Black Hawk Down

The following weapons were used in the film Black Hawk Down:

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Colt Commando

The Delta operators mainly wield the M727 and M733 variants of the Colt Commando. The M727 variant is identified by its A2 upper receiver and 14.5" barrel with the cutout for mounting an M203 grenade launcher; the M733 has the shorter 11.5" barrel. Staff Sergeant Daniel Busch (Richard Tyson) is the first Delta member on screen, and also the first soldier we see carrying an M727. All Delta members carry M727s and M733s, fitted with various accessories such as Aimpoint scopes and surefire flashlights. Master Sergeant Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) can be seen carrying an M733 featuring a camouflage paint scheme and a sound suppressor, which is then used by Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant (Ron Eldard) to pick off several more Somalis before running out of ammunition and being overwhelmed.

Colt Model 727 5.56x45mm

Delta Customs

The Delta Force operators arm themselves differently from the Rangers by using customized Colt Model 727 and 733 rifles as opposed to longer, heavier M16A2 rifles. Many are fitted with such accessories as Aimpoint red dot scopes and Surefire tactical lights (with the pressure switch taped to the handguard with 100mph or electrical tape). Some of the Colts have camouflage paint schemes, and some of them are fitted with 14.5" barrels with M203 cuts (M727).

Delta Force SSG. Busch (Richard Tyson) aims an M727 carbine at Somali militants raiding a Red Cross food distribution center while aboard a Blackhawk. Note the flashlight pressure switch taped to the handguard.

Delta Force SGT. Sanderson (William Fichtner) fires his M727 carbine.

SGT. Hoot (Eric Bana) uses his M727 to shoot out of a Humvee window.

Wounded SSG. Busch climbs out of his crashed Blackhawk and fires his M727 at the Somalis.

SGT. Sanderson fires his M727 during the "Mogadishu Mile"..

Colt Model 733 with 11.5" Barrel (The Model 723 is the export model of the same weapon - used by forces of the UAE and US Delta Force) 5.56mm

Rangers

While the Rangers are armed almost entirely with M16A2 rifles, Captain Steele (Jason Isaacs) uses an M733 rifle, noted by the 11.5" barrel, with nothing modified or changed. "Doc" Schmid (Hugh Dancy) also uses an M733, presumably because as a medic, he would need a lighter, more versatile weapon to move quickly to wounded soldiers.

CPT. Steele (Jason Isaacs) with his M733 carbine.

Steele shows the Delta Operators you don't need a fancy scope to fire an M733. Iron sights.

The Ranger medic SGT. Schmid (Hugh Dancy) with his M733 in hand.

Delta Sniper

Delta Force MSG. Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) uses an M733 carbine modified with a camouflage paint scheme, Aimpoint scope, tactical light, and a sound suppressor. Shughart gives this rifle to the wounded Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant, who uses it before it runs out of ammo.

Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) hovers above the second crash site with his suppressed M733.

Gordon fires his suppressed M733 in defense of the crash site.

Mike Durant (Ron Eldard) with Gordon's M733.

CAR-15

Some of the Deltas Operators are seen using Colt Commando CAR-15 carbines with the original long type muzzle break, which are also heavily customized. There is a high possibility they are built from several Commando types so a definite I.D. isn't certain unless the armorer can verify it.

A Delta with his CAR-15 rifle at the ready, right side.

A Delta with a CAR-15.

A Delta operator fires on a Somali .50 gunner with his CAR-15.

Colt M4 carbine

Hoot (Eric Bana) seems to use an Colt M4 carbine with the same customizations and paint job as the Commando rifles when doing solo operations in Somalia, noted by its removable carry handle. He uses it to shoot a wild boar from a chopper, and is chastised by Cpt. Steele (Jason Isaacs) for keeping the weapon's safety off in the barracks. One of the Deltas is also seen using an M4 carbine during the operation itself.

A bit of anachronism here, both the M4 and M4A1 entered service in 1994, a year after the events of this film (in 1993), so the M4 should technically not be in Hoot's hands. The probable reason was the fact that most of the earlier M16 Carbines are hard to come by, so they needed something to fill that gap.

Colt M4 carbine - 5.56x45mm NATO

"Who's hungry?" Hoot readies his M4 carbine to shoot a wild boar. Note flashlight pressure switch attached to the handguards with electric tape. Also note that Hoot racks the action twice; once when he boards the chopper, and another time when he readies to shoot the boar.

Cpt. Steele points out to Hoot that, whether an undisciplined Delta Operator or not, his M4 carbine should be safeties on in the barracks. Hoot replies, "This is my safety", and bends his pointer finger. Note the knobs on the carry handle used to remove it from the gun and custom pistol grip. Also note that this particular weapon is quite clearly a rubber prop version, which are normally used only for stunt work.

A Delta operator breaches and clears with an M4 carbine in hand. Note the removable carry handle.

M60 machine gun

Specialist Shawn Nelson (Ewen Bremner) can be seen carrying an M60 machine gun machine gun as his standard weapon. Some of the Somalis can be seen using them as well.

M60 - 7.62x51mm NATO

Nelson with his M60.

Nelson with his M60, here clearly loaded with blanks.

Nelson fires his M60.

Nelson firing his M60.

A Somali fires an M60 at the Deltas.

A Somali fires an M60 at the humvees.

A Ranger fires his M60 at the Somalis.

FN Minimi

Several Rangers can be seen carrying FN Minimis throughout the film, standing in for the M249-E1 SAW. It is also the weapon used by Specialist Lance Twombly (Tom Hardy) to accidentally deafen Nelson when he fires it too close to his head. The Minimis are also fitted with circular 200-round cloth ammo bags instead of hard plastic drums.

FN Minimi 5.56x45mm with 200-round ammo drum

PFC John Waddell (Ian Virgo) with an FN Minimi

PFC John Waddell (Ian Virgo) firing his Minimi

Twombley with his FN Minimi

Close up of the charging handle rocking in slow motion on the FN Minimi

Twombley with his FN Minimi, yelling to Yurek about how they almost killed him

A Ranger fires his FN Minimi during the "Mogadishu Mile"

M16A2

SSG. Matt Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) leads his Rangers armed, like most of them, with an M16A2.

M16A2 5.56x45mm

SSG. Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) leads his Ranger team, many armed with M16A2s

Eversmann firing his M16A2 at Somali militia as the Rangers make their way to the first Blackhawk crash site.

SGT. Mike Goodale (Carmine Giovinazzo) fires his M16A2 while making his way to the first Blackhawk crash site.

Eversmann fires his M16A2 during the rescue of SSG. Busch. The pilot on the left is CWO Keith Jones, who was the pilot who rescued the real Busch during the actual event.

Goodale (Carmine Giovinazzo) with his M16A2 as the Rangers and Delta hold off the Somalia forces.

Delta Force SFC Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong) switches between his M14 and an M16A2 as the Delta snipers defend their position at the second crash site.

Probably the only Ranger in the film to fire bursts from his M16A2. Rangers are usually trained not to fire in bursts unless "they have a damn good reason", as quoted by several Drill Sergeants.

M14 Rifle

The M14 rifle is seen being used by Delta Force Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart (Johnny Strong), most notably when he and MSG. Gary Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are covering the second crash site. His M14 sports a camouflage paint scheme and an M68 Aimpoint scope.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

SFC. Shughart fires his M14. This shot appears to have been reversed. Note how the bolt and the battery slot on the Aimpoint is on the left side, not the right. Also see how Shughart and Gordon (off-shot) are right-handed in the other shots except for this one.

SFC. Shughart covers the second crash site.

SFC. Shughart fires his M14 in defense of the second crash site.

M16A1

M16A1 rifles are seen in the Somali arms dealer's shop and one militia member is seen loading up one. At one point, Rangers can be seen watching a portion of the film The Jerk where a madman is trying to shoot the protagonist using a scoped M16A1.

M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

M16A1 rifles hang in the dealer's shop along with M16A2s, likely captured from American forces.

A TV Beales (Ioan Gruffudd) is watching showing a scene from The Jerk where a man is firing a scoped M16A1 moments before Beales' epilepsy kicks in and he seizes.

A militiaman picks up an M16A1 with the flash hider removed and with a strange smooth ten round magazine.

CETME

Spanish CETME rifles are seen among the weapons in the arms dealer's shop, many of which are taken by the militia to combat the U.S. forces. They are not Heckler & Koch G3s, most notabley because they have a simple fixed sight instead of a rear sight spindle.

Spanish CETME rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.

Militia members pick up CETME rifles in the dealer's shop.

CETME rifles hanging next to the dealer.

Heckler & Koch G3A3

The local militia arm themselves with, among many other weapons, Heckler & Koch G3A3 assault rifles.

G3A3 7.62x51mm NATO with green synthetic furniture

A Somali militia member firing a G3A3 at the first MH-60K crash site.

A Somali militia member takes cover from a Ranger's .50 caliber barrage armed with a G3A3.

A militia member fires his G3A3.

PKM Light Machine Gun

A PKM light machine gun is seen resting on a table in the Somali arms dealer's shop.

PKM light machine gun 7.62x54mm R

A PKM sits on the arms dealer's table

A shot of the PKM muzzle brake

SVD Dragunov

When Hoot (Eric Bana) is in the Somali town, he passes the arms dealer, who has an SVD Dragunov on display.

SVD Dragunov - 7.62x54R.

An SVD Dragunov is seen behind Hoot. (Interesting anachronism here: the shades, Oakley Juliets, worn by actor Eric Bana did not exist during the events of this film.)

RPK

One of the Somalis fires on Mike Durant's Black Hawk armed with an RPK light machine gun. Its blonde furniture indicates it could be a foreign copy. The machining divots in the receiver could help indicate its origins as well. (the milled receiver, blonde wood, and the fact that the selector is in semi seem to suggest it is an Arsenal Bulgarian RPK, probably a US-made semi-auto variant)

RPK light machine gun 7.62x39mm.

A Somali fires his RPK at the downed Black Hawk.

RPG-7

The Russian manufactured RPG-7 features prominently in the film as the weapon which brings down a pair of UH-60 Blackhawks. In one scene inspired by an actual event, a projectile from an RPG-7 strikes PVT. Kowalewski (Brendan Sexton III), the driver of one of the deuce and a half trucks in Lieutenant Colonel Danny McKnight (Tom Sizemore)'s convoy and fails to detonate, impaling the luckless soldier instead.

RPG-7 70mm

RPG-7s being handed out by the militia.

A rocket propelled grenade being fired at a Black Hawk.It is obviously CGI, since there is no backblast.

A milita member fires the RPG that takes down Super Six One, causing the first Blackhawk crash of the operation.

An undetonated RPG warhead impales the deuce and a half driver, PVT. Kowalewski (Brendan Sexton III).

Norinco Type 69

Along with RPG-7s, Chinese Norinco Type 69 launchers are used by the militia.

Norinco Type 69 - 70mm.

A militia member with a Type 69. Note how there is only one pistol grip and how he is holding the carry handle.

A militia member with a Type 69.

Norinco Type 56

A full stock Norinco Type 56 is used by a Somali to whack Mike Durant in the head. It has a slanted AKM syle muzzle break added on.

Norinco Type 56 with pig sticker type bayonet 7.62x39mm.

A Somali smacks Mike Durant across the face with a Norinco Type 56.

Norinco Type 56-1

Nearly all of the Somali gunmen are armed with the Norinco Type 56-1 assault rifle, which is a Chinese derivative of the AKS-47/AKMS. They are identified by the hooded front sights, which only Chinese Kalashnikov rifles have.

Norinco Type 56-1 7.62x39mm.

A "Skinny" dies firing his Type 56-1 (AKMS).

Somali militiamen running with AKMS.

A round from this Norinco Type 56-1 causes the first KIA, SGT. Dom Pilla, of the operation.

A Somali fires his 56-1.

A Somali kills Specialist Joyce (Chris Beetem) with a shot to his back with a Type 56-1.

Note the hooded front sight on this Somali's 56-1.

AKS-74U

Mo'alim (Razaaq Adoti), the Somali militia leader, carries an AKS-74U as his weapon of choice, first seen picking it up and inspecting it before heading into battle, then firing a burst into the air to break up the mob attacking one of the surviving Blackhawk pilots before announcing that he was to be taken alive as a prisoner.

AKS-74U - 5.45x39mm

Mo'alim picks up and inspects an AKS-74U before heading into battle.

A clearer shot of the AKS-74U.

Mo'alim with his AKS-74U.

SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle

At one point in the film, Aidid's militia begin to bombard the building the majority of the Rangers and Deltas have taken cover in with mortars and an SPG-9 recoilless rifle. A group of Deltas led by Hoot soon kill the gunners and then turn the weapon against the militia, killing several with one shot before destroying the weapon with a thermite grenade.

Aidid's militia prepare to fire the SPG-9 Recoilless on the Rangers and Deltas who are holed-up at the first crash site.

After eliminating the recoilless operators, Hoot and another Delta operator prepare to fire the SPG-9 recoilless rifle on the militia.

Hoot (Eric Bana) fires the recoilless rifle.

Cobray CM203 Flare Launcher

Many of the Rangers' M16A2s are fitted with Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launchers, standing in for the M203 grenade launcher. Most notably seen in the hands of SGT. Ruiz (Enrique Murciano) of CPT. Steele's (Jason Isaacs) unit. See flare launcher page for a guide on telling them apart.

Cobray CM203 Flare Launcher 37mm.

A Ranger behind CPT. Steele is seen armed with an M16A2/CM203. Note the squared trigger guard and cocking bolt on the right side.

Steele gives the dying SGT. Ruiz (Enrique Murciano) his M16A2/CM203, ordering him to give anyone two in the chest and one in the head if they enter the door.

M203 Grenade Launcher

While the Cobray CM203 37mm launchers are fitted on most of the Ranger's M16A2 rifles, a couple of actual M203 grenade launchers attached to M16A2s are seen, the most notable of which is Specialist John Grimes (Ewan McGregor) who assists Delta in taking out a technical that has them pinned down, missing the first shot before destroying the vehicle with a High-Explosive Dual-Purpose (HEDP) grenade from his M203.

M203 grenade launcher 40mm mounted on M16A2 5.56x45mm

Grimes with his M16A2/M203

Grimes fires his M16A2/M203

A Ranger in Eversmann's unit armed with an M16A2/M203

Grimes fires his M203 like a proper desk clerk, eyes closed.

It seems that Ewan McGregor has never fired an M203, as his depiction of recoil is horrible.

Grimes ejects a spent 40mm grenade.

Here the trigger guard appears to have been removed

M1911A1

We see the M1911A1 pistol in the hands of the Delta operators as their sidearm of choice. As the two Delta snipers attempt to secure the second crash site they are forced to draw their M1911A1 pistols as the overwhelming Somali forces close in on them. Delta Force SGT. Wex (Kim Coates) can be seen at the firing range with an M1911A1 near the beginning of the film.

M1911A1 .45 ACP

Delta Force SGT. Wex (Kim Coates) shows the Rangers what a .45 can do. (That is, better firepower at the cost of running out of ammunition twice as quickly.)

MSG. Gordon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) fires his M1911A1 at the Somalis. At one point, his M1911A1 jams and the muzzle flashes are all CGI.

SFC. Shughart (Johnny Strong) fires his M1911A1 while defending the second crash site.

Despite being wounded, SFC. Shughart continues to fire his M1911A1.

Delta Force SGT. Sanderson (William Fichtner) fires his M1911A1 during the "Mogadishu Mile". It seems unlikely a well trained operator would wear his flight gloves like shown.

Closeup of SGT. Sanderson's M1911A1.

Tokarev TT-33

A Somali militiaman uses a Tokarev TT-33 to kill SFC Shughart (Johnny Strong) at the second crash site.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A Somali unloads his TT-33 into SFC Shughart

Close up of the TT-33

Beretta M9

The Beretta M9 pistol is seen a few times in the film in the hands of Rangers, and members of McKnight's convoy. Mainly it is seen in the hands of Maddox in the Humvee. McKnight himself carries his M9 sidearm around as a proper means to defend himself.

Beretta M92FS 9x19mm.

A Humvee driver, Maddox (Michael Roof) fires his M9.

McKnight is seen armed with his M9 when walking away from a Ranger, blown in half by an RPG.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3

Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant (Ron Eldard), the UH-60 Black Hawk pilot of Super Six-Four, is armed with a Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with a slim handgrip and uses it to defend himself after he's shot down. The MP5 was briefly issued to helicopter crews as a personal defense weapon (PDW), but was discontinued in this role when it was determined its 9x19mm ammo lacked sufficient stopping power against armor-wearing or drug-crazed enemies, as was the case in Somalia. The guns is also briefly used by SFC Randy Shughart before being killed by the overwhelming militia. In the book and real life, the weapons were actually MP5Ks. They were referred to as "Skinny Popper, a reference to the men's nickname for the Somalis.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 9x19mm with slim handguard

While trapped in his pilot seat, CWO Michael Durant (Ron Eldard) prepares to defend himself with his H&K MP5A3.

Durant fires his Heckler & Koch MP5A3 at the approaching Somalis.

Durant continues firing his H&K MP5A3 as the Delta snipers extract him from his downed Blackhawk.

SFC.. Shughart (Johnny Strong) is firing the MP5A3 as he is shot.

Browning M2HB

The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun is fielded by the US Army on their HMMWVs, the U.N. forces on their APCs, and the Somali militia on their technicals in the film. The opening shots of the film feature Somali militiamen slaughtering a gathered crowd at a food distribution center with the powerful fifty-cal.

Browning M2HB .50 BMG in vehicle mounting

The opening shots of Black Hawk Down. Aidid's gunmen open fire on the crowd at the food distribution center with the Browning M2.

An Army Humvee with a Browning M2HB mounted on the roof, actually a rubber prop as shown when the barrel bounces when the Humvee goes over some bumps.

SGT. Dominic Pilla (Danny Hoch) fires the M2HB from his Humvee as they evac an injured Ranger back to base.

Hoot (Eric Bana) clearing the roof top of "skinnies" with an M2HB.

Close up of Hoot firing the M2HB (Note that this was a movie blooper, since Hoot was actually wearing Nomex gloves.)

A mean-faced Somali awaits to fire on the Rangers with the M2HB.

GE M134 Minigun

During the slaughter of the crowd, The U.S. forces hovering in the MH-60 aren't cleared to fire the Dillon Aero M134 miniguns mounted on their Black Hawk. Pylon-mounted miniguns, mounted alongside 2.75 rockets, are also carried by the AH-6 Little Birds and rain lead in several scenes.

Dillon Aero M134 with flash suppressor - 7.62x51mm NATO. These are new model M134 Miniguns or just updated GE Miniguns which are usually seen with a different spade grip mount that were used during the Vietnam War.

A GE M134 with flash suppressor on the MH-60 Blackhawk as it transports Rangers and Deltas.

An AH-6 "Little Bird" supplies close air support with its twin M134 miniguns.

An MH-60 door gunner provides cover fire with an M134.

Closeup of the M134 as it fires on RPG gunners.

DShK Heavy Machine Gun

Several vehicle mounted Russian DShK heavy machine guns appear in several scenes of the film.

Russian DShK 12.7x109mm

The Somali militia leader on a DShK.

A vehicle mounted DShK.

M72 LAW

An Army Ranger, Lieutenant Tom DiTomasso, can be seen taking out a "technical" with an M72A3. The M72A3 was a Post Vietnam improved model of the M72 Rocket, and the last variation used by the U.S. Army. Upgrade versions (up to M72A7) of the LAW are being fielded by the U.S. Navy and USMC as recently as 2007.

M72A2 LAW 66mm

Lieutenant Tom DiTomasso takes aims at a technical.

A 66mm rocket fired from an M72A3 LAW mid-flight.

Remington 870

While never used on screen, SGT. Sanderson (William Fichtner) can be seen with a customized Remington 870 Express Magnum (standing in for an 870 Police Magnum) slung over his right shoulder. A pistol grip (minus the folding stock) is used in place of the full stock. This same setup is used on a short 870 by Charlie Sheen in the movie Navy SEALs.

In a deleted scene, SGT. Sanderson uses the shotgun to blow the hinges on a door inside the target building.

Remington 870 Police Magnum with folding stock (One seen in the movie lacked the folding stock).

Sanderson with his Remington 870 Express Magnum slung over his back. Note the full length barrel.

A close up of Sanderson's 870. Also a good shot of an M733 barrel.

Receiver reads "Express Magnum" on Sanderson's 870. In real life it would have been a sturdier Police Magnum, not the cheaper, "economy priced" Express Magnum, though both are visually identical. The police magnum is the same shotgun, but built from stronger materials and has slightly different finish.

M67 Hand Grenade

While loading up for the assault, Hoot (Eric Bana) picks up M67 fragmentation hand grenades. SGT. Sanderson is later seen throwing one into a window to take out a Somali who has him and the Deltas and Rangers pinned down.

M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

M67 Hand Grenades

M7 CS Gas Grenade

An M7 CS gas grenade is seen sitting next to the M67 fragmentation hand grenades Hoot picks up.

M7A3 CS Gas Grenade

M7A2 CS Gas Grenade (far left)