What Rifle Did The Rifleman Use?

In the classic Western television series The Rifleman (1958–1963), Lucas McCain—played by actor Chuck Connors—carried an iconic, custom-modified Winchester Model 1892 lever-action carbine.

The custom large-loop Winchester Model 1892 carbine famous from the television show The Rifleman.. Source: LSB Auctions / THE RIFLEMAN” CHUCK CONNOR'S WINCHESTER 1892 CARBINE WITH ...
The custom large-loop Winchester Model 1892 carbine famous from the television show The Rifleman.. Source: LSB Auctions / THE RIFLEMAN” CHUCK CONNOR’S WINCHESTER 1892 CARBINE WITH …

Technical Specifications of Lucas McCain’s Rifle

While the show was set in the 1880s New Mexico Territory, the rifle used was actually anachronistic, as the Winchester Model 1892 wasn’t engineered until a decade later.

  • Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (.44 WCF)
  • Action: Lever-action
  • Barrel Length: 20 inches (Carbine configuration)
  • Distinct Feature: Custom oversized “D” loop lever with a built-in trigger trip-screw

The Modifications: Built for Speed

The weapon’s most recognizable feature was its large, exaggerated finger loop. This modification allowed Chuck Connors to spin-cock the rifle around his hand, a flashy move popularized in Hollywood.

Additionally, the rifle was fitted with a unique set screw threaded into the trigger guard.

How the trick screw worked: When the screw was turned all the way inward, it would automatically catch and trip the trigger the exact millisecond the lever slammed shut. This allowed Lucas McCain to fire the rifle continuously simply by cycling the lever back and forth, simulating rapid fire without needing to pull the trigger for each shot.

Production Trivia

Because the rapid-fire mechanism and spin-cocking required intense practice and put significant wear on the props, the production crew utilized multiple rifles during the show’s run.

  • The Primary Guns: Two identical Winchester 1892s were primarily used on set. One was a standard carbine modified with the large loop and screw, while the other was left with a standard loop for close-up shots where spinning wasn’t needed.
  • The Opening Credits: In the show’s famous opening sequence where McCain fires a rapid succession of shots down a dusty street, he fires 8 shots in less than two seconds.

Today, the original screen-used rifles are highly prized pieces of television history, with surviving models occasionally appearing at high-end firearm auctions.

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