Rambo III is an unusual movie in that it's production was halted about two thirds into the shooting schedule of the film. Rambo III was scheduled to film entirely in Israel, and many scenes were filmed there, using Israeli armorers. However, the spectacle of a major American movie being filmed in the middle east created a lot of concern about terrorist attacks (to disrupt the production and 'send a message of the U.S.'). Before production could be completed, Israel revoked the production's permission to remain in the country (the official reason being security concerns and threats made to the American film crew). Not wishing for a multi million dollar film to be scrapped, then California State Senator Pete Wilson (R), helped the production relocate back to Southern California. The remaining shots were completed (including many insert shots) using the same talent, but utilizing areas around the California Desert, most notable Lone Pine, CA. The sudden change from 'accurate Soviet weaponry' (provided by the Israeli armorers) to the typical 'faux' weaponry seen in many American movies, is explained by this sudden relocation back to California. Thus we see Norinco Type 56 rifles instead of real AK47s, etc. Stembridge Gun Rentals took over the final shoot (back in California).
Most notably, the armored vehicles at the final battle changed from the authentic and original Soviet armored vehicles from the middle of the film, to the modified American tanks and APCs (from the film Red Dawn). These were provided by Veluzat Armored Vehicles out of Newhall, California. Only aficionados of tanks would notice the change.
The weapons used in this movie are:
Note: This is still a work in progress.... There were many errors on this page BEFORE I started working on it. So be patient and let me finish before nitpicking on the details. :) Thanks. MPM2008.
Seen carried by the Mujahideen and by Armed tribal members in Peshawar, Pakistan. The ones in the early parts of the film are authentic AK47s (the real deal). These were all captured enemy arms, taken during the many wars between Israel and their neighbor nations. Israeli movie armorers have access to tons of authentic captured Soviet weaponry over the years, and any film shot in Israel would have real Soviet guns.
AKS-47
Seen briefly, some of the Soviet Soldiers carry the milled receiver AKS-47 underfolder rifle, the predecessor to the underfolder AKMS rifle.
AKM
Full Stock AKMs are used by the Mujahideen and the Russians. Rambo and Col. Trautman also use the AKM rifle on numerous occasions throughout the film. The ones used while filming in Israel are real Soviet AKM rifles. The ones used while filming in California were Maadi ARM rifles (the American imported versions of the MISR).
AKMS
Carried by Mujahideen, the Russians and Rambo.
AMD 65
Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) and Rambo are seen with a Hungarian AMD-65 rifle. The traditional muzzle brake of the AMD-65 was replaced with an Israeli Blank fire adapter (also seen on the other AK variants). The same AMD-65 type rifles were also wielded by Russian Tankers (ironically, wearing the same 'faux' Soviet winter tanker uniforms made for the film "Red Dawn".)
Rifles
Lee-Enfield No.1 MkIII*
Seen in the hands of Mujahideen throughout the film.
Lee-Enfield No.4
Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters throughout the film.
Mauser Karabiner 98k
Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters thoughout the film.
Mosin-Nagant
Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters thoughout the film.
SKS Rifle
Seen in the weapons shop by the Peshawar Arms Dealer.
SVD Dragunov
Submachine guns
PM-63
This weapon is used by Colonel Zaysen (Marc de Jonge) during the interrogation scene.
Squad Automatics and Heavy Machine Guns
PKM machine gun
Used by Rambo during the final battle with the Red Army.
FN MAG
Seen as one of the machine guns on the fake Russian Hind helicopters.
DShK Heavy Machine Gun
An accurate and real DShK 12.7mm Soviet Machine Gun is used by Rambo to down an attack helicopter. It is one of the very few times a real DShK (rather than a fake one made out of an American gun like an M2 .50 cal) is used in an American Motion Picture. The scenes where a real DShK was used were filmed in Israel, using real Soviet weaponry courtesy of the Israeli Armorers.
"Acetylene Gas firing" Oerlikon 20mm AA gun
A real Oerlikon 20mm AA gun is used in the final battle, wielded by Col. Trautman, however it is mysteriously missing a rear sight and (most importantly) the drum magazine. This is an auto cannon with no ammunition. The one used in the film was an 'acetylene' gun (a real weapon mocked up with Acetylene gas internals to 'fake firing'). This method is used many time in either helicopter mounted guns (for safety) and heavy machine guns. They fire a 'flash of fire' rather slowly to simulate the firing of a large machine gun round.
Other Weapons
Flamethrower
M134 Minigun
An M134 is seen on the chin of the Soviet helicopter but is not used in the movie.