[Deputy]

I was watching "The World is Not Enough" tonight and Pierce Brosnin was using the P99. I didn't see him draw it, but I did see him put it away and it appeared he had a Small of Back holster, as he put it behind him. Anyone know what holster is being used for the P99 in the Bond movies? From the looks of things it's no longer a shoulder holster. It probably is too bulky to look good under a suit coat.

Dep

 

[searcher451]

Ran into the same movie on Spike and did see the familiar form of the P99 in action; never did see the holster, however. It doesn't have the classic look of the PPK, but it does have Walther stamped all over it.

 

[153]

Brosnan keeps his P99 in a Galco holster, not sure of the exact model.

In one film Brosnan carries the PPK in a Galco Executive, which looks pretty slick for a shoulder rig.

 

[Asp9mm]

You are right, the PPK was carried in the Galco Executive, the P99 in TWINE and DAD was carried in a custom made holster made by Bapty, and is not a commercially available model. Brozza never used an IWB, but had an annoying habit of sticking his P99 into his waistband between takes instead of giving it back to the armourer immediately. Daniel Craig used a Vega holster.

 

[Que]

While I love the P99 I have real issues with it as Bond's main gun. Far better would have been a P99C with spare full size mags with the Walther adapters. With the Compact his first shots would come from a far more concealable gun than the full size with the ability to go with more capacity in an extended firefight. Bond in the books and movie is very brand loyal, and he most assuredly would have stayed with a Walther.

Sorry , I take my Bond seriously and am currently re-reading the Fleming novels for about the twentieth time. Bond's logical progression in arms had Fleming lived a long life to write more has been on my mind. I think that somewhere along the line the PP Super would have been his main gun. (I know, get a life)

BTW, I watched the same Spike showing of TWINE but had to surf back over to AMC's showing of The Longest Day. Last night was a great night for TV and dry firing.

 

[Deputy]

Well I made the mistake of reading the Bond books written after Mr. Fleming died. John Gardner ended up giving Bond an ASP pistol. What a joke!!! Issue him a gun that was made in very limited production (reportedly 250-300 pistols were actually produced), cost an arm and leg even back then (MI6 would never get purchase approval the way Bond kept losing his guns), and was duplicated by S&W as the model 6906 or 4906 for a lot less money. I think the P99 is a good choice for Bond. 4 inch barrel and the P99 starts out pretty slim, even with the 15 round capacity. The 9MM needs all the barrel length it can get, since it depends so much on muzzle velocity to perform well.

Asp9mm: I just noticed your nickname. Sorry if I insulted your favortie gun. Personally, if Bond were to get an exotic gun, I would prefer seeing him get a Devel...

http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2006/11/the_devel_39.html

If those Guttersnipe sights on the ASP were so revolutionary, I wonder why more firearms manufacturers didn't copy them?

BTW...my personal opinion...but that Galco shoulder holster Brosnan wore looked like he had on a bra. It tucked the gun WAY up under his armpit and looked like it fit REAL tight. Poor little PPK must have had a terrible time with body odor and fighting off sweat.

Dep

 

[Que]

Hey Deputy. I hear you on the P99, it is a smaller full size pistol. I just can't see Bond pulling it out of his tuxedo jacket as smoothly as he did his PPK, which could have easily been a cigarette case as smooth as his moves were. In Casino Royale doesn't Craig have his P99 taped to his belly in one scene?

 

[153]

In the latest 007 thriller, Bond carried his Walther in an IWB holster by Vega or in what looked like a padded manila envelope. I thought the big manila envelope was pretty clever. I'd like to have a tray in my car for a P99, but there is probably no room with all the built in "safety" equiptment. Besides, I don't have a car anywhere near as slick as a DBS

The P99 wasn't ever taped to oo7's belly. He did get whacked by a machete in the stairwell fight and had a bandage on from that. Prehaps that it what you saw.

I am not sure what or who "Bapty" is, but would be interested to know.

 

[Que]

The P99 wasn't ever taped to oo7's belly. He did get whacked by a machete in the stairwell fight and had a bandage on from that. Prehaps that it what you saw.

Ah, that's what it was!

But, the full size P99 is still too big for Bond I'd bet that is this was a real life character he'd be looking long and hard at the PPS.

 

[Deputy]

Hey Deputy. I hear you on the P99, it is a smaller full size pistol. I just can't see Bond pulling it out of his tuxedo jacket as smoothly as he did his PPK, which could have easily been a cigarette case as smooth as his moves were. In Casino Royale doesn't Craig have his P99 taped to his belly in one scene?

With you 100% on the PPK being more comfortable and handy to carry. But thinking back Bond tended to exercise very little fire control, especially in his later movies. I imagine 15 rounds would be more useful than a 6-7 shot pistol

I have not seen, nor will I waste my money on, the new Bond movie. If it comes out on HBO I will have my wife strap me down in a chair and then I will hurl insults at that Craig guy through the whole movie. I got some real doozies saved up too

153: I looked at the Vega holsters. They look pretty nice. Haven't priced one, but I am tempted to check one out. I am also contemplating a SOB holster. That would be a better fit for me than an IWB holster. just not sure how comfortable they are when seated.

Bapty...from what I've been able to find out they are the company that supplies firearms and firearm "gear" for the Bond movies.

PPS: I doubt we would ever see Bong carrying that gun. The PPK was elegant. The P99 is practical considering the larger and larger number of enemies Bond is shooting at. The PPS is just plain FUGLY.

My opinion, of course.

Dep

 

[Que]

I think my view of Bond is more flavored by the character that Fleming created. That Bond was more about shot placement and stealth. The modern versions are more like a video game.

I can't see it as even remotely possible that Fleming would have chosen a high capacity full sized combat pistol for Bond. But, that's part of the fun of following Bond through the books and movies, there are so many interpretations of what might have been had Fleming lived a longer life. 56 was far too young to go.

One thing that is forgotten is that Fleming's Bond was first and foremost an assassin. That is something that got purged from the movies (but is back with Craig). I'm told the censors weren't happy about Bond laying in wait and dispatching his would-be killer in Dr. No with a supressed PPK ("you've had your six"). Cold-blooded killers weren't common fare in 1962. In fact, I can't recall any time a movie Bond uses a suppressor after that until Craig.

 

[Deputy]

I think my view of Bond is more flavored by the character that Fleming created. That Bond was more about shot placement and stealth. The modern versions are more like a video game.

I can't see it as even remotely possible that Fleming would have chosen a high capacity full sized combat pistol for Bond. But, that's part of the fun of following Bond through the books and movies, there are so many interpretations of what might have been had Fleming lived a longer life. 56 was far too young to go.

One thing that is forgotten is that Fleming's Bond was first and foremost an assassin. That is something that got purged from the movies (but is back with Craig). I'm told the censors weren't happy about Bond laying in wait and dispatching his would-be killer in Dr. No with a supressed PPK ("you've had your six"). Cold-blooded killers weren't common fare in 1962. In fact, I can't recall any time a movie Bond uses a suppressor after that until Craig.

Brosnan used a suppressor last night in "The World is Not Enough". Kinda weird because the first time you see the pistol you sure can't see a threaded barrel. Then you see him in the next scene threading it on.

I think if Fleming knew what the present day world was gonna be like and what kind of weapons the bad guys were using, Bond WOULD have a P99.

 

[Que]

I think if Fleming knew what the present day world was gonna be like and what kind of weapons the bad guys were using, Bond WOULD have a P99.

Yeah, but a Compact with extra extended mags available.

As to suppressors and Bond movies, threaded barrels have a habit of coming and going. Also, I think Dalton might have used one as well in The Living Daylights.

 

[Deputy]

Extra mags...anyone EVER see a Bond reloading his pistol or even changing a magazine? I sure can't remember that happening. Ol' JB must be like those cowboys of the 50's that never ran out of ammo And where would he carry spare mags?? The shoulder holster for the PPK that Brosnan carried had no mag holders. Neither did the one Connery wore. Maybe he has a secret James Bond mag carrier in his Jockey shorts????

 

[searcher451]

It's Gunderwear, Dep. I'm telling you, THAT's the answer to everything.

 

[mm6mm6]

Fleming admitted to pretty much messing up everything Geoffrey Boothroyd told him about the guns Bond should carry in the books.

One thing John Gardner did when he wrote the continuations series (starting with License Renewed) was getting the guns right.

It's been awhile since I read them but in Gardner's Bond books, 007 carried an HK P7, a custom S&W Model 39 9mm called the ASP which had clear plastic grips so he could see how many rounds were left in the magazine (and I think he carried a spare too) and he even had a Ruger Super Blackhawk in a hidden dash compartment in his Saab 900 Turbo!

 

[Deputy]

mm6: While I agree that Fleming made mistakes with stuff like the holster for Bond, I think Gardner's choice of weapons was pretty bad. The ASP was so rare most folks have no idea what it is. I remember the silly advertisements for it in Soldier of Fortune magazines. Something about it being the 'choice of secret agents all over the world' or some such baloney. I guess there just weren't that many secret agents that read SOF or wanted to spend that kind of cash. Not mnay of them sold. Now they are collecrtors items along with the even rarer Devel. Here's a pic of an ASP.

ASP also made a nifty police baton weapon that is still available today. You flick your wrist and it telescopes out.

A Ruger Super Blackhawk. Good grief Did Bond wear a cowboy hat when he used it?

Dep

 

[mm6mm6]

Dep - There's the ASP! Gardner published License Renewed in January of 1982...25 years ago! That gun was wayyyy ahead of it's time. Look at the melted/dehorned edges and that "close up" sight channel. With a single stack magazine, the S&W 39 was very flat. Chopping the barrel/slide and grip frame down made it very concealable. I think it was a great choice!

And the .44 Mag Ruger was used just once for a powerful long distance shot. A perfect use for a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk with a light SA trigger pull and big target sights. I just can't figure out where he could have a "secret compartment" in the dash of a Saab big enough to hold it.

When it comes to bad weapon choices for fictional characters, I think Kurt Austin "carrying" a Bowen .454 is really outrageous! Let alone concealed!

 

[Que]

I saw an ASP on either Gunbroker or Gunsamerica this past year. It didn't go for all that much. About the most interesting feature was the guttersnipe sights. Sure looks to be a short sight radius.

BTW, I pick up my Interarms PPK/S today. Next older Bond movie I'll have something a bit more appropriate to dry fire.

I think after I finish re-reading the Fleming novels I'll move on to Gardner. I've only read two or three of those. Anything other than Fleming seemed rather ersatz to me, and appropriately so.

 

[Deputy]

mm6: I don't agree on the ASP being ahead of it's time. Actually, it was a copy of contemporaries. The hooked trigger guard was the rage back then because of the advent of the two-handed hold on pistols. The dehorning and size reduction was being done by Swenson and Behlert and many other gunsmiths on their custom guns. The sight gizmo was a Guttersnipe sight. But it NEVER caught on or was duplicated or copied by anyone else. Added too much to the bulk of the gun and nobody really saw the need for it. Pocket guns are usually used at very close ranges, so sights are rarely used. It's more a point-and-shoot pistol. Chopped pistols were all the rage for a while. Then S&W clobbered the custom chopped pistol market by coming out with their own version that was cheaper. They reduced the .45 auto down to pocket size in the 4516 and then made it even lighter with the 457S, one of which I own. They shrunk it even more with the Chief's Special in 9mm or .45ACP. The Moder 39 was never known for feed reliability. The Illinois State Police used them for a long time and they had to be worked over by gunsmiths to make them reliable. The alloy frame wasn't happy getting pounded by +P+ ammo either

The ASP was a gimmick pistrol and was WAY ovepriced in it's day. With only 250-300 made, it didn't exactly fly off the shelves

Here's the website with the ASP info:
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg147-e.htm

Even if the gun had features that were good for a concealment gun, the ASP was not exactly something that MI6 would have adopted. There were many compact autos that were available back then that were cheaper and more available than an ASP. Ever watch "The Man From UNCLE" on TV? They used a P-38 that was shortened and modified to be select fire (semi or full auto) and took a detachable shoulder stock. The kicker is they were REAL guns. MGM had to get special permits and the guns had to be kept locked up under heavy security unless they were actually being used for the filming.

The UNCLE gun with all the goodies attached:

The UNCLE gun with parts...