Movie goofs!

[Jess Money]

The use of a '92 Winchester during an earlier time period along with a Colt SA before it was even issued,are the most flagrant errors I believe. But I recall Walter Brennan using a Colt double action revolver with an ejector rod tube in "My Darling Clementine". And then there were all those extras over the years using Trapdoor Springfield's to simulate muzzle loading muskets, but...seeing Jimmy Stewart in "Firecreek" using what looked like a 1917 DA Colt, also with an ejector rod tube, was a blow to credibility. Not only that, he swung the cylinder out to check the load!

 

Now I know that the director for many of these movies had no clue, or just didn't care as to what guns should be used during a movie of a certain time period, but what about the studio property master? Today's movies are significantly more historically correct due to the sharp eyes of the audience.

 

As many westerns as Jimmy Stewart had made and as familiar as he was with firearms, you'd think he would have said something. Henry Fonda was in the same movie and even he must not have questioned the use of that particular piece.

 

What do you remember about goofs in the movies concerning firearms?

[Ramblin Gambler]

Are we limiting this to western movies?

 

A couple of month's ago, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD made me shake my head when an agent took a double barrel shotgun from someone, then they switched the camera off of him, and you heard him rack the slide like it was a pump action.

 

 

 

[Sparky Nelson]

A more generic cause of grumbling for me is detectives or secret squirrel types on TV who pull a semi-auto pistol out from under their coat, rack the slide, and snarl "Let's go get 'em!" as they head off to the final confrontation. If they were really that tough, that gun would already be charged and ready.

[Jess Money]

I was referring to westerns mainly, but since I didn't specify that, let's open it to a broader discussion, Rambling Gambler. Those that have western goofs will still reply to the thread.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

Are we limiting this to western movies? A couple of month's ago, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD made me shake my head when an agent took a double barrel shotgun from someone, then they switched the camera off of him, and you heard him rack the slide like it was a pump action.

 

Same thing happened in a Longmire episode. Now, THAT was a disappointment.

[Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L]

Movie goofs just add a little fun to the show we enjoy yelling 'faux pas' at home when something is spotted.

 

GG ~

[Pulp, SASS#28319]

How about in Lonesome Dove when Gus is pinned down behind his horse and is shooting back at the bad guys with his Henry rifle. You see the smoke and hear the shot at the same time, then you see the bullet kick up dust. Speed of sound was different back in those days I reckon.

[Uno Mas SASS #80082]

Don't remember the movie, but the metrosexual hero kept having to thumb cock his Glock. Four clicks.

[Alpo]

Jess, I don't think it was so much that "they shoulda known better" as it was "they couldn't shoot the single action fast enough".

 

5 Card Stud. There's a scene down at the windmill where Dean Martin is showing off for Inger Stevens. bam bam bam bam bam bam. Colt New Service with the fake ejector rod. Later in the movie, shooting slower. Single Action Army.

 

John Wayne's El Dorado. Drunk sheriff Robert Mitchum in the old church, shooting bad guys. bam bam bam bam. Colt New Service. Five minutes later, out on the street, he has the shakes so bad he can't reload his gun and Duke has to to do for him. Single Action Army.

 

The biggest gun-goof I can think of, in westerns, is that no one seems to know what the ejector rod is for. They'll put it on half cock, open the gate, point the muzzle at the sky and SHAKE IT until the empties fall out.

 

Now, David Carradine HAD to do that, in the TV-show Shane, 'cause he carried a "sheriff's model", with no ejector rod.

 

 

But with normal guns, with rods attached, I can't think of anybody that punched 'em out. Always just shake the gun.

[Augustus Goodnight]

One of the worst movies for out of place/time firearms has to be John Wayne's "The Comancheros". It's set in 1843 and about the only firearms in the whole movie that are correct are the two Dueling Pistols used in the first scene. After that it's everything from 1860 Henry look-alikes to 1892 Winchesters with several hundred SAA's thrown in for good measure.

 

This whole movie is a time travelers nightmare so you really need to switch off your brain and just enjoy the ride. Some of the other out of place and time elements:

 

When McBain is interrogated, Major Henry states that McBain's guns had been stolen from Fort Sill and that McBain had served five years in Yuma Territorial Prison. As the film is supposedly set in 1843, neither is possible. Yuma Territorial Prison was opened in 1876, while Fort Sill was first established in 1869. Both occurred after Texas lost its independence and became a state.

 

Cutter (Wayne) is shown wearing a Texas Ranger Badge. These badges were not introduced until the 1880s, 37 years after the year the movie story takes place (1843).

 

As Jake and Regret are being escorted to the Comanchero hideout, in the lower right hand corner of the scene there is a Truck and Trailer parked in the background.

 

During the last battle of the movie, Cutter is shown in a wagon shooting a lever action rifle left-handed. The film is reversed, because the loading port of the rifle is depicted as being on the left (wrong) side of the rifle.

 

When it comes to out of place and time "The Comancheros" takes the cake in my book.... BTW, I really do enjoy this movie and watch it often.

[Nasty Newt # 7365]

In "Zulu," which is sort of a western and a great movie, I guess they couldn't get their hands on enough Martini-Henrys. In lots of scenes you can see #1 MK 3 Enfields standing in. They're filmed from the left side so you can't see the bolt handle.

[Black Angus McPherson]

 

 

The biggest gun-goof I can think of, in westerns, is that no one seems to know what the ejector rod is for. They'll put it on half cock, open the gate, point the muzzle at the sky and SHAKE IT until the empties fall out.

 

Now, David Carradine HAD to do that, in the TV-show Shane, 'cause he carried a "sheriff's model", with no ejector rod.

 

 

But with normal guns, with rods attached, I can't think of anybody that punched 'em out. Always just shake the gun.

Worked an Unloading table at a SASS match lately? :-) (Sure you have) Some folks will bounce the butt of the pistol off the table, hard, before using the ejector rod as a last resort.

Kinda funny. Makes one wonder if some of them know what that little thingy is stuck on the side of the barrel.

 

:-)

 

Angus

[Utah Bob #35998]

Anytime anyody points a gun in the movies or tv...it makes a clickety click. What Hollywood thinks is a cocking sound. Every time. No matter what kind of gun. Glock, hammerless double, bolt action rifle, it doesn`t matter.

I cannot get my guns to do that.

[J-BAR #18287]

The final gunfight in "Hombre" ... Paul Newman draws a 7.5" Colt SAA, but it magically becomes a double action S&W when he makes his last shots at Frank Silvera.

[Tom Bullweed]

1. Almost every western ahs a scene where someone cocks a SAA and then decides not to shoot. He then lowers the hammer on a live round!

2. Comancheros is wayyyy off.

3. Appaloosa - Everett carries an 8-gage SxS with 30" barrels as a bar guard. Way too much recoil and patterns that would not open up for 30 yards or so. A Colt reveolving shotgun would have been a cooler and more correct 'bad gun'.

Good gun westerns movies:

Quigley Down Under, Man from Sabine River, Josey Wales, Pale Rider, Unforgiven

[Jess Money]

"...In lots of scenes you can see #1 MK 3 Enfields standing in. They're filmed from the left side so you can't see the bolt handle..."

 

At least someone had presence of mind to film from that side!

[Jess Money]

1. Almost every western ahs a scene where someone cocks a SAA and then decides not to shoot. He then lowers the hammer on a live round!

2. Comancheros is wayyyy off.

3. Appaloosa - Everett carries an 8-gage SxS with 30" barrels as a bar guard. Way too much recoil and patterns that would not open up for 30 yards or so. A Colt reveolving shotgun would have been a cooler and more correct 'bad gun'.

Good gun westerns movies:

Quigley Down Under, Man from Sabine River, Josey Wales, Pale Rider, Unforgiven

 

Even in Unforgiven, in one scene the Schofield Kid is holding a Winchester rifle. The next scene you see that gun in, it's a carbine he's holding. Gotta watch close for that one because it's a quickie on the rifle barrel only.

[Yellowhouse Sam # 25171]

You ever notice that a 73 Winchester sounds like a pump shotgun or 94 Winnie in the movies. I've never heard one go kalack, kathunk like mine.

[Utah Bob #35998]

The final gunfight in "Hombre" ... Paul Newman draws a 7.5" Colt SAA, but it magically becomes a double action S&W when he makes his last shots at Frank Silvera.

You want to see a lot of double actions, take a look at William S. Harts films and a lot of the old silent movies.

[Sedalia Dave]

#1. All the gun fighters and Action hero's that that close their eyes and then pull the trigger or flinch so bad its a wonder they don't drop the gun. Yet they can perform astonishing acts of marksmanship.

 

From the 50's westerns to today's action movies it happens so often that its pathetic.

 

Off topic but watch the militia and British regulars in the movie The Partiot. Most of the rifleman turn their head and close their eyes when firing their flintlocks.

 

#2. The limitless rounds of ammo in their weapons. Lends a whole new meaning to the phase "Load on Sunday and shoot all week"

 

#3. Pointing the rifle or shotgun and the bad guy, but waiting until he fails to comply before jacking a round into the chamber.

[The Shoer 27979]

Off topic but watch the militia and British regulars in the movie The Partiot. Most of the rifleman turn their head and close their eyes when firing their flintlocks.

Uhm that is pretty accurate for shooting a flintlock

[Carlos Murphy # 873]

What ticks me off is anybody carrying a semiauto, pulls it out and runs the slide .

Anybody who carries ALWAYS carries with a round in the chamber, good or bad guy.

 

Anybody who's got the drop on somebody for any period of time and when things start to get serious, then and only then do they rack a round in the chamber, autos and lever guns alike.

[Old Scatterbrain]

The biggest gun-goof I can think of, in westerns, is that no one seems to know what the ejector rod is for. They'll put it on half cock, open the gate, point the muzzle at the sky and SHAKE IT until the empties fall out.

 

Holy crap, I have seen that dozens of times and the stupidness never dawned on me .

[Sedalia Dave]

Sedalia Dave, on 25 Apr 2014 - 10:35 PM, said:

Off topic but watch the militia and British regulars in the movie The Partiot. Most of the rifleman turn their head and close their eyes when firing their flintlocks.

Uhm that is pretty accurate for shooting a flintlock

 

Uncle Hunted with them for years, I once asked him if the flash made him close his eyes and he replied that you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with your eyes closed much less a squirrel.

 

His son and I went to many a rendezvous and I never saw anyone split a playing card or split a ball on a knife or ax blade blade with their eyes closed. It would be a complete act of luck to maintain your aim unless you are looking at the sights and target.

 

The flash from the pan will not hit you in the face. It is deflected up by the flashguard. When the charge in the barrel ignites back pressure will shoot a pretty good jet of hot gasses back out the touch hole. But again this all goes to the right.

[J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE]

Then again the flintlock shooters during the war were only concerned with accuracy of the "massed man" level and the guns were muskets hastily loaded in less than ideal conditions. I think I would have turned my head too.

[Carlos Murphy # 873]

In that GREAT movie The Last of the Mohicans, the director insisted everyone in the movie that had to handle a firearm had to take lessons from a pro and it surly showed.

I saw that movie twice in 5 days as I did Dances With Wolves.

 

Carlos Murphy

[Alpo]

What ticks me off is anybody carrying a semiauto, pulls it out and runs the slide .

Anybody who carries ALWAYS carries with a round in the chamber, good or bad guy.

 

Anybody who's got the drop on somebody for any period of time and when things start to get serious, then and only then do they rack a round in the chamber, autos and lever guns alike.

 

The US military trains you to carry with an empty chamber. The "Israeli carry" is full magazine, empty chamber, and you chamber a round on the draw. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Israeli+carry&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb

 

And there are many of the "cheaper" automatic pistols out there - those from the Ring of Fire, for example - that the pros recommend, "If you're gonna carry it, carry it with an empty clamber, 'cause the safety ain't safe."

 

Now, i personally think that carrying an automatic with an empty chamber is stupid. But there's a whole lot of people that do it.

[Carlos Murphy # 873]

Ditto.

That may be true on the battle field but in suburbia the bad guys show up right on top of you.

If the bad guy has hold of my weak hand/arm I'm screwed with a empty chamber in my Kimber 1911, I now have a club.

But if my chamber is hot to trot all I do is click off the safety with my thumb.

[Old Scatterbrain]

The US military trains you to carry with an empty chamber.

For routine guard duty and the like, yes. Overseas, walking around the FOB, yes. But whenever you leave the FOB the last thing you do as you go out the gate is chamber a round and place the weapon on safe.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

In one of the Lonesome TV shows, as the stage is entering town, the guard gives three blasts from his shotgun to announce their arrival.

[Elk Creek LeMieux]

The US military trains you to carry with an empty chamber.

Not the military I was in...

[G #1840]

In one of the more recent productions of The Jungle Book, the British soldiers were firing their left handed SMLEs. I figured they just reversed the film to get the action going in the direction they wanted.

[Rye Miles #13621]

1. Almost every western ahs a scene where someone cocks a SAA and then decides not to shoot. He then lowers the hammer on a live round!

2. Comancheros is wayyyy off.

3. Appaloosa - Everett carries an 8-gage SxS with 30" barrels as a bar guard. Way too much recoil and patterns that would not open up for 30 yards or so. A Colt reveolving shotgun would have been a cooler and more correct 'bad gun'.

Good gun westerns movies:

Quigley Down Under, Man from Sabine River, Josey Wales, Pale Rider, Unforgiven

In Unforgiven they say they couldn't find any .30-30 cartridges anywhere in town. Ooops….

 

The Searchers, 1865…..they had 1873 Colt SAA's and Win 92's (of course)

 

Rye

[Carlos Murphy # 873]

Talk'n bout the military carrying a empty chamber....

 

At Fort Hood you can't even carry the CHAMBER!

[Yellowhouse Sam # 25171]

Armies using flintlocks and forming a skirmish line were subject to the backspray emanating from the touch hole of the rifle next to you. A flash guard directed much of this upward but not always. If you've ever been sprayed by one you'd duck too. It can blind and cause lacerations from the little fragments of flint and metal shavings....it dang sure ain't fun.

 

That brings to mind a scene in the Mountain Men when Brian Keith obviously got burned pretty bad.