[Ian11]

....you were induced (or partly influenced) to buy a handgun because some military/gov't agency issues them or the fact you saw it in a movie or TV show. No doubt you did some research on your own before you commited but come on, it does have some sway doesn't it? I know it can be a shallow thing to consider but the fact its used by military/police can be a good indication to a handguns quality in the field. Something a lot of us civilians cannot do on a real day to day basis.

I'll confess I bought:

Beretta 92 FS 9mm because its issued to our US Military and LAPD. Lethal Weapon and Die Hard movies had something to do with it too. Sold.

Sig Sauer P226 9mm because Navy Seals are issued them. I owned a Sig Sauer P229 before, so I appreciated Sig quality but the fact its issued to Navy Seals sealed the deal.

S&W 686 2 1/2" after I saw True Romance. Sold.

Glock 23: This was more of an independent choice but when I heard that the FBI started to issue them I was glad to hear the news.

[Airwolf]

Walther... Walther P99. Need I say more? :D

That and I couldn't really find anyone that had anything bad to say about them.

I do want a Beretta 92 "just because" it's a military issue.

I do very much want an AR-15 but the Caliban has determined that mere mortal subjects are not permitted to possess such a deadly weapon.

I'll guess I'll have to put up with my less deadly M1A </sarcasm>

[Kahr carrier]

Model 29- Dirty Harry,Colt 1911-James Caan -THIEF. Movie influenced purchases YES.:D

[whiskey]

Beretta 92....cause I was issued on in the Army, so I bought one of my own.

[STEVE M]

I owned my Glock 23 a few years before the FBI issued them. Do

you think they were influenced by me having one?:D

Actually I did get a SIG 220 after I heard Ed Murales bought

one. (Ed was the FBI agent in the Miami shootout who even

though wounded walked up with a j frame and ended the

shootout. I figured he knew something about the balance

between firepower and stopping power.)

[3 gun]

Can't say that any of my handguns were bought or even partly influenced because of a movie or LE use. I do think it's pretty cool to be able to say "I have one of those."

[El Tejon]

No denying the connection. I sold a bunch of guns thanks to "Die Hard" (Glocks, especially the Glock 7) and "Batman" (the long barreled revolver of the Joker). Many of the larger dealers make it a point to keep current with what guns are being shown in the movies.

I have never made any purchasing decisions based on Hollywierd, but it's a quasi-free country. I do have daydreams based on starlets. Jennifer Garner has replaced Monica Potter currently.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I really never saw much of the guns in the movie, they normally flashed by so fast. And considering I have only had a little while where it was legal for me to buy handguns, I've had lots of stuff floating in my head! But the 1911 got in my head thanks to Ronin. The Glock, US Marshals. But everything else is just because I like them, the Kahr, the Makarov, etc.

I still want a pair of Berettas like Chow Yun Fat's original Chinese movies...

[Matt Sutton]

Walther PPk here.

[Wilhelm]

I do very much want an AR-15 but the Caliban has determined that mere mortal subjects are not permitted to possess such a deadly weapon.


OH MY GOD CALIBAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You just added a new word to my vocabulary!!!


I bought a 92FS cause of Riggs.



Wilhelm

[davera]

I admit that when researching the purchase of my first handgun, SIG and HK were on my list because they appeared in Tom Clancy novels. I probably would not have known of them otherwise. The internet gave access to many opinions regarding all pistols.

I've found that opinions are useful as long as you take them as that and you sift through them for consistency. There was almost entirely consistent opinion regarding the SIGs, reliable and accurate. Most other types (Beretta, Colt, Browning, S&W etc.) seemed more mixed opinions.

I took that information to gun shops and handled a number of pistols of all the above brands and found a SIG P228 that seemed to fit my hand just right.

[jar]

I can honestly say that none of my gun purchases were influenced by movies or military use.

[sm]

Dad was in the Army National Guard, I had seen him field-strip the 1911...intrigued me. At six years of age I attended weekend drill and watched the guys at the range...I was able to shoot a Singer made 1911 that day. Dad had other duties--I got to hang out with 'Gunnnie'...one happy six year old...the attraction continues...been close to 42 years now...

[DeltaElite]

I have a blued 6" Smith 29, because of some movie cop named Callahan. :D

[Hkmp5sd]

The Colt 1911. Had to have one because of John Wayne used it to save our country again and again.

The Uzi. Just looked too cool back in '81 when Reagan got shot and the SS Agent pulled one out.

The H&K MP5. Since you cannot see or read about any police/swat/sf/terrorist incident or movie without seeing everyone spraying with a MP5, it became a must have.

[GSB]

I've got a Beretta Elite II so that I can be L337. Got a USP so I can be "Tactical". Got a Sig because I heard some Special Ops guys use them and I wanted to get me some of the Special Ops mojo... :)

[Blueduck]

I guess that elite tactical agency ;) the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole has an influence on my purchases of S/W 640,65 and two 19's just because I work for them and have to carry on duty within their options (Ruger, S/W, Colt 357 or 38). Though a well spent youth reading the tales of Bill Jordon likely influenced my decisions on the 19's just a bit...

Seeing the 4506 on the Shield each Tuesday night may have had some slight influence on my decision to buy one :uhoh:

[El Tejon]

It's not the guys that buy guns so they can be like their heros "on the tee vee" that scared me. It's the guys that handle their weapons like they see on television, movies, or, worst of all, gun rags.

No, don't point the firearm at yourself. No, don't switch hand when racking the slide. No, don't point the firearm at your friend. No, put the pistol up by your head. No, don't rack the shotgun "to scare them off." No, dont . . . . I said "no, don't" a lot.:scrutiny:

[P95Carry]

Over the years my purchases were influenced almost totally, by what other guys at the club had ..... which meant I had handled and shot most stuff before I went ahead and got it.

Only exception I think was my first S&W Mod 27 ... sorta ''came across it'' in gun shop ... fell deeply in love!!! Same thing when I found its replacement a few weeks ago ..... love all over again!!:)

[Sisco]

Chose a Kimber Custom over a Springfield Armory, the fact that the LAPD swat uses the Kimber pushed me towards my decision. "Cool Factor" of being able to say "Same thing the SWAT uses" I guess.

[10-Ring]

I had my P7M8 long before I saw Die Hard & my Beretta long before I saw Lethal Weapon & Mel Gibson shoot that smiley face. So, I guess it's just a huge co-winky-dink that I have guns made famous it he movies. As for agency guns...eh :rolleyes:

[cratz2]

Well, I bought my first 1911 because my grandmother's brother taught me a lot about shooting and he only had a full size 1911 and a small .38, handgun-wise. He was influenced entirely because of his positive experience with them in the Army. Sort of second hand influence, I suppose.

I bought my Beretta to have the two primary handguns issued in the US. Then I sold it to get a Taurus version with the safety in the correct location.

And I bought a 590A1 in part because of its reputation in the military. Not really because they issued it, just sort of a bonus, I suppose.

The rest have nothing to do with the military. Except MilSurp rifles.

[Zundfolge]

I'd bet 90%+ of the sales of Desert Eagles are because of the movies.

[cratz2]

I'd bet 90%+ of the sales of Desert Eagles are because of the movies.

And the other 10% are because the purchasers have small... egos. ;)

[seeker_two]

Bought a SIG 220 once b/c I was thinking of getting into Law Enforcement & many Texas agencies (incl. our Dept. of Public Safety--our state police) authorize them. That, and most LEO's that buy their own use .45's.

I didn't get into the field, but I did enjoy the SIG...:D

[Ian11]

Forgot to add another one.

Glock 21: I got it way before but its cool to hear L.A.P.D.'s "super duper secret" Special Investigations Section" (S.I.S.) issues Glock 21's to their detectives. Kurt Russell's new movie 'Dark Blue' by the way deals with this secret unit. Its gotten mixed reviews so far but hey, so did Tombstone when it came out. So what do these movie critics know anyways? I doubt the G21 will be featured in the movie though.

Anyways, its good to hear L.A.P.D. is warming up to the idea of pistols without manual safeties.

[Alpha752]

I bought a Beretta 92FS because of the military connection, and cause its just plain cool looking. Nothing influinced by movies though.

[Quartus]

come on, it does have some sway doesn't it?



baa, baa



:rolleyes:

[El Tejon]

Oh, come one, Quart. Well, I'll say it, on behalf the gun dealers--God bless the "Iwannacoolgun" virus.

[lee n. field]

Not a one. The only handgun I own in general use by agents of some gov't or other is the Makarov.

[Min]

Let's see, I have a:

CZ75 - no cool movies there

Smith and Wesson 27 - nah

Smith and Wesson 360 PD - not really

Glock 19, 36, 20 - umm maybe the Glock 19 in some movies, but I can't remember

Kahr PM9 - no movies

Browning Buckmark - no movies

I do like the looks of the Beretta 92, but I refuse to accept the variation of manual of arms since I learned on the CZ75.

I do have a Remington 870 18" black shotgun with mag extension that is very cool looking - reminds me of all those police movies.

[dairycreek]

But the most influencing factor in my recent gun purchases has been the conversations I have witnessed on TFL and now THR. Good shooting;)

[Blackhawk]

Not me.

I know how military procurement works.... :rolleyes:

[Matt G]

I really think that my father's choice in firearms made more of an impact on my choice of sidearms than anything else. Dad would come home from work and I would bump my forehead on the butt of his Commander when I ran up to hug him as a kid. 1911's were always around the house, and while I would notice them in shows like "Magnum, P.I.", and "Mike Hammer" and the like, it was more that they had guns like my father, than the other way around. ;)

My first centerfire rifled-bore firearm was a 1911 Gold Cup. The first pistol I ever bought brand new was a Kimber Stainless Classic (on my hip as I type this). It never much occured to me to carry anything else.

[Skunkabilly]

I bought the 92G because the French Gendarmes issue them!!! :D :D :D But I doubt you'll ever see carbon fiber grips on a police gun as they've smacked into too many doorways.

I've wanted a P7 for a long time and bought my P7 just because it's a P7, but that Korea PD SWAT hotties have them is a bonus. Will have to get the USP Tactical for that reason too, and that they're in Counter-Strike and say the 'T' word on it....

The P2000 and USP9C and USP9F I like too but, I think they are all German police issue (P2000, P10 and P8 respectively but with goofy safety configuration a la European preference).

I will have to go with an MSG90 for the CDI factor though. ;)

[Mike Irwin]

I can honestly say no, I have NEVER been so influenced.

I buy what interests me, or what I see as a good deal at the time.

[Ian11]

Quartus,

Some people choose a 1911 because their dad used to carry one in Vietnam. Some because its issued to a law enforcement agency they admire. And some because John Wayne or Clint Eastwood carried one on the big screen. Its one aspect or lore of gun collecting or shooting that makes it fun.


I've bought certain guns simply because I liked the features and the way it performed in my hand. (re: Glocks) And I bought a few simply for yucks.:p

[Steelharp]

I had to have a 1911 because my Dad carried one in WWII. You should have seen the look on his face when I showed it to him... it was a priceless father/son moment.

Now, if Colt's can get the new military reissue 1918-1919 out, and I can get the bucks together before he gets any older... he's 88 now!

Mikey D...

[popeye]

El Tejon....."Oh, come one, Quart. Well, I'll say it, on behalf the gun dealers--God bless the "Iwannacoolgun" virus."

A curse on this virus which has me in the poorhouse. I'll be living in a refrigerator packing box soon. I hear Frigidaire doublewide cardboard boxes are the roomiest.

I think "Lethal Weapon" is to Beretta, what "Dirty Harry" is to the S&W 29. That movie started the whole high cap craze.

I have a quite well done copy of a Sharps 4 barrel .22 Derringer. It was made in the early 70's and came in a presentation case. I bought it in remembrance of "Yancey Derringer".

[Boats]

Not a handgun, but I went out and bought a Garand after Band of Brothers aired on HBO.

I am sure worse things have happened than my buying an awesome rifle because I saw one firing blanks and going PING!!! on a mini-series.:D

Me and my dad owned and used 1911s before 1911s were "cool."

My next handgun is a CZ-85 polycoat. Japanese animae is as far as these have come to the cutting edge of entertainment. I am getting one because I finally got to fire someone else's and the pistol simply rocks for the price.

[VaughnT]

Well, John Wayne and a host of others did influence my decision to get a 1911. BUT, that wouldn't have mattered a jot if it wasn't a very good pistol. The history/mystique is a serious plus, but the quality is critical.

My Smith 686 I bought because I was issued one at work and found it to be a fantastic revolver. It's probably the finest revolver ever to come down the pike.

A shotgun is on the agenda, but I can't decide between the 590 and the 870. Both have military/police histories that attest to their design pro's and con's.

Like Skunk said, "more training, less toys"

Hey, Whiskey, where'd you read about a gunfighter, "split in the dirt, and walked out into the street."

Is that some new combat technique used by the SEALs or something from the Old West? I've never thought about doing a split before engaging the enemy, but I can see how that would take you out of the direct line of fire. Seems, though, that sidestepping would be easier. Kneeling would be a good idea, too. Wonder how many pair of britches that fella has to go through in training.

:neener:

[Sean Smith]

Shooting the Beretta M9 in the Army, and seeing 3/4 of them jam on me, dissuaded me from ever wanting to own one.

[357Man]

Never; when I buy a firearm it is because I have a use for it, or I am interested in the caliber it is chambered for.

[arinvolvo]

I bought the Ruger 22 pistol bull barrel after watching "Assassins" like 75 million times.

[coonan357]

POPEYE, I am LMAO about the doublewide fridge comment as I can relate , .... as for influnce of military .. FN/FAL proven and long range fighter as my freinds who have training for them could attest , as for t.v. naaaa.. well maybe my sa guns of the old westerns my granddad used to watch .. well then again there is the leveraction 92 in the rack .. and then theres .......:rolleyes: but 90% of my guns are because I liked them ..

[Ryder]

None of them.

[LiquidTension]

I don't believe movies influenced my buying decisions. I've always researched things to death before I buy. I do own an ak47 though, and I'd be lying if I said movies had NOTHING to do with that. That one was mostly because of reliability and affordability, but I'm sure it was buried in my subconscious mind somewhere that ak = cool.

[arinvolvo]

Of course the movies has a lot to do with gun ownership....

It is the reason that most people own an AK or an AR....but almost no one owns an FAL.

Many times, guns such as the AK, or the AR are bought for no other purpose other than "coolness"....People will purchase an AR before they even THINK of buying a similar 223 rifle (ruger mini 14 etc...) The mini 14 doesnt have that tactical, blockbuster movie appeal.

And how in the world would we have known they were cool unless we saw it on TV?

[voilsb]

I'll admit that I bought an AR-15 and a beretta 92 because my experiences with their military counterparts. I'll admit I want a garand and a 1911 in part because of their history as military weapons. but also because they're nice, well-made firearms, which very much get the job done.

[Skunkabilly]

Man why couldn't LAPD carry the Wilson Tactical Elite so I'd feel motivated enough to save up for one??? :D

[Kahr carrier]

Kimber probably gives them a deal they cant refuse.:)

[twoblink]

Steyr M40 ~ Because the Glock people won't admit it's a superior gun!

Ruger 10/22 ~ read an article about the uprising in Chiopas Mexico, where a rogue went up a tree, with a scoped 10/22 and a box of subsonics, and picked off some 37 federalies... Sold!

Mauser K98 ~ Won WWI.

M1A ~ Would have bought an M1Garand, but being left handed gives me a "Garand Thumb". So bought it's cousin..

I won't buy a Beretta because the military uses it.

I won't buy an AR15 because the military uses it.

I won't buy a glock because the LEO use it.

[Johnny Guest]

- - -Which movie pushed me over the top and determined me that one day, somehow, I would own a Thompson Submachine Gun. Of course, it might have been some magazine article, or book, or whetever. Anyhow, I finally have one. I'd rather not have gotten it the way I did, though - - -It was a bequest from a friend who knew my fixation. I may have put 2,000 rounds through his gun, and kep trying to buy it from him. He's now ten years dead . . . .

Direct and specific movie influence to get a particular gun - - -
Sometime in the mid-1960s, "The Professionals" depicted Lee Marvin using a Winchester 97, cleaning off saddles in the Mexican Desert. HAD TO HAVE ONE! A few days later, I owned one.

Oh, yeah - - -An old British movie called "Abandon Ship - - -" Ship's officer encouraging survival of a bunch in a lifeboat-- He had a Webley .455--Maybe a Mk. IV--short barrel, round butt, anyway. This influenced me to own a couple of these fine, sturdy break-top revolvers, years later.

twoblink - - You mention some interesting guns, but your,
"Mauser K98 ~ Won WWI." Looks like two errors in one sentence fragment, sir. 1. In WWI, the German Service rifle was the Gew. 98, not the K.98. 2. Perhaps more significantly: THE GERMANS LOST WWI! While the Mauser is/was a fine weapons system, the victors in WWI used 1903 Springfields, 1917 Enfields, and SMLE rifles. The LOSERS used Mausers and Lebels.

VaughnT - - -
You asked Whiskey about his tag line–It is from the lyrics of “Tom Ames’ Prayer,” by Robert Earl Keen–On his album “Gringo Honeymoon,” c. 1994, Sugarhill Records.

- - -Trapped in an alley in Abilene,
with all but four shells spent . . .
So he cocked both his pistols, and spit in the dirt,
And walked out into that street.

Best regards,
Johnny

[Dr.Rob]

I admit I always wanted a Colt New Service because the Sheriff in the Mingo County Shootout, Sid Hatfield carried TWO of them! (Sid is rather a folk hero in that part of WVa). So I got one. Now if I could only find a second one...

I'm not sure a film ever influenced me to buy one particular weapon, but definitely a mixture of history and cinema has added to the mystique of Old West guns, and the weapons of WW1 and 2.

I'd bet you a shiny quarter that before "Unforgiven" there was VERY little interest in the re-introduction of the SW Schoefield revolver.

Similar arguments can be made for the "Quigley" Sharps and the model 29.

Whatever your reasons, have fun.

[Serpico]

I bought a hk P7M8 because some chick I met told me she would sleep with me I bought a fixed barrel 9mm.....what were the odds?.... I was going to buy one anyway....the 2 week waiting period was doubly hard that time....

[spankaveli]

i want a 92FS because of the boondock saints:D
i want a p99 because of "the world is not enough" :D

and ill be buying a sig 229 and a makarov 9mm because of reviews from friends and family. :cool:

[WESHOOT2]

But I bought my Security Sixes because they were tough and I got my Witnesses becauase the good Colonel said the CZ was best and I tried a Glock but sold it because no one could convince me I liked it and I got my Caspian 1911 because 1911's point best for me and I got my Caspian racegun because I won it and I bought my Redhawks because I test stupid ammo.

Yeah.

[Jason Demond]

I have never been influenced to buy guns, because of a movie. All the guns I have, were bought of my own personal taste.

[Carbon_15]

I will have to admit I bought a full-size Baby Eagle, all steel and had it matte hard chromed after watching that Vampire movie with James Wood. I never thought much about them untill I saw that one Wood uses in the first Vampire hunt. Man that was a pretty gun. Even though I bought it for a shallow reason, it ended up being a great little gun. Noone that wasn't a gun-nut knew what it was, and I like oddball stuff, so it was a good purchase.

[Skunkabilly]

That M41 pulse rifle with O/U pump action GL...mine :D

And no brass to pick up ;)

[Schuey2002]

"I'm sorry Your Honor but, I must respectfully plead the fifth!!":D

[91101]

Guilty As Charged!!

I got a S&W 629 because of Dirty Harry.... :o

And 'cause one of my idiot buddies told me "you dont want that thing, it'll tear your arm off when you shoot it" :rolleyes: I guess that sounded like a challenge to me at that age...

Michael

[blades67]

How many of us will admit you were induced (or partly influenced) to buy a handgun because some military/gov't agency issues them or the fact you saw it in a movie or TV show.

If that were the case I'd own a J-frame with a "silencer".:neener: