Eli (Denzel Washington) carries a weathered Heckler & Koch HK45 pistol (an LEM variant as noted by the bobbed hammer and lack of external safety) as his sidearm throughout the film. Even though the pistol had just been out a year when the film was made, the filmmakers wanted it to look like an antique vintage firearm (as this film takes place in the future). The brand new HK45 was sanded and worn down to look very old for the film. In true movie fashion, Eli fires about twice as many rounds as the pistol can hold before reloading. The actual pistol is currently on display at the National Firearms Museum located at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, VA.
What appears to be a Colt New Service revolver is seen at the beginning of the film, lying on the ground, unloaded, in the middle of the woods. It is never held or fired, however.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingColt New Service Revolver - .45 ACP. The Army adopted a version of the New Service, the Colt M1917, with plain wooden grips and a lanyard ring in WWI.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA revolver on the ground, the cylinder swung out as if it was discarded in mid-reload. Note the long "tripartite" ejector rod knob, typical of those versions of the New Service.
Shotguns
Remington 870 "Witness Protection" Short Shotgun
Eli (Denzel Washington) carries a short barreled Remington 870 "Witness Protection" shotgun, with various weathering and a heavily taped handle. In the end of the film, Solara (Mila Kunis) can be seen with the shotgun, as she "inherits" it from Eli.
One of Carnegie's men uses another Remington 870 with mag tube extension and saddle shell holder. He is seen most notably at the end loading his shell holder as anarchy breaks out at Carnegie's bar near the end of the film. Other men are seen with different Remington 870's.
The Engineer (Tom Waits) holds a sawed off double barrel shotgun when Eli comes into the store. Eli quickly disarms him of it, but returns it as a sign of trust. One of Carnegie's men also uses one after the fight at Carnegie's bar.
Redridge (Ray Stevenson) carries an FN FAL paratrooper as his main firearm in the film. Also one of Carnegie's other thugs uses one during the shootout at George's house.
George uses an M4A1 assault rifle fitted with a foregrip and Aimpoint sight at one point during the assault on his house. Also, the guards at Alcatraz use Colt M4A1 Carbines fitted with red dot sight.
When Eli is walking through the town the camera pans on a man on a roof with a bolt action rifle. This rifle is a sporterized Springfield M1903 Rifle with a Lyman peep sight and fitted into a Mannlicher Schönauer Carbine (Stutzen) stock. The military stock had been replaced, as well as the sights, and likely the parkerized finish was replaced with a blued finish. This was common practice at a time when surplus military rifles were cheaper than sporting rifles. It is the same prop featured in the film A Boy and His Dog, noting the heavy stylistic and atmospheric homage already paid, as well as featuring a poster of the movie.