The Bond Walthers
Asp9mm
Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,535MI6 Agent
The Bond Walthers
The subject of Bonds personal firearms has in the past become a heated debate, much akin to the ongoing Omega/Rolex debacle. Everyone has their favourites, be it iconic, practical, real or looks alone. In this brief article, I will compare the different Walthers (apart from the P5) that Bond has used extensively, and examine the merits of them as concealed pistols in the real world. I will also point you in the best direction of getting yourself a highly detailed copy, or a deactivated version (this is Britain) of the real thing.
The picture above shows the various Walthers that I'll be looking at. The top version is a high end gas operated 6mm BB firing replica with a HK suppressor fitted. The second is a live P99 circa 2004 showing the laser etched logo on the slide which replaced the stamping and was briefly seen in the DBS scene of CR, it is fitted with a Q-Branch modified suppressor which in this new version is an accurate copy of the screen seen prop. The third needs no introduction, this is a live PPK with a prop suppressor. The last pistol is the Walther P99c or compact, which I thought we would compare, as many of us here think that this would be a more viable option for Bond to carry.
Many people mourn the passing of the Walther PPK 7.65mm. I do, it was an iconic part of the Bond franchise, and it was Flemings choice of arm for Bond in the novels. The PPK also looks very good, especially with suppressor, and is slim and very easy to conceal. Unfortunately, it is dating abit these days, the calibre is not as common or as effective as it should be in a weapon were you are encountering more hostile and better armed adversaries. And the magazine capacity is quite low (7 rounds). It still is a good, accurate and reliable little semi, but it belongs in the Fifties and Sixties, where it was more often carried than used. File it away with Connery, the Cold War, Ronsons, Morlands and the DB5.
And so we move on to the Walther P99 in 9mm. A high capacity (16 rounds), light weight, accurate and reliable firearm in service with many Armed Forces, Police Departments and Government sources Worldwide. It is a pistol for the new Millennia, and incorporates modern materials (polymer frame) and ergonomic designing. The problem I have had with Bond being issued the P99 is mainly size. Brosnan could not pull it off at all with that horizontal shoulder rig of his ( just look at the Casino scene in TWINE when he reholsters it, the bulge is MASSIVE under his finely cut Brioni). As you can see in these comparison pics of the P99 and PPK side by side, it is an enormous difference in both width, length and height.
Casino Royale went a long way in addressing this, and Craig with his larger build pulls of concealement admirably, especially when teamed up with the IWB holster behind his right hip. This actually works very well and has alleviated many of my concerns with Bond using the P99. However, I doubt even the use of the IWB and Craigs buff bod could conceal it well with a well tailored suit. And for this we have another Walther option - The P99 Compact. The pictures below show the difference in size compared to the P99 and P99c....
And here is the compact in comparison to the PPK.....
The most notable difference is in the size of the butt, and this is where the compact really excels as this is the part of a pistol that is the hardest to conceal. It could be worn well in an IWB or in a vertical muzzle up shoulder rig, and not print as much as the full size version when wearing a suit. The down side is the mag capacity which is reduced to 10. But to be honest, I cannot believe that they squeeze such a large amount of ammo in such a small place. You'd think Time Lord science was in use. The other down side of course is in looks, it ain't a pretty thing at all. A better choice for Bond in the real world? Most definately. But this is cinema afterall, so I doubt we will ever see it in use. That's OK though, I think the new Bond is very well armed with the P99, it is a superb looking pistol and a iconic piece in it's own right. Pity that Walther had to tinker with it and make it ugly in 2005, the new cosmetic changes are awful.
So, where do you get your mits on these babies? For the real version in the UK, there is only one option - a deactivated version. Worthing guns is the only place to go for these, and he stocks both PPK's and P99's, but they are expensive, with P99 going for around £595 and PPK's starting at £250, depending on condition. Worthings have a great Bond heritage, having also supplied Bapty for Die Another Day with both live P99's and the more often used blank firing PAK versions (these are now illegal without a section 5 licence). All P99s that Worthings are importing are the newer versions, post 2005, which look completely different to the older screen used P99's.
For a cheaper and in my opinion, much better option, look no further than our own member Kevin at Q-Branch. The Maruzen made P99 replica is outstanding and virtually indistinguishable in looks, handling and weight from the real thing. It even field strips like the live version and is without doubt a much better option to go for than the deactivated P99, and it's great fun to shoot too, operating like a live P99, with a sweet trigger pull and fully operating slide that reloads the next round. It is operated by gas, which is inexpensive.
Compare these pictures of the Q-Branch P99 and the live version. If I had the older model P99 with stamped slide logo, they would be indistinguishable.
The cost is around £130 from Kevin for the Maruzen version, but that is not all. Kevin also makes a very good replica of the CR suppressor for £65, and after receiving one myself recently, have to say that it is 100% accurate to the film version. The adapter is £18.95. You can also upgrade the barrel to a steel version (recommended) that will allow you to take the suppressor on and off regularly and result in the BB's feeding perfectly every time ( the pastic barrel is really just for display when used with the suppressor as the threads are fragile).
For £300 you can get a large hard case, gas, BB's, adapter, suppressor, shoulder holster and extra back strap. If you want to go the full route, Kevin also supplies a superb deluxe Walther velvet lined hard case for £145 with combo lock. He also sells the PPK and suppressor kit, and is working on the chrome version, along with various suppressors accurate to the previous films.
At those prices with all the kit you get from Q-branch, you could buy the full P99 conversion and PPk kits for less than a deac P99. Bargain!!!
The subject of Bonds personal firearms has in the past become a heated debate, much akin to the ongoing Omega/Rolex debacle. Everyone has their favourites, be it iconic, practical, real or looks alone. In this brief article, I will compare the different Walthers (apart from the P5) that Bond has used extensively, and examine the merits of them as concealed pistols in the real world. I will also point you in the best direction of getting yourself a highly detailed copy, or a deactivated version (this is Britain) of the real thing.
The picture above shows the various Walthers that I'll be looking at. The top version is a high end gas operated 6mm BB firing replica with a HK suppressor fitted. The second is a live P99 circa 2004 showing the laser etched logo on the slide which replaced the stamping and was briefly seen in the DBS scene of CR, it is fitted with a Q-Branch modified suppressor which in this new version is an accurate copy of the screen seen prop. The third needs no introduction, this is a live PPK with a prop suppressor. The last pistol is the Walther P99c or compact, which I thought we would compare, as many of us here think that this would be a more viable option for Bond to carry.
Many people mourn the passing of the Walther PPK 7.65mm. I do, it was an iconic part of the Bond franchise, and it was Flemings choice of arm for Bond in the novels. The PPK also looks very good, especially with suppressor, and is slim and very easy to conceal. Unfortunately, it is dating abit these days, the calibre is not as common or as effective as it should be in a weapon were you are encountering more hostile and better armed adversaries. And the magazine capacity is quite low (7 rounds). It still is a good, accurate and reliable little semi, but it belongs in the Fifties and Sixties, where it was more often carried than used. File it away with Connery, the Cold War, Ronsons, Morlands and the DB5.
And so we move on to the Walther P99 in 9mm. A high capacity (16 rounds), light weight, accurate and reliable firearm in service with many Armed Forces, Police Departments and Government sources Worldwide. It is a pistol for the new Millennia, and incorporates modern materials (polymer frame) and ergonomic designing. The problem I have had with Bond being issued the P99 is mainly size. Brosnan could not pull it off at all with that horizontal shoulder rig of his ( just look at the Casino scene in TWINE when he reholsters it, the bulge is MASSIVE under his finely cut Brioni). As you can see in these comparison pics of the P99 and PPK side by side, it is an enormous difference in both width, length and height.
Casino Royale went a long way in addressing this, and Craig with his larger build pulls of concealement admirably, especially when teamed up with the IWB holster behind his right hip. This actually works very well and has alleviated many of my concerns with Bond using the P99. However, I doubt even the use of the IWB and Craigs buff bod could conceal it well with a well tailored suit. And for this we have another Walther option - The P99 Compact. The pictures below show the difference in size compared to the P99 and P99c....
And here is the compact in comparison to the PPK.....
The most notable difference is in the size of the butt, and this is where the compact really excels as this is the part of a pistol that is the hardest to conceal. It could be worn well in an IWB or in a vertical muzzle up shoulder rig, and not print as much as the full size version when wearing a suit. The down side is the mag capacity which is reduced to 10. But to be honest, I cannot believe that they squeeze such a large amount of ammo in such a small place. You'd think Time Lord science was in use. The other down side of course is in looks, it ain't a pretty thing at all. A better choice for Bond in the real world? Most definately. But this is cinema afterall, so I doubt we will ever see it in use. That's OK though, I think the new Bond is very well armed with the P99, it is a superb looking pistol and a iconic piece in it's own right. Pity that Walther had to tinker with it and make it ugly in 2005, the new cosmetic changes are awful.
So, where do you get your mits on these babies? For the real version in the UK, there is only one option - a deactivated version. Worthing guns is the only place to go for these, and he stocks both PPK's and P99's, but they are expensive, with P99 going for around £595 and PPK's starting at £250, depending on condition. Worthings have a great Bond heritage, having also supplied Bapty for Die Another Day with both live P99's and the more often used blank firing PAK versions (these are now illegal without a section 5 licence). All P99s that Worthings are importing are the newer versions, post 2005, which look completely different to the older screen used P99's.
For a cheaper and in my opinion, much better option, look no further than our own member Kevin at Q-Branch. The Maruzen made P99 replica is outstanding and virtually indistinguishable in looks, handling and weight from the real thing. It even field strips like the live version and is without doubt a much better option to go for than the deactivated P99, and it's great fun to shoot too, operating like a live P99, with a sweet trigger pull and fully operating slide that reloads the next round. It is operated by gas, which is inexpensive.
Compare these pictures of the Q-Branch P99 and the live version. If I had the older model P99 with stamped slide logo, they would be indistinguishable.
The cost is around £130 from Kevin for the Maruzen version, but that is not all. Kevin also makes a very good replica of the CR suppressor for £65, and after receiving one myself recently, have to say that it is 100% accurate to the film version. The adapter is £18.95. You can also upgrade the barrel to a steel version (recommended) that will allow you to take the suppressor on and off regularly and result in the BB's feeding perfectly every time ( the pastic barrel is really just for display when used with the suppressor as the threads are fragile).
For £300 you can get a large hard case, gas, BB's, adapter, suppressor, shoulder holster and extra back strap. If you want to go the full route, Kevin also supplies a superb deluxe Walther velvet lined hard case for £145 with combo lock. He also sells the PPK and suppressor kit, and is working on the chrome version, along with various suppressors accurate to the previous films.
At those prices with all the kit you get from Q-branch, you could buy the full P99 conversion and PPk kits for less than a deac P99. Bargain!!!
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Comments
To the PPK. Not much of a difference here for a 9mm.
And to the P99, quite a considerable difference in length and width, both 9mm's too. See, Gardner got something right.
In order of size, the Asp comes between the P99c and the PPK. Remember this is a pistol developed in the 1970's when sb-compact handguns were unheard of.
For more details of the Asp pictured, and the concept behind the Asp, go here...
http://asp2000.webeden.co.uk/
And below is a screen used stunt P99 from CR. From the Madagascar scenes.
Thanks for looking folks.
People have asked what is the difference between suppressor and silencer. The answer - nothing. Silencer is a term widely used, but a pistol is not silenced, it's suppressed, it will still make a bang with a silencer/suppressor, just not as loud as one without. So suppressor is more accurate, but it matters not. 'Can' is another term, but you won't find beans in there.
I'll try and clear a few other things up here. A few have asked why the PPK suppressor is a prop, so here is the answer. A real pistol that has been converted to accept a suppressor has a barrel that protrudes further than the frame with screw thread on the outside and the suppressor screws over the barrel...
On a PAK and prop pistol that has been converted by the studio the suppressor has the extended threaded area and screws into a threaded barrel. This obviously is just for show, as firing a bullet through this configuration would blow the entire thing up. In the pic of the PPK below, you can see that the thread is on the inside of the barrel and the suppressor has an extended threaded pin.
Another question is what is the difference between laser etched and stamped slide. The pictures below show this better than I can explain. Walther decided in 2000 to go laser etched, which sits on top of the steel. Before this the logo was stamped into the steel.
STAMPED
ETCHED
The other difference that Walther made on the P99 and one that I keep harping on about, is the redesign. This happened in 2004 and started to appear on the market in 2005 and changed the P99's appearance completely.
PRE 2005 VERSION
POST 2005 VERSION
They extended the magazine release levers, made the triggerguard more rounded and lumpy, redesigned the slide serrations and changed the equipment rail on the front of the frame. To me this made the whole pistol look very square and blocky and reduced the eye pleasing lines of the whole thing completely. To date the Bond films have not used this newer version. I hope that they don't.
Q-Branch also will only supply you with a screen accurate P99 of the older design. Worthing Guns now are only able to supply the newer version.
As far as collecting goes. Walther have to date produced one limited edition MI6 PPK which was highly engraved with an ivory grip (Yuk!) . And a limited edition PAK SIS OHMSS pistol, which was laser etched on the slide. They also produced two ltd edition live P99's as shown below. These are very rare as production ceased before the 10,007 edition was reached, as Eon productions did not grant Walther permission to produce them. A few of the deactivated live versions are out there in the UK as well as a few PAK versions. Expect to pay a small fortune for them.
I'd never really thought about adding a P99 or PPK to my Bond collection before, but I'll admit to being very tempted too of late. If, and when, I decide too you can be assured I'll use this informative thread to help me out.
Thanks again -{
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
It has also helped me confirm my generic BB gun has been based on the design of the P99 and the P99c.
I always thought it looked Walther P99 esque, but only really realised that it must have been when looking at these images.
it came with two clips, one, the full size clip, which gave a similar look of the P99 and another smaller clip that gave the look of the P99c.
Brosnan era.
Casino Royale.
Q-Branch will also be able to supply various other silencers to fit the Maruzen or Walther made CP99...
And here is a recent picture of the Limited Edition Casino Royale P99 package with various other suppressors and kit, all in a hard case. Email Kevin to get full spec and details on availability.
kevin@007q-branch.com
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk