Platoon Leader (1988)

Platoon Leader is a 1988 Vietnam War film starring Michael Dudikoff as Jeffrey Knight, a US Army lieutenant freshly graduated from West Point and who is assigned to a forward base in Vietnam. The film was an adaptation of the memoirs written by James R. McDonough and was produced by B-movie studio Cannon Films, likely to capitalize on the popularity of Vietnam War-themed features in the late 1980s. Platoon Leader also was directed by Aaron Norris and marked the only film he helmed that did not star his brother Chuck.

The following weapons were used in the film Platoon Leader:

Rifles/Carbines

M16A1 Rifle

The M16A1 rifle, sometimes loaded with (anachronistic) 30-round magazines, is the primary rifle carried by US forces in the film, notably by Lt. Jeffrey Knight (Michael Dudikoff).

M16A1 with 30 Round magazine - 5.56x45mm

The M16A1 rifle is carried by Lt. Jeffrey Knight (Michael Dudikoff).

Lt. Knight (Michael Dudikoff) uses his M16A1.

M16 (SP1)

Some members of the unit carry M16 (SP1) rifles instead of the A1 model.

M16 (AR-15 SP1) with A1 flash hider and 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm

The M16 (SP1) rifle resting next to Sgt. Robert Hayes (Rick Fitts).

The "slab side" M16 (SP1) rifle is carried by Lt. Jeffrey Knight (Michael Dudikoff) instead of an M16A1.

Colt AR-15 Sporter II Lightweight

Sgt. Michael McNamara (Robert F. Lyons) carries a carbine that resembles a Colt Sporter II Lightweight that has been fitted with a fixed A2-style buttstock.

Colt Sporter II Carbine with 30 round magazine and fixed stock - 5.56x45mm

Sergeant Michael McNamara (Robert F. Lyons) carries a carbine that resembles a Colt Sporter II Lightweight.

Sgt. McNamara (Robert F. Lyons) with his carbine. Note the fixed buttstock was used instead of an adjustable variant.

The carbine is seen at the right.

Norinco Type-56

VC and NVA forces are armed with Norinco Type 56 rifles throughout the film.

Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") - 7.62x39mm

NVA troops with their rifles.

Norinco Type 84S Target

An enemy soldier appears to be armed with the Norinco Type 84S Target.

Norinco Type 84S "Target" Rifle - 5.56x45mm. Basically a standard Norinco Type 84S with a slightly longer barrel. This variant was ready for market just as the 1989 US import ban was implemented, so it is mostly seen in Canada. It has an 18.5" barrel and was very rarely seen in the U.S. Gun market.