MacGyver was an television adventure series that aired on ABC from 1985 to 1992 and starred Richard Dean Anderson as the title character, a government troubleshooter who uses his wits as well as everyday items to get himself out of precarious situations. The show was also notable for the main character's aversion to shooting guns (attributed to a tragic childhood incident). While the character never was operating weapons (save for the pilot episode), that didn't preclude him from using them in a non-lethal manner. The series would continue in several made for television films and was subsequently "rebooted" in 2016 with a new CBS television adaptation.
The following weapons were used in the television series MacGyver:
Appears in "Strictly Business" (S6E19), it is Murdoc's (Michael Des Barres) main carry pistol through-out the episode. It is distinguishable with chrome finish, large black slide stop lever, brown/wood grips with emblem, heavily angular slide and slightly protruding barrel.
It first appears in the beggining sequence when Murdoc goes to a hearing with HIT top executives. Though first he is asked to remove all weapons and Murdoc lays the M1911 on the hood of his car. He uses the gun again at MacGyver's houseboat. He first keeps it in his holster and takes it out when Mac gets out of the trap. After blowing up Mac's rental car at road, Murdoc chases Mac to the forest with the M1911 at hand.
A (sometimes suppressed) Taurus PT92AFS was used by Nicolas Von Leer (Kai Wulff) in "Eye of Osiris" (S6E14). The Taurus was a pistol more readily available to Canadian armorers, so when the production moved to Vancouver in later seasons, it became the gun of choice for most villains and their underlings during seasons 4-7, taking over H&K P9S's duty from season 1-3.
The Heckler & Koch P9S is used by several characters in the series, notably in Season 1's "Last Stand" and "To Be A Man". It frequently appears as the gun of choice of most villians and their underlings during seasons 1-3. It is substituted by the Taurus PT92 and/or Beretta 92F during seasons 4-7.
"D.O.A.: MacGyver" (S2E21) - used by amnesiatic MacGyver. His amnesia prevents him from remembering that he detests handling guns.
"Halloween Knights" (S5E06) - Wielded by a freelance assassin named Hank Gregg (Scott J. Ateah), who is used as a guinea pig for Nicholas Helman's "Death Row" trap gauntlet to test it's effectiveness against a skilled assassin on par with Murdoc.
"Strictly Business" (S6E19) - When Murdoc sets off a metal detector at HIT hearing early in the episode, he told to remove the rest of his hidden weapons. One of these weapons is a Beretta 92F.
Eunice (Claire Vardiel) uses a Beretta 84 in "Legend of the Holy Rose, Part 2" (S5E02). Erich Von Leer (Christopher Neame) appears to use a stainless model in the same episode.
Appears in episode "Halloween Knights" (S5E06). When Sonia Chapel (Jo Bates) catches Murdoc and informs that MacGyver is disguised as one of the HIT board members, Nicholas Helman (Daniel Davis) draws what appears to be stainless Beretta M1934 on MacGyver. After the Mac and Murdoc manage to get through the Death Row, Helman rushes to confront Murdoc with the Beretta.
Murdoc (Michael Des Barres), disguised as nurse, pulls out a supressed Walther PPK in an attempt shoot hospitalized Jack Dalton in episode "Partners" (S2E18)
In Episode "Widowmaker" (S3E08), Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) makes his final cliffside attack with what appears to a Browning Hi-Power pistol. He loses it when fast-acting Nikki Carpenter (Elyssa Davalos) karate kicks the pistol out of his hands (!!)
Due to weak video quality murking the details, it's kinda hard to tell it's Browning Hi-Power. The shape of the gun is easier to tell in motion that with screen captures.
In "Blood Brothers" (S4E02), a flashback to 1961 shows what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver used by MacGyver's friend in the incident that explains Mac's aversion to guns.
"Cleo Rocks" (S4E09) - Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) uses a nickle S&W Model 36 with pearl grips during the episode. First appears when Murdoc is using it to force Pete Thorthon (Dana Elcar) into a cage for a future trap for MacGyver. He is later shown with it when he lures MacGyver to a trap with Penny Parker (Teri Hatcher). He loses it when tied-up Penny kicks it off his hands.
Through-out the flashback sequence of the episode "Partners" (S2E18), Peter Thornton (Dana Elcar) carries a snubnose Smith & Wesson Model 19 as his sidearm.
Appears in "Halloween Knights" (S5E06). Unknown assilant uses a Colt Detective Special to shoot the rear wheel of MacGyver's old Chevrolet pick-up truck. Even though the assilant turns out to be Murdoc, it cannot be confirmed that his actor - Michael Des Barres - is firing the revolver.
Appears in "Halloween Knights" (S5E06). A cowboy at Helman Club's costume party has a two holstered, ivory-gripped Colt SAA(s) as part of his costume.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingColt Single Action Army w/ 4.75" barrel, referred to as "Quick-Draw" or "Civilian" model, custom engraved with ivory grips - .38 SpecialError creating thumbnail: File missingS5E09 - Helman Club party participant dressed as a Cowboy with two Colt SAA(s) in his holsters. The revolvers are highlighted by yellow arrows.
"Halloween Knights" (S5E06) - Barbershop dummy in Death Row's street section is armed a double barrelled side-by-side shotgun, complete with a motion detector accessory atop the front sights. It's hard to see it when Mr. Gregg first goes through the Death Row, but is seen much clearer when MacGyver and Murdoc go through the Death Row later in the episode.
Norinco Type 56s are used by several of MacGyver's adversaries throughout the series.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingNorinco Type 56 (Imported into the U.S. as the Norinco AKS-47 or AKS-47 Sporter) - 7.62x39mm. Rather than having the underfolder pig sticker Bayonet assembly, this has the standard Bayonet lug underneath the gas block as the AKM and later variants.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn enemy soldier wields the rifle in "The Gauntlet" (S1E04).
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
A Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I is notably held by an Afghan tribal member in Season 1's "To Be A Man" (S1E17).
In "Pilot" (S1E01), Chinese soldiers as well as MacGyver are seen using the Valmet M71S rifles in place of the AK rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingA Valmet M71S chambered in 5.56x45mm (.223). The Valmet was also offered in 7.62x39mmError creating thumbnail: File missingIn "Pilot" (S1E01), MacGyver holds the rifle while in China. This being the very first episode, MacGyver's backstory and aversion of firearms was not yet clearly established.
AKM
In "Pilot" (S1E01), the rifle used by MacGyver as well as the downed pilot appears to change from a Valmet to an AKM.
Appears in "Widowmaker" (S3E08). Having lost the M9 Flamethrower, Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) goes to his pick-up truck to get some gear, including what appears to be a scoped Mauser 98 Sporter with a custom stock.
Murdoc eventually catches up to MacGyver and Nikki, with MacGyver up a telephone circuit trying to send an SOS with his usual MacGyvering.
Murdoc tries to shoot Mac, but Mac by chance slips a bit an Murdoc misses. Mac and Nikki flee going up the mountain and Murdoc gives chase. Murdoc catches up to them at the top, but Mac and Nikki have descended down the Widowmaker's cliffs. Murdoc has discards the rifle off-screen, as it would be too cumbersome to use in close quarters.
Makes a quick appearance in episode "Cleo Rocks" (S4E09) when Penny Parker (Teri Hatcher) is looking through file photos of Murdoc.
In "Deathlock" (S1E12), Quayle uses remotely operated Heckler & Koch HK94A3 submachine guns set up in his garden to trap MacGyver. These HK94A3's have the barrel chopped and converted to look like an MP5A3.
Appears in "Halloween Knights" (S5E06) - Dummy in gangster clothes in death Row's Street section is armed with a Tommy Gun, that has a motion sensor attached to beneath of the muzzle. The tommy gun is actually a military M1A1 Thompson, since the bolt actuator is on the right side of the reciever and not on top, as with the the M1921 and/or M1928 models that were associated with 20's/30's gangsters.
An M60D mocked up to resemble the DShk machine gun is fired by Russian soldiers in Season 1's "To Be A Man" (S1E17). This mockup was common in productions made in 1980s.
In "Pilot" (S1E01), MacGyver finds what appears to be an M8 Flare Pistol with a modified barrel from a downed jet in the pilot episode and uses to make a rocket thruster.
Makes an appearance in the flashback sequence of the episode "Partners" (S2E18). As Murdoc leads MacGyver and Pete Thornton to a ambush, two goons under Murdoc's command with M72 LAW launchers force Mac and Pete to stop for Murdoc's elaborate machinations.
M72A2 LAW - 66mm. The "Empty" marking makes it clear this is a spent tube.Error creating thumbnail: File missingS2E18 - two goons with M72 LAW launchers
M9 Flamethrower (w/ M2 Wand)
M9 Flamethrower with M2 wand appears appears in the episode "Widowmaker" (S3E8). It is wielded by Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) who launches an all-out attack on MacGyver and Nikki Carpenter when they are talking their problems at a forest cabin near the Widowmaker mountain. Murdoc breaks in the cabin and attacks MacGyver and Nikki, engulfing the entire cabin in flames and burning it down. MacGyver and Nikki manage to escape by using a thick mattress to block the flames/liquid fuel. When MacGyver and Nikki set off Murdoc's booby-trap on Nikki's SUV, Murdoc goes to investigate. MacGyver disables the flamethrower by perforating the propellent tanks with a makeshift arc-welder, causing it to catch on fire and forcing Murdoc to abandon it as the propellent tanks explode.
"Halloween Knights" (S5E06) - When Macgyver is trying to figure out how to bypass the finger-print detector, Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) humors Mac by offering to blow it up with a M67 grenade. Murdoc later uses a one in Death Row, having spared it for a special occassion.
"Strictly Business" (S6E19) - When Murdoc sets off a metal detector at HIT hearing early in the episode, he told to remove the rest of his hidden weapons. Amongst the weapons, he put off two M67 grenades to the platform.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM69 training grenade - an inert version of the M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade. The real live version has a more brownish color and has painted factory markings on the body.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMurdoc: "Maybe this will open it" S5E06 - Murdoc pulls out a M67 grenade while Mac is trying to figure out how to open a high-security door.Error creating thumbnail: File missingS5E06 - Episode finale with Murdoc planning to do something with a M67Error creating thumbnail: File missingS6E19 - Murdoc laying the second batch of weapons after triggering the metal detector. One M67 grenade on right and Murdoc is putting another one on the platform.
FIM-43 Redeye
Appears in "Strictly Business" (S6E19). As MacGyver is travelling on road to wilderness, Murdoc (Michael Des Barres) ambushes him by using his pick-up truck as a road-block and armed with FIM-43, decked with additional parts. Murdoc fires the launcher and blows up Mac's rental car, as well as badly injures MacGyver.
The FIM-43 has all sorts of additional parts attached to it. One could say that these parts are added to make it appear as if it was meant to pass off as another/unique rocket launcher. However, the reality maybe that these additions have been installed to protect the actor Michael Des Barres from the pyrotechnics of the prop.
