This show, which led into the opener for the short-lived "Sarge" series, is the only "Ironside" between the pilot and "The Return of Ironside" follow-up film to be shown separately as a TV-movie.
Besides the cast change from Officer Eve Whitfield to Officer Fran Belding, this episode marks two other significant changes. The opening teaser is eliminated in favor of a preview consisting of short scenes from the show, and a re-orchestrated, much faster version of the theme song plays over credits that pop in rather than fading in and out.
The rifle used appears to be an ArmaLite AR-7, a .22 cal. noted for its stock and barrel being easily detached & reassembled making it convenient for outdoorsmen to carry in a back pack. The Air Force included a version as part of its survival gear for downed aviators for many years. In this episode the rifle and a box of ammo only cost $79.50.
The suspect's name, "Wiertel" is a Polish name; thus, the "W" is pronounced like a "V," which all the cast properly do, confusing the closed captions which consistently translate his name as "Vertell."