Used by Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).This hero blank-fire Browning Hi-Power clone, manufactured by FÉG, was used by Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas in the Ridley Scott film American Gangster. Inspired by a real-life events, American Gangster tells the story of notorious Harlem gangster Frank Lucas and his organization in the 1970s.
This pistol is a Browning Hi-Power clone manufactured by FÉG. It is chrome plated with wood grips, and has been converted for blank fire. During production the gun was set up as a "solid plug" version, meaning the barrel was completely blocked off so the gun could safely be fired close to a person's skin. This was necessary for the shocking scene in the film where Washington, as Lucas, shoots a rival gangster in the forehead, and then places the gun on his chest.
This was the only FÉG pistol rented to the production and so therefore is the one seen on screen in every shot. It can be screen matched by the woodgrain of the grips and small scratches on the frame.
The Fegyvergyar PJK-9HP is a well made clone. FÉG is a Hungarian gun maker who has produced firearms for the Hungarian military for many years. FÉG guns are known to be affordable and well made if not very flashy.
NYPD Detective Trupo (Josh Brolin) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 19 "Snubbie" throughout the movie. This is a technical inaccuracy. The NYPD did not authorize the .357 magnum revolver (and never has) for use by its officers during the time period covered in the movie. They were restricted to .38 special Colt or Smith & Wesson revolvers in the sixties and seventies. But Trupo is a corrupt cop who ignores the rules and has "juice". So perhaps it could be argued he received a special exemption as long as he loaded it with .38 Special only.
This small .22lr is basically the lorcin/jennings/davis of Germany. The Röhm RG-24 is a low quality pot metal gun generally selling for less than $30. Frank's Cousin uses it to shoot and injure a woman.
The Beretta Tomcat is chambered in .32 ACP, and was first manufactured in 1979 as a carry or holdout pistol. It was used by one of Lucas's party guests to wound another with a leg shot. It is not the 950 Jetfire because of the rounded trigger guard and higher profile front sight.
This is a production flaw in that the events depicted are meant to have taken place in the mid 70's whereas the Tomcat was not invented by Beretta until 1979.
Ingram MAC-10
Carried by one of the drive by shooters during a assassination attempt on Frank and his wife
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Army in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56mmError 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 - 5.56mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMaadi ARM - most of the AKMs seen in movies during the 1980s were imported ARMs that were legally converted to full auto fire. This image is of an actual movie gun. The laminated buttstock was replaced with a hardwood one when the original stock was broken during a stunt. This example is also loaded with a 30-round bakelite plastic magazine - 7.62x39mm
This is the weapon carried by Detective Roberts (Russell Crowe) and various other police officers during the raid on Franks heroin distribution center and by a thug at the center.
Used by Frank's doorman at the heroin plant. He has it loaded with birdshot, and foolishly tries to shoot it through a steel door, which results in serious injuries on him and the girls in the room when the shot ricochets.
