In the Line of Fire is a 1993 action thriller starring Clint Eastwood as Frank Horrigan, a veteran Secret Service agent who requests to be put back onto Presidential protection detail when a rogue government operative contacts him about wanting to assassinate the current US President. The rare Eastwood-starring film not directed by the actor himself, In the Line of Fire was directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Air Force One) and was made with the cooperation of the USSS (United States Secret Service).
The following weapons were used in the film In the Line of Fire:
Mitch Leary (John Malkovich) builds a custom dual-barrel Composite Pistol made of plastic-like composite material as an assassination weapon to kill the President of the United States. While it is questionable how well the composite material would withstand the high pressure gases from firing, it is used several times in the film without ever breaking. When at the hotel where the President is staying, Leary assembles the weapon under the party table (after having practiced assembling it with his eyes closed several times), after having previously hidden the ammunition in a rabbit's foot keychain, and the springs in a pen. The weapon appears to use .38 Short Colt ammunition, or possibly a variation of .38 S&W with unbelted cartridge cases. One of the prop weapons was deliberately cut into three pieces in order to render it inoperable. Another version of the pistol also appeared in the film No Way Back (1995).
The SIG-Sauer P228 pistol is the sidearm carried by the Agents of the United States Secret Service in the film including Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood), Al D'Andrea (Dylan McDermott), and Lilly Raines (Rene Russo). At the time of the film's production, this was the actual sidearm carried by agents of the agency (before the switch to the P229) - In the Line of Fire is thought to be the first film to accurately feature the Secret Service carrying the P228.
At the film's beginning, Mendoza (Tobin Bell) hands Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood) a nickel-plated Llama III-A to take out Al D'Andrea (Dylan McDermott) after he discovers he is a Secret Service agent. Frank hefts the gun as he approaches and is seen putting it to the head of D'Andrea.
USSS Agent Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 19 during his meeting with Mendoza (Tobin Bell). Later on, a CIA operative (Carl Ciarfalio) holds a Model 19 on Horrigan. In the film, Horrigan is seen as being in the Secret Service all the way back to the JFK administration, and it is possible that this was his sidearm before he switched to the SIG-Sauer P228, because of the nationwide Law Enforcement switch to automatics in the early 1990's. The revolver also is seen in the hands of D'Andrea.
When the Washington DC Metropolitan Police attempt conduct a raid on the possible home of Mitch Leary (John Malkovich), the MPDC ERT officers are armed with IMI Uzi submachine guns with stocks extended. Uzis are also seen used by the Secret Service agents when they rush the President out of the hotel after the assassination attempt. At the time, the Uzi was the preferred submachine gun carried by the President's Secret Service detail (one was notably drawn out during the actual attempt on President Reagan's life in 1981).
When Horrigan (Clint Eastwood) is taking a nap on a break, a rack full of guns is seen behind him. These are likely a mixture of M16A1 rifles and Colt Commando rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingA gun rack is seen behind Horrigan. On the right, there appear to be M16A1 rifles and on the left appear to be Colt Commando's. The USSS also carried the IMI Uzi in 1993, at the time of the film's production.
Gun Photos
In the film, there are several photographs and drawings featuring rifles and pistols.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingHorrigan finds some of Leary's photos and schematics. On the right there appears to be a drawing of a Glock 19 (foreshadowing!) and above that appears to be a drawing of a disassembled Hi-Point C9. The one on the left has so far not been identified, it could be one of Leary's own designs.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn the lower left, the infamous photo of Lee Harvey Oswald holding the Carcano rifle.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn a crime scene photo, Leary's former partner with what appears to be a Beretta 92FS in his holster.
