The Guns of Dirty Harry

Not those used by other characters in the Dirty Harry films, just those used by Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan are discussed here. Dirty Harry had no use for under-powered firearms.

Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum

Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolvers used in the Dirty Harry series of films can be seen in two barrel lengths. The 8 3/8" barrel and the 6 1/2" barrel were used in the movies even though the original script for Dirty Harry specifies a 4" barrel which didn't seem to be available at the time. However, the primary Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum that Inspector Callahan carried was the 6 1/2" blued model purchased from Smith & Wesson Sales Representative Kelly Lookabaugh.

• Dirty Harry carried a blued Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver with a 6 1/2" barrel.

"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?"

Auto Mag Corp Model .44 Auto Mag

From the fourth Dirty Harry movie, "Sudden Impact," the .44 Auto Mag pistol is a large caliber semi-automatic pistol produced from 1971-1982. The short-recoil operated Auto Mag pistol featured a rotary bolt with six locking lugs located at the front similar to the M16/AR-15 rifle. The .44 Auto Mag was designed to shoot .429-inch, 240-grain bullets with comparable velocity to the .44 Magnum revolver, which is probably why it appealed to Dirty Harry Callahan.