What would Bond really carry (firearm) ?

fanofbond

I am a new poster but have been a lurker for quite some time. I have seen a few posts in the past as to what James Bond would carry in regard to a firearm?

Background about me: I am a licensed FFL and a Class III Dealer. I have been a firearm collector for more than 20 years and am an avid Bond collector.

We know about Bond's Walther PPK of course (or PP in Dr. No) and we know that Fleming was a gun fan and had a few pieces in his collection. Not to mention the advice that was given to him by folks in the know (Boothroyd).

* But what about TODAY?

Beretta .25 and .32
Walther PP
PPK
P5
ASP
P99
there are others seen/read in the books/film.

But would he really use these today? I think not....

I have been very lucky in talking with a couple of graduates of Hampden Sydney College in Virginia. This is a recruiting haven for current "Agency" types and they currently work in "Government Service" ....I have talked with them in length. Believe it or not the concenus on those guys was a supressed .22lr pistol...effective perhaps but not very sexy! They have also mentioned "clean" Browning Hi-Powers in 9mm.

For my personal tastes, I think of a movie Bond carrying a custom Novak pistol (perhaps a Colt .380 Mustang or a Colt Gov't in 45acp) in a DelFatti or Nulls holster.

What say the Board?

7289

Wearing a handgun while globe-hopping is alot more difficult today than in Fleming's time. So the logistics would be a nightmare.

Assuming Bond could cope with the transport problem, then the "clean" P35 would be a natural since it and 9 mm ammo is as close to universal as a handgun could get. I would think Bond would keep his handgun "stock" - no special add ons to identify him or his preferences.

The P99 is a first class handgun, and very Bondian - it would serve a real life agent very nicely.

Traditionally speaking, Bond could have stayed with the S&W Centennial all these years and been pretty well heeled. The modern versions are stainless, and can chamber the .357 magnum cartridge.

Recent information has indicated Bond 22 will see a return to the PPK. As long as it's the German version - the PPK remains as good a choice as it ever was.

Too many great handguns to choose from these days!

?:)

emtiem

7289 wrote:

Wearing a handgun while globe-hopping is alot more difficult today than in Fleming's time. So the logistics would be a nightmare.

Indeed- I was thinking about that the other day and thought of something I'd never noticed before: in GoldenEye Bond whips his PPK out of his holster in the car park of St. Petersburg Airport! Did he have there all the time (if so, how'd he get past security?) or did he get it out of his luggage in the airport after landing? Bit risky, you'd imagine!

fanofbond

I think there is a HUGE difference between a "real time" operational guy and our movie buddy Bond.

The VAST majority of movie Bond is marketing and product placement...Walther does quite well with the mistique of 007 carrying their brand. EON are no fools either, I personally think the brand placement has gotten a bit out of hand: Brioni Suits; Church's shoes; Aston Martin and Ford...not to mention "branded" bottled water, vodka, cell phones, computers and luggage!

I would LOVE to see Bond pick up a "pre paid" cell phone and a "clean" Hi-Power, removed by a baddie taken down by a dull steak knife!

"Real Boys" for instance in Iraq and Afghanistan most likely show up to their assignments with a load of U.S. Dollars. They purchase what they need most likely from vendors on the streets selling their wares. They are certainly not short of comm. gear with all the military there...would not be hard at all to "borrow" a sat-com. and upload/download intel that would be fully encrypted to the end-user.

I just wish EON would tone it down a bit on product placement. I also find it difficult for Bond to globe trek around with his P99 in his holster and all the security checks. I am a deputy sheriff and its next to impossible for me to travel with a handgun that is not locked in a Pelican case with the ammunition stored separatly and in its original factory box.

emtiem

fanofbond wrote:

I just wish EON would tone it down a bit on product placement. I also find it difficult for Bond to globe trek around with his P99 in his holster and all the security checks. I am a deputy sheriff and its next to impossible for me to travel with a handgun that is not locked in a Pelican case with the ammunition stored separatly and in its original factory box.

To be fair I think Fleming sort of started it with all the brand names he used. Obviously that has another dimension in the movies, but it wouldn't be Bond without them.
As for travelling with his weapon, well I think he's supposed to be doing it suripticiously i.e. illegally!

Coldheart96

As far as carrying a weapon into Afghanistan or Iraq is concerned, both countries are still occupied by the coalition military forces and they bring whatever they want to bring into these countries (including civilians w/weapons) on military flights. As far as other countries may be concerned, sensitive items (read weapons) would most likely be brought in through the embassy diplomatic pouch (which are prohibited from examination by international law). Remember, in CR, Bond was given a package containing the keys to his "fully equipped" vehicle, which was waiting for him to when he arrived.

fanofbond

I think you hit the nail straight on the head..."Diplomatic Pouch" - Thats it and thats the key! I read about a military group flying on a commercial airline with 3 huge Hardigg cases. The cases were market under Diplomatic protection/cover. They brought in arms, comms' and explosives.

7289

fanofbond wrote:

I would LOVE to see Bond pick up a "pre paid" cell phone and a "clean" Hi-Power, removed by a baddie taken down by a dull steak knife! "

You have your wish!

In Casino Royale, Bond grabbed a Hi-Power from the Ambassador in the Nambutu Embassy, and used it to good effect. Later Bond managed to turn the tables on Dimitrios and kill the villian with his own damascus folder. Twice Bond stole and used others cell phones!!!



Lets hope the trend continues!!!

Apocrypha23

At once time it was typical (for CIA at least) to keep a few weapons locked away in a field office or safe house. If a Case Officer felt he or she needed to be armed they got something from there. It's my understanding that this was usually a Hi-Power as they used the ubiquitous 9mm round and were themselves vanilla in most parts of the world. These may have been replaced by SIG P226/P228s or GLOCK G17/G19s as these are becoming the new vanilla of firearms.
This is all conjecture... I promise.

highhopes

I doubt most real-life spies even carry weapons, except under the most extraordinary circumstances, if that answers your question. A person seen carrying a weapon, or found to be carrying one, especially a hangun, is someone who stands out, and that's the last thing a real spy wants. What you also have to consider is that most foreign spies don't actually do the day-to-day spying. They are actually controllers who direct spy networks made up of citizens of the country being spied on -- traitors, in other words.

7289

Of course you are 100% right Highhopes, No doubt a double-o these days would use an SUV if he wanted to terminate someone!

However we firearms fans like to endlessly wonder and speculate what firearms will be in the hands of our favorite Movie Spy - it's kind of a recreational thing! B-)

I know it's been wet in Sacramento lately, but "gee wizz" did ya have to drop a bucket of water on our parade by tossing in reality!

highhopes

7289 wrote:

Of course you are 100% right Highhopes, No doubt a double-o these days would use an SUV if he wanted to terminate someone!

However we firearms fans like to endlessly wonder and speculate what firearms will be in the hands of our favorite Movie Spy - it's kind of a recreational thing! B-)

I know it's been wet in Sacramento lately, but "gee wizz" did ya have to drop a bucket of water on our parade by tossing in reality!

I'm sorry, 7289 -- ;% I didn't realize the discussion was meant to be fanciful. I feel as silly as M, when, in Goldfinger, he made the mistake of asking what was wrong with the sherry in front of Bond. Unfortunately, when it comes to weapons, I'd have to rely on Major Boothroyd for advice. Carry on, gentlemen ... )

7289

Highhopes,

May I modestly recommend the feature article "Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond".

;%