The Boys in Company C

The Boys in Company C (1978)

The Boys in Company C is a 1978 Vietnam War satire that focuses on a group of young US Marines from their initiation into boot camp through their yearlong tour in Vietnam. The film co-starred Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, James Whitmore Jr., Michael Lembeck and featured the acting debut of R. Lee Ermey, who played a boot camp drill instructor nine years before his role in Full Metal Jacket. The film was directed by Sidney J. Furie, who went on to direct the Vietnam War-themed films Purple Hearts, The Veteran (2006), and Going Back.

The following weapons were used in the film The Boys in Company C:

Rifles

M16A1

The M16A1 is the standard rifle used by both American and ARVN forces in the film, this particular model is somewhat anachronistic for the time period depicted (the majority of the film is set in 1968). Also anachronistic for the time period is the use of the 30 round "banana"-style magazine.

M16A1 with 30-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

Tyrone Washington (Stan Shaw) engages in bayonet drills with his M16A1 during boot camp.

Alvin Foster (James Canning) holds the M16A1 during boot camp.

The recruits with their M16A1's during rifle drills for Gunnery Sgt. Loyce (R. Lee Ermey).

Tyrone (Stan Shaw) holds the M16A1. The rifle is anachronistic for the time period of the film, as well as the use of the 30-round "banana" magazine.

ARVN troops armed with the rifle.

On the left, Captain Collins (Scott Hylands) holds the rifle.

M16 (SP1)

Some of the Marines in the film appear to carry the M16 (SP1) rifle noted by its "slab-side" receiver. Just as seen in 1978's Apocalypse Now (which was also filmed in the Philippines around the same time), the use of the M16 is an error as the original M16 was never used by the United States Marine Corps or any other branch of the US Military other than the Air Force.

M16 (SP1) fitted with A1-style birdcage flash-hider (to imitate the M16A1) and 30-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

The African-American Marine in the middle appears to carry an M16 instead of the A1 of the other troops.

Type 56

VC Snipers are seen using Type 56 rifles.

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

VC Sniper using a Type 56 rifle.

Machine Guns

M60

The M60 machine gun is carried by several US Marines in the film, notably by Billy Ray Pike (Andrew Stevens) and Vinnie Fazio (Michael Lembeck). It's also seen mounted on US armored vehicles.

M60 GPMG - 7.62x51mm NATO

An M60 is fired above the heads of Marine recruits. This is supposed to be a live-fire exercise, but the rounds seen here appear to be blanks.

Billy Ray Pike (Andrew Stevens) holds the M60.

A Marine opens fire with the vehicle-mounted M60.

Vinnie Fazio (Michael Lembeck) carries the M60.

M60D

The M60D Machine Gun is briefly seen door-mounted on UH-1 Huey helicopters.

M60D machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO

The M60D is seen mounted on the Huey in the background.

Other shot of the Huey with its guns.

Browning M2HB

Several Browning M2HB heavy machine guns are seen in the film mounted in US Armored Personnel Carriers and other vehicles. Tyrone Washington (Stan Shaw) is notably seen pointing an M2 at an inept officer.

Browning M2HB in vehicle mounting - .50 BMG (12.7x99mm)

An M2 machine gun is seen mounted on the M151 Jeep in the foreground.

Firing an M2HB.

An M2HB is seen mounted on the APC.

Tyrone (Stan Shaw) wields a Browning M2HB.

Handguns

M1911A1

The M1911A1 is seen held by several Marine officers and NCO's including Lt. Archer (James Whitmore Jr.), Gunnery Sergeant Curry (Noble Willingham) and Captain Collins (Scott Hylands).

M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

Lt. Archer (James Whitmore Jr.) holds the M1911A1 on an Army soldier to keep him from launching any more mortar rounds.

The pistol is held by Gunnery Sergeant Curry (Noble Willingham).

Captain Collins (Scott Hylands) holds the pistol while arguing with Billy Ray.

Shotguns

High Standard K-100 Shotgun

What appears to be a High Standard K-100 Shotgun with a pistol grip and short barrel is carried by Gunnery Sergeant Curry (Noble Willingham) in the film.

High Standard Model K-100 FLITE KING Shotgun - 12 Gauge

Gunnery Sergeant Curry (Noble Willingham) holds his shotgun on a suspected VC.

Gunny on the left with the shotgun.

The ejection port of the shotgun is seen in the lower left.

Here, the short barrel and barrel clamp mag tube is seen.

Other

M72 LAW

An M72 LAW is seen used by Tyrone to take out an enemy machine gun position.

M72 LAW - 66mm

An M72 LAW is seen used by Tyrone to take out an enemy machine gun position.

M79 grenade launcher

The M79 grenade launcher is held by Tyrone and Billy Ray when the men in the company take out an enemy machine gun position.

M79 Grenade Launcher - 40mm

The M79 grenade launcher is held by Billy Ray when the men in the company take out an enemy machine gun position.