There’s no 80s action aesthetic quite like Miami Vice. The white Ferrari. The linen jackets. The Ray-Bans. And of course, tucked under Sonny Crockett’s arm in a Galco Miami Classic rig — the Smith & Wesson Model 645.
It wasn’t just a sidearm. It was a style piece. A performance statement. And it became as central to the show’s identity as the soundtrack or the city itself.
Let’s dive into the gun that helped redefine TV cool — and why it remains one of the most underappreciated pistols of its era.
🧱 What Is the Model 645?
Introduced in 1985, the S&W 645 was Smith & Wesson’s first in-house .45 ACP semi-auto, built on their second-gen pistol platform. It was meant to offer a reliable, rugged American-made alternative to the 1911 — and it did just that, with a few unique twists.
Specs:
- Chambered in .45 ACP
- 8+1 capacity in a single-stack magazine
- Stainless steel frame and slide
- DA/SA trigger with ambi safety-decocker
- Weight: ~39 oz (yes, it’s a beast)
Despite being built like a tank, the 645 remains surprisingly shootable — especially when paired with the low-pressure recoil of standard .45 ball ammo.
And for reasons unknown, prices in the used market still trail behind later third-gen S&Ws like the 4506… even though the 645 looks better, shoots better, and is rarer.
🎬 Why Was It Chosen for Miami Vice?
By Season 3, Miami Vice was evolving. Crockett’s alligator was gone. The green Ferrari Daytona was blown up (with a Stinger missile, no less). And in its place came the white Testarossa and the Model 645.
Producers wanted Crockett’s look — and his gun — to stand out more. The Bren Ten from Seasons 1–2 lacked visual punch. But the bright stainless 645? It popped on screen. It matched the aesthetic shift. And it looked mean in a Miami shoulder holster.
It was more than a practical decision — it was a perfect casting.
🔍 My Example vs. Crockett’s Screen Gun
In the video, I show my own Smith & Wesson Model 645, serial number TAS6918 — and it’s something special.
It rolled off the production line just 671 guns before Sonny Crockett’s actual on-screen sidearm (which was TAS7589). Using the original box and serial date charts, I confirmed mine was shipped on November 13, 1986.
Same year. Same finish. Same platform. Aside from some handling marks and age, it’s practically identical — and for a long time, I didn’t even realize how close it was to the real deal.
It’s easily one of the coolest pieces in my collection — and one of the most underrated carry guns in TV history.
🎞 The Show, the Gun, and the Era
Michael Mann doesn’t play fast and loose with firearms — just ask any Heat fan. And while the 645 didn’t get crazy slo-mo hero shots, it was always used:
- With correct reloads
- From a realistic shoulder holster setup
- With smart cover usage and two-handed presentation
It’s a refreshing contrast to most 80s TV, where stormtrooper-style spray-and-pray was the norm. And Crockett used that 645 in over 100 episodes, typically paired with two spare mags — bringing his total carry capacity to 25 rounds. Not bad for a detective in loafers.
🎥 Want to Know How Realistically It Was Used?
We break down the shooting accuracy, mag count, reloads, and all the little touches that made Miami Vice stand apart — even 40 years later.
