The Rifleman

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The Rifleman ranks 472 out of the 18,228 shows on TV.com.

The 139 users who count themselves as The Rifleman fans have written a total of 6 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

In an unusual twist on the standard Western, widower Lucas McCain struggles to successfully homestead his ranch in North Fork, New Mexico while raising his son Mark. Unfortunately, the Marshall of North Fork has a difficult time handling the weekly "bad guys," and Lucas must repeatedly get out his Winchester... more »

In an unusual twist on the standard Western, widower Lucas McCain struggles to successfully homestead his ranch in North Fork, New Mexico while raising his son Mark. Unfortunately, the Marshall of North Fork has a difficult time handling the weekly "bad guys," and Lucas must repeatedly get out his Winchester Rifle to protect himself, his son, and his neighbors.

The Residents of North Fork:
Lucas McCain....................................Chuck Connors
Mark McCain.......................................Johnny Crawford
Marshal Micah Torrance...................Paul Fix
Sweeney, the bartender....................Bill Quinn
May Sweeney, the bartender's wife.Helen Beverly
Charlie Willard, storekeeper............Russell Collins
Hattie Denton (1958-1960)..............Hope Summers
Miss Milly Scott (1960-1962)...........Joan Taylor
Lou Mallory (1962-1963)..................Patricia Blair
Eddie Holstead, The Hotel Clerk...John Harmon
Nels Svenson, the blacksmith.......Joe Higgins
Nels Svenson, the blacksmith.......John Dierkes
Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Edgar Buchanan
Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Jack Kruschner
Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Ralph Moody
Angus Evans, the gunsmith............Eddie Quinlan
Ruth, a hotel waitress......................Amanda Ames
John Hamilton, the banker..............Harlan Warde
Miss Aggie Hamilton........................Sarah Selby
Josh Moore, Hardware Store..........Charles Tannen
Toomey, the undertaker...................Robert Foulk
Freddy Toomey, undertaker's son..Robert Crawfordless «

• Western's Channel marathon

  I am loving this marathon on tonight.  Bat Masterson to follow at midnight..

  I am loving this marathon on tonight.  Bat Masterson to follow at midnight.. less «

  jmikeh Last online 1 hr, 30 mins ago
  9 comments, last one Dec 2, 2008 + Add Comment

• Mike DiMuzio, Modern Day Rifleman

  I felt compelled to write you and share some testimonial feedback. I have just acquired, from you, the legendary Rifleman&...more »

  I felt compelled to write you and share some testimonial feedback. I have just acquired, from you, the legendary Rifleman's Rifle . It is an acquisition I will treasure for the rest of my life. Hopefully, it is something my son's son will appreciate. I don't think it was by chance that I discovered your "true - to - life " video web site some months ago. I inquired what it would take to buy such a rifle. My desire stemmed from my childhood intrigue of the mysterious hooped rifle that Chuck Connors whirled with never- before- seen- authority and rapid fire showmanship. Because my daughter and I watch the series nightly, my curiosity as an adult led me to research the rifle. That is how I discovered your videoed site. Unbeknownst to me, I led myself to the only living expert of The Rifleman's shows as well as the next- in- line expert on the gun smithing of the original crafted rifle. For those of you who don't know Mike DiMuzio , get to know him, by reviewing an excellent reenactment of the opening scene of the original "The Rifleman", starring Mike !!! From there Mike can take you on an amazing journey expounding on his knowledge of every episode ever done. DiMuzio can then explain every detail of remaking the rifle based upon his apprenticeship under Moe Hunt. Moe custom made Connors' rifles for the television show. Before Moe passed away he taught Mike DiMuzio the secrets of smithing the rifle exactly as it was originally made. This is not a stage prop as the rifle truly works !! Mike carefully engaged me in conversations to learn about my respect for & knowledge of firearms before he would allow himself the sale. Now that I have the privilege of owning a rare piece of history, I realize how powerful it felt in Lucas McCain's hands. It demands respect. It is also fun learning how to spin and trick shoot. This is no ordinary rifle. And Mike is no ordinary cowboy. I must include in my testimony, a new friendship has developed with a good man over this purchase. He knows his craft. He is meticulous and professional. Mike and I joke because we realize our wives put up with guys like us who keep The Rifleman legend growing. Mike, I want to thank you for quietly making history and for allowing me to share in the chance of being woven into this western cultural lore of The Rifleman. Mike DiMuzio, you truly stand on the real business side of cowboying. I know Chuck and Moe would be proud of you. Respectfully, John T. New Jersey ;) less «

  cowboypat Last online May 7, 2008
  1 comments, last one May 4, 2008 + Add Comment

• The Rifleman's Rifle information by Mike DiMuzio

  The concept of The Rifleman Television show revolves around the unique weapon wielded by the title character Lucas McCain, ...more »

  The concept of The Rifleman Television show revolves around the unique weapon wielded by the title character Lucas McCain, and his proficiency with it. Customized by James S. Stembridge, Lucas McCain's modified 1892 Winchester SRC in .44-.40 caliber features a large rounded ring that allowed him to cock it by twirling the rifle 360 degrees. While presumably, this wouldn't be any faster than the conventional cocking method, the technique itself was probably a good psychological weapon, as the move may be likened to a samurai brandishing his sword with lightning speed. This may startle (or puzzle) an adversary and cause him to drop his guard momentarily. The Rifleman's rifle appeared in basically two different shaped levers. The shape changed during the series to a more flattened lever instead of the large circular loop. This modified lever enabled Lucas McCain to lever the rifle in two unique fashions. He could spin dramatically in front of him and swing it by his side as seen often in the show. The 92 Carbine used on the show was a top eject rifle, meaning the top is completely open when the lever is cocked forward and the empty shells are ejected straight up in the air when the lever is pulled towards you. When Chuck Connors spun the rifle by his side or up in front of him, the rifle cartridges would have fallen to the ground when he had it upside down. So they had a rifle with a special plunger built inside that would hold a bullet in place for this trick. The ammunition used in the show was custom made 5 in 1 movie blanks. These blanks were made in ¼ loads, ½ loads, and full load volume charges. Another feature of the rifle was a screw pin attached to the large loop lever which was positioned so as to trip the trigger when the ring was slammed home, thus allowing Lucas to rapid-fire the rifle, similarly to a semi-automatic pistol. The trigger trip screw pin was also used in two configurations. Sometimes Chuck had the screw head turned inside close to the trigger. Most of the times he had it on the outside of the trigger guard with a lock nut on the outside to further secure its position. In some of the episodes the screw was taken out completely when rapid fire action was not needed. When properly adjusted, this screw "squeezed" the trigger when the lever was fully closed. I may also add that it is important that the breech bolt on the rifle is fully closed at the precise time that the pin screw trips the trigger. The timing of the rifle action being in sync with the trigger trip is very critical to perform the rapid-firing of a Rifleman's rifle. In other words the set screw installed through the trigger guard part of the lever must be installed and be adjusted to strike the trip of the trigger at exactly the right time-provided of course, that the action is adjusted properly to work under this kind of triggering. So configured, the lever action carbine functioned as a "slip hammer" gun, as there was no need to squeeze the trigger to fire the shot. Accordingly, Chuck Connors, as Lucas McCain could rapid fire the modified Winchester 92 S.R.C. as fast as he was able to manipulate the big loop lever. The athletic Chuck Connors practiced until he was a master at rapid-fire with either hand with his unique fast firing Rifleman's rifle. Of course Chuck could also back the screw a few turns out of the trigger guard and the special rifle functioned normally. If one attempts to operate a lever action rifle at maximum speed without this rapid-fire modification, there's a danger of serious injury should the trigger finger get in the way of the tip of the trigger as the lever is slammed shut. According to gun coach Rod Redwing, Chuck Connors practiced until he could rapid-fire his Rifleman's rifle without the device. Since Chuck Connors was truly ambidextrous he handled the rifle left handed and right handed with the same ease. I custom build as well as use them and it takes practice to handle it with the look of ease of Lucas McCain. A beginner would have to be careful spin cocking the rifle because you can hit yourself in the face or chest as you are learning the Rifleman's tricks. It's just pure fun to me. I call it rifle therapy. - Mike DiMuzio www.riflemansrifle.com less «

  Rifleman4440 Last online Apr 22, 2008
  1 comments, last one Apr 22, 2008 + Add Comment

•  

  9.2 Superb

  a great classic hide « show »

  After some people thought that Chuck Conners as the "bad guy" in such films as "The Big Country",it was quickly misjudged by his character when he played Lucas McCain in "The Rifleman". The show was centered around him and his son Mark in the town of Northfolk. But the coolest thing on that show was that Winchester rifle he had,and he could fire at any range from it!!! He never used a six shooter. The way he took on the baddies with that rifle was the absolute trademark of that show which was one of the coolest and most exciting TV westerns ever to come out of the 1950's,and to this day it still holds up to other TV westerns that would endure years later. A great classic from that golden age of grand TV.

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  shadowscott Added Jan 9, 2007 All my reviews
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  7 Good

  Trick Rifle hide « show »

  The Rifleman told the story of Lucas McCain, a rancher living on the outskirts of North Fork, NM. His wife had died and Lucas was raising his 12 year old son all alone. And if scraping out a living on the ranch and bringing up his son weren't enough to keep his plate full, every week Lucas had to beat up or shoot another bad guy who had wandered into the territory. To aide him in these activities, Lucas always carried a tricked-out Winchester rifle.
  
  Why was Lucas so involved in doing battle with these villians? Because the local marshal, Micah Torrance, was beyond useless. This guy was just never around. He probably spent most of his time in the back room of the local saloon,making time with some floozy. As soon as Lucas would beat up and/or shoot another menace to society, Micah would come running up, wondering what all the fuss was about. I guess it never occured to the good people of North Fork to just give Micah his walking papers and make Lucas the marshal. Oh well.

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  Boot_Hill Added Jun 16, 2006 All my reviews
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  7.4 Good

  One of my favorite B/W Shows hide « show »

  ' The Rifleman ' has been a favorite of mine for many years and one that I will usually find the the time to watch if I see it on. I was fortunate enough to work with Chuck Conners on a different series and it was a real pleasure to work with this man and speak with him about 'The Rifleman' and how much he enjoyed working in the series.
  The thing I remember most about the series was the number of famous guest stars this show featured even though most of them were villians and going to killed by Lucas and his trusty rifle

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  fluffybear Added Apr 25, 2006 All my reviews
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  9 Superb

  This was a classic TV Western drama. hide « show »

  The Rifleman was and is one of the best westerns to ever appear on television. Even beyond that, it is one of the better shows on television period. Chuck Connors was fantastic as The Rifleman. The writing was so good that it still holds up to today's standards. The regular cast was outstanding. The guest starts were absolutely fantastic. In this time period of television many famous actors would make appearances on great television shows such as this. Then there were the up and coming actors that would go on to become huge stars and used this as a springboard of sorts. All in all a great show that can still be watched today without missing a beat. if you have never seen this show, give it a shot.

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  vicmackey31 Added Apr 13, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  hide « show »

  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!
  Best Classic TV Western with the best Cast!

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  westerns_girl Added Jun 28, 2005 All my reviews