71 replies to this topic

[AMC Hornet]

Still, I don't mind too much. As long as Bond is back onscreen.

Hear, hear.

[Leon]

The PPK is fun little pistol--I love mine--but not a serious duty weapon, IMHO. It's profile is a bit small onscreen, too. Still, I don't mind too much. As long as Bond is back onscreen.

Indeed! Some good points there, and the PPS would be my choice for Bond too, however I am all for the nostalgia and style aspect of him using the PPK. Bond is more about that side of things and as this is the 50th anniversary film it's just right to me. Even in the original literary character there was a love of the old fashioned - Bond is very reluctant to change from his tiny old, sawn-barrelled, taped-up grip Beretta .25 and slow-drawing chamois leather holster strap. M had to force him to get rid of it after it jammed and landed him in hospital.

A reliable old faithful, uniquely stylish and utterly signature to Bond

[cdsdss]

Arming Bond with the PPK doesn't bothe me as much in the Craig movies, since the fight scenes tend to be more contained and intense. Rather than the massive machine-gun battles of the Bosnan-era. Take the Opera shootout in QoS, for example. Fifteen years ago, all those guys would have had MP-5s, and Brosnan would be shooting away with his subcompact pistol (until he inevitably scooped up a fallen machine gun, and the whole thing turned into Die Hard).

[Red Barchetta]

The PPK is more compact, making it more concealable- one tries not to attract attention where it's not wanted. It's not a weapon for a major firefight, but meant for self defense, and meant to be up close, and personal in it's delivery. The P99 packs more punch, holds more ammo, and will hold out longer in a firefight.

But, I've always maintained that Bond should carry a PPK as his weapon of issue.

[Bryce (003)]

Nice pic Leon and agreed Red. Logistics and situation can certainly merit a heavier weapon but the PPK is a fine covert auto.

[Dan Gale]

Why not a Walther PP? It looks identical to a PPK, but holds one more round and is a little bit longer. Keeps traditionalists happy, keeps gun nuts* happy and doesn't make it look like Bond's holding a Lego gun. Won't snag on clothing like the longer barrelled things always pictures in the classic posters. And technically it was the PP not the PPK in Dr No (prop dept. used the wrong model).

*By gun nuts, I mean people who are nuts about guns. Not nutters with guns. Although I should imagine there are some.

[Leon]

I prefer the look of the PPK personally, and Bond, as I said above, is more about the style than the reality. However, the PPK is still generally considered a very solid and reliable pistol for it's size, and I actually see it as cooler that Bond doesn't need to be packing a bigger or more modern-design gun.

[larrythefatcat]

The PPK. It is classic and looks so much better. The P99 looks indistinguishable from any other gun. It is not Bond, and I blame the P99 for the poor quality of the latter Brosnan movies and Vesper's death. One of the few postive points of Quantum of Solace was the reintroduction of the PPK.

I never really understood why they changed. Yes, the P99 is modern and might have slightly better features, but does it really make that much of a difference? And the poster above had a point - the PPK is lighter and easier to conceal.

AFAIK, Craig used a PPK in CR... at least in the pre-title sequence. In my book, that counts.


I completely vote PPK... it's a sexy-looking gun and it apparently only jams when one is trying to kill Jaws. No one wants that!

Edited by larrythefatcat, 02 March 2012 - 11:55 PM.

[billy007]

I think it was a Colt Detective Special .38 in YOLT

[Leon]

Bond has used a variety of guns that come to his disposal here and there, but in YOLT he still had his PPK. I think the most important thing is that Bond can still use other guns to suit certain situations - he did so in the books too - he may even have to use his initiative, which we all enjoy. But I feel the PPK should remain his standard, trusty sidearm. It's not simply one or the other.

[billy007]

Leon,
For clarity I meant that the revolver that 007 used in YOLT in the bedroom scene was a Colt Detective Special in .38 cailber.(Most likely kept under his pillow until needed.

[Leon]

Leon,
For clarity I meant that the revolver that 007 used in YOLT in the bedroom scene was a Colt Detective Special in .38 cailber.(Most likely kept under his pillow until needed.

Cool, thanks for that, billy. In fact there were a couple of the original novels in which he had that revolver. The first that comes to mind is Casino Royale - he is packing it under his pillow in the Hotel Spendide.

In Dr No he is given another gun along with the PPK also, for bigger jobs, the Smith & Wesson Centennial Airweight revolver. Still a small, easily concealable piece, and I think it only housed 5 rounds. Another testament to the fact that James Bond, unlike the many other movie spys and action heroes that followed, doesn't need much. He also tailors his equipment if necessary, yet always has his PPK as standard.