The Disposable PPK

Cajun

Hey folks, new to the forums.

Sure, we're all aware it's Hollywood. But what exactly compels movie writers to have Bond voluntarily discard his PPK on occasion? I can't think of any purpose other than to overdramatically demonstrate Bond's disgust and/or that THAT particular pistol is no longer in the fight.

The obvious reality is that agency-issued firearms are intensely controlled items with severe consequences for losing them. Even if Bond's pistols were "sterile" (untraceable), it stands to reason that an agent still bears the immense responsibility of ensuring that a firearm doesn't fall into unknown hands.

The entertainment industry of all communities is one of the most critical regarding the politics and safety of firearms. A bit ironic all things considered.

Thunderpussy

"Well, it got so that every piss-ant prairie punk who thought he could shoot a gun would ride into town to try out the Waco Kid. I must have killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille. It got pretty gritty. I started to hear the word "draw" in my sleep. Then one day I was just walking down the street, when I heard a voice behind me say, "Reach for it, mister!" I spun around, and there I was face-to-face with a six-year-old kid. Well, I just threw my guns down and walked away. Little bastard shot me in the ass! So I limped to the nearest saloon, crawled inside a whiskey bottle, and I've been there ever since" ... I think it's simply visual shorthand for being "Done" with his job ?

Barbel

Most folks call you Jim?

Thunderpussy

Do you want to play chess or .....

Although I think even Liam Neeson in Taken 2 threw his gun down ?

Cajun

Thunderpussy wrote:

I think it's simply visual shorthand for being "Done" with his job ?

Plausible...although in SF's opening he was simply done with the pistol's magazine, with plenty of work left to do!

Thunderpussy

I remember having a similar discussion before, as the gun can still be used to hit with
Or even threaten people. Although it happens in so many films. Same with horror films
When they get a chance to hit the masked killer. So they hit him once and run off.........
.... Instead of hitting him multiple times, so he won't get up !

DB6

This particular movie habit always bugs me!

It's counterintuitive for anyone with military small arms training (pistols etc) to throw their weapon away; you are bonded to it (forgive the pun). Not sure the literary Bond ever threw his weapon away - can't remember every book!

Number24

I would really like to know how many pistols in total Bond has been issued in the movies? If one doesn't count the pistols he picked up during a mission and assume the gun he has at the end of one movie is the same as the one he carries at the begining of the next, what is the total number?

Asp9mm

On average he probably loses one per film. Getting captured etc. In SPECTRE he loses one and throws the other away. In SF he throws one away and loses two

Number24

No wonder Q isn't a fan

Asp9mm

Number24 wrote:

No wonder Q isn't a fan

That's why he took his PPK off him in Moonraker and gave him a dart gun that was affixed to his body )