Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down Theatrical Release Poster Country United States Directed by Ridley Scott Release Date 2001 Language English Studio Revolution Studios Distributor Columbia Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Matt Eversmann Josh Hartnett Norm "Hoot" Gibson Eric Bana Danny McKnight Tom Sizemore Jeff Sanderson William Fichtner William F. Garrison Sam Shepard SFC Randy Shughart Johnny Strong MSG Gary Gordon Nikolaj Coster-Waldau MSG Chris Wex Kim Coates Captain Mike Steele Jason Isaacs John Grimes Ewan McGregor

Black Hawk Down is the 2001 feature film adaptation of the non-fiction Mark Bowden book that recounted the events surrounding the ill-fated US mission to capture a Somali warlord in 1993. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film was notable for its depiction of modern US warfare. The film received support from the US Department of Defense, who provided extensive training for the actors with members of the US Army Ranger and other Special Forces soldiers to ensure authenticity in addition to allowing access to actual Black Hawk and "Little Bird" helicopters for filming. During the film's production, many of the soldiers and pilots seen were active duty, some of whom were veterans of the actual battle. The film's cast included Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Ewan McGregor and Sam Shepard as well as Tom Hardy and Ioan Gruffudd in early roles.

The following weapons were used in the film Black Hawk Down:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Rifles / Carbines

Colt Model 727

Many of the Delta Force operators are armed with the Colt Model 727 fitted with various accessories such as Aimpoint scopes and SureFire 660 flashlights, some of the carbines also have camouflage paint schemes. Delta Staff Sergeant Daniel Busch (Richard Tyson), Sergeant First Class Norm "Hoot" Gibson (Eric Bana), Master Sergeant Chris Wex (Kim Coates), and SFC Jeff Sanderson (William Fichtner) all carry the Model 727.

In real life, the older Colt Model 653 and Colt Model 723 would have been the carbines used by Delta operators during Operation Gothic Serpent. The Colt Model 727 would have been more common amongst the Rangers and not Delta. In the film, most of the Model 727 carbines are also anachronistically equipped with Aimpoint CompM2 reflex sights (which was not available commercially until 17 March 1995, and later standardized into the SOPMOD kit in 2000). During Operation Gothic Serpent, some Delta operators and Rangers utilized the Aimpoint 3000 and 5000 reflex sights.

Colt Model 727 ("M16A2 Carbine") - 5.56x45mm

SSG Daniel Busch (Richard Tyson) with a Colt Model 727 carbine equipped with a CompM2 reflex sight. A SureFire 660 flashlight pressure switch is taped to the handguard.

"Hey, who's hungry?!"
SFC Norm "Hoot" Gibson (Eric Bana) with a camouflage-painted Model 727 carbine equipped with a SureFire 660 flashlight (with pressure switch taped to the handguard) during the "aerial target shooting" scene.

MSG Chris Wex (Kim Coates) with a Model 727 from a deleted scene later included in the Extended Cut.

SFC Jeff Sanderson (William Fichtner) with a Model 727.

SFC "Hoot" Gibson with the same camouflaged Model 727 carbine as above.

SSG Busch with a Model 727 carbine during the defense of the first Black Hawk crash site.

SFC Sanderson with a Model 727 during the "Mogadishu Mile".

Colt Model 733

Various Delta Force operators and Army Rangers are armed with the short-barreled Colt Model 733. Some are standard 733s, while others are customized with camouflage paint schemes and Aimpoint scopes (similar to the aforementioned Model 727s). Some of the weapons have a XM177-style flash-hider instead of the standard barrel with A2 flash-hider. One particular Model 733 used by Delta MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and later Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mike Durant (Ron Eldard) is heavily modified with a camouflage paint scheme, anachronistic Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot scope, weaponlight, and a sound suppressor.

In history, Gordon's carbine was actually a Colt Model 723 (like all other Deltas were using at the time) with an OPSINC suppressor sleeved over the barrel.

Colt Model 733 ("M16A2 Commando") - 5.56x45mm. This particular Model 733 features an A1E1 upper receiver, noted by the brass-deflector with the A1 sights. The variants in the film feature A2 uppers. M733s were available with A1, A1E1 and A2 upper receiver units.

An MGC M733 airsoft replica (A2 upper).

Ranger Captain Mike Steele (Jason Isaacs) with a Colt Model 733.

CPT Steele fires his Model 733.

SFC Kurt "Doc" Schmid (Hugh Dancy) holds his M733 as he rushes to an injured Ranger. Note the 100mph tape (military duct tape) on the magazine, this is done to make the smooth mags easier to grasp and pull out of a pouch, this film being one of the first to depict this practice.

A Delta operator on the right fires his Colt Model 733. This weapon clearly has a XM177-style flash-hider.

A Delta operator carries his Model 733 as he moves down a street. Behind him is another operator also with a Model 733 (this one has a XM177-style flash-hider).

Another Delta operator engages a Somali technical with his M733. This has a camouflage paint scheme, Aimpoint CompM2 scope, and XM177-style flash-hider. This greatly resembles another Colt carbine used in Blood Diamond, and could be the same weapon, since the weapons were supplied by the same company in both films.

MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) with a camouflaged and suppressed Colt Model 733.

MSG Gordon with his Model 733.

Gordon fires his M733 while defending Durant's crash site.

CWO3 Mike Durant (Ron Eldard) uses MSG Gordon's Model 733 at the crash site.

Colt M4 Carbine

For several of the sequences that involved stuntwork, a number of non-firing rubber prop M4 Carbines are seen in the hands of the Delta operators. They are recognizable by the knobs on the carry handles which indicate that the carry handles are detachable, which is the distinguishing visual feature of the M4. The use of these weapons - even in rubber prop form - is anachronistic as the M4 Carbine was not adopted by the U.S. military (not even U.S. SOCOM) until 1994, the year after the events of the film took place.

NOTE: While prototype models of the M4 existed at the time of Operation Gothic Serpent, and conceivably might have been available to Delta, all prototype models of the M4 used fixed carry handle upper receiver assemblies. Further, when the M4 entered service in 1994, the initial standard was the Colt Model 777, which had a fixed carry handle. The flattop receiver Colt Model 920 and Model 921 - two Colt carbines which eventually became standardized as the M4 and M4A1, respectively - neither existed nor entered service until 1995, after the initial purchase of Model 777s. Photographs of the events leading up to Operation Gothic Serpent, as well as research by enthusiasts, have confirmed that in fact Delta used Colt Model 653s and 723s during the operation - see the Colt Model 727 section above.

Colt M4 Carbine - 5.56x45mm NATO

Captain Mike Steele (Jason Isaacs) points out the fact that the selector switch on the carbine carried by SFC "Hoot" Gibson (Eric Bana) isn't set to "SAFE", who then replies "This is my safety" and bends his trigger finger. The selector switch appears to be molded into the receiver, making it likely this is actually a rubber stunt prop. (The book states Hoot had just cleared the chamber and pulled the trigger before inserting the magazine, making it unable to engage the safety due to the hammer being down.)

A Delta operator with a rubber stunt M4 Carbine.

Special

A trio of actors portraying Delta operators on the set of Black Hawk Down. The operator on the right has one of the rubber stunt M4 Carbines. The one in the middle holds a camouflaged Model 733 with XM177-style flash-hider. While not obvious, the operator on the left has a Model 733 (the 11.5-inch barrel is visible in other images taken during the same series of photographs).

M16A2

Most of the Rangers, including SSG Matt Eversmann (Josh Hartnett), are armed with M16A2 Rifles. While defending the second Black Hawk crash site, SFC Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong) can be seen briefly using an M16A2, alongside his M14. Also, when CPT Steele (Jason Isaacs) tells SSG Eversmann that they have to secure the perimeter for the SAR chopper, the Ranger lying prone in the background appears to be working the forward assist on his M16A2.

It should be noted that Rangers weren't just issued the M16A2 during Operation Gothic Serpent - they also used the Colt Model 727, which was then sold commercially by Colt as the "M16A2 Carbine". Despite the film's portrayal of Delta Force using the M727, it is inaccurate as in reality they used Colt Model 653 and Colt Model 723 carbines; the Rangers would have used the M727 in selected roles such as NCOs, COs, or in the case of the film, radiomen and possibly medics.

M16A2 - 5.56x45mm NATO

SSG Matt Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) leads his Ranger team, many armed with M16A2s.

SSG Eversmann firing his M16A2 at Somali militia as the Rangers make their way to the first Black Hawk crash site.

SGT Mike Goodale (Carmine Giovinazzo) fires his M16A2 while making his way to the first Black Hawk crash site.

SSG Eversmann fires his M16A2 during the rescue of SSG Busch. The pilot seen here is CWO Keith Jones, who was the pilot who rescued the real Busch during the actual event.

SGT Goodale (Carmine Giovinazzo) with his M16A2 as the Rangers and Deltas hold off the Somali militia.

Delta Force SFC Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong) switches between his M14 and an M16A2 as the Delta snipers defend their position at the second crash site. He must have found an M16A2 in the chopper because in Mike Durant's book "In the Company of Heroes" it says Shughart asked Durant if there were any weapons in the chopper.

This is probably the only Ranger in the film fire bursts from his M16A2. Rangers are usually trained not to fire in bursts unless "they have a damn good reason", as quoted by several Drill Sergeants. However this instance may certainly qualify as a "damn good reason".

Special

Delta actor shows M16A2s in the movie armory, the one he's holding fitted with an M203 grenade launcher.

M14

The M14 rifle is used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. His M14 has a camouflage paint scheme and an Aimpoint CompM2/M68 reflex sight.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

SFC Shughart fires his M14. This shot appears to have been reversed. Note how the bolt and the battery slot on the Aimpoint is on the left side, not the right. Also see how Shughart and Gordon (off-shot) are right-handed in the other shots except for this one.

SFC Shughart covers the second crash site.

SFC Shughart fires his M14 in defense of the second crash site.

M16A1

Several M16A1 rifles are seen in the Somali arms dealer's shop and one militia member is seen loading up one. At one point, Rangers can be seen watching a scene of the film The Jerk where a madman is trying to shoot the protagonist using a scoped M16A1.

M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

Several M16A1 rifles hanging in the arms dealer's shop on the top left of this screenshot along with M16A2s, likely captured from American forces.

Moments before his epileptic seizure, Lieutenant Beales (Ioan Gruffudd) is watching a scene from The Jerk where the Madman (M. Emmet Walsh) is seen firing a scoped M16A1.

A militiaman picks up an M16A1 with the flash-hider and magazine removed.

Heckler & Koch G3A3

The local militia arm themselves with Heckler & Koch G3 rifles among many weapons. Both older variants and newer G3A3 variants are seen in the film. The older variants were previously ID'd as CETME Rifles, which is incorrect - The furniture, magazines, trigger housings and receivers are incorrect for CETMEs. The fixed rear sights, while generally associated with CETMEs, were also used on older-spec G3 rifles. The distinctive (and more commonly seen) H&K adjustable spindle/drum rear sight was only first introduced with the G3A3.

Early Heckler & Koch G3 rifle with wooden handguard and buttstock - 7.62x51mm NATO

Militia members pick up older-spec G3 rifles in the arms dealer's shop.

Older Heckler & Koch G3 rifles hanging next to the arms dealer. Note the primers on the belt of ammunition. These are obviously fired dummy rounds.

Heckler & Koch G3A3 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Somali militia member holding a G3A3 at the first Black Hawk crash site.

A Somali militia member takes cover from a Ranger's .50 caliber barrage while holding a Heckler & Koch G3A3.

A militia member fires his G3A3.

Norinco Type 56

A full-stock Norinco Type 56 is used by a Somali to whack Mike Durant in the head. It has a slanted AKM-style muzzle brake added on.

Norinco Type 56 with "pig sticker" bayonet - 7.62x39mm

A Somali smacks Mike Durant across the face with a Norinco Type 56.

Norinco Type 56-1

The vast majority of the Somali gunmen are armed with the Norinco Type 56-1 assault rifle, which is a Chinese derivative of the AKS-47/AKMS. They are identified by the hooded front sights, which only Chinese Kalashnikov rifles have. At one point, one of US soldiers can be seen removing the magazine from a discarded Type 56-1 and stuffing it in his empty pouch. Whether this was done to take back a souvenir or for some other reason is not known.

Norinco Type 56-1 - 7.62x39mm

Somali militiamen running with Type 56-1 rifles.

A round from this Norinco Type 56-1 causes the first KIA of the operation, SGT Dominic Pilla (Danny Hoch).

A "Skinny" firing his Type 56-1.

A Somali fires his Type 56-1.

A Somali kills SGT Joyce (Chris Beetem) with a shot to his back from a Type 56-1. Note a Somali has the $150 Ray-Ban Caravan shades.

Note the hooded front sight on this Type 56-1.

AKS-74U

Mo'alim (Razaaq Adoti), the Somali militia leader, carries an AKS-74U as his weapon of choice, first seen picking it up and inspecting it before heading into battle, then firing a burst into the air to break up angry civilians attacking CWO3 Mike Durant (Ron Eldard) before announcing that he was to be taken alive as a prisoner.

AKS-74U - 5.45x39mm

Mo'alim (Razaaq Adoti) picks up and inspects an AKS-74U before heading into battle.

A clearer shot of the AKS-74U.

Mo'alim with his AKS-74U.

SVD Dragunov

When Hoot (Eric Bana) is in the Somali town, he passes the arms dealer, who has an SVD Dragunov on display.

SVD Dragunov - 7.62x54mmR

An SVD Dragunov is seen in the background over Hoot's shoulder. (Interesting anachronism here: the shades, Oakley Juliets, worn by actor Eric Bana did not exist during the events of this film.)

Machine Guns

M60

Ranger Specialist Shawn Nelson (Ewen Bremner) can be seen carrying an M60 machine gun as his standard weapon. A vehicle-mounted M60 is also seen and fired from at least one of the Humvees in the extraction convoy. Some of the Somalis can be seen using this gun as well.

M60 GPMG - 7.62x51mm NATO

SPC Shawn Nelson (Ewen Bremner) with the M60 machine gun just before the insertion.

Nelson with his M60.

Nelson with his M60 machine gun, here clearly loaded with blanks.

Nelson fires his M60.

Nelson (Ewen Bremner) firing his M60.

A Somali fires an M60 at the Deltas.

A Somali fires an M60 machine gun at the Humvees. Note the stray dog running next to the Humvee. During production, the set was frequently disturbed by stray dogs running into the shots. Director Ridley Scott decided to keep them in the shots to improve the realism. Eight stray dogs were adopted by various members of production and taken back to the United States.

Nelson fires his M60 at the Somalis to provide suppressing fire for Eversmann.

Special

Delta actor shows vehicle-mounted M60 machine guns in the movie armory.

FN Minimi

Several Rangers can be seen carrying FN Minimis throughout the film, standing in for the M249E1 SAW. It is also used by Specialist Lance Twombly (Tom Hardy) to accidentally deafen Nelson (Ewen Bremner) when he fires it too close to Nelson's head. The Minimis are also fitted with circular 200-round cloth ammo bags instead of hard plastic drums. At one point, a Somali shoots at Twombly and hits one of his ammo drums causing the ammo to cook off and burn him, though he's able to get rid of it before he's seriously harmed.

FN Minimi with 200-round ammo drum - 5.56x45mm

PFC John Waddell (Ian Virgo) with an FN Minimi.

PFC John Waddell (Ian Virgo) firing his Minimi.

Specialist Lance Twombly (Tom Hardy) with his FN Minimi.

Close-up of the charging handle rocking in slow motion on the Minimi.

Specialist Lance Twombly (Tom Hardy) with his FN Minimi, yelling to SGT Ed Yurek (Tom Guiry) about how they almost killed him. Note the clear showing of the uniform and helmet in this shot, particularly the mismatched camouflage patterns - This is not a goof but rather yet another accurately depicted detail in the film - More info here.

A Ranger fires his FN Minimi during the "Mogadishu Mile".

Browning M2HB

The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun is used by the US Army on their HMMWVs, the U.N. forces on their APCs, and the Somali militia on their technicals. The opening scene features Somali militiamen slaughtering a gathered crowd at the food distribution center with the powerful .50 cal.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

One of Aidid's gunmen opens fire at the crowd at the food distribution center with the Browning M2HB.

A Humvee with a Browning M2HB mounted on the roof, actually a rubber prop as shown when the barrel bounces when the Humvee goes over some bumps.

SGT Dominic Pilla (Danny Hoch) fires the M2HB from his Humvee as they evac an injured Ranger back to the base.

Hoot (Eric Bana) clearing the rooftop of "skinnies" with an M2HB.

Close-up of Hoot firing the M2HB. Note that this is a continuity error, since Hoot was actually wearing Nomex gloves, as seen in the screenshot above.

A mean-faced Somali awaits to fire at the Rangers with the Browning M2HB.

M85

The M85 heavy machine gun can be seen mounted in the Commander's cupola of M60A1 Patton tanks providing security at the soccer stadium being used as a base by the U.N. forces.

M85 Heavy Machine Gun - .50 BMG

The M85 heavy machine gun can be seen mounted in the Commander's cupola of M60A1 Patton tanks providing security at the Pakistani soccer stadium.

GE M134 Minigun

The MH-60 Black Hawks are armed with GE M134 Miniguns as doorguns. Pylon-mounted miniguns, mounted alongside 2.75" rockets, are seen as the armament of the AH-6 Little Birds. The Black Hawk and Little Bird helicopters were provided for the film by the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and the weapons mounted are the actual armaments. One of the pilots seen in the film (Keith Jones) was a veteran of the actual battle.

General Dynamics GAU-17/A, US Air Force model of the M134 Minigun - 7.62x51mm NATO. The US Army uses a similarly-configured minigun for their helicopters, but do not utilize the GAU designation.

An M134 Minigun on the MH-60 Black Hawk as it transports Rangers and Deltas.

An AH-6 "Little Bird" supplies close air support with its twin miniguns.

An MH-60 Black Hawk door gunner provides cover fire with a minigun. Note that the helicopter's name seen on the fuselage is Armageddon.

Close-up of the minigun as it fires at RPG gunners.

DShK

Several vehicle-mounted Russian DShK heavy machine guns appear in several scenes.

Russian DShK - 12.7x108mm

A vehicle-mounted DShK.

The Somali militia leader Mo'alim (Razaaq Adoti) rides a "technical" mounted with a DShK.

Zastava M72

One of the Somalis fires at Mike Durant's Black Hawk armed with a Zastava M72, a copy of the RPK light machine gun, identifiable by the stock and handguard design. Another Somali is seen providing suppressing fire at the Rangers and Delta operators with one when they try to reach the first Black Hawk crash site.

Zastava M72 - 7.62x39mm

A Somali fires his Zastava M72 at the downed Black Hawk.

A Somali uses his Zastava M72 to pin down the Rangers and Delta operators.

PKM

A PKM machine gun is seen resting on a table in the Somali arms dealer's shop.

PKM machine gun with early flash-hider - 7.62x54mmR

A PKM resting on the arms dealer's table.

A shot of the PKM's muzzle brake.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5A3

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael "Mike" Durant (Ron Eldard), the MH-60 Black Hawk pilot of Super Six-Four, is armed with a Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with a "slimline" handguard and uses it to defend himself after he's shot down. Another MP5A3 is also picked up and used by SFC Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong) before being killed by the overwhelming militia. The MP5 was briefly issued to helicopter crews as a personal defense weapon (PDW), but was discontinued in this role when it was determined its 9x19mm ammo lacked sufficient stopping power against armor-wearing or drug-crazed enemies, as was the case in Somalia. In the book and real life, the weapons were actually MP5Ks. They were referred to as "Skinny Popper", a reference to the men's nickname for the Somalis.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with "slimline" handguard - 9x19mm

While trapped in his pilot seat, CWO3 Michael "Mike" Durant (Ron Eldard) prepares to defend himself with his Heckler & Koch MP5A3.

Durant fires his MP5A3 at the approaching Somalis.

Durant continues to fire his H&K MP5A3 as the Delta snipers extract him from his downed Black Hawk.

SFC Shughart (Johnny Strong) is firing the MP5A3 as he is shot.

Special

An actor holds Durant's Heckler & Koch MP5A3 in the movie armory. Note the other weapons behind him.

Shotguns

Remington 870

While never used on screen, SFC Sanderson (William Fichtner) can be seen carrying a customized Remington 870 Express Magnum (standing in for an 870 Police Magnum) slung over his right shoulder. A pistol grip (minus the folding stock) is used in place of the full stock. This same setup is used on a short 870 by Charlie Sheen in the film Navy SEALs. In a deleted scene, SFC Sanderson uses the shotgun to blow the hinges on a door inside the target building. The tail end of this shot is still in the finished film, although if you haven't seen the deleted scene before it would be hard to spot. In the book, at least one of the Delta operators has an 870 Masterkey attached to his CAR-15.

Remington 870 Police Magnum with folding stock - 12 Gauge. The one seen in the film lacked the folding stock.

Sanderson with his Remington 870 Express Magnum slung over his back. Note the full-length barrel.

A close-up of Sanderson's 870. Also a good shot of an M733's barrel.

Receiver reads "Express Magnum" on Sanderson's 870. In real life, it would have been a sturdier Police Magnum, not the cheaper, "economy priced" Express Magnum, though both are visually identical. The Police Magnum is the same shotgun, but built from stronger materials and has slightly different finish.

Handguns

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1 pistol is used by the Delta operators as their sidearm of choice. The weapon is most notably seen in the hands of Gordon and Shughart as two Delta snipers attempt to secure the second crash site and are forced to draw their M1911A1 pistols as the overwhelming Somalis close in on them. Delta Force MSG Wex (Kim Coates) can be seen with an M1911A1 at the firing range near the beginning of the film.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Delta Force MSG Wex (Kim Coates) shows the Rangers what a .45 can do.

MSG Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) fires his M1911A1 at the Somalis. At one point, his M1911A1 jams and the muzzle flashes are all CGI.

SFC Shughart (Johnny Strong) fires his M1911A1 while defending the second crash site.

Despite being wounded, SFC Shughart continues to fire his M1911A1.

Delta Force SFC Sanderson (William Fichtner) fires his M1911A1 during the "Mogadishu Mile". Note the ambidextrous thumb safety.

Tokarev TT-33

A Somali militiaman uses a Tokarev TT-33 to kill SFC Shughart (Johnny Strong) at the second crash site. It should be noted that the militiaman fires 11 shots, which is 3 more than the TT-33's 8-round magazine.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 model.

A Somali unloads his TT-33 into SFC Shughart.

Close-up of the TT-33.

Beretta 92FS

The Beretta 92FS pistol (standing in for the Beretta M9) is seen a few times in the hands of Rangers and members of Lieutenant Colonel McKnight's (Tom Sizemore) convoy. Mainly it is seen in the hands of Maddox (Michael Roof) in the Humvee. McKnight himself carries his 92FS around as a proper means to defend himself. Twombly (Tom Hardy) also carries a 92FS as a sidearm to his FN Minimi. He never uses it and it is mostly seen in his holster.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

A Humvee driver, Maddox (Michael Roof), fires his Beretta 92FS.

Danny McKnight (Tom Sizemore) is seen armed with his 92FS when walking away from a Ranger who blown in half by an RPG.

The Ranger in the middle sprints with his Beretta 92FS during the famous "Mogadishu Mile" scene.

Launchers

RPG-7

The Russian-manufactured RPG-7 launcher appears as the weapon which brings down a pair of MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. In one scene inspired by an actual event, a projectile from an RPG-7 strikes PVT Kowalewski (Brendan Sexton III), the driver of one of the M35 'deuce and a half' trucks in the convoy commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Danny McKnight (Tom Sizemore). The warhead fails to detonate, impaling the luckless soldier instead. At least one of the RPG-7s used in the film was a rare live and registered example owned by Movie Gun Services.

Screen-used RPG-7 from Black Hawk Down - 40mm. Image courtesy of Forgotten Weapons.

Several RPG-7s being handed out by the militia.

A rocket-propelled grenade being fired at a Black Hawk. It is obviously CGI, since there is no backblast.

A militia member fires the RPG that takes down Super Six-One, causing the first Black Hawk crash of the operation.

An undetonated RPG warhead impales the 'deuce and a half' driver, PVT Kowalewski (Brendan Sexton III).

Norinco Type 69 RPG

Along with the RPG-7s mentioned above, Chinese Norinco Type 69 RPG launchers are also used by the militia. The Type 69s seem to be loaded with PG-7VL rockets instead of the more commonly-seen PG-7VM rockets, distinguished by the larger warhead.

Norinco Type 69 RPG - 40mm

A militia member with a Type 69 RPG. Note how there is only one pistol grip and how he is holding the carry handle.

A militia member behind Mo'alim holds a Type 69 RPG. Clearly visible here is the larger warhead of the PG-7VL rocket.

M72 LAW

Ranger Lieutenant Tom DiTomasso (uncredited) can be seen taking out a "technical" with an M72A3 LAW. The M72A3 was a post-Vietnam War improved model of the M72, and the last variation used by the US Army. Upgrade models (up to M72A7) of the LAW are being used by the US Navy and USMC as recently as 2007, as well a variant is used by the Canadian Forces and other NATO nations in Afghanistan.

M72A2 LAW - 66mm

Lieutenant Tom DiTomasso (uncredited) takes aim at a technical.

A 66mm rocket fired from an M72A3 LAW mid-flight.

SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle

At one point, Aidid's militia begin to bombard the building the majority of the Rangers and Deltas have taken cover in with mortars and an SPG-9 recoilless rifle. A group of Deltas led by Hoot soon kill the gunners and then turn the SPG-9 against the militia, killing several with one shot. It's later destroyed by Hoot's team before they join Eversmann's team. Interestingly, according to the audio commentary on the DVD, this incident never happened and was made up for dramatic effect by the writers.

SPG-9 recoilless rifle, vehicle-mounted - 73mm

Aidid's militia prepare to fire the SPG-9 at the Rangers and Deltas who are holed up at the first crash site.

After eliminating the Somali gunners, Hoot and another Delta operator prepare to fire the SPG-9 at the militia.

Hoot (Eric Bana) fires the recoilless rifle.

Cobray CM203 Flare Launcher

Many of the Rangers' M16A2 Rifles are fitted with Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launchers, standing in for the M203 grenade launcher. Most notably seen in the hands of SGT Lorenzo Ruiz (Enrique Murciano) of CPT Steele's (Jason Isaacs) unit.

Cobray CM203 Flare Launcher - 37mm

A Ranger behind CPT Steele is seen armed with an M16A2/CM203. Note the squared trigger guard and cocking bolt on the right side.

Steele gives the dying SGT Lorenzo Ruiz (Enrique Murciano) his M16A2/CM203, ordering him to give anyone two in the chest and one in the head if they enter the door.

M203 Grenade Launcher

While the Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launchers are fitted on most of the Rangers' M16A2 Rifles, a couple of actual M203 grenade launchers are also seen, the most notable of which is Specialist John Grimes (Ewan McGregor) who assists Delta operators in taking out a "technical" that has them pinned down, missing the first shot before destroying the vehicle with a second High-Explosive Dual-Purpose (HEDP) grenade from his M203.

M203 Grenade Launcher - 40x46mm

M16A2 rifle (5.56x45mm) fitted with M203 grenade launcher (40x46mm)

SPC John Grimes (Ewan McGregor) with his M16A2/M203.

Grimes fires his M16A2/M203.

Corporal James "Jamie" Smith (Charlie Hofheimer) in Eversmann's unit armed with an M16A2/M203.

Grimes (Ewan McGregor) fires his M203.

Grimes' (Ewan McGregor) depiction of recoil is exaggerated.

Grimes ejects a spent 40mm grenade.

Here, the trigger guard appears to have been removed.

Grenades

M67 Hand Grenade

While loading up for the assault, Hoot (Eric Bana) is seen taping up the pins and spoons on some M67 fragmentation hand grenades. SFC Sanderson (William Fichtner) is later seen throwing one into a window to take out a Somali who has the Rangers and Deltas pinned down.

M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Hoot tapes up the pins on the M67 hand grenades before the mission.

SFC Sanderson throwing an M67 hand grenade at a Somali in a window.

AN/M14 Incendiary Grenade

There are several appearances of AN/M14 incendiary grenades; used by Delta operators to destroy sensitive equipment at both Black Hawk crash sites, as well as to destroy the SPG-9 recoilless rifle mentioned above once Hoot and his team are done with it. Another one can be seen lying on a table when Hoot is loading up.

AN/M14 incendiary grenade

An AN/M14 incendiary grenade (far left) on a table.