The Equalizer was a television spy series that starred Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a disillusioned government operative who decides to leave "The Company" and use his skills to help citizens in need in the city of New York. Airing on CBS for four seasons from 1985-1989, the series is notable for its authentic New York filming locations and for the casting of several future stars including Christian Slater, Kim Delaney, Tony Shalhoub, Will Patton and Vincent D'Onofrio. The series as well featured state-of-the-art technology which included surprisingly accurate weaponry for a show of the Cold War era such as the then-new SPAS-12s, Desert Eagles and MP5s.
The following weapons are used in the television series The Equalizer:
Throughout the series, Robert McCall (Edward Woodward) carries as his sidearm the Walther PPK/S. McCall always cleanly dispatches his foes with one well placed shot usually after giving them some chance to surrender.
McCall carries a Walther PP as his sidearm in the pilot episode "The Equalizer" (S1E01).
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe lesser-known, full-length barreled Walther PP is available in .22LR, 6.35mm auto (.25 ACP), 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP) Auto or 9x17mm (.380 ACP).Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn the pilot episode "The Equalizer" (S1E01), McCall pulls a Walther PP on a would-be rapist.
Browning BDA
In Season 1's "Torn" (S1E17), McCall is seen taking what appears to be a Browning BDA from a thug and uses it in the arms warehouse shootout.
The M1911A1 is used by various characters throughout the series. In "Out of the Past" (S1E08), Michael Rosa (Jon DeVries) carries a suppressed M1911A1 as his weapon of choice. McCall is seen holding it on him in the episode. In Season 1 "Dead Drop" (S1E15), Ginger (Robin Curtis) carries an M1911 fitted with a suppressor and scope.
The Desert Eagle Mark I is a frequent weapon of McCall's throughout the series.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMagnum Research Desert Eagle MK I - .357 Magnum. First model of Desert Eagle put into production. Note the "teardrop"-shaped safety, the most distinctive feature of the Mark I compared to later Eagle models.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMcCall aims the Desert Eagle at the back of Degraumont (Adam Ant) in Season 1's "The Lock Box" (S1E04). Because this episode was filmed in the early 1980's, this is likely one of the first appearances of the weapon in a television series (besides Miami Vice).
Detonics CombatMaster
In "Desperately" (S1E11), Geoffery Dryden (Ray Sharkey) is seen carrying what appears to be a stainless Detonics CombatMaster in an ankle holster. He is seen using the pistol mainly with a suppressor.
In Season 1's "Breakpoint" (S1E19), Tony Shalhoub carries a Heckler & Koch VP70-Z as the leader of a terrorist cell that takes over the wedding reception that McCall was attending.
In Season 1's "No Conscience" (S1E20), McCall is seen loading a stainless steel version of the Smith & Wesson Model 639. The magazine is clearly a single stack magazine. McCall only uses the pistol as a decoy for the bad guys to find. After finding the Smith the evil doers assume McCall is unarmed, McCall then reveals his trusty PPK is in an ankle holster which he uses to dispatch two of the villains.
In Season 1's "Out of the Past" (S1E14), a Taurus PT92 is seen being handled by Walter Wesley (Barry Primus), who says, "even if I don't know how to use this thing, it makes me feel better having it around". This pistol has the curved trigger guard and has no safety selector on the frame. Because this episode was filmed in the early 1980's, this is likely one of the earliest appearances of this pistol in a feature film or television series.
In Season 1's "Unpunished Crimes" (S1E21), Frank Donahue (Dan Hedaya) removes a Tokarev TT-33 from a foot locker along with several medals from his service in the Vietnam War. McCall identifies it as a Tokarev 7.62mm that was liberated and advises Donahue against using it to commit suicide because "that ammunition is notoriously unreliable" and may not finish the job.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingTokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version. Tula Arsenal (Soviet Union) Note CCCP printing around the star on the plastic gripsError creating thumbnail: File missingIn Season 1's "Unpunished Crimes" (S1E21), a closeup of the Tokarev held by Frank Donahue (Dan Hedaya). McCall identifies the pistol as a "Toh-KAH-rev".
Stechkin APS
A Stechkin APS is briefly seen in the hands of an assassin during a flash forward in Season 1's "The Confirmation Day" (S1E06).
In Season 1's "Breakpoint" (S1E19), the NYPD tries to smuggle a .22 Long Rifle Pen Gun to McCall. The head terrorist (Tony Shalhoub) discovers the Pen Gun and discharges it at the officer disguised as a doctor.
Mickey Kostmeyer (Keith Szarabajka) is seen carrying a Colt Python snubnose in several episodes, notably Season 1's "Breakpoint" (S1E19). On one occasion when the pistol appears to become a Smith & Wesson.
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is seen in many episodes as the standard sidearm for officers of the NYPD. Officer Sandra Stahl (Karen Young) carries one as her duty weapon in Season 1's "Lady Cop" (S1E05).
In "Bump and Run" (S1E10), a vigilante who passes himself off as the Equalizer uses a Smith & Wesson Model 29 with a 8 3/8" barrel as his weapon of choice. An NYPD detective describes the weapon as a .44 Magnum loaded with hollow points.
In Season 1's "Lady Cop" (S1E05), Officer Nick Braxton (Will Patton) is seen using a nickel Colt Detective Special when taken out of the purse of Officer Sandra Stahl. He also pulls the revolver on McCall in the episode.
In Season 1's "Desperately" (S1E11), McCall is seen taking a Taurus Model 85 from Macklin (David Marguiles).
Error creating thumbnail: File missingTaurus Model 85 (classic Model) in Blued Finish - .38 Special.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn Season 1's "Desperately" (S1E11), McCall is seen taking the revolver from Macklin (David Marguiles). This also is likely one of the earliest appearances of the firearm in a US television series.
Shotguns
Remington 870
McCall uses a Remington 870 modified with a laser sight during an early version of a shoot/don't shoot simulator in "Reign of Terror" (S1E12).
The Heckler & Koch HK94 is another weapon frequently seen in the series. The Red Parka Man in "Dead Drop" tries to use one to shoot McCall. Mickey Kostmeyer uses one in the Season 2 episode "The Cup".
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe "Fake MP5", the Heckler & Koch HK94A3 Converted to full auto fire, shortened barrel and added third firing position on trigger pack - 9x19mm. This version was used in many films during the 1980s and 1990s.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn "Dead Drop", Red Parka Man is about to open fire on McCall with his MP5 when Kostmeyer surprises him. The MP5 appears to have the mags clamped together.
Rifles
M1 Carbine
McCall uses an M1 Carbine on hitmen after a car chase in the pilot episode "The Equalizer" (S1E01).
Mickey Kostmeyer (Keith Szarabajka) uses what appears to be a takedown version of the Mauser 660 rifle fitted with a scope and suppressor in Season 1's "Dead Drop" (S1E15). McCall uses the rifle in "Wash-Up".
In "The Children's Song" (S1E07), a Ruger Mini-14 is seen used by Ray (William Youwans). The rifle is later seen used by both McCall and his son Scott (William Zabka).
Ruger Mini-14 GBs are also seen in the hands of the NYPD ESU teams in "Torn" (S1E17).
In "The Defector" (S1E03), McCall is seen keeping several weapons hidden behind workshelves in his workshop.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn Season 1's "The Defector" (S1E03), McCall is seen going to his home arsenal, which includes a pistol-gripped Remington 870 (on the bottom), a Franchi SPAS-12, a MAC-10, a full size Uzi and a Micro Uzi among other weapons.
Rambo's Survival Knife
In "Out of the Past" (S1E14), an arms smuggler offers Rambo's Survival Knife as seen in First Blood to Eddie Washburn (Stephen McHattie) for $100 when Washburn says he can't afford $500 for an illegal gun. The arms dealer even says, "this is made by some dude down in Arkansas", ostensibly referring to knifesmith Jimmy Lile, the designer of the First Blood knives.
