The Kite Runner

The following weapons were seen in the film The Kite Runner:

As this film was produced in and around Kashgar, Xinjiang Autonomus Region, China (as it has a similar environment to Afghanistan) all the weaponry in the film is of Chinese origin. There is a level of authenticity in the use of Chinese firearms in the film with the Taliban being well-known for extensively using Chinese firearms during their five year occupation of Afghanistan.

The Kite Runner (2007)

Norinco Type 56

The Taliban, and Pakistani Border guards are seen with the Norinco Type 56 assault rifles. A number of Soviet Army soldiers were also seen armed with early model milled-receiver Norinco Type 56 rifles (without the folding bayonet attached, though retaining the mounting hardware) during the scenes dealing with the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Since most of the scenes for Kabul and Afghanistan was filmed in Kashgar, China; the production crew didn't have access to genuine Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles and had to use Chinese ones instead. It should also be noted that the real-life Taliban did extensively use the Norinco Type 56 assault rifle during their five year occupation of Afghanistan.

Norinco Type 56, early model with milled receiver and under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") - 7.62x39mm

A Soviet Army soldier with a Chinese Type 56 assault rifle (standing in for the Russian AK-47 rifle)

A Soviet soldier threatens to shoot Baba

"Beard Patrol" member with Type 56

Taliban members riding in a pickup

Taliban guards at Ghazi Stadium

Taliban guard in Ghazi Stadium

Taliban member rushes to unlock the front gate

Taliban members shoot at Amir (Khalid Abdalla) and Farid (Saïd Taghmaoui) as they drive off

Norinco Type 56-1

A pair of Taliban are seen looking for Amir are armed with Type 56-1s.

Norinco Type 56-1 with stamped receiver and folding stock - 7.62x39mm

Norinco Type 63

Several Norinco Type 63 rifles are seen slung over the shoulders of Taliban guards at a public execution of adulterers. It should be noted that this rifle was largely distributed throughout Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Norinco Type 63/68, 7.62x39mm

Taliban armed with Type 63 Assault Rifles escort adulterers to their stoning

Taliban hand out stones to stone the adulterers to death

The subtitle is in relation to the idea that the adulterers throw stones at God's house metaphorically with their sinning

Tokarev TT-33

Though not seen a TT-33 holster is seen on the side of the Soviet officer.

TT-33 7.62x25mm Tokarev

The Soviet officer has a TT-33 holster

Weapons Platforms

Soviet Tank

T-55AM Tank meant to impersonate the T-72, it obviously is NOT a T-72.

T-34

T-34 wreckage is seen as Amir and Farid drive through Afghanistan, strangely the T-34 was retired by the Soviet Union long before the 1979 invasion though it may have been used by the Afghan Army