As a former "unpaid" extra during the Miami Vice days, and in a few episodes, I can tell you the firearm aspects of the show were practiced several times before blanks were loaded. They had a security firm out of California, and a Ft. Knox trailer where all the pistols, rifles, shotguns, were kept. Under a "really" armed couple of big burly dudes, and a no nonsense firearms consulting firm. Also used by Blade Runner, and a host of other war, western, and action films.
The famous "shooter" chauffer, in one episode, was actually one of those consultants. Tom has the link, I would have to dig to find it.
He knows which one it is.
They were religious about mags, brass, round counts, vs. rounds issued, after every scene. Even with blanks. Scenes would stop if discrepancies were found. Safety, safety, safety for us lowly extras as well, was stressed without question.
They could care less about the BMW they launched into the ICW, or the Mercedes they trashed on Rickenbacker Causeway, but the guns were treated very seriously.
Scarface was the filmed by the same folks, and that was a real treat to skip school, and get a role as an extra.
Too bad that firm wasn't hired when they filmed "The Crow" where Brandon Lee was needlessly shot by a squib, in Wilmington,NC.
I always thought Tubb's 12g, was nice. It had those "fancy" pistol grips....
