Under Fire

Under Fire (1983)

Under Fire is a 1983 film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Nick Nolte, Joanna Cassidy and Gene Hackman as journalists covering the Nicaraguan Revolution.

Valmet M71S

The Chadian rebels that Russell Price (Nick Nolte) accompanies in the introduction of the film are armed with Finnish Valmet M71S rifles (impersonating AK-47 rifles, which were not widely available to American Armorers prior to the year this movie was filmed). Note: Just after the filming schedule (1982) more accurate versions of the AK-47 and AKMs started to be imported into the U.S.

A Valmet M71S chambered in 5.56mm NATO

A rebel holds a Valmet M71S rifle

A rebel atop of an elephant holds a M71S.

Rebels fire their M71S rifles at a government helicopter before fleeing.

AK-47

One of the rebels in the introduction is armed with what appears to be either a genuine AK-47 or Norinco Type 56 rifle, though it is too blurry for accurate verification.

Type I AK-47 - 7.62x39mm

Norinco Type 56 (Imported into the U.S. as the Norinco AKS-47 or AKS-47 Sporter) - 7.62x39mm.

A Chadian rebel moves through the brush with his Kalashnikov. Note that the rebel next to him is carrying a fake "RPG-7".

M60

A gunner aboard a Chadian government helicopter fires a M60 machine gun when it ambushes the rebels in the introduction.

M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

Though difficult to see, the M60's front sight and bipod can be made out.

Heckler & Koch G3A3

When Price hitches a ride on a truck with the Chadian rebels, most of the fighters aboard are armed with G3A3 rifles with tropical handguards.

Heckler & Koch G3A3 with wide handguard 7.62x51mm NATO

Rebels aboard the truck are armed with G3A3s (likely Mexican made versions since the film was shot in that country).

IMI Uzi

Oates (Ed Harris), an American mercenary whom Price encounters throughout the film, carries a Uzi submachine gun which he carries during the scenes set in Chad. Later, a Nicaraguan rebel leader (Lucina Rojas) also is armed with a fixed-stock Uzi.

IMI Uzi - 9x19mm

Oates hides under a truck during a Chadian government air attack.

Oates smiles after reading a CIA propaganda leaflet dropped by the airplane.

A female FSLN rebel holds diners hostage when the rebels enter a club to search for government officials.

A female rebel leader holds an Uzi to her chest when she cheers after the downfall of the Somoza regime.

Colt M1911A1

Oates carries a derivative of the M1911A1 pistol in a shoulder holster. Rebels who hijack a plane to drop propaganda leaflets that proclaim that the rebel leader Rafael is still alive also are armed with a M1911A1.

Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.

Oates gets up from beneath the bodies of Nicaraguan soldiers who shielded him from a rebel grenade.

Price argues with Oates, who has both an Uzi submachine gun and a M1911-style pistol in his holster.

A FSLN rebel aims his M1911A1 at a pilot while using his plane to drop leaflets proclaiming that the rebel leader Rafael is still alive.

FN FAL

FN FAL 50.00

One of the most common weapons in the film is the FN FAL rifle, which is used by Nicaraguan Guardia Nacional soldiers and FSLN rebels. Oates also carries a FN FAL with a telescopic sight in Nicaragua, using it during a shootout with rebels that Price and fellow journalist Claire (Joanna Cassidy) are following. A FN FAL is used by a soldier to summarily execute Alex Grazier (Gene Hackman), in a moment deliberately modeled after the real life death of ABC reporter Bill Stewart.

Trivia note: Careful viewing of the screenshots reveal that the rifles have the external FN Factory blank adapter screwed into the FAL flash hider! That knob at the end of the flash hider is the end tip of the BFA.

FN FAL 50.00 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Nicaraguan Guardia Nacional soldier stands guard with his FN FAL.

A Nicaraguan rebel fires his FN FAL at government forces holed up in a church belltower.

The same rebel aims at the belltower.

A female rebel provides covering fire as one of her comrades prepares to throw a grenade.

Oates gets up from under a pile of corpses.

FN FAL 50.63

The FN FAL 50.63 Paratrooper rifle, distinguishable by its shorter 18 inch barrel and folding stock, is seen in the hands of Chadian rebels and Nicaraguan soldiers.

FN FAL 50.63 Paratrooper with 18" barrel - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Chadian rebel holds a FAL 50.63.

Nicaraguan soldiers with FAL 50.63 rifles wave a car through a checkpoint.

M1 Carbine

FSLN rebels are mostly armed with the M1 Carbine with 30 round magazines.

The Modern Manufactured version of the M1 Carbine - chambered in .30 Carbine

A FSLN rebel points her rifle at a dignitary while the group's leader threatens him.

FSLN rebels with M1 carbines escort Price and Claire to their hideout.

Unknown bolt action rifle

During the shootout at the church, one of the young rebels is armed with a bolt action rifle of unknown manufacture.

The female rebel on the left carries a bolt action rifle, before later switching to a FN FAL.

FN MAG

FN MAG machine guns are mounted on Nicaraguan Guardia Nacional Jeeps and helicopters.

FN MAG 58 7.62x51mm NATO

A Nicaraguan Jeep passes refugees.

Unknown revolvers

When Price is wounded and forced to hide from Nicaraguan soldiers, an old woman gives him a revolver to defend himself.

A wounded Price grasps his revolver.

Price aims a revolver at a surprised Nicaraguan soldier.

Another long barreled revolver is carried by one of a group of teenage rebels who is holding Marcel Jazy (Jean-Louis Trintignant) hostage.

The rebel prepares to fire.

Another teenage rebel carries a semi automatic pistol of unknown make.

~Resembles a Colt M1900 or M1902 from this angle. Anyone with better eyes/knowledge confirm my suspicions? DanKnyphausen