Commando - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
Commando is a 1985 American action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix, a former Special Forces commander who is forced to work for a deposed South American dictator or his daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) will be killed. The film was produced by Joel Silver and was directed by Mark L. Lester and the cast includes Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, David Patrick Kelly, Bill Duke, and Vernon Wells.
The following weapons were used in the film Commando:
Pistols
Beretta 92SB
John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) takes a Beretta 92SB from the arsenal hidden in his tool shed and tucks it in his belt. Though he never gets to use it and it disappears from his belt when he crashes his car.
Matrix tucks his Beretta 92SB into his belt. Note the US Special Forces logo on his belt buckle and also that the Beretta logo is missing from the grip.
"Wrong!"
As Matrix holds the HK91, the Beretta 92SB is seen in his belt. Note that the pistol is now tucked outside his pants.
Desert Eagle Mark I
A matte stainless Desert Eagle Mark I is the sidearm carried by Matrix during the assault on Arius' mansion.
Colt Combat Commander Series 70
Major General Franklin Kirby (James Olson) carries a Colt Combat Commander Series 70 in his holster when Matrix surprises him and pulls the gun out and points it at him.
Matrix getting the drop on his friend General Kirby (James Olson) with a satin nickel Commander, the "little brother" of the classic 1911/Series 70 pistols.
ASP
Sully (David Patrick Kelly) wields an ASP as his sidearm.
ASP - 9x19mm. This is the firearm used in the production of the film Cobra.
Colt M1911A1
Some of Arius' men use Colt M1911A1s as their sidearms.
Arius' soldier on the right (Thomas Rosales Jr.) has an M1911A1. Note how the slide is not locked back and the hammer is uncocked even though he emptied the magazine moments before.
Detonics ScoreMaster
A Detonics ScoreMaster is the sidearm carried by Bennett (Vernon Wells). During the final showdown with Matrix, Bennett shoots him in the arm with this pistol.
Bennett keeps his Detonics ScoreMaster in a black leather US Issue M1911 pistol holster with the bottom cut-out to accommodate the extended barrel.
Bennett (Vernon Wells) shoots Matrix with his Detonics ScoreMaster.
Detonics CombatMaster
In Matrix's own weapons shed, a Detonics CombatMaster can be seen on a wall rack.
Revolvers
Smith & Wesson Model 15
Police officers at the mall use Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolvers while trying to apprehend Matrix.
Cindy (Rae Dawn Chong) knocks down an officer armed with a Smith & Wesson Model 15 before he can shoot Matrix.
Smith & Wesson Model 60
Sully's contact in the mall fires at the police with a Smith & Wesson Model 60.
Smith & Wesson Model 67
Cooke (Bill Duke) tries to shoot Matrix with a Smith & Wesson Model 67, the stainless version of the Model 15, while fighting with him in Sully's hotel room.
Cooke (Bill Duke) and Matrix fight as Cooke tries to shoot Matrix with his Smith & Wesson Model 67.
Submachine Guns
Uzi
One of the weapons used by Matrix is the full-size IMI Uzi. He uses the Uzi when stealing the seaplane to reach Arius' compound and during the final battle.
Uzi Pistol
An Uzi Pistol is also carried by Bennett (Vernon Wells) during a last-ditch effort against Matrix.
Bennett's Uzi Pistol is slung on his right side. Note the distinctive grip shape of the pistol variant.
"I'm not going to shoot you between the eyes!"
The Uzi Pistol is pulled by Bennett (Vernon Wells).
Bennett chambers a round in his Uzi Pistol. (Note how he works the cocking handle while his finger is on the trigger - now we know why he got kicked out of the Special Forces!)
Ingram MAC-10
The MAC-10 submachine gun is used by Cooke (Bill Duke) and Diaz (Gary Cervantes) at the beginning of the film, killing members of Matrix's old Special Forces unit.
Cooke's MAC-10 changes to a rubber prop after the shot above so he can toss it in the garbage truck without damaging the gun. Diaz (Gary Cervantes) also holds a MAC-10.
Heckler & Koch HK94A3
An unmodified Heckler & Koch HK94A3 is seen in the hands of Arius' men.
Heckler & Koch HK94 (chopped & converted)
One of Arius' men is seen firing a Heckler & Koch HK94A3 with the 16" barrel chopped down and converted to full-auto to resemble an MP5A3. The only feature seen to note this is the lack of the three barrel lugs on the barrel.
The "Fake MP5", the Heckler & Koch HK94A3 converted to full-auto fire, shortened barrel and added third firing position on trigger pack - 9x19mm. This model was used in many films during the 1980s and 1990s. This weapon features the "tropical" (wide) forearm.
Rifles
Heckler & Koch HK91A2
During the attack on his home that results in the kidnapping of his daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano), John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) retrieves a Heckler & Koch HK91 with two magazines clamped together from the armory in his tool shed to fend off the attackers. Since the receiver has only two fire positions (Safe and Fire), it is the semi-automatic HK91A2 rather than the select-fire G3A3.
Matrix holds his HK91 at Diaz, with the Beretta 92SB clearly seen in his belt. The HK91 has two magazines attached together with a clamp with the left magazine loaded and the right one hanging aside (from firing perspective). Note the blank-firing adapter is also visible.
Matrix outside with his HK91. Note that despite firing only one shot, the right magazine is now loaded as left magazine hangs closer to Matrix rather than away from him.
M16A1
There are numerous appearances of M16A1 rifles throughout the film; used by Arius' (Dan Hedaya) men early in the film and later his private army in the final battle, one of which Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) commandeers and uses as well and near the ending are carried by U.S. military personnel accompanying General Kirby (James Olson). Most of the M16 rifles seen have 20-round magazines, but some have 30-round magazines. Throughout the final battle, the rifles in the hands of actors and stuntmen change from original M16 (SP1) rifles to M16A1 rifles and back again.
Diaz (Gary Cervantes) fires his M16A1 fitted with a Colt scope at Matrix and Kirby's men. In a continuity error, this scope later changes into a different one.
A sniper fires his M16A1 fitted with a Colt scope at Matrix and Kirby's men. This guy is actually aiming! Note the blank-adapter protruding from the barrel into the flash-hider. Interestingly, just a few moments later, his rifle loses its scope.
Arius' men point their M16s at Matrix. The A1 birdcage flash-hider is seen on both rifles here, but change to three-pronged flash-hider when pressed on Matrix's abdomen.
Matrix tries to fire the M16A1 rifle in this shot before changing into a M16/SP1 in the next shot. Note the forward assist.
M16/SP1
The original M16 Rifle (also known as the Colt SP1 rifle) as denoted by the 'slab side' upper receiver (minus the forward assist) with various modifications are seen and used throughout the film. Arius' men have M16/SP1 rifles during the raid at Matrix's home which were M16A1 rifles with scopes earlier. South American police officers at Val Verde Airport are seen with M16/SP1 rifles, some with A1 triangle handguards while some are outfitted with Lone Star Ordnance round handguards to look like the M16A2. Several of Arius' (Dan Hedaya) private army soldiers carry M16/SP1 rifles, notably using them in the shootout with John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who eventually commandeers a M16A1 that then changes into a M16/SP1 when he fires it at Arius before discarding it after it runs dry. U.S. Army soldiers accompanying Major General Franklin Kirby (James Olson) at the end of the film are also seen with M16/SP1 rifles both with A1 and/or A2 handguards.
A South American police officer at Val Verde Airport patrols around with a M16 fitted with A1 handguards.
Arius' men in a Jeep patrol around the barracks with original M16/SP1 rifles. Note how the actor is properly holding the weapon in a safe direction with his finger off the trigger.
Matrix's M16A1 then changes to an M16 (SP1) rifle as he fires it at Arius in the next shot. Note the lack of forward assist seen on this rifle.
U.S. soldiers accompanying General Kirby are also seen with M16/SP1s at the end of the film. These soldier's rifles have A1 triangle handguards while some soldiers Matrix passes by in the scene before have A2 handguards.
MGC M16
MGC M16 metal replicas are used by Arius' men / combatants carrying an M16 when they are doing stunts or pointing the muzzle directing at someone without firing. The MGC replicas can be differentiated from the actual M16s as the replicas have three-pronged flash-hiders (however they are mounted upside down) and their 20-round magazines are blued, not Colt anodized gray. The replicas were probably used so extensively for safety purposes.
Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 Carbine (Mocked up as XM177-type Carbine)
Assigned to protect Matrix and his daughter, General Kirby's men, Jackson (Bob Minor) and Harris (Michael Adams) are armed with Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbines made to look like XM-177E2 Commando carbines, due to the length and shape of their 'fake' XM177 suppressor/flash-hider, lacking a forward assist and fencing around the magazine release button. At least one or a few of Arius' private army soldiers carry CAR-15 carbines during the final battle.
Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 Carbine converted into an XM177 lookalike by addition of a flash hider - 5.56x45mm
CAR-15 rifle with a fake XM177 flash-hider welded on to make the barrel a legal 16" for commercial sale - 5.56x45mm
Jackson (Bob Minor) carries the CAR-15 while guarding Matrix's house. Note the lack of forward assist and length of barrel with CAR style moderator.
Ruger Mini-14 GB
Arius' men use Ruger Mini-14 GBs with factory folding stocks. Several of them are seen firing at Matrix and a few are seen dying with their Ruger rifles. Some are stainless steel models, others are blued models.
Arius' man up top fires his Ruger at Matrix. Some people think when this guy is firing that the gun is full-auto, when in reality, the actor is just pulling the trigger fast and a full-auto sound is dubbed in.
Steyr AUG
A Steyr AUG is first seen on the wall of the hidden armory in the 'surplus store' and is among the weapons carted out by Cindy, but never taken by Matrix. During the raid on the compound, Arius (Dan Hedaya) attempts to take out Matrix using a Steyr AUG bullpup rifle. Both are likely the same prop rifle.
AKM
Throughout the film, some of Arius' men are seen using AKMs.
Shotguns
Remington 870 (customized with LPC sight)
A Remington 870 shotgun is used by Matrix during the raid on Arius' compound. The gun has a long barrel with a specialized under-barrel laser sight that is often confused with an extended magazine tube. However, in the film, the shotgun actually changes (continuity error) several times in the sequence, sometimes the forend looks different and the sling changes from being slung over the barrel to over the magazine tube. Since the film had many continuity errors with the other guns, it makes being 100% sure of the shotgun type difficult.
The laser sight is specifically made for the Remington 870 shotgun by the Laser Products Corporation (later Surefire). This is the same type of laser sight used in The Terminator and Wanted: Dead or Alive. The laser sight is easily distinguished by the proprietary LPC "clamp" as well as the actual sight's "bell-shaped" end.
Remington 870 (Police Magnum)
When Matrix is apprehended, a police officer is briefly seen armed with what appears to be a Remington 870 fitted with an extended magazine tube.
Remington 870 Police Magnum customized with extended magazine tube - 12 Gauge (credit to Predator 20)
On the right, a police officer is briefly seen armed with what appears to be a Remington 870 fitted with an extended magazine tube.
Mossberg 500AT
Mossberg 500AT shotguns are carried by LA police officers who confront Matrix at the surplus store.
"Don't even think about it!"
Mossberg 500AT shotguns are carried by LA police officers who confront Matrix at the surplus store.
Franchi SPAS-12
Another weapon seen being carried by Arius' men, but not used in combat is the Franchi SPAS-12.
A Franchi SPAS-12 is seen in Matrix's tool shed when he retrieves his weaponry. Note the compact and full-sized M1911 variants hanging on the wall.
Machine Guns
Valmet M78/83
One of the weapons used by Matrix during the assault on Arius' base, the Valmet M78 is a Finnish light machine gun similar in appearance to the RPK, the main difference being a different muzzle brake, front sight assembly, and many other structural differences. The Valmet M78 light machine gun has a standard "RPK style" buttstock. The later Valmet M78/83 has a synthetic thumbhole "Dragunov style" stock. This is the model used in the film. The Valmet M78 series of light machine guns came in 7.62x51mm (.308) and 7.62x39mm calibers.
Valmet M78/83S with Mauser Mark X Electro-Point 4x40 scope (converted to full-auto) - 7.62x51mm NATO
M60E3
The M60E3 machine gun first appears as one of the weapons in the armory hidden in the surplus store. Matrix attempts to take one before he's apprehended by the police. The M60E3 later is used by one of Arius' men on a tool shed and then is commandeered and used by Matrix. The M60E3 used in the film had a shorter barrel, several inches shorter than the standard M60E3.
Matrix fires the M60E3. Note the blank rounds on the belt, and a blank-adapter in the barrel. An obvious flipped shot as the ammo belt is on the wrong side and the expended shells are being ejected out the wrong side.
While Schwarzenegger is probably one of the only actors who can comfortably hold the M60E3 in one hand, the machine gun seen here is likely a lightweight prop with the faux ammo belt hooked on it.
M60
One of Arius' men is seen guarding his mansion armed with an M60 machine gun. One is also seen in the sporting goods store armory.
Launchers
M202 FLASH (prop)
Another weapon used by Matrix during the final battle, the M202 FLASH is the 4-barreled rocket launcher first seen being used by Cindy (Rae Dawn Chong) to flip the police van carrying Matrix after he's arrested for raiding a sporting goods store for supplies - apparently she decided the best way to rescue him was to blow up the vehicle he was riding in. The weapon in the film is a boxy prop replica rather than a real M202: due to the film being one of the most well-known depictions of an M202, a number of other non live-action works contain M202s based on this prop rather than the real weapon.
Matrix picks up and checks the M202 FLASH in the sporting goods store armory. Note how the side reads "M202A1".
Cindy aims the M202 FLASH at the police van, unaware it is backwards. She claims she read the instructions, but it's obvious she didn't.
Cindy turns the launcher around and shoots the police van. Note how there aren't any rockets in the launcher.
Fake M203 grenade launcher
During the assault on Arius' compound, one of his soldiers on the rooftop uses what appears to be a Colt AR-15 with a Fake M203 Grenade Launcher and some sort of large optic (possibly a starlight scope). Aside from the addition of the scope, this prop appears to be the same configuration as the weapon seen in Scarface, and would later be used by Schwarzenegger in 1987's Predator.
World IMFDB Exclusive: Screen-used Faux M203 Launcher with M16A1 with Quadrant and Front ladder sight - 5.56x45mm. This is verified screen-used from the film Scarface. Two 30-round magazines have been taped together with black gaffer's tape to emulate the way Tony Montana loaded his weapon in the film.
On the right, one of Arius' men uses what appears to be a Colt AR-15 with a Fake M203 grenade launcher and scope attached.
FIM-43 Redeye
What appears to be a FIM-43 Redeye is seen in the hidden armory in the surplus store.
Other
Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector
Bennett is seen using a Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector tranquilizer pistol after a chase.
"You know what today is? Payday!"
Bennett is seen using a Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector tranquilizer pistol after a chase.
M67 Hand Grenade
During the assault on Arius' compound, Matrix also carries several M67 hand grenades. He is seen tying these to his vest by the pin, presumably to be able to pull the pin and toss them with one hand. This is a very bad way to carry grenades and anyone with basic military training will agree, this is NOT how to carry them. When carried by the pin, several safety hazards are present. One of Arius' men tosses a grenade at Matrix during the final battle, sending Matrix flying through the air.
Matrix ties the M67 grenades to his vest while preparing to assault Arius' base. This is a very bad way to carry grenades and anyone with basic military training will agree, this is NOT how to carry them. When carried by the pin, several safety hazards are present.
M18A1 Claymore
Just before starting the final battle, Matrix plants what appear to be several M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mines on the grounds of the complex, and triggers it remotely during the battle. Though the M18A1 Claymore is an anti-personnel mine, the ones in the film are strong enough to vaporize an entire building, indicative of the 'exaggeration' of Hollywood films. The M18A1 Claymore mines depicted are not real (of course NONE are real in films), however the ones in this film are even more 'customized' than usual. They are plastic casts of the M18A1 and fabricated to take an internal radio receiver (and custom detonator). In reality, the M18A1 would be a self-enclosed unit, two plastic halves enclosing the explosive and steel balls (shrapnel), and would not have room to add on an internal radio unit.
The mines used by Matrix, note that the raised letters "M18 A1" are gone (ground off, possibly because they actually said M33, the inert training model of the M18A1) as are the painted lot numbers (a feature of real Claymores).
A faux radio controller and tiny light bulb is visible 'glued' into the side of the M18A1 which Matrix uses to radio detonate a series of these mines.
The Claymores seen are strong enough to vaporize an entire building, indicative of the 'exaggeration' of Hollywood films.
Hidden Armory
In search of weapons and supplies, Matrix goes to a sporting goods store and opens up a secret armory behind the wall, revealing hundreds of guns inside. The ones most obvious are:
Here's a better view of two Browning M1917 machine guns. To the right is a .50 AN/M2 .50 caliber. On the rack behind Matrix are rows of M1 Garand rifles with the fake "M14 style" flash-hiders on them (as previously seen in A Rumor of War).
See Also
- D-Day (Den'D) (2008 Russian remake of Commando)