21st Century Action Heroes and Their Firearms
It’s difficult to say exactly when stories of vigilante justice became part of the cultural zeitgeist. As early as the 13th century, the legend of Robin Hood told stories of justice in an unjust world, and broadcast radio brought heroes like Zorro and the Lone Rangers into homes across America in the 1930s. And even though the heroes may have changed (and we’re no longer gathered in front of the radio together), the stories remain the same: a hero in an unjust world has mastered the weapons of war and made sure that what’s wrong is made right once more.
Today, these stories are no longer meant for the whole family. During the golden age of radio, it would have been common to see Roy Rogers or Lone Ranger toy pistols, today it’s unlikely that you’ll walk into a toy store and find the same kind of merchandise for contemporaries like John Wick and Jason Bourne. Stories with firearms have become entertainment for adults, and they’re centered around more complex, adult-oriented themes.
But for those who love to talk shop, the real stars of these stories aren’t just the heroes themselves, but also their weapons of choice. In this article, we’re taking a look at the aforementioned Jason Bourne and John Wick, along with Dr. Robert Neville of I Am Legend. The men, the myths, and of course, the firearms.
John Wick
I could open here with the expected preamble that describes a hitman brought out of retirement after the tragic loss of his dog, but you’ve likely already seen the movies, so let’s talk about what you really came to read about: the firearms. Now, identifying notable firearms in John Wick movies can feel like trying to find noteworthy raindrops in a thunderstorm. It can be overwhelming to say the least. But no matter what stood out to you, I tend to find that most everyone has a certain amount of fascination with John Wick’s hidden cement-encased arsenal that he reveals with a sledgehammer.
John definitely gets an A for effort when it comes to concealed storage, but if we’re watching with a critical eye, there are some areas of concern to be sure. Encasing an arsenal worthy of a Terminator movie just beneath his feet and well out of sight seems pretty safe, but if we have to nitpick, I didn’t see any trigger guards. But then again, he’s an assassin, not a father of four. We’re talking about vigilante justice movies, so rest assured that safety isn’t guaranteed.
When I’m shopping, my husband often reminds me of a motto he learned during his military training, “Two is one, one is none.” John Wick obviously subscribes to the mindset. You probably noticed that he kept doubles of a few choice weapons in his concrete “just-in-case” doomsday hideaway—most notable a pair of Heckler & Koch P30Ls, and two Glock 26 pistols. Both 9 mm models are good for concealed carry options for a vigilante on the run, with the Glock 26 obviously being the most exceptional for that purpose at just around 6.5 inches in length.
Heckler and Koch receives quite the nod in the first film if you consider that he also has what appears to be a Coharie Arms CA-415, which is a reproduction of the Heckler & Koch HK416. And, as expected from an action movie, John Wick’s Coharie Arms CA-415 looks to be fully automatic. Sorry, John, but I don’t think fully automatic weapons are legal in your home state of New York. Then again, neither is breaking into someone’s home and killing their dog!
Jason Bourne
While the first film in the Bourne saga features Jason using firearms prominently, they’re not always his weapon of choice in the sequels. The almost causal attitude to firearms that we’re so used to seeing from heroes in action movies is replaced with a much more serious tone that arguably adds a little realism to the story. Carrying a firearm is arguably portrayed as responsibility, and maybe even a burden.
When Jason Bourne finds the SIG Pro SP 2009 in his safety deposit box, he surprisingly leaves it behind—as he does with a lot of weapons in these films. But, hey, he’s Jason Bourne. He’s far more likely to take a firearm from someone else than he is to carry one himself in these films. But before he became an amnesiac burdened with rediscovering his past, he did carry a notable Glock pistol.
One of earliest scenes in the Bourne timeline occurs in a flashback from The Bourne Ultimatum, in which we see Jason with a Glock 17—which is incidentally said to be the most prominently featured firearm in action films, and for good reason. It’s widely used by law enforcement agencies worldwide, and while it may not be as ideal for concealed carry as the Glock 19, its added weight can make it a little easier to control the recoil. But, for the record, Jason Bourne also used a Glock 19 in the Bourne Identity!
Dr. Robert Neville
Will Smith’s character in I Am Legend isn’t one that immediately comes to mind when you think of vigilante justice. He may not be plagued with the monsters of the organized crime world like so many fictional action heroes are, but he has devoted his life to defeating the Darkseekers (aka super zombies), who are much more literal monsters out to end the human race with their ceaseless drive to consume everything in their path.
And while science is Neville’s weapon of choice, when it comes to offense, he’s still in a survival horror story, so firearms make for close companions on his journey. Well, sidearms and his dog—at least until the Darkseekers turn it into an undead monster! What’s the deal with bad guys hurting dogs in these movies, anyway? I’m sure John Wick can empathize, but I digress.
Of all the firearms seen in the film, the most memorable one may be the Colt M4 6920 Carbine AR that Robert Neville sleeps with in the bathtub during the treacherous nights in his post-apocalyptic world. It’s obviously his firearm of choice when it comes to self-defense. Weighing in at just under 7 lbs., it seems perfect for a hero on the run (from zombies).
Like John Wick, Neville also has a doomsday arsenal that he reveals at the film’s climax, where he keeps a M249-E2 Squad Automatic Weapon. It seems like a good way to potentially take down a horde of hungry zombies that could storm into your bathroom/sleeping quarters at night (yikes!), but at an unwieldy 17 lbs., it probably doesn’t provide the same kind of maneuverability necessary for someone in his situation.
Robert Neville also keeps a Heckler & Koch Mark 23—and he keeps it too far out of reach to be effective in this movie! Proximity to weapons is always necessary when it comes to deterring zombies. Always!
As with the John Wick and Jason Bourne series, there are more firearm cameos in I Am Legend than could ever fit into an article. So, if you’re not already guilty of referencing the Internet Movie Firearms Database, you’re missing out! Once you’ve made your way through your favorite 21st century movies, there are plenty of old Westerns and Gangster movies to check out there if you want to see just how much firearms have changed in films. If you can help it, try not to bring it up on your phone while the movie is on. You never know what you might miss!
Written by: Lanna Perkins, Education Writer
