Plot

An outlaw gang plans to take over and loot the town of North Fork by getting rid of the one man who could stand in their way: Lucas McCain.

Sully Hobbs and some of his cronies come to North Fork with the intention of taking over the town. He knows that to do so he will first have to dispose of Lucas McCain. Rather than take him on himself, he bullies the local barber, Sam Barrows, into calling Lucas out. Barrows isn't a fighter, something that is a disappointment to his son Jeff, one of Mark McCain's classmates. He knows that to refuse to call out Lucas means certain death but the outcome of calling him out will have the same result.—garykmcd

Three ominous looking strangers ride into North Fork. They are lead by Sully (John Anderson)

They witness two boys fighting in the street. One of them is Mark McCain son of rancher Lucas McCain, aka The Rifleman. Town Marshal Micah Torrance breaks the fight up, threatening to toss the boys in jail if they continue in their fighting ways. The other boy is Jeff Barrows, son of town barber, Sam Barrows. The boys were fighting on account of jealousy, Marks father being the prestigious Rifleman while Jeffs father is a low life hard drinking, simple barber.

Sully questions Marshal Torrance about who exactly is Lucas McCain. Is McCain something special around here? A stunned Micah replies Are you new around here!? Lucas McCain is as good as we got. The 3 malevolent men now realize that they have their quarry.

Later at McCains ranch Lucas scolds Mark for fighting. Mark insists that Jeff started it. But, Lucas counters by saying it takes 2 to start a fight. Lucas later backs off acknowledging that there are times when a fight cant be avoided.

Later in the back of his barber shop, Sam Barrows also scolds his son, Jeff for fighting, rationalizing, as he downs a bottle of whiskey, Your nothing because I am nothing.

Barrows then greets the three strangers who have walked into his shop. Gang leader Sully, forces Barrows into his own barber chair and gathers the equipment to begin to shave him. Sully asks why the boys are continually fighting and tells the barber that he must confront McCain. When Barrows declines, Sully holds the razor to his neck then proceeds to tell him that in order to solve the problem it is up to him to stand up to McCain. But, why questions Barrows. Sully responds Because you owe it to the boy and with me it is just a matter of principle. When Barrows reluctantly agrees, Sully hands him the razor telling him that he is a big man now and can now shave himself.

Later that evening, a frightened Barrows rides out to McCains ranch. Discussing the two boys continued feud, and without mentioning the intervention of the strangers, Barrows suggests that the problem could be solved if Lucas were to be seen backing down from him. And as an incentive, he offers Lucas free haircuts. Despite Barrows pleadings, Lucas says this is something that he could never do. After Barrows leaves, Lucas asks Mark if he would like to go into town tomorrow for a store bought haircut.

Upon arriving in town the following day, Lucas is approached by Micah and tells him that he is in town to get Mark a haircut. I thought that you cut the boys hair asks a surprised Micah, to which Lucas responds I do.

As Lucas and Mark approach the barber shop they are greeted by a defiant Sam Barrows, quickly emerging from his shop. I dont cut no McCain hair!, he proudly bellows. Despite his previous declarations to the contrary, Lucas does back down, and he and Mark quickly retreat and ride out of town.

Later after dark, Barrows attempts to leave his shop and ride out to McCains ranch to make amends. But, no sooner than he closes the back door to his shop, he is confronted by Sully. going somewhere barber? Too frightened to speak, Barrows shakes his head negatively. I didnt think so, retorts Sully.

The next morning Lucas decides to ride back into town to get to the bottom of what could be bothering Sam, and what influence the 3 strangers might be having on the preciously meek barber. Spotting Lucas riding into town, Sully reminds Barrows of what he has to do, in order to be seen as a man. He further coerces the frightened barber by saying that he and his men will be there to back his play. While Lucas is in the marshals office, the three thugs spread out in strategic crossfire locations.

As Lucas approaches the barber shop, Barrows emerges. The two walk toward each other gearing for an apparent showdown. Lucas snap cocks his rifle believing a confrontation is now inevitable, but Lucas is stunned when a pleading face Barrows continues to walk closer and closer to him They are going to kill you Lucas! , he proclaims. As the three thugs draw their guns, in a split second, Lucas proceeds to shoot all 3 down, seemingly at the same time. Barrows is slightly wounded by a bullet. Barrows son Jeff runs out of the shop, now for the first time, seeing his father as a hero.