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Taps

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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Taps (1981)

Taps is a 1981 drama that focuses on a class of young cadets who decide to take over their military academy when it is threatened with closure. In addition to George C. Scott, the film's cast also included several actors at the beginning of their careers including Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, and Tom Cruise.

The following firearms were used in the film Taps:



M16 (SP1)

The M16 (SP1) is the mainstay weapon of the rebellious cadets during the siege of Bunker Hill Academy, all of which are fitted with A1-style birdcage flash hiders. Of the cadets who use them, the most notable is Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise), whose rifle is fitted with a 3x Colt scope. Also seen used by the town police and National Guardsmen and the M16 were converted to full auto selector.

It should be noted that during the final firefight several police officers and National Guardsmen are seen repeatedly pulling on the charging handles of their M16s, indicating that these rifles did not have blank adapters to cycle the actions.

M16 (SP1) (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" flash hider - 5.56x45mm.
Cadet Cpt. Shawn (Tom Cruise) fires his M16 (SP1) into the air to scare away the local thugs.
Cpt. Shawn watches the police surround Bunker Hill Academy while holding his M16 (SP1).
An M16 (SP1) goes off when a Cadet throws it to the ground and jumps the gate.
Cpt. Shawn with his M16 (SP1).
Closeup on the trigger as Cpt. Shawn takes aim at Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox). Clearly seen here is the lack of magazine fencing: a tale tale sign of an SP1.

MGC M16 replica (Fake M16A1 Rifle)

The M16 rifles that many of the ROTC Cadets carry are in reality MGC M16 non-firing replicas built by the Metal Gun Corp. They are noted by their three prong flash hiders and fake forward assist.

MGC M16 Replica rifle.
Cadets aim their rifles. These appear to be replicas.
The signature shot of the film.
A Cadet Captain holding an MGC M16.
A young Cadet holding an MGC M16.
A Cadet aims his MGC M16 rifle at the police.
Three Cadets armed with MGC M16s.

Star Model B

Standing in for the M1911A1 pistol, Star Model Bs are seen in the hands of some of the characters in the film or in old style web belts of some of the "officers". A notable mistake is when the school's inventory is being listed and the guns are incorrectly referred to as being ".45mm Caliber" (as this was likely the writer's intention to use the M1911A1; even then, this is still incorrect, as a 45mm round would be enormous, and a .45mm gun would be smaller than the average bb).

Star Model B - 9mm.
Cadet Major Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton) with a Star Model B in his holster.
Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise) cleans a Star Model B with a rag. Note external extractor.
Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox) armed with a Star Model B during the final battle.

M60 Machine Gun

The Cadets at Bunker Hill set up several machine gun positions using M60 machine guns, one of which is used by Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise) during the final firefight.

M60 Machine Gun - 7.62x51mm NATO.
A Cadet carrying an M60 machine gun.
Two Cadets man an M60 machine gun.
A Cadet SSGT mans an M60 machine gun at the front gate.
Another Cadet SSGT aims an M60 from the window.
Cadet Captain Shawn fires an M60 at the police and National Guard during the final firefight.
"It's beautiful, man!" Cadet Capt. Shawn shouts as he opens up with the M60.

M60D Machine Gun

Mounted on the loader's hatch of the National Guard's M48 Patton tank is an M60D machine gun.

M60D Machine Gun - 7.62x51mm NATO.
An M60D is seen mounted on the loader's hatch of the M48 Patton tank.
The barrel of the M60D is seen behind Colonel Kurby (Ronny Cox).
The gunner fires the M60D at the window where Capt. David Shawn (Tom Cruise) is shooting from.

Browning M2HB

A Browning M2HB is seen mounted on the front hatch of the Nation Guard's M48 Patton tanks. They are also said to be among the school's inventory.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG.
The main gunner mans a Browning M2HB.
The gunner mans the Browning M2HB behind Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox).
The gunner fires the Browning M2HB at the window where Capt. David Shawn (Tom Cruise) is shooting from.

Browning M2 Aircraft

Cadets inside Bunker Hill are seen manning Browning M2 Aircraft machine guns, the aircraft version of the Browning M2 Heavy Barrel.

Browning M2 Aircraft, Flexible - .50 BMG
A Cadet mans a Browning M2 Aircraft.
Two Cadets sleep next to a Browning M2 Aircraft.

Sturmgewehr 44

Seen hanging on a display in General Harlan Bache's (George C. Scott) office is a Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle, possibly a bring back from his service in WWII.

Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm.
A StG 44 circled in red.

AK-47

Seen hanging on a display in General Harlan Bache's (George C. Scott) office is an AK-47 Type III pattern assault rifle, possibly a bring back from his service in the Vietnam war.

AK-47 Type III - 7.62x39mm.
AK-47 circled in red.

Colt Model 1903

When General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott) is getting ready for the dance, he takes a nickel plated Colt Model 1903 and holster and attaches it to his hip. This weapon was issued to general officers until the 1970's when it was replaced by the M15 General Officer's pistol. When Gen. Bache and a local thug are struggling the weapon is removed from the holster and used to accidentally shoot and kill a local boy prompting the events leading to the siege. Afterwards Bache claims "There was a round in the chamber...I forgot!". Ironically this is the same weapon George C. Scott used in Patton to fire at an attacking HE-111 while daring it to shoot him in the nose.

Colt 1903 nickel plated - .32 ACP.
A town thug tries to pull Gen. Bache's Colt Model 1903 from his holster.
Bache stands over a killed boy while holding his Colt Model 1903.

M1903 Rifle

The drill rifles carried by the Cadets at Bunker Hill are 1903 Rifles, both Springfields and Remington M1903A3s

Springfield M1903A1 - .30-06.
Remington M1903A3 - .30-06.
Cadet Captains twirl their M1903 rifles.
Cadets march with M1903 rifles rested on their shoulders. Note how some of these rifles have "bunny-ear" rear sights, indicating they are M1903A3 rifles.
Cadets at the end of the film march with M1903 rifles.

M29 Mortar

Seen and mentioned during the inventory of the school's armory are M29 Mortars.

M29 Mortar - 81mm
Three M29 Mortars in the school's armory.

Smith & Wesson Model 28

The town police are seen with Smith & Wesson Model 28 revolvers as their sidearms.

Smith & Wesson Model 28 - .357 Magnum.
A police officer arresting General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott) has a Smith & Wesson Model 28 in his holster.
An officer fires his Smith & Wesson Model 28 at the Cadet's truck, faking the recoil far too much.
An officer with a Smith & Wesson Model 28 in his holster.

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