Dark Winds and the .44

Season 3 picks up six months after the dramatic conclusion of Season 2. Chief Leaphorn and Deputy Chee are drawn into a new mystery involving the disappearance of two boys. The only clues are an abandoned bicycle and a blood-stained patch of ground.
 
The short time I carry a four inch 29 it was loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs, that was the new rage at the time.

The Chief at the time said a primary duty gun was a .38 caliber revolver and any handgun can be used as a Backup Gun. So a few shootists claimed that our snub nose revolvers were primary and the .44s and .45s were the BUGs.
 
Rodan said:
Although there are scenes that make it clear that it's a 29 in Season 2, I believe he was carrying a Model 19 in Season 1.

This picture in particular looks like a 19 to me... more barrel in front of the ejector shroud than a 29, and smaller cylinder:

600px-Darkwinds.jpg


There are a couple of scenes in season 2 where the M29 obviously a new production 29, not a period correct model.

There's also a scene where Jim Chee's mother has a 4" Python, that appears to be a new production stainless Python.

I've long been a fan of Hillerman's novels, and these adaptations take a LOT of liberty with the characters. At least the technical advisors are trying with the firearms to be period correct. Nobody but us gun nuts would probably notice the inconsistencies!
Click to expand...

Today, I finish watching "Dark Winds" Season 2. I agree the Model 29 is a newer production. In a couple of scenes, Lt. Leaphorn cocks his revolver's hammer and there is no hammer mounted firing pin.

I suspect the "car nuts" have noticed some vehicles that weren't exactly period correct. Still, I enjoyed "Dark Winds" and happy there will be a Season 3.
 
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Long-time fan of Hillerman's novels. I started reading them checked out of our little village library in New Mexico back in the mid 80s. More recently have acquired about all of them in hardback, and have re-read most of them. The cultural and place accuracy is pretty impressive. I like the movie/video series, but as others have said, wished they'd left the characters more true to the novels. I liked Leaphorn's character (in the movie version), Chee was a disappointment if you've read the novels.
 
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New to series

Just finished the first season and watched first episode of second season last night. A couple of things that struck me, Leaphorn's 29 seems to only have the six loaded cartridges. Last episode first season he dropped a few in the fire and then only had the ones left in the gun. Does not carry a speed loader or two??

Then in first episode of 2nd bad guy shoots Chee in shoulder under collarbone with an M1 Garand and Chee "walks" it off?? Also, Leaphorn gives him the 29 as he is going to his truck to get his rifle. Chee has 6 shots, Leaphorn took any reloads (if he has any) with him, so Chee immediately fires 2 shots in BG direction, then another 2 trying to suppress BG's fire in seconds, all while bleeding from a 30-06 wound to meat of shoulder. if he ever gets a good shot at BG, he only has a couple left.

Lastly bad guy shoot 75-100+ holes in his own trailer with an M16 and 30 rd. mag-no reloads.

Gun play is those episodes is weak.
 
rct269 said:
I've never even seen a .41 Magnum, fixed sight or otherwise, but given the same barrel and cylinder forgings as a .44, the .41 is going to weigh a tad more--------smaller holes, right?(!!) And if it isn't right, blame it on the early hour!

Ralph Tremaine
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In the second Dirty Harry movie they had to use a .41 mag as ALL of the model 29s were sold out! They couldn't locate one when the movie began shooting. I would've thought a quick phone call from Clint would've gotten S&W off the ball & they'd have made one for him.

Seems like I saw a 3" model offered at one time? Someone correct me if I'm wrong there. I thought that'd be a good carry piece in a shoulder holster, IMO.

Mine is a 5" 29 Classic, with the lugged bbl. Yes, I appreciate the extra weight when shooting. ;)
 
I had the honor of eating lunch with Tony Hillerman at the Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque. A good friend of his was a co-worker of mine and arranged the lunch.

After I got over the awe of sitting with a renowned author I mentioned that while I enjoyed his books I noticed that he seemed to have two weak places in his knowledge. He asked what they were, and I said "radios and firearms".

His response? "Maybe so, but they haven't stopped me from selling lots of books, have they?"
 
bobsguns said:
In the second Dirty Harry movie they had to use a .41 mag as ALL of the model 29s were sold out! They couldn't locate one when the movie began shooting. I would've thought a quick phone call from Clint would've gotten S&W off the ball & they'd have made one for him.

Seems like I saw a 3" model offered at one time? Someone correct me if I'm wrong there. I thought that'd be a good carry piece in a shoulder holster, IMO.

Mine is a 5" 29 Classic, with the lugged bbl. Yes, I appreciate the extra weight when shooting. ;)
Click to expand...

At the time the Dirty Harry movies were being made, one of the major gun mags ran a story explaining the the S&W actually used in the firing sequences was in fact a Model 25, so that the standard Hollywood "Five-in-One" blanks could be used. These blanks had a rim size and cartridge body taper such that they would safely and reliably fire in any gun chambered in 38-40, 44-40, or 45 Colt. The Five in the name was because revolvers in any of the three calibers could use them, as could rifles in 38-40 or 44-40. At the time the name was given, the idea of a rifle in 45 Colt wasn't even a gleam in anybody's eye.
 
Dark Winds

erikpolcrack said:
At the time the Dirty Harry movies were being made, one of the major gun mags ran a story explaining the the S&W actually used in the firing sequences was in fact a Model 25, so that the standard Hollywood "Five-in-One" blanks could be used. These blanks had a rim size and cartridge body taper such that they would safely and reliably fire in any gun chambered in 38-40, 44-40, or 45 Colt. The Five in the name was because revolvers in any of the three calibers could use them, as could rifles in 38-40 or 44-40. At the time the name was given, the idea of a rifle in 45 Colt wasn't even a gleam in anybody's eye.
Click to expand...

another "Story" concerning "Dirty Harry Movie" was at the time Model 29 6.5" was unavailble so a Model 57 was used instead.
 
erikpolcrack said:
At the time the Dirty Harry movies were being made, one of the major gun mags ran a story explaining the the S&W actually used in the firing sequences was in fact a Model 25, so that the standard Hollywood "Five-in-One" blanks could be used. These blanks had a rim size and cartridge body taper such that they would safely and reliably fire in any gun chambered in 38-40, 44-40, or 45 Colt. The Five in the name was because revolvers in any of the three calibers could use them, as could rifles in 38-40 or 44-40. At the time the name was given, the idea of a rifle in 45 Colt wasn't even a gleam in anybody's eye.
Click to expand...

There were no factory .45 Colt S&W revolvers being produced when Dirty Harry was made (1971).
 
My late father was a voracious reader, thankfully one of many traits he passed down to me. He introduced me to Tony Hillerman, we lived in Tucson at the time and as I grew I had many dealings with both the Papago and Navajo Nations. When "Dark Winds" was announced I was very excited. I quickly learned I had to forget the books and take the series on it's own merits.
Not only is there a strong presence of Native actors but the crew is also largely Native American. Robert Redford being one of the producers doesn't hurt in that regard.
Last fall I was gifted the below book, it's been great re-reading the stories:



The myths and realities of the Dirty Harry revolver have been addressed many times on this forum with photos of the actual revolver, worth a search.
 
Just finished Dark Winds season 2. Leaphorn is carrying a S&W Legacy model I think they are called. Different stocks, no hammer mounted firing pin and a 4th side plate screw up by the rear sight. Got a good look at the gun in season 2 not sure about what he carried in season 1.
 
I recommend you punch on the above Skeeter 44 Special Magazine story.
It’s looks familiar, I might have read it when originally published.
I had a 44 Mag before I ever had a 44 Special.
Now I got more Specials than Magnums.
Once I did buy three Specials in one buy!
This thread needs some Music!
I do Love this Song!

https://youtu.be/23FL1YtBTCo?si=rhltUnkhWQAY_Q0b
 
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Muley Gil said:
There were no factory .45 Colt S&W revolvers being produced when Dirty Harry was made (1971).
Click to expand...

A gunsmith whom I know, who was working in California when the movie was made, told me that he reamed the cylinders of the gun used in the movie so it would accept 45LC special effects movie cartridges. I know his background and believe him. I was under the impression that the gun in question was a Model 29, and it retained the original 44 barrel.
 
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