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The Terminator (1984)

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The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator is the 1984 science fiction film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a killer cyborg sent from the future with the sole mission of killing the woman who will give birth to the leader of the future human resistance. Arnold would reprise the role in the sequels Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2004) and as well as appear via CGI in 2009's Terminator Salvation.


The following weapons were used in the film The Terminator:


AMT Hardballer .45 Longslide

The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) acquires an AMT Hardballer Longslide with a primitive laserlock sight (a one-off made by someone from a company that would later become SureFire) in addition to several other weapons from a gunshop shortly after his arrival from 2029. He first uses it to assassinate two women from a phone book who share the name Sarah Connor. When he arrives at the real Connor's (Linda Hamilton) apartment, he uses it to kill her friend, Ginger Ventura (Bess Motta). Upon tracking Sarah to the Tech Noir nightclub, the Terminator loses this weapon when Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) intervenes in his assassination attempt, at which point he switches to his IMI Uzi.

AMT Hardballer Longslide .45 ACP with laserlock sight as used in the film
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The Terminator inspects the .45 in the gunshop.
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A closeup of the laserlock sight.
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Another shot of the Terminator inspecting the gun.
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The Terminator aims the .45 at Ginger Ventura's (Bess Motta) answering machine.
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The Terminator reloads his .45 after killing Ginger Ventura (Bess Motta).
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The Terminator sets the .45 down as he looks for Sarah's address book.
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The Terminator aims his .45 at Sarah's head seconds before being stopped by Kyle Reese.
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In 1984, laser sights were rare, and required a high level of power. This helium neon laser needed 10,000 volts to turn on, and a further 1,000 volts to maintain its brightness. The cables were run up Arnold's arm to a battery that was in his M65 field jacket. The laser was activated by his other hand.

IMI Uzi

Another weapon the Terminator acquires from the Gun Shop at the start of the film is an IMI Uzi 9mm Carbine. In the sequence the gun store has the weapon on display with the short dummy barrel installed, which was done sometimes to entice buyers, however the Uzi Model A or B was always sold with a 16" barrel for legality. James Cameron mentioned in the magazine "Soldier of Fortune" that he assumed that the Terminator had converted the Uzi and the AR-180 into full auto weapons in his hotel room (which included sawing down the 16" barrel of the Uzi). He uses it mainly in the Tech Noir nightclub, when Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) interferes with his attempts to terminate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). After losing his .45, the Terminator unloads several rounds at the nightclub, killing quite a few innocent bystanders, but fails to hit Sarah, or Kyle. He loses the weapon when Kyle shoots him out of the club's window.

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IMI Uzi 9mm
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The gunshop owner (Dick Miller) retrieves the Uzi from a shelf. Note that the short barrel is installed, which if live would not be legal to sell over the counter, even in 1984, thus it is assumed that this is the dummy short barrel that came with the Uzi Carbines for 'display purposes'.
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The Terminator whips out his (now full auto) Uzi at the Tech Noir night club. Though in the story, the Terminator 'converts' an over the counter semi automatic Uzi Carbine, the weapon used by the film's armorers was an open bolt select fire Uzi. They wouldn't convert a Carbine (and pay the ATF tax stamp) just for the sake of the film, when they could use existing full auto Uzi Submachine guns from Movie Armory inventories.
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The Terminator fires his Uzi at Kyle Reese. Note how surprised his face looks.
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The Terminator fires his Uzi at Sarah Connor.

SPAS-12

Another gun used by the Terminator, is the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun. The Terminator uses it to kill the gun store owner at the start of the film. Later, it is one of the two weapons he uses during the assault on the police station. A SPAS-12 is also seen in the hands of a human Resistance fighter in one of the "Future War" flashbacks. The SPAS-12's top folding stock was removed by the Terminator before the attack at the police station, presumably since a Terminator would not need the stock for recoil or stability. Schwarzenegger fired the SPAS-12 with one hand, displaying the 'strength' of the Cyborg. Trivia Note: A sound editing goof can be heard where the shotgun is made to sound like an assault rifle several times during the same scene.

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Franchi SPAS-12 12 gauge
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The Terminator inspects the SPAS 12 at the gun store.
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Another shot of the Terminator inspecting his SPAS 12. Note that the factory top folding stock (now extended) is on the shotgun.
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"Hey, you can't do that..." The Terminator loads a live 12 gauge shell into the chamber.
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"Wrong." The Terminator kills the gun store owner (Dick Miller). In reality, NO gun store keeps live ammunition within reach of a customer on the counter top. Some stores might have crates of ammunition for sales or special deals on the floor, but gun store employees would pull their own sidearms on any customer who grabbed a box of ammo and had a live weapon in their hands at the same time. So in this case, only a Terminator would get away with it.
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Franchi SPAS-12 combat shotgun with no stock – 12 gauge
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The Terminator keeps his SPAS 12 at the ready in the police station.
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The Terminator kills a police officer with his SPAS 12. Note the missing stock, possibly done to reduce weight for firing the weapon with a single hand. Odd, considering that the stock is designed to allow for one-handed firing.
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The Terminator leans the SPAS 12 on his shoulder as he leaves the police station.

AR-18

Yet another of the Terminator's guns is an Armalite AR-18 assault rifle. The gun has two magazines taped together in a 'jungle style' configuration. He uses it primarily during the assault on the police station and during the car chase following the motel scene. The script refers to the rifle as an AR-18, however the rifle he picks up at the gun store is supposed to be the civilian (semi auto only) AR-180 model. The Terminator novel refers to the T-800 converting the rifle from semi to full auto using tools stolen from a hardware store earlier in the day. Of course the movie used a full auto rifle at all times, but no one should assume that people can buy full auto firearms over the counter in any gun store in California.

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A transferable fully automatic Armalite AR-18 5.56mm as used in Terminator. This is the actual prop weapon used in the movie; it's on sale for $29,000 at Long Mountain Outfitters (see http://www.longmountain.com/inventory/0771-ar18-movie-gun-terminator-gun-used-by-arnold).
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The Terminator inspects the "AR-180" (semi auto civilian model) at the gunshop.
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The Terminator fires his (now fully automatic) AR-18.
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The Terminator reloads his AR-18.
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The Terminator holds his AR-18 at the ready as he leaves his motel room to find Kyle and Sarah.
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The Terminator kicks in the door and fires into Sarah and Kyle's room at the Tiki Motel.
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The AR-18 slides off the roof of Kyle, and Sarah's truck after they hit the Terminator.
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The Terminator fires his AR-18 during the car chase in the tunnel.
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The Terminator tosses the AR-18 when it runs dry.

Smith & Wesson Model 15

After Kyle and Sarah are apprehended by the police later on, several officers can be seen holding Smith & Wesson Model 15s. Several officers also use Smith & Wesson Model 15 when the Terminator raids the police station. Also, a chrome Smith & Wesson Model 15 is seen being wielded by the Terminator when he runs out of ammunition for his AR-18 during the car chase at the end.

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Smith & Wesson Model 15 .38 Special
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An officer fires a Model 15 during the Terminator's attack on the police station.
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The Terminator fires a chrome-plated Model 15 (obtained at the gun shop - The revolver is sitting on the counter, you can see it after the terminator requests the .45 with laser sighting), during the film's final car chase.

Colt Trooper

Soon after arriving, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) grabs a Colt Trooper from a police officer and holds him at gunpoint while demanding to be told the current date, then flees into a nearby department store when more police arrive.

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Colt Trooper .357 Magnum
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A Colt Trooper is used by Reese while he asks what year it is.
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Kyle peeks out of a photo booth with a Trooper in hand.

In that scene, the revolver resembles more closely a Smith & Wesson model 15 "Combat Masterpiece", as the typical S&W thumbpiece can be seen. On a S&W it has to be pushed forward rather than pushed backwards to unlock the cylinder, as is the case with a Colt double-action revolver.

Colt Python

Seen in the hands of a Police Officer that searches the patrol car that the Terminator abandoned.

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Colt Python .357 Magnum
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An LAPD officer searches the Terminator's patrol car with a Colt Python in hand.

Ithaca 37 Sawed Off

Soon after arriving, Reese procures an Ithaca 37 shotgun from an unattended police car. In addition to having a high-capacity magazine tube, Reese saws off part of the stock to give it a pistol grip instead making it easier to conceal under his trenchcoat. He notably uses it against the Terminator in the Tech Noir nightclub shootout, and the ensuing carchase after he and Sarah escape the car garage. Between acquiring the Ithaca and discharging it for the first time in the night club, Reese pumps the handle three times. First when he saws off the stock, again when he wakes up from his nightmare and for the third time just before shooting the Terminator at the night club. Not a single time is a shell ejected from the extraction port, which suggests Reese unloaded it prior to sawing off the stock, and only loaded it before he entered the night club.

Ithaca 37 12 gauge with sawed-off stock and barrel. The movie one had a longer barrel and magazine, with a slight remain of the sawn-off stock around the grip.
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Full-stocked Ithaca 37 12 gauge with extended magazine tube.
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Kyle steals the Ithaca 37 from a vacant police cruiser.
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Kyle retreats from the alley with his Ithaca 37.
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Kyle saws off his Ithaca 37's stock.
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Kyle wraps a string around the Ithaca's sawed down grip.
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Kyle pumps his Ithaca 37.
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Kyle crouches with his Ithaca 37. Though still an Ithaca 37 this is a different shotgun, with a shorter magazine tube and blade front sight.
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Kyle fires his Ithaca 37 at the Tech Noir nightclub.
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Kyle fires his Ithaca 37 during the car chase with the Terminator.

Ithaca 37

Following the skirmish at the Tech Noir nightclub, the Terminator acquires his own Ithaca 37 with a full stock, and shortened magazine from the police car he hijacks after he is knocked in the middle of the street by Kyle and Sarah's car. He keeps it with him while he stalks Kyle and Sarah in the multi-story Car Park. He then uses it to exchange fire with Kyle in the ensuing chase. During the police station massacre, a few cops can be seen with Ithaca 37s.

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An Ithaca 37 standard police model - 12 gauge. Used by several police officers, Kyle Reese and the Terminator.
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The Terminator acquires an Ithaca 37.
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The Terminator fires his Ithaca 37. Note the lack of eyebrows.

M16A1

During the raid on the police station by the Terminator, several police officers head to the armory and begin passing out M16A1 rifles with 20-round magazines. Lt. Edward Traxler (Paul Winfield) is seen with an M16A1 and uses the rifle shoot the Terminator in the back (which resulted in the Terminator turning around and shooting Traxler with his own AR-18 rifle). Detective Hal Vukovich (Lance Henriksen) opens up on the Terminator with one after finding Traxler wounded by the cyborg. The Terminator returns fire with both the AR-18 and SPAS-12 killing him.

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M16A1 - 5.56x45mm
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Traxler, Vukovich, and a few other officers prep their M16A1s.
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Traxler fires his M16 before being gunned down.
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Vukovich holds his M16 as he checks an injured Traxler.
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"Hey!!" Vukovich fires his M16 before he too is gunned down.

Ruger Security Six

In a deleted scene, a dying Lt. Traxler (Paul Winfield) gives Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) a snubnose Ruger Security Six as he and Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) escape the police station. In another deleted scene, Kyle instinctively aims this revolver at Sarah when the two get into a tense confrontation. Later, at the Tiki motel, Kyle gives it to Sarah when he leaves to buy supplies. At the end of the film, Sarah carries a full size stainless Ruger Security Six on her lap as she rides through the Mexican desert.

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Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum, .38 Special (note adjustable rear sights).
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Lt. Traxler gives Kyle his Ruger Security Six in a deleted scene.
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Kyle aims his Ruger Security Six at Sarah in another deleted scene.
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Sarah inspects the Ruger Security Six.
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Sarah's full size stainless Ruger Security Six lies on her lap.

Pipe Bomb

While at the motel, Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor can be seen assembling pipe bombs from components Reese purchased during a shopping trip. These bombs are then later used during the final car chase of the film with Reese throwing pipe bombs out the window of the commandeered pickup, trying to hit the Terminator pursuing them on a motorcycle, though he fails to score a hit. One pipe bomb is later used to blow up the tanker truck the Terminator hijacks, and the last one is used to blow off the Terminator's lower body, fragments from the blast killing an already-wounded Reese and injuring Sarah Connor.

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Kyle teaches Sarah how to assemble a Pipe Bomb.
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The row of completed Pipe Bombs lie on a dresser.
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Kyle Reese tosses a lit bomb at the pursuing Terminator.
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A closeup of one of the pipe bombs placed in a tanker's storage pipe for a fuel hose.
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The Terminator is blown apart after Reese places a pipe bomb in his abdomen. Interesting note: In the story, the endoskeleton is supposed to be blown in two (with one half continuing to pursue Sarah), but the prop endoskeleton is clearly obliterated in this shot. The severed head is visible flying off, though it is 'reattached' later when chasing Sarah.

Heckler & Koch G3A3

A number of Heckler & Koch G3 rifles can be seen in the hands of human Resistance fighters responsible for guarding a human bunker in 2029. This makes sense, short of a Plasma rifle or Barrett light-fifty (M82/M107), a 7.62mm Battle Rifle (Ideally with M993-7.62x51mm A.P. rounds) would be the logical choice for a man portable weapon under those circumstances. As for Battle Rifles, the G3 is a very good weapon, especially when compared with similar weapons produced in the same time period. A number of the G3's civilian cousin, the HK91 rifle can be seen on the gun racks at the Alamo Gun Store in 1984.

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Heckler & Koch G3 7.62x51mm NATO
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A Resistance fighter aims his G3 (with folding-bipod handguard) at the stronghold peephole before allowing Reese to enter.

Valmet M82A

A Valmet M82A is used as Kyle Reese's plasma gun in the future war scenes. This Valmet M82A moved the front sight to the body of the rifle rather than the barrel versus the M82. Interesting little trivia note: Kyle's appearance in these scenes was the inspiration for the cover art of the first Metal Gear game.

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Valmet M82A Bullpup assault rifle - 5.56mm NATO
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Reese with his plasma gun which is really a Valmet M82. Note lack of magazine, because plasma guns don't need bullets.
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Kyle crouches with his Valmet M82.
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Kyle descends the stairs of a resistance compound with his M82.
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Kyle scans a HK Fighter Plane through the scope of his M82.
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Kyle playfully aims his M82 at a child in the compound.
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Kyle fires his M82 at the Infiltrator Terminator.

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

A Browning M2HB heavy machine gun is seen in the future war battle scene.

Browning M2HB .50 BMG in vehicle mounting
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A member of the human resistance mans a Browning M2HB heavy machine gun in the future. Note it has no spade grips and ammo belt

'General Dynamics RSB-80 plasma gun'

Pretty sure this was a M2HB .30cal with a custom shroud covering the barrel.

A machine gun that resembles a Maxim gun/British Vickers is used by the Infiltrator Terminator (Franco Columbu) in the Future war scene while raiding the Human's Underground Bunker as a rapid fire laser cannon. It is also seen on the sunroof of the car being chased by the Aerial HK.

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The Infiltrator Terminator fires the RSB-80.
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A RSB-80 set atop a Resistance car's sunroof.

Lahti L-39

Amongst other miscellanous weapons in the Alamo Gun Store, a WW2 Finnish made Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle is on display.

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A 20 mm Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle is seen in the background

See Also

Terminator Series