This is in the use of firearms. For the benefit of those actors who are not aware of it, the blanks with which the guns are loaded during the "Gunsmoke" shooting are generally half or quarter loads of powder with a paper wadding instead of a bullet. These loads give virtually no "kick" whatsoever.

Did they use real bullets in old Westerns?

All the time. And not just in old movies: Blanks only simulate a gun being fired, and they didn't have the same type of squibs we have today so for the effect of bullets hitting walls or windows…often real guns with real bullets were used.

Do they ever use real bullets in movies?

Are real guns and blanks used in movies? Yes. However, the guns are often modified so that they can't chamber live rounds, and the blanks are underpowered to protect the performers' hearing.

What caliber gun did Matt Dillon use on Gunsmoke?

Colt's single action revolver, serial number 147056, in 45 caliber with 7 1/2 inch barrel and plastic stag grips was one of many firearms rented by Stembridge Gun Rentals (SGR) to the extremely popular TV western series “Gunsmoke.” This Colt was one of several used by James Arness during the twenty-year run of the show ...

What guns were used in the Gunsmoke series?

The U.S. Army's sidearm of choice from 1873 to 1892, the Colt. 45 single action Army revolver, found new fans when Marshal Matt Dillon, played by James Arness, wielded one on the CBS Gunsmoke series that ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975.

This Fires Real Bullets... But it is "Not a Gun"

Why did Gunsmoke end so abruptly?

CBS likely felt Gunsmoke was outdated and wanted to replace it with more contemporary shows, though it was still performing well. This abrupt cancellation meant the crew weren't able to give Gunsmoke a proper finale, however.

Why did Festus leave Gunsmoke?

Gunsmoke made Ken Curtis' Festus Haggen a series regular to replace Dennis Weaver's beloved Chester Goode after he left to pursue other acting opportunities. However, Curtis refused to return for the first made-for-tv Gunsmoke movie after its 20-season run because of a couple of serious disagreements with a producer.

Who is the man Matt Dillon shoots at the beginning of Gunsmoke?

Arvo Oswald Ojala (February 21, 1920 – July 1, 2005) was a Hollywood technical advisor on the subject of quick-draw with a revolver. He also worked as an actor; his most famous role was that of the unnamed man shot by Marshal Matt Dillon in the opening sequences of the long-running television series Gunsmoke.

What kind of gun did Festus carry?

Ken Curtis' (festus) Gunsmoke Colt Saa . 45.

How many times was Mat Dillon shot?

In 2013, Marshall Trimble, the board president of the Arizona Historical Society and vice president of the Wild West History Association, documented that Matt Dillon's TV character was shot at least 56 times, knocked unconscious 29 times, stabbed three times, and poisoned once.

Do actors check guns on set?

On film sets, the person most responsible for safety is usually the First Assistant Director, and as a result they will also inspect the firearm – a task the director, producer, camera operator or cinematographer may oversee, too.

Why are loaded guns on movie sets?

In addition, some Hollywood technicians and craftspeople prefer the verisimilitude that comes with using real guns loaded with blanks. The director might be able to draw a more authentic performance out of an actor using an actual weapon, or so the thinking goes.

What movies used live ammo?

Where did Cowboys keep extra bullets?

A bandolier or a bandoleer is a pocketed belt for holding either individual cartridges or belts of ammunition. It is usually slung sash-style over the shoulder and chest, with the ammunition pockets across the midriff and chest.

How much ammo did a cowboy carry?

some carried about two dozen cartridges in loops on their gun belt. the cartridges would fit their revolver and their rifle/carbine. others would only carry about a dozen, if they thought more might be needed they would have it easily accessible.

What caliber was most used in the Old West?

The Colt Frontier Six Shooter Revolver and the Winchester Model 1873 or the Winchester Model 1892 in .44-40 WCF caliber were one of the most common combinations seen in "the Old West".

What gun did Josey Wales carry?

Wales (Eastwood) carried his signature dual Colt Army Model Whitneyville Walker revolvers with him throughout the film as he hunted the men who killed his family.

Were guns on Gunsmoke real?

There were many individual guns used over twenty years of the series. They all appear to be a 45 Colt single action (1873) with a 7½-inch barrel. This model was common throughout Hollywood. A specific revolver (below) was rented to Paramount Pictures in 1961 for use on the series, Gunsmoke.

Why did Festus squint?

Often, Festus would squint with the right eye partially closed as well. This means he is right handed but left eye dominant. There are many other actors who do this too. Clint Eastwood does it on Rawhide.

Did James Arness ride his own horse on Gunsmoke?

Andrew V. McLaglen directed 96 episodes of Gunsmoke (1955), reuniting him with James Arness. James Arness rode the same Buckskin horse (Buck) in this movie as he rode in many episodes of Gunsmoke (1955).

Who turned down the role of Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke?

Originally, John Wayne was offered the role but turned it down because he had no interest in committing to a weekly TV series. If he had accepted the part, it's incredibly unlikely the series would have ever run that long, and more TV movies of "Gunsmoke" probably would have hit the airwaves instead.

Who was the fastest Western actor with a gun?

CELEBRATED ACTOR Glenn Ford was billed as “the fastest gun in Hollywood” – able to draw and fire in 0.4 seconds – even faster than James Arness (“Gunsmoke”) and John Wayne. The son of a Canadian railroad executive and raised in Southern California, Ford regularly played well-meaning men caught in extreme circumstances.

Why did Burt Reynolds leave Gunsmoke?

Reynolds left Gunsmoke in 1965. He later said that being in that show was "the happiest period of my life. I hated to leave that show but I felt I had served my apprenticeship and there wasn't room for two leading men." He was cast in his first lead role in a film, the low-budget action film, Operation C.I.A. (1965).

Did Chester and Festus ever meet?

But the changing of the guard really happened in the Season 9 episode titled "The Prairie Wolfer," where Chester and Festus actually appear together. In fact, this particular episode had appearances from Matt, Kitty, Doc, Chester, Festus, Sam and Quint.