Secrets Of TV’s The Rifleman: More Than Just Guns And Good Times

A Rifle Ahead Of Its Time

The Rifleman took place in the 1870s and 1880s; however, Lucas McCain’s rifle was actually from 1892. Producers tried to make the show as real as possible, but it was far from 100 percent accurate (sometimes you need to modify things for television). McCain carried around his pretty neat modified Winchester model 1892. Gunsmith James S. Stembridge modified two Model 1892s specifically to use in regular and close-up filming. There was also a Spanish-made Gárate y Anitúa “El Tigre” lever action, which was nearly identical to the Model 1892, that was modified for use as a knockabout gun. They were the only three guns used by Connors on the show.