Carte Blanche: Bond's weapon

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

First of all, hello to everyone!

Second, does anyone know what handgun will James Bond use in the new Jeffery Deaver novel?
Will it be a Walther PPK, a P99 or a new gun?
We have info about the new car but nothing (to my knowledge) about the firearm.

MrBond

I think it will be the Walther PPK, Bond used that gun In QoS too so the chances is pretty big that the PPK returns!

Leamas

I think it's really everybody's guess. Past experience shows the PPK could be replaced by an even older gun (9mm Browning), a modern full-scale Heckler&Koch VP70, a smaller H&K P7, a 60s design Smith&Wesson M39 drivate (ASP), various unspecified 9mm "Brownings" (supposedly the GP/Hi Power models) and back to the PPK for backup as well as the P99 for regular use.

Deaver's book is supposedly set in the present, so chances are he's giving Bond a modern gun, probably automatic in either 9mm or .40. If he wants to put his stamp on Bond he could give him a SIG Sauer for a change. If he wants to be very bold he could give him the S&W 642 Centennial Airweight, but I doubt it.

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

Thank you Leamas and MrBond for your replies.

Some of Gardner's choice of weapons were inspired (ASP, HK VP70, HK P7) others less inspired (FN 1903, FN Hi-Power, Walther P38K).

The new novel features a "new" Bond so I expect a new modern gun. I would probably choose a compact service handgun like a Heckler & Koch USP Compact, a SIG-Sauer P229 or a Glock 19.

I can't picture Bond with a revolver although I know he used some in the past, mainly as secondary high caliber weapons.

doubleonothing

Interesting question.

Bond, being an Afghan War veteran in Deaver's novel would possibly carry something more modern than the Walther PPK.

SBS and SAS replaced the Browning Hi-Power with the Sig Sauer P226. It's used by many armed forces and police services worldwide. Bond might feasibly use the P228 or P229, both compact versions, the P229 chambering a wider variety of loads. If he needed a conceal/carry weapon, perhaps a P290.

I think the issue is always that we associate Bond with Walther, especially the PPK. This is like the DB5, a vodka Martini or a

doubleonothing

Well, I guess I couldn't finish that thought off!

doubleonothing

I was going to say that, I think the issue is always that we associate Bond with Walther, especially the PPK. This is like the DB5, a vodka Martini or the tux. It's what we have come to see as a part of Bond. However, the PPK is pretty outdated and, in the real world, Bond would probably use something else.

I suppose we have to ask ourselves do we want realism or traditionalism?

MrBond

Hmm, i think that because he is " new " in the Bond family, he would like to keep some of Bonds assests. Bond doesen't ride the DB5 in his book, so something traditional like Bonds iconic PPK will make it's return.
Btw, did he use the PPK in Devil May Care? The information about the gun in that book was quite diffusely....

Mr_Sterling

I'd go for the ppk if i had to guess. I disagree that its an outdated weapon, its still one of the most widely produced and subsequently used handguns in the world.

doubleonothing

True, but not a particularly effective one in terms of close quarter combat. It has a lot of issues with hammer bite and a limited capacity. Compared to modern firearms, it is certainly lacking. Still, I love it. It's like saying an E-type is an outdated car. It is, but it is also beautiful and classic.

The PPK is a good conceal/carry weapon, but more of a back up weapon than a primary or even secondary. Having said that, the PPK is as Bond as a vodka martini and who would want to take that away?

Gaz1961

The Sig Sauer looks suitably Bondian: http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af235/Gaz1961/James Bond Book Cover Designs/CARTEBLANCHE180311.jpg

doubleonothing

Love the P226r. Looks cool.

I like the P226 Blackwater Tactical, too. 20 round mag. Nice.

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

I love the Walther PPK. It is a classic pistol and it will be forever linked to James Bond.
However it is outdated and unsuitable for a "modern" intelligence agent if we want some realism. It was introduced in 1931, it has a small cartridge (.380 or .32) and small capacity (6 or 7 bullets).

Modern (polymer) handguns are lighter, with bigger calibres (9mm, .40, .45) and twice (or more) bullet capacity.

Another gun candidate for Carte Blanche (or Bond 23) is the new Walther PPS. It is a slim polymer handgun of similar size to the Walther PPK. It comes in 9mm and .40 S&W versions and it features magazines of 6, 7, and 8 round lengths so the shooter can customize the grip to his hand size and concealment needs. And it is within the Bond-Walther tradition.

doubleonothing

Quoting The_Man_From_UNIVEX: Another gun candidate for Carte Blanche (or Bond 23) is the new Walther PPS.

Fugly looking gun, though.

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like the PPS better than the P99, but that's just me.

Mr_Sterling

The ppk/s, developed a few years back for the american market, was designed to iron out the problems associated with the older ppk.

Its almost identical in appearance so therefore wipes the floor with most modern handguns which i believe look just a bit dull and functional. The ppk has class and style about it.

Lets not forget, its still kills as well. What do you want from a secret agent...a man running around shooting up the streets of some far-away locale or a man who moves about in the background, rarely producing his weapon until he has his target firmly in his sights.

I know what im going with.

Dusty59

Wow, I'm really impressed with the weapons knowledge, great read, thanks guys! :)

Austin_Madding

I recently bought a handgun which my buddies have been quick to kid me about, as it's already become my own "signature" weapon, as I'm the only one I know that likes it...

Do you guys know much about the Bersa Thunder 380? It's a relatively small caliber but it's one of the most compact, easy to use, and damn sexiest guns I've ever had.

The one I have has a nickel-plated body with a matte black metal slide. I paid an extra 100 bucks and got a sighted laser grip, which is a nice improvement over what I've seen from the under-barrel lasers.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/D11/25/25381.jpg
I've always wanted to see this as Bond's gun, just because of it's look and it's usability.

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

First of all congratulations Austin_Madding for buying/owning your beautiful gun. The Bersa Thunder is a thing of beauty (if that can be said about a weapon).

But as Bond's gun sorry but I don't see it. The Bersa has all of the PPK's drawbacks (calibre, capacity, range) but without the Walther's history and charm. Plus I don't think Bond would choose an Argentinian pistol. If we are going for a modern PPK lookalike I suggest the SIG-Sauer P232 (or P230).

I understand that James Bond uses the Walther PPK in the films because it's part of his cinematic history and because it easily separates him from all the Jason Bournes, Jack Bauers and Ethan Hunts, but in the novels he could use a more modern, cool and practical gun (like in the Fleming and Gardner books).

I just wish we had some official info about Bond's weapon of choice in Jeffery Deaver's Carte Blanche just like we had about the Bentley. Isn't the gun just as important as the car?

Austin_Madding

Thank you! I'm one hundred percent satisfied with it. And it's satisfying to have that one gun that you know everything about. I can break it down and get it back together, an army buddy of mine is teaching me how to recycle shells, and it's just one of the sexiest guns I've ever seen!

As to the matter of Bond's gun, all of what you say makes complete sense, I've just always had this more loose perception of the standard gun he carries. It's not even that it looks like the PPK (although that was what first drew me to it, I admit) He carried that Berretta for so long, but it was usually paired with his long-barrel Colt. I dunno, I've just always thought his standard sidearm should be a smaller piece, perhaps paired with something bigger as a backup piece, as it used to be. Does that make sense at all?

doubleonothing

Wow, that Bersa really reminds me of the ASP. I really, really like it.

Austin_Madding

It's perfect for what I want! And I can't describe how it feels to have fired it enough to have that one gun that you know, without a doubt, that you can trust to hit your target every time.

AgentJamesBond007

Personally, the gun i think should be in Bond's shoulder holster in Carte Blache is the Walther PPK. The gun is well known as one of Bon's possession and I know we have a younger 007, but the PPK may not be out of use for the 2010s

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

Quoting Austin_Madding: He carried that Berretta for so long, but it was usually paired with his long-barrel Colt. I dunno, I've just always thought his standard sidearm should be a smaller piece, perhaps paired with something bigger as a backup piece, as it used to be. Does that make sense at all?

What you say makes perfect sense. In the Fleming novels Bond carried the small Beretta/Walther for personal protection in undercover work but also had a long barreled high calibre revolver hidden in his car when he needed something with a bigger punch.
I believe they did something similar in the Casino Royale film with the P99 in the DBS' glove compartment.
But nowadays you don't need two separate guns as you can have a very compact gun with a big cartridge. In his novels John Gardner gave serious thought about Bond's firearm and changed many guns before finally settling to the ASP.

JobeGDG

Quoting Gaz1961: [image]

Incidentally, Gaz, he spells it "Jeffery," not "Jeffrey." Weird, even by American standards.

Gaz1961

Wow cheers Jobe, I never noticed that! How strange! But then on one of my covers I wrote "Faulkes", so I'm not that observant.
There is only one M in Fleming isn't there?

Michael

I enjoy the Bond novels and films but realise Bond has to change for modern readers which is why I was delighted that Jeffrey Deaver appeared to be giving a reboot (rebirth) to the Bond character, making him a brand new, younger, James Bond. Why then are so many cliches about his weapon, car, etc?

Why SHOULD Bond be armed with a Walther?
Why SHOULD Bond drive a Bentley?
Surely a Heckler & Koch or SIG or large calibre/capacity Beretta be better and as for the Bently? Fuel consumption, Insurance, need I say more?

A Brand new Bond so why not new weaponry and car?

The_Man_From_UNIVEX

The_Man_From_UNIVEX said:
Another gun candidate for Carte Blanche (or Bond 23) is the new Walther PPS. It is a slim polymer handgun of similar size to the Walther PPK. It comes in 9mm and .40 S&W versions and it features magazines of 6, 7, and 8 round lengths so the shooter can customize the grip to his hand size and concealment needs. And it is within the Bond-Walther tradition.

CONFIRMED The Walther PPS it is.
source: http://www.thebookbond.com/2011/05/this-is-james-bonds-new-gun.html
I hate to say I told you so...

doubleonothing

Ugly, ugly gun. But I guess it does make a lot of sense.

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