Magnum P.I. was a detective series that was broadcast on CBS from 1980-1988. The series starred Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a Vietnam veteran and former Naval Intelligence officer who then worked as a private investigator on the islands of Hawaii. The series was created by Donald Bellisario, who was responsible for such popular series as Quantum Leap, Airwolf, JAG, and NCIS.
The following weapons were used on the TV series Magnum P.I.:
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.
Star Model B
In some episodes, Magnum's Colt becomes a Star Model B.
Walther P38
Jonathan Higgins (John Hillerman) uses a Walther P38 in the Season 1 episode "Never Again.....Never Again". Magnum is also seen handling one in Season 1's "Skin Deep".
Magnum uses a Detonics Pocket 9 as a backup in the episode "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime".
Norinco Type 54
A Norinco Type 54 was used by the rebel leader in "All For One".
Walther PPK
Magnum carries a Walther PPK as a backup weapon in an ankle holster, seen in the episode "The Big Blow".
Webley Mk VI
In serveral episodes, Higgins (John Hillerman) uses a Webley Mk VI revolver. Presumably, this is his service revolver from WW 2.
Submachine Guns
Heckler & Koch HK94 (chopped and converted)
The Heckler & Koch HK94s chopped and converted to resemble MP5A3s are notably used in Season 4's "All for One, Parts 1 & 2".
"Fake" Uzi (Mocked up M11)
In Season 1, foreign agents are seen with Uzi's which are actually M11 with furniture to make it look like an Uzi.
Uzi
Magnum and Orville "Rick" Wright (Larry Manetti) use actual Uzi submachine guns in various episodes.
Ingram MAC-10
Rick (Larry Manetti) uses a MAC-10 in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii".
Madsen M50
In the pilot episode, 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 the episode "Skin Deep".
Remington 870
A police version of the Remington 870, with a shortened barrel and extended magazine tube, is used by Magnum in the episode "L.A."
Winchester 1897
In Season 1's "Skin Deep", actress Erin Wolfe (Cathie Shiriff) is seen enacting a scene with a Winchester Model 1897 shotgun.
over and under shotgun
An O/U shotgun is seen being used for skeet-shooting in the episode "Tropical Madness".
side-by-side shotgun
Magnum uses a side-by-side shotgun to shoot down Higgins' remote control airplane in the episode "Distant Relative".
Rifles
M16A1
An M16A1 is seen in the various flashbacks to Vietnam and notably in Season 4's "All for One, Parts 1 & 2".
Remington 700
Higgins cleans a Remington 700 in the episode "Missing in Action".
Steyr SSG 69
Magnum uses a Steyr SSG 69 in the episode "Unfinished Business".
Colt Sako Model L-579 Rifle
In Season 1's "Skin Deep", a Colt-Sako Rifle is seen handled by Magnum and later used by David Norman (Ian McShane).
Heckler & Koch HK91
A Heckler & Koch HK91 is used by TC in Vietnam in the episode "All for One".
Galil ARM
A Galil ARM with wood handguards is seen in a cache of weapons in the episode "All for One".
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.
Machine Guns
M60
Rick uses an M60 in his role as T.C.'s gunner in Vietnam. In the episode "All for One, Part 1", Rick is seen using the M60 from the riverboat during the firefight on the river. Magnum and Higgins are seen using the M60 during "All For One, Part 2". The machine gun is used as well in various flashbacks to Vietnam (the M60 in the flashbacks are seen mounted on the side of TC's helicopter). Also seen in the series is the M60C model (most often in disguise as a DSHK) as in "All for One" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen")
DShK Machine Gun (M60D Mockup)
An M60D mocked up to resemble the DShk machine gun is seen in "All for One".