Dirty Harry

The following guns were used in the film Dirty Harry:

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Dirty Harry (1971)

Smith & Wesson Model 25

The script called for Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) to use a Smith & Wesson Model 29, chambered in .44 Magnum throughout the film as his sidearm. Unfortunately for the film makers, the Model 29 was very hard to find at the time of filming, and .44 Magnum blanks were unheard of and not readily available. To solve this, the Smith & Wesson Model 25 with an 8 3/8" barrel was used, being that it looks exactly like the Model 29, but was available and shot the very common .45 Long Colt blanks used in many westerns at the time. Plus, .45 is larger in diameter than a .44 Magnum (although not as long), so the gun could have an even more intimidating bore diameter.

Some reports have said scriptwriter John Milius was presented with one of the actual guns used in the film, and it was a Model 29 .44 Magnum, so it is perhaps possible that a real Model 29 could have been pieced together for non-firing scenes, but ultimately taking a back seat to the live firing Model 25. For the other four films in the Dirty Harry series, the Model 29 was actually used, since the films had become more famous and became more capable of getting the guns and blanks.

Smith & Wesson Model 25 - .45 Long Colt.

"Halt!" Insp. Harry Callahan levels his Smith & Wesson Model 25 on robbers. It was hard to get a shot where he didn't look bad because he has a mouthful of hotdog.

Insp. Callahan checks his leg wound after being hit by a shotgun's birdshot. What's funny is that there are no holes in his pants and the "blood" appears to be red paint.

"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you better ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?" One should note that even in the 1970s, the Model 29 was not the most powerful handgun in the world, but he may just be fibbing about this to scare the punk more.

Close up of Callahan's Model 25. Note how the muzzle diameter is actually larger than .44.

Callahan shows the punk he had indeed fired six shots. But do to continuity error, he cocks the hammer, but the alternate angle shows him pull the trigger in double action.

Callahan aims his Model 25 at the Scorpio Killer in the football field.

Callahan lowers his Model 25 when Scorpio holds a little boy hostage but swings it back up to wound him and release the boy.

Scorpio staring down the muzzle of Callahan's Model 25.

Callahan repeats his famous line as Scorpio tries to decide if he had fired six shots, or only five.

Winchester Model 70

A Winchester Model 70 chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum is used by Insp. "Dirty" Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) in a failed attempt to kill the Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) on the rooftops over looking the church.

Winchester Model 70 with open sights - .30-06.

One of the police patrolling the rooftops to find the Scorpio killer is seen using what appears to be a standard Winchester Model 70 in .30-06.

Callahan is presented the .458 Magnum Model 70, which is said capable of killing an elephant. For someone like Callahan, this is an obvious choice since "overkill" is pretty much his middle name.

Callahan fires the Model 70 at the Scorpio killer. This gun's maximum capacity is 3+1 yet he manages to fire off six shots in total without reloading.

Callahan takes cover while holding the Model 70.

Winchester Model 12

The Bank Robber at the start of the film, being played by Albert Popwell (who would play four seperate roles in the Dirty Harry series) wounds Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) with a shot from his Winchester Model 12, but is dissarmed of the weapon during the famous "Do I feel lucky?" scene.

Winchester Model 12 Riot - 12 gauge.

The punk's Winchester Model 12 out of reach.

Callahan picks up the Model 12, but not before showing the punk his gun was empty.

Unknown Snubnose

One of the robbers during the opening scene tries to shoot at Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) with an unknown snub nose but is ultimately added to his body count.

Circled in red.

Unknown Service Revolver

Police patrolling the rooftops for the Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) are seen with unknown revolvers in their holsters.

SFPD have unknown revolvers in their holsters.

Colt Detective Special

Insp. Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) is seen using what appears to be a Colt Detective Special as his sidearm in the film, but both scenes when he fires it take place in almost complete darkness.

Colt Detective Special - .38spl.

Insp. Gonzalez holds his Colt Detective Special on street thugs beating Callahan.

Insp. Gonzalez fires his Colt Detective Special at Scorpio.

MP40

The Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) carries an MP40 submachine gun in the same rifle case as his sniper rifle, along with some spare magazines. He uses it to shoot at Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) and Insp. Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) on during the shootout on the rooftops. Later he fires it at Insp. Gonzales during the fight at the base of the Mt. Davidson Cross.

MP40 - 9mm.

An MP40 is seen in Scorpio's rifle case, along with spare magazines.

Scorpio fires his MP40 during the rooftop shootout, holding it sideways for some reason.

Scorpio runs across the rooftop armed with his MP40.

Scorpio reloads his MP40 while at the base of the Mt. Davidson Cross, but racks the action back and forth. People familiar with the weapon know it fires open bolt, so he either failed to pull the action back all the way, or held the trigger down as he pulled the action back.

Walther P38

The Liquor Store Owner (James Nolan) shows the Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) his Walther P38 pistol, which he brags he used to stop several attempted robberies. Unfortunately for him Scorpio hits him with a liquor bottle and takes the gun from him, and carries it up to the climax of the film.

Walther P38 - 9mm.

The Liquor Store owner shows Scorpio his Walther P38 in a manner not recommended, finger on the trigger, pointed at the person.

Scorpio hijacks the school bus by holding the driver at gunpoint.

Scorpio shoots at Callahan on the roof of the bus.

Scorpio shoots at Callahan.

Scorpio holds his Walther P38 on a boy.

Scorpio prepares to grab his Walther P38.

Arisaka Paratrooper Takedown rifle

The Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) uses an Arisaka paratrooper takedown sniper rifle as his weapon of choice to kill random people in San Francisco. The rifle is fitted with a Hiram Maxim 1900's style suppressor, and rechambered in .30-06 with the bolt swapped out. The rifle is also placed in a sporting style stock.

Close up of the Arisaka Rifle's suppressor.

Scorpio takes aim at a woman swimming on a distant roof top. Andrew Robinson is terrified of guns in real life so it is doubtful he could make this shot for real.

Close up of the bolt and trigger guard.

Callahan finds a "thirty-ought-six" shell casing on the roof. When snipers use bolt action guns, they usually don't eject the spent shell and reveal crucial ballistic evidence, although we can assume he leaves the shell casing as a mark of some sort.

Scorpio's rifle in his case.

Scorpio fixes a suppressor to the rifle.

Scorpio locks the barrel to the reciever.

Scorpio takes aim with the rifle.

Scorpio aiming the rifle.

The rifle in the Chief of police's officer. They claim the gun gives no aid to the case, apparently because ballistic evidence isn't known of.