Topic: The Bond Walthers
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!!!
Last edited by Asp9mm (25th Feb 2007 17:39)
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