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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe actual main prop from the show (Colt MKIV/Series 70 Government Model, 9×19mm Parabellum, serial number 70L33101, currently owned by the National Firearms Museum). A 9mm version of the Government Model was chosen for reliable functioning with readily available blanks. In the context of the show, Magnum's pistol was playing the role of a .45 ACP however, given that various characters referred to it as a "forty-five" several times throughout the series.Magnum with his Colt Government Model in a promotional photo.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMagnum loads the mag into the Colt. Note the line on the magazine that's different from an M1911A1's magazine.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMagnum (Tom Selleck) with his Colt Government Model in the pilot episode "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii".Error creating thumbnail: File missingMagnum puts down the Colt to take off the ring.
Star Model B
In some episodes, Magnum's Colt becomes a Star Model B.
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".
The Heckler & Koch HK94s chopped and converted to resemble MP5A3s are notably used in "All for One, Part 1" (S5E15) and "All for One, Part 2" (S5E16).
Error creating thumbnail: File missingHeckler & Koch HK94 chopped and converted to resemble an MP5A3. Note the lack of a paddle magazine release, a lugged barrel, and a push pin set 9x19mmError creating thumbnail: File missingMagnum lays down fire with the HK94 in "All for One, Part 1" (S5E15) . Note the lack of barrel lugs.File:Magnum4 14.jpgMagnum with the HK94 in "All for One, Part 2" (S5E16). Note the three mags taped together "jungle" style.
"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.
The riot version of the Remington 870, with a shortened barrel and extended magazine tube, is seen purchased by Cynthia Farrell (Dana Delany) and then used by Magnum in "L.A., Part 2" (S7E02).
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.
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).
