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Thief
Thief is the 1981 film that marked the directorial debut of Michael Mann. The thriller stars James Caan as Frank, an experienced jewel thief who is convinced to perform high level jobs for a Chicago mobster. Mann, who would go on to direct such crime films as Heat and Collateral, brought to this film a level of attention to detail, especially in firearms, rarely seen in Hollywood productions at the time. He is supposedly a certified range instructor himself, but for this film, he and actor Caan attended classes at Gunsite, a renowned firearms training facility. The story goes that they trained in the "Modern Combat Technique," until Jeff Cooper (founder of Gunsite, and the technique) learned who Mann's film protagonist was (a criminal). Cooper insisted that a thief would never be allowed to learn the Modern Technique and refused to continue instruction. Allegedly, Chuck Taylor, Cooper's operations manager at the time (and a well-known instructor himself), then decided to take them off-site and teach them the methods you see in the film. Caan's training is obvious, as he uses an exaggerated Weaver Stance, high thumbhold grip, speed reloading, and room clearing techniques directly attributable to the Modern Combat Technique.
The following guns were used in the movie Thief:
Custom Jim Hoag M1911A1
One of the guns used by the main character, Frank (James Caan), is a 6" long slide M1911A1 pistol customized by California gunsmith Jim Hoag. There is a long vertical cutout on the skeletonized trigger, which means the pistol is most likely a Colt Gold Cup National Match, or just used such a trigger. Hoag Gun Works modified the pistol by lengthening the slide, squaring the trigger guard, adding a Bo-Mar adjustable rear sight, skeletonized hammer and beavertail grip safety. If this pistol is indeed a Gold Cup, then it is presumably chambered in .45 ACP.
Colt Combat Commander
When Frank (James Caan) first goes to visit Attaglia (Tom Signorelli) about his money, a Colt Commander is seen in the hidden compartment of the door panel. In one brief scene, Frank flashes the Colt Combat Commander at a nightclub bouncer played by a young William Petersen. Frank is later seen with at his car lot when he is looking for Barry (James Belushi). But he is unable to use it because he gets knocked out by a mobster with an M1 Carbine. It looks like the stainless model, but I don't think stainless CC's were available in 1980, so it's probably a chromed finish. It has a Bo-Mar adjustable rear sight, and custom skeletonized hammer. Even though the entire pistol cannot be seen, due to the crease in Frank's waistband and the shadow it casts, it appears to be the shorter slide of a Combat Commander.
High Standard Model 10
A High Standard Model 10 shotgun is used by Carl (Dennis Farina) at Frank's car dealership and the final shootout. This film was Dennis Farina's first acting role. (Playing a mobster in the film is unusual given Farina's 18-year career in the Chicago Police Department).
Smith & Wesson Model 19
Leo (Robert Prosky) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 19 with pearl grips at the end of the film.
Smith & Wesson Model 19 Snub Nose
Attaglia (Tom Signorelli) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 19 Snub Nose in the film. It's mostly tucked in his waistband so it's hard to tell.
Remington 870 Shotgun
Sgt. Urizzi (John Santucci) is seen armed with a Remington 870 Shotgun when he pulls over Frank (James Caan). John Santucci's role as a police officer in the film is contradictory as to what he was in real life, a former thief. In addition to being a technical advisor for the film, most of the tools used by Frank (James Caan) to crack the safes were his.
M1 Carbine
An M1 Carbine is used by one of the mobsters at Frank's car dealership.
