movie handgun question

Txs

I was watching the Untouchables the other day and wondered about one of the pistols I saw. There's a scene where one of Capone's cronies is keeping Kevin Costner at bay by holding a Colt 1911 type pistol to a hostage. You can clearly see that his pistol has an extractor that is exposed on the right side of the slide, like a S&W or Browning HP, instead of being installed through the rear.

I've owned a couple, but I'm no 1911 specialist. What kind of pistol was this?

nashflash

Txs , if it's the one I'm thinking about I believe it was a nickled Colt Government Model. Hope this helps.
nashflash

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nunn

I read somewhere in an article about prop guns, that the prop guys like 9mm autos over .45s for reasons I don't remember. Also, the prop guys found that the Star 9mm works more reliably than the Colt when fitted with a barrel restriction and loaded with blanks.

Typically, they would use the real Colt for closeups and the near-identical Star for action shots.

Also, in lots of scenes where a gun need not be fired, the gun may not even be real. It may be a cast iron or resin replica, made to look good only.

SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net

Txs

Nunn hit the nail on the head. I checked out some pics and determined the guy was packing an old Star Model B as a stand in for a Colt Gov't Model.

The only problem is that it's about 20 years ahead of it's time. Good old Hollywood.

odentheviking

Nunn is very correct! I have worked in the movie business and can tell you most actors can not be trusted with even a blank-fire gun. If a weapon is to be pointed at another person the weapon must be a dummy with solid core barrel. This rule was started after the on set killing of Brandon Lee.
You can take an actor and dress them up like a SWAT Team member and he will look and act like the real thing. But as soon as the Director says "CUT", they will let thier MP-5 drop to thier side ,and almost every time, pull the trigger just one more time! If they are lucky they only blow a hole in thier pants legs from the blank.
45 blanks are hard to make and often jam. 9mm blanks can be made from cut-down 223 cases, the extra brass takes the place of the missing bullet for a better feed.

royc38

The Pistol you saw was probably a Star. If you watch MASH reruns their .45s have their extractors out also. The Star Model A I think it is. It is the right caliber though.