The script called for Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) to use a Smith & Wesson Model 29, chambered in .44 Magnum throughout the film as his sidearm. Unfortunately for the film makers, the Model 29 was very hard to find at the time of filming, and .44 Magnum blanks were unheard of and not readily available. To solve this, the Smith & Wesson Model 25 with an 8 3/8" barrel was used, being that it looks exactly like the Model 29, but was available and shot the very common .45 Long Colt blanks used in many westerns at the time. Plus, .45 is larger in diameter than a .44 Magnum (although not as long), so the gun could have an even more intimidating bore diameter.
Some reports have said scriptwriter John Milius was presented with one of the actual guns used in the film, and it was a Model 29 .44 Magnum, so it is perhaps possible that a real Model 29 could have been pieced together for non-firing scenes, but ultimately taking a back seat to the live firing Model 25. For the other four films in the Dirty Harry series, the Model 29 was actually used, since the films had become more famous and became more capable of getting the guns and blanks.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSmith & Wesson Model 25 - .45 Long Colt.Error creating thumbnail: File missing"Halt!" Insp. Harry Callahan levels his Smith & Wesson Model 25 on robbers. It was hard to get a shot where he didn't look bad because he has a mouthful of hotdog.Error creating thumbnail: File missingInsp. Callahan checks his leg wound after being hit by a shotgun's birdshot. What's funny is that there are no holes in his pants and the "blood" appears to be red paint.Error creating thumbnail: File missing"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you better ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?" One should note that even in the 1970s, the Model 29 was not the most powerful handgun in the world, but he may just be fibbing about this to scare the punk more.Error creating thumbnail: File missingClose up of Callahan's Model 25. Note how the muzzle diameter is actually larger than .44.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan shows the punk he had indeed fired six shots. But do to continuity error, he cocks the hammer, but the alternate angle shows him pull the trigger in double action.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan aims his Model 25 at the Scorpio Killer in the football field.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan lowers his Model 25 when Scorpio holds a little boy hostage but swings it back up to wound him and release the boy.Error creating thumbnail: File missingScorpio staring down the muzzle of Callahan's Model 25.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan repeats his famous line as Scorpio tries to decide if he had fired six shots, or only five.
Winchester Model 70
A Winchester Model 70 chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum is used by Insp. "Dirty" Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) in a failed attempt to kill the Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) on the rooftops over looking the church.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingWinchester Model 70 with open sights - .30-06.Error creating thumbnail: File missingOne of the police patrolling the rooftops to find the Scorpio killer is seen using what appears to be a standard Winchester Model 70 in .30-06.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan is presented the .458 Magnum Model 70, which is said capable of killing an elephant. For someone like Callahan, this is an obvious choice since "overkill" is pretty much his middle name.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan fires the Model 70 at the Scorpio killer. This gun's maximum capacity is 3+1 yet he manages to fire off six shots in total without reloading.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCallahan takes cover while holding the Model 70.
Winchester Model 12
The Bank Robber at the start of the film, being played by Albert Popwell (who would play four seperate roles in the Dirty Harry series) wounds Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) with a shot from his Winchester Model 12, but is dissarmed of the weapon during the famous "Do I feel lucky?" scene.
One of the robbers during the opening scene tries to shoot at Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) with an unknown snub nose but is ultimately added to his body count.
Police patrolling the rooftops for the Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) are seen with unknown revolvers in their holsters.
SFPD ahve unknown revolvers in their holsters.
Colt Detective Special
Insp. Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) is seen using what appears to be a Colt Detective Special as his sidearm in the film, but both scenes when he fires it take place in almost complete darkness.
The Scorpio Killer (Andrew Robinson) carries an MP40 submachine gun in the same rifle case as his sniper rifle, along with some spare magazines. He uses it to shoot at Insp. Callahan (Clint Eastwood) and Insp. Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) on during the shootout on the rooftops. Later he fires it at Insp. Gonzales during the fight at the base of the Mt. Davidson Cross.
