Firearms in Miami Vice

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"The series is certainly not the most realistic when it comes to portraying the life of a vice cop in Miami's underworld drug trade, but it does have a couple of things going for it: Miami Vice owes much of its success to slick production and exotic weaponry. State-of-the-art firearms have added to the popularity of Miami Vice and helped set it apart from other cop shows."

Soldier of Fortune[1]

In the television series, Miami Vice, firearms took a key role in the series. Episodes such as Evan^[2] were revolving around them, while the characters themselves also used multiple firearms through out the series. Sonny Crockett (played by Don Johnson) was to have used a SIG-Sauer P220,^[3][1] but was replaced by the (at the time) more modern Bren Ten.^[1] The effect of the firearms in Miami Vice is also shown by the fact that Galco International, which provided the holster used by Don Johnson on the show, named its holster Miami Classic.^[4]

Contents 1 Firearms used by characters 1.1 Sonny Crockett 1.2 Rico Tubbs 1.3 Stan Switek 1.4 Lt. Castillo 1.5 Gina Calabrese 1.6 Trudy Joplin 2 Firearms in episodes 3 References

[edit] Firearms used by characters

[edit] Sonny Crockett

Originally, Sonny was to use a SIG-Sauer P220 in .45 Auto^[1] which is evident in the pilot episode.^[3] But it was later decided that a more state-of-the-art gun was to be used by Don Johnson.^[1] During the first season, he used a Bren Ten pistol carried in a Ted Blocker "Lifeline" shoulder holster rig.^[4] Due to Don Johnson's dissatisfaction with the "Lifeline" rig, a Jackass Leather Company (later renamed Galco International)^[4] "Original Jackass Rig"^[4] shoulder holster rig was personally fitted for him by Rick Gallagher (President of Galco).^[4] Finally the Galco "Miami Classic" shoulder holster was designed & used.^[4] The Bren Ten, manufactured by Dornaus & Dixon, was a stainless steel handgun notable as the first ever chambered in the powerful 10 mm Auto caliber. The Bren Ten was originally manufactured as a two-tone weapon: the carbon steel slide was black oxide and frame was stainless steel. The model used in Miami Vice had a hard chromed matte finished slide so that it showed up better during night shots. There is debate as to whether the Bren Ten used in the series is a 10 mm or .45 ACP. In the episode One Way Ticket there is a good view of this pistol. In the Glades episode the muzzle bore of the weapon looks slightly larger than that of a 10 mm. This is because the entire screw in barrel bushing was left in the black oxide finish. After the Dornaus & Dixon company went out of business in 1986, the product placement contract went to Smith & Wesson.^[5][6][1] Starting with the third season, Sonny used a 2nd Generation series Smith & Wesson Model 645.^[1] This was a full sized 5 inch barreled stainless steel service pistol in .45ACP. Galco Gunleather, formerly Jackass Leather Co., built a "Miami Classic" shoulder holster for the S&W 645 used. In the Galco Gunleather headquarters, there is a large display that contains the Miami Vice shoulder holster rig that Don Johnson wore, accompanied by an autographed photo of him. In late 1988 Smith & Wesson unveiled their new 3rd Generation Series of auto pistols, so for the last season Sonny's Model 645 was replaced with the new Smith & Wesson Model 4506. This pistol had 20+ design improvements including a one piece arched grip. Sonny's M 4506 can be seen in the beginning of the episode Victim of Circumstance when he is sitting in a cafe and looking at it.^[7] Sonny also carried a .45 ACP Detonics Combat-Master backup gun in an ankle holster on his left leg. It can be seen in the bar scene shootout in the "Prodigal Son" episodes.^[8] In the last series episode "Freefall" Crockett is placing what looks to be a S&W 4513 (compact alloy framed .45ACP) in his ankle holster.^[9]

[edit] Rico Tubbs

Ricardo Tubbs was armed with a sawed-off double-barreled shotgun in the first season. In later seasons, he used an Ithaca 37 sawed-off pump shotgun called an Ithaca Stakeout,^[1] which he carried on a halter under his jacket. As a backup, he carried a hammerless S&W snub-nosed .38 revolver. He can also be seen using a Sig Sauer 9 mm P228 in the series finale 'Freefall'.^[6]

[edit] Stan Switek

Stan Switek can be seen using a variety of weapons, including a nickel-plated 9mm FN GP-35 Hi-Power in "French Twist".^[10]

[edit] Lt. Castillo

Lt. Castillo used a S&W Model 19 in .357 Magnum.

[edit] Gina Calabrese

Gina Calabrese mostly used a S&W Model 36 in .38 special.

[edit] Trudy Joplin

Trudy frequently used a S&W Model 640 in .38 Special.

[edit] Firearms in episodes

For additional firepower when busting heavily-armed drug dealers, other weapons were occasionally used, including the Steyr AUG,^[5] M16 assault rifles,^[1] H&K MP5 submachine guns, and the Street-Sweeper shotgun. One episode's plot ("Evan") was based on black market sales of MAC-10 submachine guns,^[2] and in another episode, "God's Work", part of it dealt with the discovery of Belgian Browning Hi-Power pistols.^[11]

[edit] References

v • d • e Miami Vice Cast Don Johnson • Philip Michael Thomas • Edward James Olmos • Michael Talbott • John Diehl • Saundra Santiago • Olivia Brown • Gregory Sierra • Martin Ferrero • Charlie Barnett • Belinda Montgomery • Sheena Easton Guests List of guest stars Seasons Episodes • Brother's Keeper • Season 1 Accessories Cars (Ferrari Testarossa • Ferrari Daytona) • Boats • Firearms Media Feature film • Game • DVD Releases • Popular culture Music Jan Hammer • Theme • Crockett's Theme • Tim Truman • Soundtracks Producers Michael Mann • Dick Wolf • Anthony Yerkovich • Brandon Tartikoff