The John Wick film series redefined modern action cinema, captivating audiences with its balletic gunfights and compelling narrative. Central to John Wick’s persona is his choice of weaponry, particularly his handguns. Throughout the four movies released so far, John Wick, portrayed by Keanu Reeves, has wielded a variety of pistols, each carefully selected for its role in his high-stakes world. This article delves into the specific “john wick pistol” choices across the franchise, offering a closer look at these iconic firearms.
John Wick (2014): The Foundation of Firepower
Heckler & Koch P30L: The Primary “john wick pistol” in the Original
In the film that started it all, John Wick retrieves his favored arsenal from its hidden location, revealing a pair of Heckler & Koch P30L pistols chambered in 9mm. These DA/SA (double-action/single-action) handguns are notable for their custom barrel-mounted compensators. These compensators extend slightly beyond the slide, giving the P30L a distinctive, almost long-slide appearance and aiding in recoil management, crucial for Wick’s fast and accurate shooting style.
The H&K P30L is a robust and reliable pistol, known for its ergonomic grip and modular design. While it typically features a 15-round magazine, the film subtly suggests that Wick might be using extended magazines to enhance his combat efficiency, a detail appreciated by firearms enthusiasts for its tactical realism within the movie’s stylized action. This “john wick pistol” is a workhorse throughout the first film, showcasing Wick’s preference for dependable and customizable firearms.
Glock 26: The Concealed Backup
For a discreet backup, John Wick utilizes a sub-compact Glock 26. Carried in a small-of-the-back holster, this “john wick pistol” is the first weapon drawn by Wick in the movie, specifically during his infiltration of the bathhouse beneath the Red Circle. The Glock 26’s compact size allows for quick and easy concealment and draw, making it an ideal choice for close-quarters situations where speed and discretion are paramount.
The Glock 26, known for its reliability and simplicity, is a popular choice for concealed carry in the real world. Its inclusion as Wick’s backup highlights his tactical preparedness and attention to detail, even in his choice of secondary weapons.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017): Stepping Up the Arsenal
Custom Taran Tactical Innovations Glock 34: The Upgraded “john wick pistol”
For the sequel, John Wick upgrades his primary weapon to a highly customized Glock 34 Gen3, modified by Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI). This “john wick pistol” is not just off-the-shelf; it’s a bespoke firearm built for performance. The Glock 34, a competition-focused variant of the Glock 17, is enhanced with TTI’s Combat Master Package.
The JW2 Combat Master, as it’s known, features extensive modifications. These include a matte black slide finish, a bronze-coated barrel, and a Timney Alpha competition trigger for a crisp, light trigger pull. Frame enhancements such as grip reduction and a TTI magwell facilitate faster reloads and improved handling. TTI fiber optic sights offer superior visibility, and the full wrap stipple and scalloped cuts on the frame ensure a secure and comfortable grip. Priced at around $2,400 (excluding the base Glock 34), this “john wick pistol” represents a significant investment in performance and customization, reflecting Wick’s professional status.
TTI Glock 26: Matching Backup
Continuing the theme of customized weaponry, Wick’s backup pistol in Chapter 2 is also a TTI creation. This customized Glock 26, featuring TTI’s Combat Carry package, mirrors the enhancements of his primary Glock 34. This attention to detail in outfitting both primary and secondary firearms with similar custom work underscores Wick’s commitment to consistency and performance across his entire arsenal.
Kimber Warrior 1911: The Bowery King’s Gift
Towards the climax of John Wick: Chapter 2, the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) provides Wick with a Kimber Warrior 1911. This classic “john wick pistol”, chambered in .45 ACP, is equipped with SOCOM black G10 grips and comes with a single 7-round magazine. The Kimber 1911 is a departure from Wick’s usual Glock preference, representing a more traditional and powerful handgun.
The 1911 platform is renowned for its single-action trigger and inherent accuracy. The Kimber Warrior variant is a duty-grade pistol known for its reliability and robust construction. While Wick quickly exhausts the provided magazine, the Kimber 1911 serves as a symbolic weapon in this part of the narrative.
Glock 17: The Intermittent Sidearm
In a brief but notable scene during the art gallery shootout, John Wick utilizes standard Glock 17 pistols. After running dry with his Kimber 1911, he picks up Glock 17s dropped by his adversaries. This marks the only instance in the series where Wick uses a completely unmodified, stock Glock. The Glock 17, a full-size 9mm pistol, is known for its widespread use in law enforcement and military applications, emphasizing its reliability and ease of use, even for a master assassin in a pinch.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): Expanding the Arsenal with Competition Guns
STI TTI 2011 Combat Master: The High-Capacity “john wick pistol”
For Parabellum, John Wick’s primary “john wick pistol” is again a TTI custom, but this time it’s the STI TTI 2011 Combat Master. This collaboration between TTI and STI (now Staccato) moves away from the Glock platform to a 2011-style pistol. The 2011 platform combines the 1911’s single-action trigger with a high-capacity magazine, offering both precision and increased firepower.
Chambered in 9x19mm Major, this pistol is designed for competition shooting, specifically USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) style events. 9mm Major is a high-pressure 9mm Luger variant, pushing bullets to over 1,550 fps to meet competition power factor requirements. This “hot” round, akin to a .38 Super in a 9mm case, provides significant power and flat-shooting characteristics, ideal for Wick’s dynamic and fast-paced combat engagements. The STI TTI 2011 Combat Master exemplifies Wick’s continued preference for high-performance, competition-grade firearms.
Remington 1875 Single-Action Revolver: The Improvised Weapon
In a memorable scene in Parabellum, Wick, disarmed in an antique weapons museum, improvises a functional firearm from disparate parts. He combines components from two Remington 1875 revolvers, a Colt 1851 Navy barrel, and a Colt 1860 Army hammer to create a working single-action revolver chambered in .44-40.
This “Frankengun” moment is not only a testament to Wick’s resourcefulness but also a nod to classic Westerns. The scene includes a direct homage to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, with Wick echoing Tuco’s cylinder-spinning scene. While not a chosen weapon in the traditional sense, this improvised Remington 1875 highlights Wick’s ability to adapt and utilize any available firearm, even antique ones, to survive.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): The Pinnacle of Pistol Proficiency
TTI Pit Viper: The Ultimate “john wick pistol”
For what might be his final cinematic outing, John Wick’s primary “john wick pistol” is the TTI Pit Viper. Another in-house creation from Taran Tactical Innovations, the Pit Viper is built on a 2011 9mm platform. This handgun represents the pinnacle of customization and performance seen in Wick’s arsenal.
As described by the Bowery King, the Pit Viper features a “twenty-one-round capacity magazine with a built-in compensator,” minimizing muzzle flip. Additional features include a fiber-optic front sight, ambidextrous safeties, a flared magwell for rapid reloads, and a light two-pound trigger. The TTI Pit Viper is designed for ultimate control and speed, perfectly complementing Wick’s evolved fighting style in the fourth film.
TTI Glock 34: The Familiar Backup
In a nod to his past weaponry, Wick also utilizes the TTI Glock 34 Combat Master from Chapter 2 in Chapter 4. Notably, he uses this “john wick pistol” during the horseback desert scene, showcasing its continued reliability and his familiarity with the platform even in unconventional combat scenarios.
Thompson Center Encore Deluxe Single-Shot Pistol: The Duelist’s Choice
John Wick’s final on-screen pistol, and perhaps the last pistol he ever uses, is the Thompson Center Encore Deluxe single-shot pistol. In the climactic duel, both Wick and his opponent wield matching sets of these single-shot pistols. The Thompson Center Encore, typically known as a hunting pistol, is repurposed as a classic dueling pistol in this stylized showdown.
This choice of “john wick pistol” for the duel is symbolic, representing a return to a more formal and decisive form of combat. The single-shot nature of the Encore emphasizes the finality and high stakes of the duel, contrasting with the high-capacity, tactical pistols Wick typically employs.
