MovieChat Forums > McCloud (1970) Discussion > What gun did Sam carry?

What gun did Sam carry?

posted 11 years ago by fcolli
7 replies | jump to latest

Sam did not carry the usual police detective snub-nose revolver. I remember one escaping gangster who was driving right towards him, but decided not to risk being shot at, and stopped his car and surrendered. If it was the .44 magnum, this was about one year before Dirty Harry came out.

So does anyone know what gun it was? It's not listed on the IM Firearms Db.

I disagree with what you are saying, but I will fight to your death for your right to say it;-)

[–] kkuger 10 years ago

It was a Colt .45 single action revolver. Traditional cowboy gun.

[–] chuckaluck1402 10 years ago

In the pilot episode he is picking up his gun from the police a station, he only loads 5 bullets, someones asks why, and I could not hear what he replied. Why would someone only load 5 bullets?

[–] Prairie_Scum 10 years ago

In westerns they often explain that you don't keep the chamber under the hammer loaded in order to prevent an accidental discharge and shooting yourself in the leg and or nuts.

[–] NOTACLERK1 9 years ago

Prairie_Scum is correct the design of the "peacemaker" Colt had the firing pin on the hammer resting on the Bullet. Impact could be ...nasty..so for safety they loaded 5 rounds. But then it is a .45 caliber revolver and until the magnums came along was the largest most powerful caliber on the country. One hit was pretty much all you would need...otherwise grab an Uzi lol.

[–] gary_overman 9 years ago

Did anyone else notice that the barrel length changed from 7 1/2" in the pilot to 4 3/4" in the next episode?

[–] ed-ryba 8 years ago

In some episodes that barrel length appears to be as long as NINE inches - known as a "Buntline Special". But I won't spoil it for you - You can check Western lore to find out how that gun got its name.

[–] toko1959 8 years ago

I thought he carried an odd ball caliber......like the .41 magnum.