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPvt. Steele: "Come on, Bub! Come on, ya pus-brain bag of shit! Ya wanna learn how to shoot, Bub? I'll teach ya how to shoot!" This scene he uses the obvious MGC replica M1911A1 pistol, judging not only by the 'tinny' sound of the slide racking, but the fact that he has to engage the slide release lever AFTER supposedly loading his handgun with a new magazine.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPvt. Steele performs the Sign of the Cross with his MGC replica M1911A1 pistol before committing suicide. The replica pistol was used for safety purposes and that the 'back of head exploding' was a squib effect and no blanks were used.
Smith & Wesson 39
Sarah keeps a Smith & Wesson 39 as her sidearm instead of the usual M1911A1.
Pvt. Johnson (Gregory Nicotero) and Pvt. Torrez wear the ERDL pattern of camouflage, the precursor to the M81 Woodland Pattern used by US forces up until about 2005. The ERDL pattern was correct for American Soldiers in Vietnam for the years after 1970. The Woodland BDU (with more brown in the color scheme) was adopted in 1981 and phased out officially in Fall of 2006. Since the film was shot in 1985, most soldiers would be issued M81 Woodland BDU, however, the film industry has a 'several year' delay in procuring and using any military uniform. This is done so that wardrobe and prop companies don't expend a lot of money investing in the latest and greatest, if a uniform change only lasts a few years before being phased out for something different.
