Spies Like Us

Promotional Poster for Spies Like Us (1985)

Spies Like Us is a 1985 spy comedy film directed by John Landis. Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd co-star as hapless US government employees during the time of the Cold War who find themselves recruited by the CIA to unknowingly be decoys for the real spies on a mission to reprogram a Russian ICBM.

The following weapons were used in the film Spies Like Us:

Rifles

M16

When Emmett Fitz-Hume (Chevy Chase) and Austin Millbarge (Dan Aykroyd) begin their CIA training, US soldiers appear to be carrying M16A1 rifles. On closer inspection, these rifles appear to be original M16/SP1s fitted with "birdcage" flash hiders, as noted by the lack of forward assist. Also, M16s are one of the many rifles used by the Mujahideen.

Slab side M16 (AR-15/SP1) with M16A1-style flash hider - 5.56x45mm NATO

Emmett Fitz-Hume (Chevy Chase) and Austin Millbarge (Dan Aykroyd) carry M16s during their GLG-20 training.

Note the lack of a forward assist on Austin's M16 on the left.

US soldiers firing M16s as part of Emmett and Austin's training. The soldier on the right is actor Matt Frewer in an early role.

The fighter on the far left has an M16.

The Army soldiers who storm the underground facility are armed with M16s.

ArmaLite AR-10

Other Afghan warriors are armed with ArmaLite AR-10 rifles.

Eugene Stoner AR-10 prototype - 7.62x51mm NATO

US soldiers undergoing training, with an added element of "Scorched Earth." One of the soldiers appears to be armed with an AR-10.

The rifle is seen at the near left.

A fighter uses the rifle.

Colt XM177E2

The guards at the abandoned outdoor theater are seen holding Colt XM177E2s. As was common in several of the films directed by John Landis, the actors portraying guards are in reality several well-known movie directors in cameo roles including Sam Raimi, Joel Coen, and Martin Brest.

XM177E2 Carbine, aka Colt Model 629 - 5.56x45mm NATO

The guard (director Sam Raimi in a cameo) at the "abandoned" outdoor theater holds the Colt XM177E2.

The guard holding the Colt XM177E2 here is director Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men).

The guard holding the Colt XM177E2 here is director Martin Brest (Beverly Hills Cop).

M1 Carbine

Several of the Mujahideen are seen wielding M1 Carbines.

M1 Carbine with dark walnut stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - .30 Carbine

The two Afghans on the left holding M1 Carbines.

AK-47

True, genuine AK-47s can be seen in the hands of Soviet soldiers and Border Troops, a rarity for a US production made during the 1980s. Since the scenes for Soviet Tajikistan were filmed in Norway and scenes for Pakistan and Afghanistan were filmed in Morocco, it is quite possible that the production was able to source real Soviet AK-47s from either British and/or European film armorers.

AK-47 - 7.62x39mm

A Soviet Border Troops soldier fires at Austin and Emmett during the former's rescue of the latter.

A Soviet missileer holds an AK-47. Note that the intimidating cold weather mask he wears is actually American.

"Do you know where the nearest airport is?"

The Soviet missile crew are armed with AK-47s as they approach the unusual phenomenon.

A Soviet missileer (Vanessa Angel) holds her AK. The patches are very similar to the real ones, with the only difference being that the symbols are completely fictitious - the Soviet missile forces were assigned to the artillery forces, and wore the same patches as they did (much less impressive).

Norinco Type 56

For some scenes, Norinco Type 56 rifles are used in place of AK's.

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

Apparently, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused a shortage of assault rifles, as the Soviets are going to the Chinese for their Type 56 rifle. Here, a Soviet Border Troops soldier fires one of these leased weapons at Jerry and Karen. Note the hooded foresight.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I

The Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I is seen in the hands of the Pakistani soldiers at the guard post.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I - .303 British.

A Pakistani with a No.4 Lee-Enfield. The bolt, for some reason, is retracted upwards.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*

The Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* is used by the Mujahideen.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk II

A small number of the Mujahideen are seen with the Sten Mk II.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm

The Afghan second from the right holds a Sten.

Sterling Mk. IV

Many members of the Mujahideen are using the Sterling Mk. IV.

Sterling Mk. IV - 9x19mm

The two Mujahideen warriors on the far left and far right hold Sterlings.

MAC-10

The "GLG-20's" Jerry Hadley (Charles McKeown) and Karen Boyer (Donna Dixon) use MAC-10s when Soviet troops discover the spies while infiltrating the Soviet Union. Austin later uses one in his courageous attempt to rescue Emmett from the Soviet border guards. The magazine he uses to reload his MAC-10 appears to be empty.

Ingram MAC-10 - .45 ACP

Jerry Hadley (Charles McKeown) opens fire on the Soviet Border Troops soldiers with his MAC-10.

Karen Boyer (Donna Dixon) holds the MAC-10.

Austin, dual-wielding MAC-10s engages in a cavalry charge to save Emmett from the Soviet Border Troops.

Austin with the two MAC-10s.

Here, Austin loads a MAC-10 with a visibly empty magazine.

Handguns

Tokarev TT-33

The Soviet KGB Agents are seen using Tokarev TT-33 pistols after Emmett and Austin discover their contacts' true loyalties while in Pakistan. The agents are also seen using the pistols later at the highway patrol office. They should, however, be using Makarovs.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Here, the two Soviet agents prepare to engage Emmett and Austin during Austin's rescue attempt at the Border Troops office.

M1911A1

During Emmett and Austin's training, Colonel Rhombus (Bernie Casey) fires a nickel-plated M1911A1 with ivory grips at their feet to persuade them to jump into the mud pit.

Nickel Rock Island Armory M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Colonel Rhombus (Bernie Casey) cocks the hammer on his nickel-plated M1911A1.

A standard parkerized finish M1911A1 is also seen in the waistband of one of the operatives that speak at the front of the drive-in theater. The operative seen here is director Michael Apted, who helmed the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, among others.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

The operative with the M1911A1 in his waistband is director Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough), in the middle is the great Blues musician B.B. King, and to the right is B-movie director Larry Cohen (The Stuff).

Other

RPG-7

Some of the Mujahideen are seen carrying RPG-7s.

RPG-7 - 40mm

The Mujahideen warrior third from the left is holding an RPG-7.

A few RPGs in the hands of the Mujahideen.

Flamethrower

Prop flamethrowers are used on Austin and Emmett when Col. Rhombus has them take the AFPSR (Air Force Passive Strain Response) test.

Rhombus' men prepare to use the flamethrowers. The soldier on the left is actor Matt Frewer in an early role.

Austin and Emmett get cooked to see if they can survive aggravated body temperature measurement.