Red Dawn (1984)

Red Dawn (1984)

The following weapons were used in the film Red Dawn (1984):

Maadi ARM

• According to Long Mountain Outfitters (http://www.longmountain.com/movieguns/RedDawn), the AKMs used in the movie were actually Egyptian Maadi MISR (imported into the US as the ARM) semi-auto rifles, some of the first semi-automatic Kalashnikov-type rifles ever imported into the United States (besides the Clayco AKM copies). 53 such rifles were used in the movie, 32 of which were converted to full-auto by Class 2 manufacturer Pearl Manufacturing specially for the film. These guns were later used in numerous other movies. Not to be confused with the post 1989 imported firearms called "MISR" which was modified to comply with the federal import ban.

Maadi ARM (AKM) 7.62x39mm as used in Red Dawn (image from Long Mountain Outfitters)

AKM, Stamped Steel Receiver w/ slant muzzle brake.-7.62x39mm

Aardvark (Doug Toby) utters the classic line "Wolverines!" while holding a Maadi ARM rifle converted to Full auto fire.

Jed (Patrick Swayze) delivers some hot lead to a Russian tanker via an AKM.

Fake AKS-74

• Fake AKS-74s are used by Soviet Paratroopers in the first attack on the school and Soviet Spetsnaz in the battle in the snow. They are actually Maadi ARM (AKMs) that were very cleverly mocked up with skeletal stocks and a custom make muzzle brake that resembled the AK74.

AKS-74 5.45x39mm

Spetnaz Snow troopers advance with faked AK-74 rifles made from Maadi ARMs - 7.62x39mm

Several angles of the mocked up AK-74 with the custom Muzzle Brake and the non-folding Skeletal stock. These rifles also use orange bakelite 7.62x39mm magazines. As a contrast, the standard AKMs in the film used metal magazines

Fake RPG-7

• Fake RPG-7s are used by Soviet and Communist Bloc soldiers, and later Charlie Sheen. The weapon itself is a fabricated prop, utilizing a vintage 1950s era RPG-2 as a base. A flared rear blast cone and a second 'fake' pistol grip was added as well as a fake optical sight that was fabricated out of plastic (it's a bit too large and wrongly shaped for any of the real RPG optical sights). The rocket warhead is a plastic and rubber fabrication and not an RPG-2 rocket head. The fuse tip itself is the cap from a Crest toothpaste tube!

RPG-7 40mm

Matt (Charlie Sheen) aims his plastic and rubber mockup of an RPG-7 (though no RPG at the time had a bright yellow warhead with a Bright light blue rocket tube.)

Closeup of the rubber rocket head of the fake RPG-7

Later in the film, the rocket heads are less bright yellow, now a more mustard color. Robert Morris (C. Thomas Howell) aims his RPG-7 at a Hind Helicopter.

On another note, the rocket of the fake RPG-7 (like many other films that use rocket launchers) is a foam rubber fake when firing around actors. Prior to the advent of CGI in films, they were fired with real Estes rocket motors and guided along wires to their targets. Below we see a frame of film where we can clearly see the wire that will guide the foam rubber rocket head to its intended target.

A view of the wire that guides the phony rocket head to its target.

Valmet M78

• The Valmet M78 LMG was standing in for the Soviet RPK since none were available in the country when this movie was filmed. The M78 LMG was used by Russian Paratroopers in the beginning of the movie and, and later by the Wolverines, most notably by Jennifer Grey.

Finnish Valmet M78, standing in for a Russian RPK (since they didn't have any available when this film was made) with a standard stock and 30 rd magazine.

Soviet Paratrooper fires the Valmet M78 LMG during the initial attack - 7.62x39mm

Jennifer Grey fires her Valmet M78 LMG during an ambush.

A Valmet M78 LMG can be seen on a table along with the bright yellow RPG rockets with bright blue tubes.

Jed (Patrick Swayze) holds a Valmet M78 with a drum magazine while sitting in the snow - 7.62x39mm

Jed (Patrick Swayze) carries the Valmet M78.

Fake DShK heavy machine gun

• At the time of filming there were no DShK 12.7 machine guns available for use in movies, so the armorers mocked up DShKs from M60 machine guns. Apparently the size difference between a 7.62mm gun and a .50 cal gun wasn't enough to distract people during the movie.

The first time we see the DShK Heavy machine guns, mocked up out of M60Ds General purpose Machine Guns is when one is mounted on a faked T-72 Tank. What is confusing is that there is an Airborne officer 'commanding' a Main battle tank, which would not be the case. Blue was the color of shoulder boards and collar tabs for Airborne soldiers, Black was the color for Armored Units.

A better angle of the Fake DShK where we can see the M60 origins.

When American prisoners are executed, including Jed and Matt's father, Tom Eckert (Harry Dean Stanton), we see Soviet Tankers firing their fake DShKs into the line of men - 7.62x51mm

In the snow battle, we clearly see the fake DShKs mounted on the fake T-72 tanks that are made from M60Ds

Erica (Lea Thompson) first uses a fake DShK during the ambush.

In the ambush on the Spetnaz troops in the snow, Lea Thompson can clearly be seen firing a mocked up M60D, posing as a DShK.

One of the fake DShK heavy machine guns is seen mounted as a door gun on the Fake Hind Helicopter Gunships - 7.62x51mm

During the final battle we get a good look at just how LONG and slender the faked DShK barrel is, when mounted on the M60D as a platform

Fake Gorunov SGM Machine gun

• Yet another Soviet era machine gun that was mocked up from the venerable (and available) M60 Machine gun.

Robert's position during the snow battle has a fake Gorunov, mocked up from yet another M60 Machine Gun.

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

• Seen briefly but never used is a knocked out Browning M2 HB Heavy Machine gun, mounted on a destroyed M42 Duster.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

Matt, Jed and Robert run past a destroyed M42 Duster with a Browning M2 HB Heavy Machine gun, lying cockeyed off of it's mount, presumably inoperable, or else the Russians would not have left it out in the open - .50 BMG

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Jatimatic SMG

• The Jatimatic was used by Colonel Strelnikov (William Smith) when he is hunting Charlie Sheen and Patrick Swayze at the end of the film. It was supposed to represent the Polish manufactured PM-63 machine pistol as none were available in the country during the time of filming as this was the Cold War.

Jatimatic 9mm

Colonel Strelnikov (William Smith) actually wears the Jatimatic on a custom holster during his speech to the Spetnaz.

Colonel Strelnikov (William Smith) brandishes the Jatimatic when he hunts for Jed and Matt at the train station.

GE M134 Minigun

An abandoned M134 Minigun, possibly from a crashed vehicle/chopper can be seen on the abandoned battlefield. It is noteworthy that there seem to be many 'abandoned' weapons, from 50 cal machine guns to 30 cal machine guns, however, it must be assumed that these are damaged and inoperable, or else the Soviets would never just leave them for anyone to pick up.

GE M134 Minigun in 7.62x51mm NATO

Visible to the right, on the ground is the GE M134 Minigun and the articulated belt feeding tray.

Just to the left of Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) there is an abandoned GE Minigun - 7.62x51mm

FN FAL

• Seen held by Cuban and Nicaraguan soldiers.

FN FAL 50.00 7.62x51mm NATO

A quick but clear shot of the FAL rifle being brandished by the Cuban / Nicaraguan troops during an ambush. Most of the time the soldiers held the rifles close to their bodies, making a clear view difficult - 7.62x51mm

Ruger Mini 14 GB

• Briefly seen being handed out to freed prisoners at the re-education camp, and later seen obviously by an escaping 'political prisoner' during the night raid.

Ruger AC556 Carbine - 5.56x45mm. Full auto version of Ruger Mini 14 GB.

Unidentified man with a Ruger Mini 14 GB runs out the gate - 5.56mm

M16A1

• Briefly seen being handed out to freed prisoners at the re-education camp, and later seen by another running 'political prisoner' during the night raid.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm.

Unidentified man with an M16A1 runs out the gate - 5.56mm

Colt SAA

• A Colt Single Action Army revolver with ivory grips was used by Jed (Patrick Swayze). The revolver used was a personal piece owned by director John Milius.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model. The most common of the SAA revolvers as it is just the right length - .45 Long Colt

Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) hands over the Single Action Army to Jed Eckert (Patrick Swayze) - caliber unknown.

Jed Eckert (Patrick Swayze prepares to shoot Yuri (Sam Slovick) near the sign for the Arapaho National Park, with his Single Action Army - caliber unknown.

"Because we LIVE HERE!!!!!!"

Marlin Model 336C

• The Marlin Model 336C lever action rifle was picked up from the store just after the invasion. Doug Toby who played the character of Aardvark fires a single shot from the back of a pickup truck at Russian troops, after an American UH-1 helicopter attacks the Soviets on the ground using rockets. He also uses it in some of the ambushes later in the film.

Marlin Model 336C - .30-30

File:RedDawnModel1894.jpg

Arturo Mondragon aka "Aardvark" (Doug Toby) fires the Marlin Model 336C from the pickup truck. Chambered in .30-30 Winchester

Aardvark (Doug Toby) fires the Marlin Model 336C during an ambush.

Savage 110

• Jed picks up a Savage 110 bolt action rifle from Mr. Morris' store at the beginning of the film. He uses it as a sniper rifle during some of the ambushes. The Savage is a likely candidate since the tapered barrel seen in the film more closely matches the stock barrels of the Savage 110 series, more than rifles such as the Remington 700. He also appears to have mounted a .22 rimfire scope on the rifle.

Robert Morris (C. Thomas Howell) borrows Jed Eckert's Savage 110 rifle to hunt deer, while Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) carries the Marlin Model 336C.

Jed surveys the desolate battlefield with his Savage 110 Bolt Action Rifle.

Jed on an ambush with his Savage 110 Bolt Action Rifle

Unidentified 22 Tube magazine rifle

• Seen in the gun rack above Jed's Savage 110 bolt action rifle. It is a pump action, tubular magazine rifle. Probably a 22, which is why it was never seen used in the rest of the movie for defense or combat.

Mossberg 500 Field Gun

• The Shotgun that Robert takes from his father's Gas Station/General Store is initially a Mossberg 500 with a field barrel (28"). Robert Morris (C. Thomas Howell) uses it in the first encounter with Soviet soldiers in the National park - 12 gauge.

Robert Morris (C. Thomas Howell) readies to fire his Mossberg 500 field shotgun - 12 gauge.

Remington 870 Wingmaster

• In a continuity break, the Mossberg 500 previously seen morphs into a Remington 870 Wingmaster. The Remington 870 Wingmaster is first seen when Robert Morris is sawing down the long barrel to a short barreled shotgun. The cut down 870 is used pretty much exclusively by Robert Morris (C. Thomas Howell) for the rest of the film.

Remington 870 Police Magnum Riot Shotgun - 12 gauge

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Robert (C. Thomas Howell) cuts down the barrel of his Remington 870 Wingmaster.

Robert (C. Thomas Howell) fires his short 870 along with Matt (Charlie Sheen) and his AKM.

Fake SA-7 Grail aka Strela-2

• A mocked up SA-7 Grail (built from metal tubing and plastic) is used by a Cuban soldier at an attacking American UH-1D Helicopter. The Mockup of the SA7 is quite accurate. However, in the film a Cuban soldier, firing a heat seeking surface to air missile, cannot hit a slow moving UH-1 "Huey" (The post Vietnam "G" model with twin turbines). This is not likely unless he panic fires into a completely wrong direction.

SA-7 Grail aka Russian Strela-2 Surface to air missile - 70mm. The name "Grail" was a NATO Designation for the weapon, "Strela" was the Russian designation.

Cuban Soldier readies to fire his mocked up SA-7 "Grail" Surface to Air Missile at attacking American UH1G Helicopters. This is an excellent movie mockup.

SA-7 Grail aka Russian Strela-2 Surface to air missile is fired at night in the downtown suburb of Calumet, CO.

Smith & Wesson Model 19

• A Smith & Wesson Model 19 with combat grips is the 'survival pistol' for USAF Colonel Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) but is taken away from him by Erica (Lea Thompson).

Smith & Wesson Model 19 .357 magnum. This is the actual Screen used Movie firearm - a custom ported Smith & Wesson Model 19 with black rubber grips, used and carried by Danny Glover in the film.

USAF Colonel Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) sleeps with his Smith & Wesson Model 19 with combat grips at his side - .357 magnum

Tanner's Model 19 is confiscated by Erica (Lea Thompson) - .357 magnum

Later, during the liberation raid on the re-education camp, Col. Tanner again has the S&W Model 19 in a shoulder holster.

M1911A1 Pistol

• An M1911A1 pistol is first seen in the "cold dead hands" of an American who resisted the Soviet invasion. The pistol is pulled from the hand of the man and inspected by a Soviet Paratrooper who stuffs it behind his webbing belt. The M1911A1 seen in this scene is a commercial blued version. A parkerized M1911A1 is also used by Colonel Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) during the final snow battle.

Colt 1911 Series 70 .45 ACP

In the lead up to seeing the first M1911A1 we see this iconic bumper sticker - this saying was popular during the 1970s and 1980s and indicated most American gun owner's disdain for draconian gun control.

In one of the most famous (and morbid) twists on a pop culture phrase, a Soviet Paratrooper prepares to take a blued commercial M1911A1 from the dead hands of a Colorado resident who decided to fight back - 45 ACP

Colt M1911A1 .45 ACP

Col. Tanner fires at one of the Soviet tankers in the snow battle with his M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP. His version appears to be parkerized, thus a military version.

CZ 75

• When one expects a Makarov or at least a mildly out of fashion Tokarev TT-33 pistol, the leader of the Soviet Paratroopers in the attack on Calumet High School, motions to his troops, with a pre-B model CZ 75 pistol. This is the original CZ 75 handgun, and not the later B models.

Soviet Paratrooper officers gestures with his CZ 75 pistol - 9mm

Fake RGD-5 Grenades

• In the film we see numerous fake Soviet RGD-5 hand grenades, however, the paint scheme is off and the scale is too large.

RGD-5 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Robert drops "RGD-5" mocked up grenades during one of the ambushes, off of the roof onto the Cuban & Soviet Soldiers.

Toni Mason (Jennifer Grey) has an RGD-5 grenade placed as a boobytrap under her dead body after the helicopter attack, only to be tripped by an enemy soldier.

Fake RGD-33 Stick Grenade

RGD-33 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade

Rocket Pods (on Fake Hind Gunship)

• Seen on the mocked up Hind Model A Helicopter Gunship, along with wing mounted hard points with air to ground missiles.

Fake Rocket pods are mounted on the wings of the Hind Gunship.

Gun Platforms

Fake Mil Mi-24 "Hind" Gunship

• The "Mil Mi-24 Hind"s are excellent mockups of Hind-As (painted with winter camo) built up from French Aerospatiale Pumas and were later used again in other movies such as Rambo 2 and 3. The version depicted was the earliest incarnation of the Hind, the Model-A with the blunt angular nose. The Hind-A was also seen in the film Firefox however those were 1/12th scale Radio Control flying models. For the film Red Dawn, three Pumas were modified (and all seen on film) and all had a fake Hind-A 'nose' sections built with darked tinted windows that slipped over the front end of the real Puma helicopter. (If you looked closely, you could see the real nose of the Puma 'underneath' the Hind Nose section through the tinted windows. This limited pilot vision and also restricted motion - quick turns were not possible lest the fake nose front end be ripped off the helicopter. Later incarnations of the same modified Puma helicopter removed the extended Hind Model A Nose sections but kept the fake wings and rockets pods (as these were study modifications and didn't adversely affect the aerodynamics of the Helicopter.)

Two of the three faux "Hind" helicopters chase the Wolverines in the beginning of the assault.

One part of the PUMA helicopter that could not be modified was the bulging pods for the rear landing gear/wheels. The real HINDs are smooth sided, with retractable landing gear, to make them more sleek and aerodynamic in attack maneuvers.

Seen on the nose is a mockup of the single barreled 12.7mm heavy machine gun that was standard on the Hind-A helicopter. Only the later models of the helicopter upgraded to 12.7 mm YakB gatling gun.

In real life, use of the Hind-As are a bit anachronistic, since the ubiquitous Hind-D (the version we see today with the twin tandem nose canopies) replaced all previous Hind gunships in active service, as of 1977. The Hind-As had design problems which forced their quick retirement just after 1974.

In several shots, we can see the actual nose assembly of the original PUMA helicopter underneath the tinted glass windows of the extended "faux" nose.

Visible is the original nose of the Puma Helicopter under the tinted glass. The filmmakers just mounted the fake nose on top of the real helicopter nose.

M42 "Duster" 40mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

• An M42 "Duster" that has been knocked out of action is prominent in the ghost battlefield sequence. Of course what is noticeably lacking are Main Battle tanks like M1 Abrahms or Infantry Fighting vehicles, from the plethora of destroyed vehicles on the battlefield. The M42 "Duster" was a light tank chassis that was outfitted with twin 40mm AA guns and was used by ground troops in Vietnam and retired from regular Army service in 1972. The M42 was then only found as a Corp Level asset in National Guard units until it was fully retired in 1988.

Jed, Robert and Matt walk past a knocked out M42 "Duster" - 40mm Main armament with a Browning M2HB mounted on the back.

Trivia

Morris's Market

• As many viewers remember, there was a large rack of sporting/hunting long guns in Mister Morris's Gas Station/General Store and Mister Morris hands out food, guns and ammunition to the boys and tells them to leave and "don't look back". However, none of the long guns in Mister Morris's gun rack can be identified due to the dark lighting in the shot.

A view of the dark gun rack in Mister Morris's Market. It is extremely difficult to identify the weapons in the rack due to the dark shadowy lighting in the scene.