| "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 ofMiami 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. Episodes such as "Evan"[2] revolved around them, while the characters themselves also used several firearms during the series.Sonny Crockett (played byDon Johnson) was to have used aSIG SauerP220,[1][3] but this was replaced by the then more modernBren Ten.[1] The importance of the firearms inMiami Vice is demonstrated by Galco International, which provided the holster used by Don Johnson on the show, naming its holster theMiami Classic.[4]Another example of an iconic firearm isRicardo "Rico" Tubbs' sawed-off double-barred shotgun which is prominent inRockstar Games's landmark video-gameGTA Vice City as the inspiration for the Stubby Gun.
Originally, James "Sonny" Crockett was to use a Browning BDA .45 ACP, often mistakenly identified as aSIG Sauer P220 in.45 ACP. The grips and markings to the right side of slide make this subtle difference[1] evident in the pilot episode.[3] He also carries a Detonics Pocket 9 chambered in9mm Parabellum as a backup, tucked in his rear waistband near the small of his back. But it was later decided that a more state-of-the-art gun was to be used by Crockett.[1] During the first season, he used aBren Ten pistol carried in a Ted Blocker Lifeline shoulder holster rig.[4] Due to Don Johnson's dissatisfaction with the Lifeline rig, the Jackass Leather Company (later renamed Galco International) Original Jackass Rig shoulder holster rig was personally fitted for him by Rick Gallagher, President of Galco.[4] Finally the Galco Miami Classic shoulder holster was designed and used.[4] The Bren Ten, manufactured by Dornaus & Dixon, was a stainless steel handgun notable as the first ever chambered in the powerful10mm 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 inMiami Vice had a hard-chromed matte finished slide so that it showed up better during night shots. The pistol used in the show was chambered in .45 ACP, as 10mm Auto blanks were simply not available.
After theDornaus & Dixon company went out of business in 1986, the product placement contract went toSmith & Wesson.[1][5][6] Starting with the third season, Sonny used a 2nd Generation seriesSmith & Wesson Model 645.[1] This was a full-sized 5-inch-barreled stainless steel service pistol in .45 ACP. Galco Gunleather again fashioned a Miami Classic shoulder holster for Johnson's new S&W 645 pistol. In the Galco Gunleather headquarters, there is a large display that contains theMiami 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, which coincided with the fifth and last season of the series; as the producers desired to keep Crockett as being seen to be on the cutting edge of weaponry, Sonny's Model 645 was replaced with the newSmith & Wesson Model 4506, also chambered in .45 ACP. This pistol had 20+ design improvements including a one piece arched grip. Sonny's 4506 can be seen in the beginning of the episode "Victim of Circumstance" when he is sitting in a cafe, looking at it.[7] Sonny also carried a .45 ACPDetonics Combat-Master backup gun in an ankle holster on his left leg, replacing the Pocket 9 from the pilot episode. It can be seen in the bar scene shootout in the "Prodigal Son" episodes.[8] Towards the climax of the two hour series finale episode "Freefall", Crockett can be seen standing at his open locker loading weapons for the episode's climax, when he puts on a padded ankle holster that is holding a Smith & Wesson 669, a compact alloy framed 9mm.[9]
Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs was armed with asawed-off double-barreled shotgun in the first season. In Season 2, he used anIthaca 37 sawed-off pump shotgun called an Ithaca Stakeout,[1] which he carried on a halter under his jacket. Beginning in Season 3 (and for the remainder of the show), he carried a modified, short-barreledRemington 870. His primary sidearm was aSmith & Wesson Model 38 Bodyguard with Pachmayr grips. He can also be seen using aSIG P228 in the series finale 'Freefall' and aSmith & Wesson Model 36 in the pilot episode.[6]
Stan Switek can be seen using a variety of weapons, including a nickel-plated9mmBrowning Hi-Power in "French Twist".[10]
Larry Zito mostly used a S&W 659 and aMossberg 500 with police uniform in the pilot episode.
Lt. Castillo used aColt Trooper Mk V revolver in.357 Magnum. He also used aSmith & Wesson Model 19 revolver, aSmith & Wesson Model 686 revolver, aSmith & Wesson Model 586 revolver, a nickel-platedSmith & Wesson Model 29 revolver, and a Detonics Scoremaster pistol at various points during the series.
Gina Calabrese mostly used aS&W Model 36 in.38 special.
Trudy frequently used aS&W Model 36 in.38 Special and aMossberg 500 shotgun with police uniform.
For additional firepower when arresting heavily armed drug dealers, other weapons were occasionally used, including theSteyr AUG,[5]M16 assault rifles,[1]H&K MP5 submachine guns, and theStreet-Sweeper shotgun. In Season 3 episode ("Cuba Libre"), one of the Cuban rebels carried a then brand-newGlock 17, which marked Glock's first ever appearance in media. One Season 4 episode ("A Bullet For Crockett (Miami Vice)|A Bullet For Crockett") showed a drug dealer shooting at Crockett with aLAR Grizzly Win Mag after a car chase.[11] One episode's plot ("Evan") was based on black market sales ofMAC-10 submachine guns,[2] and another episode, "Child's Play", dealt in part with the discovery ofBelgian Browning Hi-Power pistols.[12] Even heavy guns came to use, as Larry Zito is seen maneuvering anM60 machine gun from a rooftop in the episode "Lombard". (Season 1/22)
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