The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.
Magnum P.I. (1980 - 1981)
The following weapons were used in Season 1 of the series Magnum P.I.:
Pistols
Colt Government Model
The main handgun used by Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) is a Colt MKIV/Series 70 Government Model, which is a commercial version of the U.S. Military M1911A1. This handgun is supposed to be the one he carried during his service in Vietnam and is sometimes carried in a tanker-style holster, most often seen carried inside wast band small of back, no holster. It is sometimes seen in Magnum's flashbacks to Vietnam. A former propmaster for the show has been quoted saying that the original gun was a traditional .45 ACP 1911, but was soon changed to a 9mm version because .45 ACP blanks were too hard to get on location for the show.
The actual main prop from the show (Colt MKIV/Series 70 Government Model, 9×19mm Parabellum, serial number 70L33101, currently owned by the National Firearms Museum). A 9mm version of the Government Model was chosen for reliable functioning with readily available blanks. In the context of the show, Magnum's pistol was playing the role of a .45 ACP however, given that various characters referred to it as a "forty-five" several times throughout the series.
Magnum loads the mag into the Colt in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii, Part 2" (S1E02). Note the line on the magazine that's different from an M1911A1's magazine.
Magnum (
Tom Selleck) with his
Colt Government Model in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii, Part 2" (S1E02).
Magnum puts down the Colt to take off the ring in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii, Part 2" (S1E02).
Star Model B
In some episodes, Magnum's Colt becomes a Star Model B. 9x19mm blank cartriges were deemed more reliable, and with limited options at the time, the Model B was commonly used as a stand-in for the 1911A1, chambered in .45 ACP.
Blued Star Model B - 9mm pistol from the movie
The Untouchables (1987). Note the external extractor near the ejection port.
In "China Doll" (S1E03), Magnum is seen using the very similar
Star Model B instead of his Colt Government.
Star Model BM
In "Adelaide" (S1E14), Magnum carries a Star Model BM.
Magnum drops his
Star Model BM. Note the angled serrations and curved heel. "Adelaide" (S1E14)
Walther P38
Jonathan Higgins (John Hillerman) uses a Walther P38 in "Never Again.....Never Again" (S1E07). It's also seen repeatedly in the hands of thugs and in the background.
Walther P38 Pistol - 9x19mm
Magnum handles the
Walther P38 in "Skin Deep" (S1E06).
Jonathan Higgins uses a
Walther P38 in "Never Again... Never Again" (S1E07).
A woman, after faking a vehicle accident, holds Higgins at gunpoint with a
P38. "J. Digger Doyle" (S1E17)
Buddy Moran (
Darby Hinton) holds Roger (Jim Weston) at gunpoint with a supressed
P38. "Beauty knows no pain" (S1E18)
Another shot of the silenced
P38. "Beauty knows no pain" (S1E18)
Walther PPK
Louise DeBolt Jackson (Judith Chapman) uses a Walther PPK in "Black Orchid" (S1E16).
Louise DeBolt with a
Walther PPK. "Black Orchid" (S1E16)
Browning Challenger II
Magnum finds a Browning Challenger II in a weapons locker while investigating a house in "Skin Deep" (S1E06).
Browning Challenger II (.22 LR)
A
Challenger II at the bottom.
Revolvers
Colt Single Action Army
Bull (Red West) is seen with a Colt Single Action Army in "All roads lead to Floyd" (S1E13).
Colt Single Action Army - "Cavalry" Model (.45 Long Colt)
A
Colt Single Action Army with a 7.5" Barrel is seen in a suitcase. "All Roads Lead to Floyd" (S1E13)
Smith & Wesson Model 15
A Smith & Wesson Model 15 can be seen carried by a thug in "Black Orchid" (S1E16).
S&W Model 15 (.38 Special)
A thug carrying a
Model 15. "Black Orchid" (S1E16)
Smith & Wesson Model 34
A thug who confronts Higgins at the Ferrari is seen holding a Smith & Wesson Model 34 in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii, Pt.2" (S1E02).
A thug who confronts Higgins at the Ferrari is seen holding a
Model 34 in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii, Pt.2" (S1E02). Note the rear sight.
Smith & Wesson Model 36
Joy "Digger" Doyle (Erin Gray) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 36 in "J. Digger Doyle" (S1E17).
S&W Model 36 (.38 Special)
Digger with her
Model 36 drawn. "J. Digger Doyle" (S1E17)
Digger holds her
Model 36 uncomfortably close to her head. "J. Digger Doyle" (S1E17)
Smith & Wesson Model 66
A Smith & Wesson Model 66 is seen in a locker in "Skin Deep" (S1E06).
Smith & Wesson Model 66 with a 2.5" barrel (.357 magnum)
A
Model 66 can be seen at the right.
Colt Detective Special (3rd Generation)
A 3rd Generation Colt Detective Special is seen being used by Victor DiGorgio (Michael V. Gazzo) in "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii" (S1E08).
Colt Detective Special 3rd Gen - .38 Special
Victor DiGorgio uses a 3rd Generation
Colt Detective Special in "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii" (S1E08).
A 3rd Generation
Colt Detective Special is seen being used by Victor DiGorgio in "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii" (S1E08).
Submachine Guns
"Fake" Uzi (Mocked up MAC-10)
In "Never again... Never again" (S1E07), foreign agents are seen with IMI UZI's which are actually MAC-10 with an UZI stock attached, a longer barrel, and an UZI handguard. The guns are a small clue towards the true identity of the agents.
IMI Uzi with detachable wood buttstock (early model with straight comb) - 9x19mm
An unmodified
Ingram MAC-10 open bolt submachine gun - 9x19mm
The
"Uzi" (a mocked up MAC-10) on the counter in the series premiere "Never Again... Never Again" (S1E07).
Ingram MAC-10
Rick (Larry Manetti) uses a MAC-10 in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01).
Rick (
Larry Manetti) with the MAC-10 in "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01).
Madsen M50
In the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01), thugs who chase Magnum are armed with the Madsen M50 fitted with a barrel shroud.
Madsen M50 with barrel shroud - 9x19mm
In the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01), thugs who chase Magnum are armed with the
Madsen M50 fitted with a barrel shroud.
Shotguns
Mossberg 500
Higgins uses a Mossberg 500 for skeet-shooting in "Skin Deep" (S1E06).
Mossberg 500 Shotgun - 12 Gauge
Higgins (
John Hillerman) skeet-shooting with a Mossberg 500 in "Skin Deep" (S1E06).
Winchester Model 1897
In "Skin Deep" (S1E06), actress Erin Wolfe (Cathie Shiriff) is seen enacting a scene with a Winchester Model 1897.
Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun - 12 Gauge
In "Skin Deep" (S1E06), actress Erin Wolfe is seen enacting a scene with a
Winchester Model 1897 shotgun for a video camera.
Rifles
M16A1
In the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01), Magnum and other members of his Special Ops unit are seen in a Vietnam War flashback armed with the M16A1.
In the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01), Magnum and other members of his Special Ops unit are seen in a Vietnam War flashback armed with the
M16A1.
Remington 700
Higgins cleans a Remington 700 in "Missing in Action" (S1E09).
Remington 700 BDL - .308 Winchester
Higgins checks the barrel of the Remington 700 BDL in "Missing in Action" (S1E09).
Higgins with the rifle in "Missing in Action" (S1E09).
Weatherby Mark V
In "Skin Deep", a Weatherby Mark V is seen handled by Magnum and later used by David Norman (Ian McShane).
Weatherby Mk. V rifle - .300 Weatherby Mag
Valmet M71S
As what was common for productions in the 1970's and 1980's, the Valmet M71S rifle is seen used as a substitute for the AK-47. In the pilot episode, Vietnamese pirates are seen opening fire on T.C.'s helicopter from a boat. Higgins refers to the rifles in the episode as AK-47's.
A Valmet M71S chambered in 5.56x45mm (.223). The Valmet was also offered in 7.62x39mm
In the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (S1E01), Vietnamese pirates are seen opening fire on T.C.'s helicopter from a boat with
Valmet M71S rifles substituting for the AK-47.