[ProtectOurFreedom]

I always wondered who Lucas was blasting with those twelve shots on Main Street. Then the sly, small grin that follows...did he dispatch twelve to their maker? Or did the citizens of North Fork simply pay him for an exhibition?

The opening sequence has been controversial since the show came out:

“The 1892 Winchester in .44/.40 caliber used on the show only holds eleven bullets. The audio track was dubbed over the video track. They are not entirely in sync. You may hear 12 or 13 shots fired in the audio portion, and you may watch him pull the lever back on the rifle a different number of times.”

[GreenHornet]

I always wondered who Lucas was blasting with those twelve shots on Main Street. Then the sly, small grin that follows.

Al Bundy had a theory about that. In a conversation with his neighbor Jefferson, Al noted that Lucas McCain was a widower. He then states that it's his belief Lucas was blowing away his wife during the opening credits.

[Karl Spooner]

The gif maker doesn't do the sound in slow motion, but to me it looks like he pulled the lever back 12 times and it sounds like 12 shots at the video link. The sync seems a little off in the beginning, but looks good after the sixth shot. What do you think?

Rifleman opening scene

[Freestate316]

That is one of the great show intros of all time.