People can argue if this is the “best” choice, it certainly works for the film and the mystique that surrounds the character of Dirty Harry very well. In many sound professions I think there is a big pitfall for sound designers to focus solely on the music of a production, especially since many sound designers are (or want to be) composers. They forget about the creative choices that can enhance a scene or character simply by changing a sound of a gun or even changing something from breaking wood to breaking glass. As you will see in this video…

The scene feels more wimpy and less important all because of the changes in timbre and volume. It’s quite stunning actually. I think we as designers need to remember these parables that the most realistic sound might not be the best one and the details can change a scene from something good to great. Otherwise I feel we are selling ourselves and the audience short.