# Stupid gun tricks in the movies and on television **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [September 28, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459 "2026-09-28T20:53:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/1 "2026-09-28T20:53:13Z")
And by gun, I mean anything that a character picks up that fires a solid projectile towards a target. No animation, please. I’ve got one in mind, from a single-worded movie, and it was actually tested on “Mythbusters”. I mention it if no one else does first…but that’s not very likely. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/2 "2026-09-28T21:05:43Z")
Something like this? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/90YLkHyhm1I/hqdefault.jpg "Trinity is still my name - Slapping scene (HD)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YLkHyhm1I) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/3 "2026-09-28T21:28:52Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9yh3GgjFpxw/maxresdefault.jpg "The Magnificent Seven (4/12) Movie CLIP - Testing Chico (1960) HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yh3GgjFpxw) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/4 "2026-09-28T21:49:45Z")
I don’t know if it’s a trick, but I get fed up when one man has a rifle and the other a handgun at a considerable range … and the gunman manages to shoot the rifleman. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/5 "2026-09-28T22:01:02Z")
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LeGBOAjatHQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Shadow (1994) - Chinese Restaurant Grab Rice scene") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeGBOAjatHQ) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/6 "2026-09-28T22:33:18Z")
I think Johnny Ringo’s twirling tricks (starting at about 2:40) are pretty stupid. They look flashy but serve no purpose and you risk fumbling your gun and getting shot. > **[TOMBSTONE Clip - Doc Holiday meets Johnny Ringo (1993) Val Kilmer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MICPyrnGYwg%2F)** > > TOMBSTONE Clip - Doc Holiday meets Johnny Ringo (1993) Val KilmerWyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), h... ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/7 "2026-09-28T22:35:30Z")
I remember back in the, what, early 90s when Terminator 2 came out and everyone with a (toy) lever action shotgun tried to reload it like Arnold. [![](https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-17-2015/ID3kiw.gif) ](https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-17-2015/ID3kiw.gif) And while looking for that gif, I see John Wayne did it first. [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/0eb312ddfd73ca96c5076b0e76a4b759/c5ee2b088e3cdced-7b/s500x750/fc4bd555ce5c7acb9c6b2b0c01f1761b27eb1812.gif) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/0eb312ddfd73ca96c5076b0e76a4b759/c5ee2b088e3cdced-7b/s500x750/fc4bd555ce5c7acb9c6b2b0c01f1761b27eb1812.gif) I can’t tell on Arnold’s gun, but it does appear John Wayne’s is meant for that. The lever is much larger and appears designed for doing just that. I don’t know enough, however, to know if that was for the movie or if some guns were made that way. I imagine if would be helpful (or necessary) if you only had one hand to use. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/8 "2026-09-28T23:01:04Z")
The Terminator’s weapon in that spin-cocking move is a shortened Winchester Model 1887 shotgun with a loop lever. > **[Winchester Model 1887 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Internet Movie Firearms...](https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Terminator_2:_Judgment_Day#Winchester_Model_1887)** > > Upon arriving in the present (believed to be 1995 in the film), the Terminator T-800 Model 101 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) enters a biker bar and takes the clothes and firearm off a biker. As he prepares to leave on the biker's Harley Fatboy, the T-800... John Wayne’s character’s (from _Rio Bravo_, I believe) is a Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Carbine with a similar loop lever. > **[Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine - Rio Bravo - Internet Movie Firearms...](https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Rio_Bravo#Winchester_Model_1892_Saddle_Ring_Carbine)** > > John T. Chance (John Wayne), the Sheriff of Presidio County, Texas, carries a Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine with a large loop lever in .44-40 WCF as his primary weapon, holding it in nearly every scene of the film. This rifle can be seen on... And yes, AFAIK, the enlarged loop in the action lever is intended for spin-cocking. Kind of a specialist trick; perhaps useful for one-handed use, but that would be terrible for accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/9 "2026-09-28T23:04:56Z")
All that, and no mention of _The Rifleman_? Shame! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/10 "2026-09-28T23:07:05Z")
That was also a Winchester Model 1892. > **[Winchester 1892 - The Rifleman - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in...](https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Rifleman#Winchester_1892)** > > The Winchester Model 1892 is the signature weapon of Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors). The famous opening shows Lucas firing 12 shots from his Winchester in less than 5 seconds! The rifle is fitted with a large lever loop to allow one hand reloading.... The 1892 is the canonical “old west” lever action rifle. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/11 "2026-09-28T23:10:41Z")
“This is for fighting, this is for fun.” ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/12 "2026-09-28T23:30:57Z")
Not really a trick, but if you can tolerate **Plan Nine From Outer Space** one more time, pay attention to the policeman handling the case and his misuse of his pistol. If you can catch the Rifftrax version, they’ll tell you, hilariously, when it happens. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/13 "2026-09-28T23:40:12Z")
That John Wayne clip is from _Stagecoach_ (1939). It occurs about 40 seconds in on [this clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuzVtt9sXPg). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/14 "2026-09-28T23:58:04Z")
“One thing’s for sure: Inspector Clay’s been murdered. And somebody’s responsible!” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/15 "2026-09-29T00:05:44Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Not really a trick, but if you can tolerate **Plan Nine From Outer Space** one more time, pay attention to the policeman handling the case and his misuse of his pistol. I immediately thought of this. He makes every gesture with his pistol (and it looks like he has his finger on the trigger!). He uses it to raise the brim of his hat, scratches his temple with it, gestures towards others’ chests and faces… geez! ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/16 "2026-09-29T00:24:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I’ve got one in mind, from a single-worded movie, and it was actually tested on “Mythbusters”. I mention it if no one else does first…but that’s not very likely. Curving the bullet around an obstacle? I forget the movie. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/17 "2026-09-29T00:50:58Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I don’t know if it’s a trick, but I get fed up when one man has a rifle and the other a handgun at a considerable range … and the gunman manages to shoot the rifleman. I read once that one man opened fire with his handgun vs another dude with a Winchester at end of street range- the cowboy jury called it suicide. 🙀 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/18 "2026-09-29T01:09:52Z")
Silencers that make a feeble pop sound. The physics won’t work like that. Mythbusters did a segment on silencers aka suppressors. They will reduce the sound about 30db IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/19 "2026-09-29T01:17:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Silencers that make a feeble pop sound. > > The physics won’t work like that. There is a YouTube about that, apparently there are a couple of custom build guns using special ammo which only make a noise that most would not think was a gun shot, and pretty low decibels. Otherwise you need a silencer/supressor and _subsonic ammo_, and that is still fairly loud- but not gun blast loud. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459/20 "2026-09-29T01:17:59Z")
That would be _Wanted_. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/I1d4BewyhlI/maxresdefault.jpg "Wanted | Every Bullet Curve") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1d4BewyhlI) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-tricks-in-the-movies-and-on-television/1033459.md?page=2)