Movie "Rain" about dogs in Vietnam
bambihunter
Member Posts: 10,765 ✭✭✭
I watched this movie "Rain" starring Scott Cooper on Amazon Prime over the weekend (free if you have Prime). I wasn't expecting a lot so was pleasantly surprised that it was a decent flick. It stated that something like 4,500 German Shepard dogs were sent to Vietnam and only around 1 in 10 returned. Also, that there was a bounty on them by the VC; presumably more than for the stereotypical use that I won't continue to repeat.
There were a couple of gun scenes that had me wondering though. One, was there ever Thompson's M1A1's used during Vietnam? I didn't think it was used that late, but I am absolutely no expert.
Also, there was this really weird firearm in the movie that was portrayed as a squad sniper rifle (or DMR in modern parlance) complete with scope. It had a bulbous receiver in bright what looked like stainless. Hardly what one would want in combat situations. Honestly, it looked more like a modern "marine" polymer stainless shotgun, but with a pencil barrel and scope. Maybe even more along the lines of a modern PCC. The small scope looked like it might co-witness on the high front post sight.
Just the shape itself left me intrigued as to what the heck it was supposed to be and if it was any type of a real weapon of the era. Anyway, if you have seen it and recognize the weapon, please let me know. I tried to get a good picture of it, but it seemed it was almost always obscured. This was the best I found, sorry the controls were in the way...
Comments
High Point Carbine. Defently not VM EA.
Thompsons perhaps - you can't believe the immense variety of weapons that showed up there.
The other one is a movie prop.
Oh, and the dogs were genuine heroes.
Thanks Hoosier, I had considered High Point and looked at the xx55 series, but didn't look back enough I guess. All I found were the modern ones with rails and such and didn't quite look like the one in the movie. After some searching, looks like it was available in chrome exactly as pictured though this one does have a flashlight or laser attachment. What's funny, is now that I have seen enough pictures from different angles, I can now easily see the shape in the newer style.
That is certainly an interesting looking action. Bulbous, that is the main word that comes to mind...
The low barrel arrangement compared to bolt reminds me of the S&W 422, 622, 2206, 2213, & 2214 series of pistols with the bore below the action.
*pic edited to remove competing sites name
If I remember correctly the Marines and Sailors on the Riverine force had some Thompsons.I heard stories of sanpans being cut into with them.
I was 'armament' for almost 2 years in 'Nam and yes we did use thompson's, I even qualified with one.
I favored my M-2 Carbine over the issue M-14.
I never worked with dogs/dog handlers in combat. Gutsy dudes since the prime targets on any ambush were radio operators and dog handlers.