A Better Tomorrow

A Better Tomorrow (1986)

A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-Fat as a friend to a pair of brothers who decide to take on the Triad crime organization. The film would spawn the 1987 sequel A Better Tomorrow II and the 1989 prequel A Better Tomorrow III.

The following firearms were used in the film A Better Tomorrow:

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 10

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver is carried by Kit (Leslie Cheung) as his police service weapon. A suppressed version is also used by an assassin who attempts to kill Ho and Kit's father.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Early Model - .38 Special.

An assassin attempts to kill the father of Ho (Ti Lung) and his brother Kit (Leslie Cheung) with a suppressed revolver.

Kit uses a Colt Detective Special at the range when he is at the police academy.

Kit retrieves his service revolver and his hand-cuffs before going to the docks.

Smith and Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman

One of the Taiwanese gangsters who attempts to fire at Mark (Chow Yun-Fat) during the shootout at the restaurant uses a Smith & Wesson Model 28 revolver.

Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman - .357 Magnum.

A gangster fires at Mark moments before being shot.

Beretta 92F

John Woo's favorite handgun, the Beretta 92F makes frequent appearances in this film. All three main characters use the pistol at different times in the movie, as do many of the Triads.

Beretta 92F - 9x19mm

Mark Gor dual wielding Beretta 92F pistols during the shootout at the Taiwanese restaurant.

Mark Gor (Chow Yun-Fat) using a Beretta 92F during the shootout at the Taiwanese restaurant.

Mark tosses down his two empty pistols in the restaurant, before retrieving his hidden Beretta from a potted plant.

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A Triad assassin's Beretta 92F. Couldn't ask for a better view of this gun.

The Triad fires the 92F.

In an incredibly rare scene (for John Woo at least) we see Mark perform a mid-mag reload in the parking garage.

Kit runs out of ammo for his Beretta 92F.

Beretta 92SB

The Beretta 92SB is seen in the hands of Shing (Waise Lee) and a few Triads throughout the film, and is identifiable by its rounded trigger guard, and modern Beretta grips (versus the older style grips of the Original 92).

Beretta Model 92SB - 9mm (note rounded trigger guard and flat bottom magazine).

Shing cleans off his 92SB

Shing holsters his 92SB. Despite the blurry picture, note the rounded trigger guard.

In a continuity error, a Beretta 92SB instead of a 92FS is seen in the hands of the Triad assassin who wounds Kit at the docks.

Smith & Wesson 39

Ho (Ti Lung) carries a Smith & Wesson 39 pistol during the scenes set in Taiwan, and the gangster that betrays him also uses one during the restaurant shootout. Other Triad members use the pistols during the shootout in the garage and at the docks.

Smith & Wesson 39 - 9x19mm

Ho (Ti Lung) aims a S&W Model 39 before being captured by Taiwanese police.

Ho lays down his S&W Model 39.

The S&W Model 39 featured in the newspaper along with the story of Ho's capture.

One of the thugs wielding a S&W Model 39 during the restaurant shootout.

A Triad member's handgun is briefly visible as he is shot in the parking garage.

Colt M1911A1

Many M1911 variants show up in this film, seldom clearly enough to make an ID. Seen mostly in the hands of Triads.

World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

A better view of a thug wielding a M1911 in the restaurant.

A Triad takes cover with his 1911.

Browning Hi-Power

The Browning Hi-Power is relatively common in early Woo films. When Mark is engaged in a shootout at the restaurant, one of his Berettas turns into a Browning. Mark is seen later dual-wielding the Browning alongside his Beretta while retrieving a data tape.

Classic Commercial Browning Hi-Power (Belgian Mfg) - 9x19mm

In a continuity error, one of Mark Gor's Beretta handguns turns into a Browning Hi-Power during the shootout in the restaurant.

Mark tosses down his two empty pistols in the restaurant, before retrieving his hidden Beretta from a potted plant. The one on top appears to be a Browning.

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Mark Gor (Chow Yun-Fat) holding guards at bay with a Browning Hi-Power and a Beretta pistol while retrieving a tape of important counterfeiting data.

Another shot of Mark dual wielding a Browning Hi-Power and a Beretta 92F.

Colt Python

A nickel-plated Colt Python used by Kit in the final gunbattle.

Colt Python .357 Magnum 6in

Kit picks up the Colt Python.

Kit prepares to fire the Colt Python.

The Python is fired.

Shotguns

Ithaca 37

The leader of the Taiwanese gangsters fires an Ithaca 37 when he betrays Shing and Ho. Mark also uses an Ithaca when he returns to rescue Ho and Kit in the finale.

Ithaca Model 37 riot version - 12 Gauge

The gangster retrieves his Ithaca 37 when he prepares to ambush Ho.

The gangster fires his shotgun.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5A3

A Heckler & Koch MP5A3, with a slimline handguards and early straight box magazines, is initially used by Ho in the final shootout at the docks.

1980s type MP5 wth neoprene handguard and straight magazine.

A Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun,using early straight box magazines, is carried by Ho (Ti Lung) in the final gunbattle.

Ho holds Triad boss Shing hostage with a MP5A3 and a Beretta pistol.

Ho holds Triad boss Shing hostage with a MP5A3 and a Beretta pistol. This shot makes it easy to see the old style slimline fore-grip.

Ho fires his MP5A3.

IMI Mini-Uzi

The Mini Uzi is seen in the hands of Mark and some thugs.

Mini Uzi SMG with stock folded - 9mm

Mark holds the Mini-Uzi on Shing as he and Ho drive to the docks.

Mark Gor (Chow Yun-Fat) carries a Mini-Uzi with a folded stock during the final gun battle.

For the second time in the movie, Mark reloads a weapon(very rare in John Woo films), this time after running dry on his Mini Uzi.

MAC-10

The MAC-10 is used by the Triad Boss Shing during the final shootout.

Ingram MAC 10 open bolt submachine gun - .45 ACP

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A MAC-10 is brandished at Kit during a Mexican stand-off. Later, the same MAC-10 is used by the Triad boss Shing (Waise Lee).

Shing fires at Kit with the MAC-10.

Shing (on the left) fires his MAC-10 at Mark.( Shing Fui-On, the gangster on the right, would later play Wong Hoi in The Killer.)

Rifles

M16A1

M16A1 rifles are used by police officers when Ho is captured in Taiwan. Some triad gangsters are also armed with M16A1 rifles during the final shootout at the docks, although they are not seen very clearly.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm.

Taiwanese police officers with M16A1 rifles.

Triad gangsters hold Kit captive with M16A1s.