Lord of War

Lord of War (2005)

The following weapons were used in the film Lord of War:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Beretta 92SB

Vitaly Orlov (Jared Leto) carries a Beretta 92SB pistol throughout the film. During the altercation with the narco-guerrilla in Colombia, he pulls this weapon to defend his brother Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage). The same prop also appears as one of the guns Yuri displays for sale to André Baptiste Sr. (Eamonn Walker).

Beretta 92SB - 9x19mm

Vitaly Orlov (Jared Leto) draws his Beretta 92SB when Lebanese soldiers execute Palestinian guerrillas. Note rounded trigger guard and the hollow threaded guide rod to allow the attachment of a compensator. It is not missing the guide rod as sometimes claimed.

Vitaly draws his Beretta 92SB when he hears an Afghan Mujahideen fighter fires his Norinco Type 56-1.

Vitaly points his Beretta 92SB at the Colombian narco-guerrilla. He had better put his finger on the trigger if he wants the reflex to shoot the man if the man shoots him.

Smith & Wesson Model 686

While Yuri is negotiating with André Baptiste Sr. (Eamonn Walker), the warlord examines a Smith & Wesson Model 686, which he then uses to kill one of the men in the room, after which Yuri comments that he'll have to purchase the weapon given it's now "used". Later on, André captures Yuri's primary gun-running competitor Simeon Weisz (Ian Holm) as a "present" for Yuri and gives Yuri the opportunity to kill him with the revolver. When Yuri is reluctant to do the deed himself, the warlord puts the gun in Yuri's hand and presses Yuri's finger on the trigger to fire the gun, killing Weisz.

Smith & Wesson Model 686 - .357 Magnum

André Baptiste Sr. (Eamonn Walker) examines Yuri's Smith & Wesson Model 686. Here he spins the cylinder while it is swung out of the gun, yet the ratcheting sound is heard, despite having nothing to ratchet against.

"Now you're gonna have to buy it. It's a used gun!"

André Baptiste Sr. holding his S&W Model 686.

André Baptiste Sr. forces Yuri to kill Simeon Weisz with the Model 686 Yuri had sold him earlier in the film.

Close-up of the trigger guard as André and Yuri pull the trigger together.

Glock 17

In one scene, Yuri sells four Glock 17 pistols along with a large shipment of other weapons to a Colombian narco-guerrilla (possibly a member of FARC). When a dispute arises regarding payment for the weapons (the drug lord wants to give him cocaine instead of money), Yuri ends up getting shot by one of the pistols, violating the most important of his three rules: "Don't get shot with your own merchandise".

A notable mistake is that two of the Glock 17s in this scene (including the one used by the drug lord to shoot Yuri) are clearly 3rd Generation models (they have frame rails for mounting accessories, plus thumb reliefs and finger grooves in the grip), which were introduced in the late-1990s, but the scene takes place in the late-1980s. Two other Glocks are both 2nd Generation models, which would have been correct for the time period.

Glock 17, 2nd Generation - 9x19mm

Glock 17, 3rd Generation - 9x19mm

The narco-guerrilla reaches for a Glock 17 during the scene in Colombia. Two Glocks in the center of the box are 3rd Generation models, which did not exist at the time in which the scene takes place (1989).

The narco-guerrilla shoots Yuri with one of the Glock 17s. Note the frame rail, identifying this as a 3rd Generation model.

Star Model B

The Russian mobster who is attacked in the restaurant single-handedly takes out two hitters with his Star Model B pistol. A similar Star Model B (possibly the same prop) is among the weapons Yuri has on display for sale to André Baptiste Sr.. This is the same Star Model B used in Flight of the Phoenix.

Star Model B pistol with blued finish - 9x19mm

The Russian mobster fires his Star Model B at two hitters.

The Russian mobster points his Star Model B at Yuri.

A Star Model B (circled in red) is on display for sale to André Baptiste Sr..

Makarov PM

A Russian soldier in Ukraine points his Makarov PM at the Interpol agents when they try to bust Yuri.

Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov

A Russian soldier points his Makarov PM at Interpol agents.

Submachine Guns

Micro Uzi

Yuri's very first arms sale is a batch of Micro Uzi machine pistols, which are sold to local Russian mobsters. As the scene takes place before Yuri's sales in Lebanon (which took place in 1982), the Micro Uzis are anachronistic, since they were introduced in 1986.

IMI Micro Uzi with 15-round magazine - 9x19mm

A couple of Micro Uzis along with a suppressor and ammo hidden in a video camera case, about to be sold to the mobsters.

One of the mobsters points a Micro Uzi at Yuri right after Yuri said it is so quiet that they could unload a mag into him and never wake the guy next door. Yuri should have also told the mobster to put the suppressor on first before threatening to try it on him.

Vitaly Orlov examines one of Yuri's Micro Uzis.

Heckler & Koch MP5K

Interpol Agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke) carries a Heckler & Koch MP5K with a 15-round magazine and a Navy trigger group.

Heckler & Koch MP5K with Navy trigger group - 9x19mm

Interpol Agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke) sticks his MP5K in Yuri's face.

Valentine with his MP5K slung at his side.

Heckler & Koch MP5A2/A3

Throughout the film, the Interpol agents are seen carrying Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns, both the MP5A2 and MP5A3, many of which have Navy trigger groups. In one scene where Interpol agents confront Yuri as he is about to ship an Mi-24 attack helicopter to Burkina Faso, one of the agents shoves an MP5 in his face threateningly. He coolly replies: "Oh, the new MP5... would you like a silencer for that?" A couple of MP5s were also seen in Yuri's weapons container.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with Navy trigger group - 9x19mm

On the right, a collapsible-stock MP5A3 seen in the hand of an Interpol agent. If you look closely, you can see this MP5A3 has a Navy trigger group. Also note the agent's rather unprofessional one-handed "gangsta-style" stance.

"Oh, the new MP5... would you like a silencer for that?"
Note this shot features the sound of the bolt being racked, despite the agent having his hand on Yuri's shoulder.

Heckler & Koch MP5A2 with Navy trigger group - 9x19mm

The agent in the background has a fixed-stock MP5A2.

Uzi

In one scene, Yuri and Vitaly sell full-size Uzi submachine guns to Somali Islamic resistance fighters (one of them tests the weapon by firing it at a cardboard cutout of Ronald Reagan). Yuri notes the irony of this transaction: "I sold Israeli-made Uzis to Muslims".

IMI Uzi with stock removed - 9x19mm

A Somali gunman test-fires an Uzi (missing its stock for some reason).

Rifles

AK-47

Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) is seen examining a Type III pattern AK-47 rifle of Russian manufacture during one of the film's most memorable scenes, the weapon's simplicity and near-indestructibility being highly praised by him. The film starts out following the journey of an AK-47 7.62x39mm round from the ammunition factory in Russia to its final destination in an African country, where it is fired at and kills a child soldier.

AK-47 - 7.62x39mm

Yuri cycles the action on the AK-47.

A close-up of the magazine well of the AK-47 Yuri is examining as he loads the weapon with a magazine full of dummy rounds. Note the АВ-ОД Cyrillic markings on the selector establish that the gun is of Russian manufacture.

"An elegantly simple 9-pound amalgamation of forged steel and plywood. It doesn't break, jam, or overheat. It'll shoot whether it's covered in mud or filled with sand. It's so easy, even a child can use it, and they do".
Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) examines a Soviet-built Type III AK-47 while describing the Kalashnikov's legendary reputation for viewers.

Several AK-47s are seen piled up in Yuri's plane.

AKM

Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) is seen loading and handing out an AKM to an African civilian when his plane lands on the dirt road. AKMs also appear numerous times during Yuri's sales. A Russian mobster is seen using one with the stock removed to appear like an AKMS, although close inspection reveals it lacks the stock and hinges.

AKM - 7.62x39mm

The Russian mobster on the right fires his AKM with the stock and cleaning rod removed.

The Russian mobster fires his AKM.

Yuri loads an AKM and gives to an African civilian free of charge.

André Baptiste Sr. (Eamonn Walker) views a crate of Yuri's weapons, containing an AKM (fourth from the first) and four AK-47s.

AKMS

Several AKMS's are seen among Yuri's deliveries.

AKMS - 7.62x39mm

Yuri shows Vitaly how even newspapers are filled with guns, where an Afghan rebel is seen holding the East German AKMS variant - the side-folding stock MPi-KMS.

The camera passes several AKMS's (fitted with East German BFAs).

A bundle of AKMS's are next to Yuri on his plane.

André Baptiste Jr.'s Custom AK

The gold-plated AK-47/AKM derivative carried by André Baptiste Jr. (Sammi Rotibi) is not, as has been written previously, an AKS-74U or AKMSU or any such factory-manufactured weapon. It is a custom-made Kalashnikov that was built specially for the film, using a variety of parts taken from real AK-pattern weapons. Martin Edge, an armorer at Hire Arms, which supplied the guns for all scenes filmed in South Africa, has sent IMFDB an email with the following details:

"The weapon started out as a Saiga hunting rifle with synthetic stock and furniture... Here are the rest of the details:

-The folding stock is, as you mentioned from East Germany, this was purchased in East Germany at an arms fair and fitted to the weapon
-The top cover is held on by means of a Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rear top cover spring clip
-A pistol grip was installed and the trigger moved forward, the trigger guard is from a Vektor R4
-The barrel and gas tube were shortened and the front sight is fitted to the barrel by means a flat on the barrel and a key on the front sight, the handguard is held in position by the flash-hider
-The muzzle brake/flash-hider was turned down from a piece of bar

The weapon was originally supplied to the production with the black synthetic furniture, but was rejected in favour of the wooden furniture. The weapon was actually built by Bruce Wenztel, the owner of Hire Arms, which is Johannesburg based movie weapons props house in South Africa. I was not one of the armourers on the movie as I was not working for the company that the time of the production. The armourer was Lance Peters who handled the weapons on set on the companies behalf. Hire Arms imported some weapons and supplied the others. I spend most of my time building specialized weapons for future productions and spend very little time on set. The company has 400 feature movies under its belt and seems to be going from strength to strength. I am attaching various other pictures, please feel free to upload as you like.

You also mention the magazine in your copy, and it is an early type and was chosen because of its surface area for ease of plating. Brass plating was suggested as an alternative to gold but was rejected by the production in favour of 18crt gold plating, which cost a small fortune".

As mentioned in Martin's email, he sent us a number of photos of the gold-plated AK. IMFDB is extremely grateful to him for this exclusive info!

The custom-built gold shorty AK used in the film - 7.62x39mm

The weapon stripped down.

Close-up of the forend, including the handguard, front sight and flash-hider.

Close-up of the top forend.

André Baptiste Jr. (Sammi Rotibi) holding his custom gold-plated shorty AK.

Another view of Jr.'s AK. Note the East German side-folding stock (not like the AKS-74U or AKMSU at all).

Jr. firing his AK into the air from his car while Yuri winces.

Norinco Type 56-1

As in many Hollywood films, one of the most common AK derivatives seen in the film is the Norinco Type 56-1, the Chinese copy of the AKS-47/AKMS, with its distinctive hooded front sight. In fact, AKs of this type are seen being used by the ex-USSR soldiers in Ukraine during the early-1990s (which is highly inaccurate, because Soviet troops would never use Chinese-made weapons and the 7.62x39mm AKs had been phased out of Russian service at the time of the scene, anyway). Many of the Type 56-1s seen in the film have been visually modified to pass for AKMS rifles - they have been fitted with the ribbed receiver cover (Chinese AKs normally have smooth) and the wider handguard.

Norinco Type 56-1 rifle with under-folding stock - 7.62x39mm

A Russian mobster fires his Norinco Type 56-1 during a hit in a restaurant. Note that the folding stock has been removed.

An Afghan Mujahideen fighter fires a Norinco Type 56-1. Note that in real life, the CIA in cooperation with China and Pakistan supplied many Type 56 rifles to the Mujahideen to fight the Soviet troops in Afghanistan. This particular Chinese Type 56 has the ribbed top cover of an AKM - the Chinese AKs have smooth top covers.

A Soviet soldier in Ukraine erroneously holding a Norinco Type 56-1.

The Soviet mechanic Vladimir working on the Hind (played by Nicolas Cage's son Weston Cage) points his Norinco Type 56-1 at the Interpol agents.

African civilians clear out a crate filled with Norinco Type 56-1s in Yuri's plane.

The R.U.F. rebel commander fires a Norinco Type 56-1 at Vitaly Orlov (Jared Leto) after he blows up a truck full of weapons intended for the rebels.

Custom Nickel Norinco Type 56-1

In Yuri's gun container, a nickel-plated Norinco Type 56-1 with ivory furniture and a Romanian-style foregrip is seen. This weapon was originally built by Weapons Specialists for the film Belly, and also appeared in several other films and TV shows.

Nickel-plated Norinco Type 56-1 used in Belly - 7.62x39mm. This weapon is from the inventory of Weapons Specialists, Ltd. in New York, which supplied the weapons for both Belly and the New York scenes of Lord of War.

The custom Norinco Type 56-1 circled in red.

M16A2

In one of Yuri's first major sales, he procures hundreds of surplus M16A2 rifles left in Lebanon by American peacekeepers, which he sells to the leader of the Lebanese Maronite militia (probably the real-life Phalange) in a joint deal with a corrupt American military officer named Lieutenant Colonel Southern (a reference to Lt. Col. Oliver North, who in real life helped sell American-made weaponry "under the table" to proxy forces). While the M16A2 was introduced in the time era, it was not adopted or fielded until some time later, so the pile should be M16A1s.

M16A2 - 5.56x45mm NATO

A pile of American M16A2s left over in Lebanon (some AKs and Heckler & Koch G3s are also visible in the pile).

A close-up of one of the M16s in the pile. The weapon is actually an AR-15A2/HBAR as can be seen clearly marked on the receiver. It is part of the batch of over 1500 rubber molded firearms made for the film, the bolt catch was missing from the replica which was used in the molding process. While the M16A2 was technically available at the time this sequence takes place, the civilian AR-15A2/HBAR shown here was not, and thus is itself an anachronism.

Norinco Model 311

One Norinco Model 311 is found in the surplus M16A2 rifles left in Lebanon by American peacekeepers. It appears to have an M16A2 handguard.

Norinco Model 311 (CQ 5.56) - 5.56x45mm NATO

A pile of American M16A2s left over in Lebanon. A Norinco Model 311 in front of right. Note the stock.

Vektor R5

A Lebanese soldier is seen using a Vektor R5 to execute Palestinian guerrillas. It is noted as being a Vektor R5 and not a Galil SAR by the bulge on the end of the gas tube just behind the front sight, which prevents the handguard retaining clip from moving unless the rifle is disassembled.

Vektor R5 - 5.56x45mm

A Lebanese soldier (second in line) prepares to fire his Vektor R5.

M16A1 with A2 Handguard

Two Lebanese soldiers are seen using M16A1s with A2 handguards to execute Palestinian guerrillas. One is also seen in Yuri Orlov's weapons container, another one is seen with a fascist soldier in Borneo.

M16A1 with A2 handguard - 5.56x45mm

A Lebanese soldier closest to the camera prepares to fire his M16A1 with A2 handguard. The soldier at the end has one as well.

An M16A1 with A2 handguard hanging on the wall top left.

Colt Model 723

During the Berlin Arms Fair scene, several female models can be seen holding Colt Model 723s.

Colt Model 723 - 5.56x45mm

One of the models poses with a Colt Model 723 during the DVD Menu.

Two models with Colt Model 723s atop a T-72 tank during the Berlin Arms Fair scene.

A close-up of one of the Colt Model 723s lying on the floor, next to the uniforms worn by the models.

CAR-15

One of the narco-guerrilla's henchmen is seen holding a CAR-15 with a 10" barrel when Yuri sells Glock pistols to the narco-guerrilla. One is also seen in Yuri's gun container.

Short model CAR-15 - 5.56x45mm

Left: The narco-guerrilla's henchman holding a CAR-15. Right: A CAR-15 (shown to be a slab-side) is seen in Yuri's gun container, bottom.

Sa vz. 58

In Ukraine, a Russian stockpile of weaponry consists of thousands of Kalashnikovs, which are in fact Sa vz. 58 assault rifles standing in. According to director Andrew Niccol in the DVD commentary, the guns were real guns rented from a real arms dealer, as it was cheaper for the production to rent 3,000 real guns than to rent 3,000 blank converted props.

Sa vz. 58 - 7.62x39mm

Thousands of Sa vz. 58s are seen in the Soviet armory.

Note the distinctive shape of the stocks, indicating they are not AK-47s.

Heckler & Koch G3A3 (South African)

A number of the South African variant of the Heckler & Koch G3A3 can be seen in the pile of surplus rifles left in Lebanon by American peacekeepers.

South African model of the Heckler & Koch G3A3 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A pair of the South African G3A3s are visible on the top right, and another one on the bottom left.

Henry US Survival Take-Down Rifle

A Henry US Survival take-down rifle with a stainless steel finish, a matching Aimpoint CompM2 reflex sight, and a wire stock is seen in Yuri's weapons container.

Henry US Survival with Aimpoint CompM2 reflex sight - .22 LR. The weapon seen here belongs to Weapons Specialists, Ltd., the New York-based prop house which supplied the weapons for the New York scenes of Lord of War, so this gun is probably the exact same one seen in the film.

A Henry US Survival circled in red.

Karabiner 98k

A Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifle can be seen in the hands of an Afghan Mujahideen fighter during the montage where Yuri describes the growth of his business. This rifle has a straight bolt unlike a genuine 98k but has the indentation in the stock under the bolt indicating it is built off of several Mauser variants.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A Mujahideen fighter armed with a Karabiner 98k.

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L1A1 SLR

André Baptiste Sr.'s (Eamonn Walker) escort soldiers are seen armed with L1A1 SLRs.

L1A1 SLR - 7.62x51mm NATO

One of André Baptiste Sr.'s escort soldiers holds an L1A1 SLR.

Custom Truvelo CMS Sniper Rifle

A custom Truvelo CMS sniper rifle with a Harris bipod and a high-powered scope is seen in Yuri's weapons container.

Truvelo Armory CMS sniper rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO. Image placed here for reference. The weapon in the film is different from the one in this image.

The custom Truvelo sniper rifle on the table.

Shotguns

Smith & Wesson 3000

A Smith & Wesson 3000 shotgun with a side-folding stock is seen in Yuri's weapons container. At least one S&W 3000 shotgun is seen being carried by an Interpol agent in Sierra Leone.

Smith & Wesson 3000 with side-folding stock - 12 Gauge

The Smith & Wesson 3000 circled in red.

Machine Guns

M60

While doing business with André Baptiste Sr., André Baptiste Jr. requests that Yuri get him what he calls "the gun of Rambo", an M60 machine gun (The Rambo in which Jr. refers is "Part One", which is the first film, First Blood). Upon receiving the gun, he is seen firing it at random civilians while driving in the truck to do business with the R.U.F. in Sierra Leone. An M60 is also seen on the Coast Guard boat when Jack Valentine is about to board the Kristol/Kono.

M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

An M60 machine gun mounted on Jack Valentine's boat.

André Baptiste Jr. hangs out of the transport truck window manning his new "gun of Rambo".

André Baptiste Jr. fires the M60 with sadistic glee at civilians in Sierra Leone.

FN MAG-58

When Yuri sells Communist-made ammunition to the fascists in Borneo, one of the fascist soldiers is seen manning an FN MAG-58 mounted on a jeep.

FN MAG-58 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A fascist soldier mans an FN MAG-58.

Other

RPG-7

Another frequently-seen weapon in the film is the RPG-7. In one scene, Yuri gives away a whole plane full of weapons, including RPG-7s, to African civilians to avoid being caught with them by Interpol agents. Interestingly, the flight scene shows that the launchers are armed, having live rockets loaded... never a safe way to fly.

RPG-7 - 40mm

An RPG-7 in an African civilian's house.

Yuri hands out RPG-7s to African civilians as he attempts to get rid of all evidence before Interpol catches him.

RGD-5 Hand Grenade

Near the end of the film, Vitaly uses RGD-5 hand grenades to try to destroy two trucks of weapons his brother is selling to the R.U.F. in exchange for conflict diamonds, but only manages to destroy one truck.

RGD-5 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

African civilians take RGD-5 hand grenades out of a crate while cleaning out Yuri's plane.

Vitaly opens a crate of RGD-5 hand grenades.

Trivia

NATO had to be notified during the filming of the line of tanks when Yuri visits the Ukrainian base, otherwise they would have appeared to be part of a war mobilization from satellite images.

All of the tanks seen here are authentic Russian armor.