Year: 1950
Runtime: 74 mins
Language: English
Director: Edwin L. Marin
When the iconic Colt .45 becomes the law of the land, gun dealer Steve Farrell watches his two newly acquired pistols disappear at the hands of the ruthless killer Jason Brett. Determined and vengeful, Farrell sets out to track down Brett and reclaim the prized firearms, sparking a tense showdown.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Colt .45 yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Colt .45 (1950), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the town of Red Rock, Steve Farrell, Randolph Scott is a gun salesman who demonstrates the new Colt .45 repeating pistols to the sheriff. The moment is cut short when men arrive to transfer a prisoner, Jason Brett, to another jail. As Brett is being led away, he overpowers the guards, grabs Farrell’s pistols, shoots the sheriff, and makes a daring escape. Convinced Farrell helped facilitate the breakout, the townspeople arrest the gun dealer. Brett then launches a brutal spree of robberies and cold-blooded murder, proving that regular guns can’t rival his Colt .45s.
Farrell is released from jail and pursues Brett into Texas, where he encounters a band of Indians led by Walking Bear—the lone survivor of Brett’s latest attack on a stagecoach. Chief Walking Bear, Chief Thundercloud, provides Farrell with crucial knowledge about Brett’s plan. Determined to stop the gang, Farrell boards the stage in a bid to confront them, wielding his own Colt .45s. Among the passengers is Beth Donovan, Ruth Roman, who tries to avert a violent showdown. Yet Farrell’s instincts tell him something deeper is at play, especially when he spots a white scarf at the window—a signal he fears marks Beth as a conspirator.
Beth escapes on horseback while Farrell honors his duty to aid the wounded stagecoach driver. Unbeknownst to him, Beth is married to Paul Donovan, one of Brett’s henchmen, who is secretly aligned with the Colt .45 Gang. Beth returns to her cabin home, used by Brett and his crew as a hideout, and she soon learns that her husband is fully involved in the criminal scheme. When she confronts him, Paul locks her away in a shed, and she manages to escape, racing to town to reveal what she knows. Paul wounds her before Farrell can intervene, prompting Farrell to haul Beth onto his horse and ride to Walking Bear’s camp for safety.
Beth regains consciousness and warns Farrell about Brett’s plan to seize control of Bonanza Creek. Meanwhile, the Indians discover Paul dead, his body left across a horse and saddle—executed with multiple gunshots. Back in town, Sheriff Harris—Alan Hale—and Brett’s gang lay a trap for Farrell. The Indians spring to Farrell’s rescue, killing one of his captors, but Harris still manages to mount a horse and press on toward the showdown. Farrell and the tribesmen ride into Bonanza Creek, where Brett’s men are scattered, and the Indians rout the gang.
Brett, who has Beth as a hostage, camps out in the sheriff’s office. Harris arrives to warn Brett, but he dies just inside the door. Beth manages to slip free during the tense standoff, and Farrell bursts into the jail to face Brett. With Brett low on ammunition, a fierce struggle ensues, guns are drawn, and a final shot rings out. Brett steps into the street, takes a few faltering steps, and collapses dead. In the aftermath, Farrell emerges from the jail and is welcomed by Beth, signaling a hard-won, uneasy victory over the violence that plagued Red Rock and Bonanza Creek.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32
Don't stop at just watching — explore Colt .45 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Colt .45 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Colt .45 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Colt .45 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Colt .45 (1950) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Colt .45 (1950) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Colt .45 (1950) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Colt .45 – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Young Guns of Texas (1962) Movie Recap & Themes
Arizona Colt Returns (1970) Movie Recap & Themes
Killer Caliber .32 (1967) Full Summary & Key Details
Arizona Colt (1966) Detailed Story Recap
Colt in the Hand of the Devil (1973) Complete Plot Breakdown
God Is My Colt (1972) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Gunman’s Walk (1958) Story Summary & Characters
Forty Guns (1957) Complete Plot Breakdown
Five Guns West (1955) Ending Explained & Film Insights
In a Colt’s Shadow (1965) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Roy Colt and Winchester Jack (1970) Movie Recap & Themes
Man with the Gun (1955) Full Summary & Key Details
Shoot Out (1971) Full Movie Breakdown
Colt Comrades (1943) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Pistol Harvest (1951) Full Summary & Key Details