Die Hard with a Vengeance

Die Hard with a Vengeance Theatrical Release Poster Country United States Directed by John McTiernan Release Date 1995 Language English Studio Cinergi Pictures Distributor 20th Century Fox Main Cast Character Actor John McClane Bruce Willis Simon Gruber Jeremy Irons Zeus Carver Samuel L. Jackson NYPD Inspector Walter Cobb Larry Bryggman NYPD Detective Joe Lambert Graham Greene NYPD Detective Connie Kowalski Colleen Camp NYPD Detective Ricky Walsh Anthony Peck Dr. Fred Schiller Stephen Pearlman Mathias Targo Nick Wyman Katya Sam Phillips

Die Hard with a Vengeance is the third installment in the Die Hard film series. This 1995 sequel finds NYPD Lieutenant John McClane (Bruce Willis) having to collaborate with a reluctant store owner (Samuel L. Jackson) as they are forced to race through Manhattan completing specific tasks or else a terrorist named Simon (Jeremy Irons) will detonate bombs planted throughout the city. Helmed by original Die Hard director John McTiernan, the film encountered unfortunate timing with the tragic bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City earlier that year.

The following weapons were used in the film Die Hard with a Vengeance:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

As in Die Hard 2, NYPD Detective Lieutenant John McClane (Bruce Willis) carries a Beretta 92FS as his sidearm, despite the fact that the Beretta is not an authorized firearm by the NYPD. The Beretta is first seen as it is given back to McClane once he is reinstated. He uses it several times throughout the film, most notably pulling it when surrounded by Simon's men in an elevator and firing it while driving a Mercedes to kill a pair of pursuing terrorists in a pickup truck during the car chase on the Long Island Expressway. Katya (Sam Phillips) also uses a Beretta to fire at a helicopter overhead.

The weapons used in the film are Beretta 92FS of American (Beretta USA) manufacture; four identical guns were provided to the production by Weapons Specialists, Ltd. in New York, where most of the movie was filmed. This is in contrast to Die Hard 2, where the Berettas were 92FS of Italian manufacture (marked Pietro Beretta) provided by Cinema Weaponry, and the first Die Hard, where the guns were American-made Beretta 92F pistols (marked Beretta USA) provided by Stembridge Gun Rentals. In 2024, one of the Berettas used in the film was auctioned off by Heritage Auction.

A screen-used Beretta 92FS used in Die Hard with a Vengeance; the weapon pictured here is one of the actual screen-used pistols carried by Bruce Willis in the film - 9x19mm. This picture comes from a 2024 listing by Heritage Auction.

Opposite view of the screen-used Beretta 92FS from Die Hard with a Vengeance - 9x19mm. In contrast to the previous film, where a late-1980s Italian-made Beretta 92FS was used, this gun is a Beretta USA-made pistol, as can be discerned by the markings. The warning label on the frame also indicates that it is of mid-1990s manufacture, making it brand-new at the time of filming.

John McClane pulls his Beretta 92FS on "Detective" Otto (Richard Council) during the elevator fight.

A production image of John McClane (Bruce Willis) with his Beretta.

NYPD Lt. John McClane (Bruce Willis) rides the dump truck while holding his Beretta.

McClane fires his Beretta 92FS during the car chase.

McClane with his Beretta 92FS aboard the cargo ship.

McClane with his Beretta 92FS.

McClane fires his Beretta 92FS.

Katya (Sam Phillips) fires the Beretta 92FS at a helicopter.

Glock 17

A very nervous transit cop (Scott Nicholson) draws a Glock 17 on Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) when Zeus jumps the turnstiles (without swiping a MetroCard) in order to reach the pay phone at the Wall Street subway station. This scene later inspired a similar confrontation between a protagonist (voiced by Jackson) and a cop in the 2004 animated film The Incredibles.

Glock 17 - 9x19mm

A transit cop (Scott Nicholson) nervously points his Glock 17 at Zeus Carver.

Another view of the cop with his Glock 17.

Glock 19

The federal marshals at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York carry Glock 19s. The terrorists that McClane shoots in the elevator are also armed with Glock 19s.

Glock 19 - 9x19mm

Upon opening the door only to find Simon pointing a gun at his head, the federal marshal dives to the floor and grabs his Glock 19.

"Detective" Otto (Richard Council) points a Glock 19 at McClane's chest during the elevator fight.

Heckler & Koch P9S

In an alternate ending, McClane tracks Simon down in Europe and pulls a Heckler & Koch P9S on him as he forces him to play a game of "McClane Says". There is a chance this is Otto's (Richard Council) gun, used to kill Ricky Walsh (Anthony Peck). In a continuity error his pistol switches to a Glock 19 in the elevator, then back into a P9S.

Heckler & Koch P9S - 9x19mm

McClane pulls a Heckler & Koch P9S on Simon in an alternate ending.

Otto with his P92.

Otto shoves the pistol into his waistband.

Otto's pistol, previously a Glock 19 (See Glock 19 section above), is now a P9S. Note the back of the slide, red rear sight and white front sight

Makarov PM

While Simon Gruber (Jeremy Irons) and his men are at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he can be seen armed with a Makarov PM. In an alternate ending, Simon pulls out his Makarov and throws away when confronted by McClane.

Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov

One of Simon's comrades tosses a Makarov PM over to him.

In an alternate ending, Simon pulls out his Makarov.

Simon throws away his Makarov.

Smith & Wesson Model 36

In a scene reminiscent of the original Die Hard, a nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver with Pachmayr grips and a bobbed hammer is taped to McClane's back. Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) grabs the revolver off McClane's back and uses it to intimidate the thugs.

Nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 Special. This revolver was held by Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson in the film.

In a scene reminiscent of the original Die Hard, Detective John McClane with the nickel S&W Model 36 taped to his back.

Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) threatening the thugs with the nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36.

Zeus points the Model 36 at a cab driver. Note the lack of a hammer spur.

During the final shootout at the Canadian border, John McClane uses the pilot's standard blue-steel Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver while under attack from Simon's helicopter.

Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 Special

McClane loads the remaining two bullets into the Smith & Wesson Model 36 after checking the load and discarding the used cartridges.

McClane looks for a target while holding the S&W Model 36.

Walther PPK/S

While preparing to depart the doomed cargo ship, Simon Gruber and Katya (Sam Phillips) are confronted by Mathias Targo (Nick Wyman), who discovered earlier what was really the cargo on the ship. After Targo accuses Simon of betrayal, Katya draws a nickel-plated Walther PPK/S with pearl grips.

Walther PPK/S - .380 ACP

Katya (Sam Phillips) points the nickel-plated Walther PPK/S with pearl grips.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch SP89 (mocked up as MP5K)

During their infiltration of the cargo ship, John McClane (Bruce Willis) takes what appears to be a Heckler & Koch MP5K from a dead terrorist and gives it to Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) before sending him off to find Simon Gruber (Jeremy Irons). McClane is seen telling Zeus how to charge the weapon. This particular weapon is actually a Heckler & Koch SP89 fitted with the vertical MP5K foregrip and converted to full-auto to pass as an MP5K. It can be noted as an SP89 due to the non-push pin metal lower receiver and lack of paddle magazine release. SP89 mockups are likely used by several of Simon's men throughout the film as well.

A "faux" Heckler & Koch MP5K - Original SP89 converted to full-auto fire and fitted with MP5K foregrip - 9x19mm. Giveaways are the lack of a paddle magazine release and all metal lower receiver.

Heckler & Koch MP5K - 9x19mm

Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) is given the 'faux' MP5K, actually a mocked up Heckler & Koch SP89, as noted by the non-push pin metal lower receiver and lack of paddle magazine release.

Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) points the 'faux' MP5K at Simon.

A production image of the confrontation. This image clearly shows the metal lower receiver.

Simon (Jeremy Irons) holds the 'faux' MP5K after pointing out the safety catch was on.

Heckler & Koch MP5K (Daisy Airsoft replicas)

Near the end of the film, Simon's men take up Heckler & Koch MP5Ks when the authorities arrive. These weapons are actually Daisy Airsoft replicas of the MP5K.

Daisy Softair 'Model 15' MP5K Replica Airsoft gun - 6mm BB. This was one of the earliest replica airsoft guns; its considerably realistic appearance has led it to be used as a substitute for the real MP5K in several productions.

Simon's men take MP5Ks toward the end of the film, which are actually Daisy BB replicas.

MAC-10

John McClane takes a MAC-10 from a dead cargo ship terrorist after his fight with Mathias Targo (Nick Wyman).

Ingram MAC-10 - .45 ACP

McClane with his commandeered MAC-10.

Uzi

Another frequently-used weapon by Simon's men is the Uzi submachine gun. It is most notably seen in the scene where Targo rigs the dam to blow in an attempt to drown McClane as he's pursuing them.

IMI Uzi - 9x19mm

Targo holds the Uzi in the background as he rigs the dam to blow.

One of Simon's men picks up McClane with an Uzi submachine gun in hand after he is captured.

Micro Uzi

One of Simon's men disguised as a maintenance worker pulls a Micro Uzi on a Federal Reserve Deputy Marshal.

IMI Micro Uzi - 9x19mm

One of Simon's men points a Micro Uzi at a Federal Reserve Deputy Marshal. The other man in the background wields a MAC-10, although it is not loaded with a magazine making it unclear why he's bothering to work the bolt.

Shotguns

Mossberg 500

When Simon and his men attempt to enter the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a security guard can be seen loading shells into a Mossberg 500 fitted with a heat shield and extended magazine tube. Note that he fires off 12 to 14 rounds without reloading, when a shotgun of this type only can carry a maximum of nine shells.

Mossberg 500 with heat shield and extended magazine tube - 12 Gauge

A security guard loads up a Mossberg 500.

A security guard opens fire wildly with the Mossberg 500.

Rifles

Bushmaster XM15E2

Just before they blow the dam, one of Simon's men can be seen with what appears to be a Bushmaster XM15E2 of some sort. Bushmaster built the AR-15s for the film and for Bruce Willis' personal collection. A Bushmaster also appears to be the sniper rifle held by one of Simon's men at Yankee Stadium, fitted with a suppressor and a spotter's scope.

The Bushmaster HBAR Carbine - listed in the Bushmaster Sales catalog as "Bushmaster 16 Heavy Barrel Carbine" - 5.56x45mm

One of Simon's men has an AR-15.

One of Simon's men prepares to fire the sniper rifle. Note that the rifle appears to be magazine fed and not a bolt action rifle.

One of Simon's men with the sniper rifle.

Close-up of the sniper rifle.

Machine Guns

M60

During the final shootout at the Canadian border, Simon Gruber uses an M60 machine gun from the seat of a helicopter to shoot at a nearby chopper carrying John McClane and Zeus Carver.

M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

Simon readies the M60 machine gun for his final confrontation with McClane.

Simon looks McClane while holding the M60 machine gun.

Others

"Chinese Rocket Launcher"

In an alternate ending, John McClane tracks Simon down in a bar in Europe. McClane then pulls out a Chinese rocket launcher which has the markings removed that indicate which end is the firing one. He then forces Simon to play "McClane Says" and then to point the launcher in the direction he thinks will not harm him. The launcher was custom made for the production out of iron and was hollow on the inside in order to place a special effects charge to simulate firing.

In an alternate ending, McClane pulls out the "Chinese Rocket Launcher".

Simon is forced to press the trigger on the launcher.