SHOT Show Goes Hollywood: Famous S&W Pistols From The Silver Screen
Though Smith & Wesson had a large display at the 2011 SHOT Show, tucked in back was a truly interesting...
Yeah, it had to be done. Editors
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_Shutter Island
Model 10 This classic S&W Model 10 was carried as an FBI sidearm by Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels in Martin Scorsese’s twist-filled thriller Shutter Island (2010). Editors
Model 5906 Annette Bening fired this Model 5906 automatic to burn off some stress and frustration at the range as Carolyn Burnham in 1999’s Oscar-winning American Beauty. Later in the film, she contemplates a more sinister purpose with the pistol, possibly with her mid-life-crisis-wracked husband , Lester (Kevin Spacey), in her sights. Editors
Modified Model 629 Vin Diesel hefted this heavily modified Model 629 in 2002’s stunt/action flick xXx as super rogue government agent Xander Cage opposite Samuel L. Jackson. All the “junk” on the pistol is actually aluminum, making it much lighter than it looks. Editors
Model 1911 PD Tom Seleck wielded this classic Model 1911 PD with tan grips well after his Magnum P.I. days in last year’s comedy, Killers, opposite Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. Editors
Model 76 In his final major film role, Heath Ledger sprayed this Model 76 submachine gun on the streets of Gotham City in one of _The Dark Knight’_s (2008) more memorable scenes as the Batpod motorcycle bared down on him after a truly awesome semi crash. This is a lightweight replica used for the film, cast in rubber from the real gun. Editors
Model 645 The focus of one of the coolest movie intros ever, this Model 645 was in the hands, and mouth, of Ed Norton in 1999’s Fight Club. “…just then I wondered how clean the barrel of that gun was.” Editors
Model 29 A pistol as iconic as the character who carried it, this Model 29 in .44 magnum was Harry Callahan’s (Clint Eastwood) hand cannon in the third installment of the series of Dirty Harry films, The Enforcer (1976), to combat a group of Vietnam vets turned rocket-totting terrorists. “I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots…or only five. Tell you the truth, I lost count myself in all the excitement, but seeing how this is a .44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you gotta ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky. Well do ya…punk?” Editors
Model 66 What makes Beyonce even hotter? A rad fro and this snubby Model 66 from Austin Powers: Goldmember. Editors
Model 19 I felt like I was looking at a piece of my childhood when I saw this stout Model 19 revolver that graced the holster of Sgt. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) in the original Lethal Weapon (1987).
Riggs: “What’re you packin’ in there?
Murtaugh: “4-inch Smith.”
Riggs: “A six-shooter huh?”
Murtaugh: “Mmm-hmm.”
Riggs: “Yeah, a lot of old-timers carry those.” Editors
Model 627 Another pistol used by Clint Eastwood was on display–not from his Dirty Harry days, this Model 627 was his sidearm in 2002’s Bloodwork where he played a retired FBI profiler who is an expert in blood analysis. Editors
Modified Model .500 This gaudy beast was heavily used in the equally gaudy The Spirit from 2008. The overblown graphic novel adaptation had Samuel L. Jackson as The Octopus holstering this heavily modified Model .500. Unfortunately, not even this gun, or the always stunning Scarlett Johansson could make this dud of a movie watchable, but that’s just my opinion. Editors
Model 64 Ever the faithful police sidearm, this Model 64 was carried by Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts in 2007’s American Gangster opposite Denzel Washington as 1970s New York crime kingpin Frank Lucas. Editors
Model 654 Remember this piece when it was state-of-the-art? I know, it doesn’t look quite right without a background of a salmon-colored t-shirt under a white suit. This Model 654 automatic was in Don Johnson’s shoulder holster on the 80s-tastic TV series “Miami Vice.” Editors
Model 60 Everyone knows_ Die Hard_ super cop John McClane carries a Beretta (I’m not acknowledging the PG-13 rated fourth installment that shall not be named). But his most impressive shot may have been the one he took at the end of 1995’s_ Die Hard With A Vengeance_ with this snub-nosed Model 60, severing a power line and bringing down a helicopter. Hey, he was only facing a chopper mounted M60 from the ground. That’s about even for McClane. “Yippie-kai-yay, m———!” Editors
Model 460 This beastly-looking Model 460 was in John Malkovich’s hands as the LSD-burnout Marvin Boggs in 2010’s big-name cast action flick, Red. Suddenly being John Malkovich sounds pretty cool. Editors
Though Smith & Wesson had a large display at the 2011 SHOT Show, tucked in back was a truly interesting arrangement of glass counters holding some of the most famous S&W pistols ever brandished on film.
Greg Bilson, Jr., president of The American Entertainment Armories Association was on hand to explain the pieces, and impart endless anecdotes about the films he has provided weapons for. Some of his more recent projects: the hardware-heavy Sylvester Stallone action flick, The Expendables and Rambo (2008).
This guy officially has my dream job. Here are the weapons he was showcasing.
