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The Rifleman used a model 1892 Winchester carbine fitted with a large loop lever that enabled it to be spun and cocked.

The Rifleman had a spin-off series called Law of the Plainsman starring Michael Ansara in the role of Marshal Sam Buckhart.

The Rifleman's Rifle The trick 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 rifle. 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.

The character 'Lucas McCain' was ranked #32 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).

 * In the pilot for the series, by Sam Peckinpah (originally written for "Gunsmoke" (1955) but turned down for that show), Chuck Connors' character was named John McCain, not Lucas McCain, and he didn't have a son. It was producer Arnold Laven's idea to make McCain a widower with a son. Also, McCain was originally supposed to have been a dead shot with a pistol. Laven had the idea to use a customized Winchester rifle as McCain's weapon of choice.

* The following three episodes have fallen into the public domain: "The Rifleman: Outlaw's Inheritance (#1.38)" (1959), "The Rifleman: Day of the Hunter (#2.15)" (1960), and "The Rifleman: Mail Order Groom (#2.16)" (1960).

*Chuck Connors is the only actor to appear in all 168 episodes of the series. Johnny Crawford is the runner-up in terms of a number of shows that an actor appeared in. Crawford appeared in all the episodes of the show, with the exception of 1, towards the end of the final season, for a total of 167 of 168 episodes.

*The next series Chuck Connors starred in after the Riflman was Branded.

Quotes: Lucas McCain: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.

Jan 20 1962 TV Guide

March 12, 1960 Issue #363

FIRST TELECAST: September 30, 1958
LAST TELECAST: July 1, 1963

NO. OF EPISODES: 168
EPISODE GUIDE
BROADCAST HISTORY:
Sep 1958--Sep 1960, ABC Tue 9:00-9:30
Sep 1960--Sep 1961, ABC Tue 8:00-8:30
Oct 1961--Jul 1963, ABC Mon 8:30-9:00

CAST:

Lucas McCain.......................Chuck Connors
Mark McCain......................Johnny Crawford
Marshall Micah Torrance................Paul Fix
Miss Milly Scott (1960-1962).....Joan Taylor
Lou Mallory (1962-1963)..........Patricia Blair
Sweeney, the Bartender..................Bill Quinn
Hattie Denton........................Hope Summers

He played 1st base  for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949

. In 1957 he landed the lead in the TV western series "The Rifleman," which aired through 1962. His second western series, "Branded," aired 1964-65 which although had a short run was in the top ten and top twenty toward the end of the series.