If you research the books, Ian Fleming started with the Beretta .25, probably the early 318 or 418 Bantam or Panther. His thoughts were a tiny, covert weapon with detachable silencer for discreet assassination. When consulting Major Boothroyd, a well respected British arms expert in England, Boothroyd expressed disdain over such a weapon with litttle "knockdown". I think the breakdown in communication started right then. If an agent was to smuggle a weapon into a country to aid his spy duties, and occasionally be called upon to snuff an enemy agent or political target, it would have to beat a border or airport search. Admittedly, times have changed on that, and nowadays we know more about how real agents operate, and what weapons work, and few if any agents would ever be routinely carrying guns or smuggling them. The concept of a small weapon able to be smuggled, and adequate at contact distance for a quiet kill makes the Beretta possibly better that the original S&W Centennial that Boothroyd suggested, or the PPK they compromised on. Boothroyd was thinking fighting pistol; Fleming was thinking assassination pistol. HOWEVER, the ppk had been used by the CIA in Europe, probably because it was a quality pistol found most everywhere there, and not necessarily associated with the CIA or allies. Simple logistics. Disclaimably not a US or Brit weapon, and uses common 7.65 ammo. Better guns? If we forget about unrealistic "run and shoot 50 bad guys" scenarios made famous by the movie franchise, and start thinking close quarters, against the head type shots, we get closer to 1950's spy techniques and weapons, which is where Fleming wanted to take us. All that aside, my PPK .32 is extremely accurate, and as dependable as I could ask for. A double "O" agent could do a lot worse, and can you imagine Bond carrying that little Webley .32 auto? .........
