James Bond’s Guns - What’s Real? Walther PPK, Colt, SIG 226?
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Release Date: 10/28/2025
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
SPY vs SPY - How a MAD Magazine Comic Shaped Spy Cinema explores how a silent comic changed espionage storytelling forever. In this episode, we reveal why Spy vs. Spy matters more to spy movies than most audiences realize. This podcast episode from Cracking the Code of Spy Movies looks past punchlines. It uncovers influence, tone, and lasting ideas: Two identical spies, endless conflict, there are no winners. At first glance, Spy vs. Spy feels like pure comedy. But beneath the humor lies a brutal truth. There are explosions, traps, and sudden reversals. All done with a...
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Mirror, Mirror: The Villains Who Reflect James Bond explores one of the most revealing ideas in the entire Bond franchise. James Bond villains are not true opposites of Bond. They are reflections. They are versions of Bond where a single restraint disappears. In this episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, Dan and Tom examine some of Bond’s greatest adversaries as mirrors rather than monsters. These villains share Bond’s training, intelligence, and appetite for risk. What separates them is not skill. It is restraint. It is purpose. It is accountability. Using a clear “mirror...
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f you’re a James Bond fan, you won’t want to miss our latest episode: 20 Things You Missed in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. In this deep‑dive discussion, we uncover 20 Things You Missed in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE that even longtime Bond aficionados often overlook. From continuity errors to clever background details, cultural insights, filming quirks, and subtle storytelling decisions, this episode shines a spotlight on the hidden gems tucked inside the fifth Eon Productions Bond adventure. Hosted by Dan and Tom of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, this...
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License to Change – The Future of Spy Movies explores the spy genre and why it now faces its greatest challenge yet. In this in-depth episode from Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, Dan and Tom examine whether traditional espionage storytelling can survive in a world defined by surveillance, data, and artificial intelligence. For more than sixty years, spy movies have taught audiences what espionage is supposed to look like: tailored tuxedos, exotic locations, ingenious gadgets, and clear-cut heroes and villains. From Dr. No through decades of James Bond dominance, spy films reassured...
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THE MACKINTOSH MAN (1973) rarely gets top billing in Cold War spy cinema—but should it? In this episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, Dan and Tom take a fresh, clear-eyed look at John Huston’s subdued espionage thriller starring Paul Newman and James Mason. Overshadowed by flashier spy movies, THE MACKINTOSH MAN instead leans into bureaucracy, moral ambiguity, and procedural realism. The question is simple: does that restraint elevate the movie—or drain it of tension? We break down the movie’s place in the evolution of spy cinema, tracing its DNA back to genre heavyweights...
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Is James Bond a Code Name has fueled fan debates for decades, and this episode delivers the final, evidence-based answer. In The Final Word, we examine the theory head-on using Ian Fleming’s novels, official EON films, and on-screen continuity. This episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies goes directly to the source. We analyze how Ian Fleming created James Bond. And we discuss Fleming’s interviews, drafts, and novels to see if there is a tell here. We explore the crucial evidence from YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, including Bond’s detailed...
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James Bond doesn’t just have a License to Kill—he’s got a License to Survive. In this episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, hosts Dan and Tom take you on a thrilling journey through the 25 Eon Productions James Bond films to uncover the countless times 007 has stared death in the face and walked away unscathed. From the iconic laser scene in Goldfinger to the crocodile run in Live and Let Die, the ski jump in The Spy Who Loved Me, and even a space station shootout in Moonraker, Bond’s death-defying escapes are legendary. We’ll explore the concept of plot armor, the gadgets from...
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The 1960s were a defining era for James Bond, and much of that success came from its unforgettable villains. In this episode, we dive deep into How James Bond Villains of the 1960s shaped the 007 franchise, exploring the masterminds who turned spy thrillers into global phenomena. From the calculating genius of Ernst Stavro Blofeld to the gold-obsessed Auric Goldfinger, these characters didn’t just challenge Bond—they set the standard for cinematic villains for decades to come. We’ll examine how these antagonists influenced the tone, style, and storytelling of the early Bond films. Why...
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In this episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, Dan and Tom uncover the hidden history of pre-title sequences long before James Bond ever ordered a martini. We look at pre-title sequences – before James Bond and Beyond. Although the 007 franchise made the pre-title or “cold open” world-famous, it certainly didn’t invent the idea. Today, we take you on a deep, cinematic journey exploring when pre-title sequences really began, how filmmakers used them, and why they evolved into one of the most iconic elements of modern filmmaking. What we examine: We break down pre-title...
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In this episode, Dan and Tom show you 20 things you missed in DR. NO! You’ll be surprised by how many of these you missed. Watch to find out! You'll certainly learn something new. Every movie has questionable sequences and stuff that you miss, especially on your first time viewing the movie, and maybe your 5th time as well. Well, in this episode, we’re going to the beautiful Jamaica (and a few other places) to find out what we’ve been missing. Some of the questions we answer include: Is that a pistol in your holster? ...
info_outlineJames Bond Guns – What Is Real? Walther PPK, Colt, SIG 226? with Caleb Daniels, Author of Licensed Troubleshooter.
In this explosive episode, we’re joined by firearms historian and author Caleb Daniels to dive deep into the iconic—and often misunderstood—guns of James Bond. Caleb’s new book, Licensed Troubleshooter: The Guns of James Bond, is a meticulously researched, visually stunning tribute to 007’s cinematic and literary arsenal. From the Walther PPK to the elusive WA2000 sniper rifle, we explore what Bond actually used on screen, what Fleming wrote in the novels, and where Hollywood took creative liberties.
🎙️ Hosts Dan and Tom of the Cracking the Code of Spy Movies podcast bring their frame-by-frame analysis and passion for spy cinema to the table, uncovering surprising gun anomalies in DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, and more. Caleb shares behind-the-scenes insights from his years in the firearms industry, including how he tracked down screen-used weapons, why some guns were swapped mid-scene, and how real-world intelligence agencies influenced Bond’s gear.
💥 Some of our topics to answer the question: James Bond’s Guns - What’s Real? include:
- Why Bond’s Beretta in DR. NO isn’t what it seems
- The real story behind Walther PPK vs. PP
- Suppressors: fact vs. fiction (and why they heat up fast)
- The HK P7’s unique squeeze-cocking mechanism
- Fleming’s original firearm choices—and their real-world implications
- All while showing what these guns look like in reality
Whether you're a Bond aficionado, a firearms buff, or just love uncovering movie magic, this episode is packed with rare details, expert commentary, and a few surprises from Caleb’s personal collection—including a WWII-era Colt 1911 issued to British forces.
📺 Watch the full episode to see the guns up close and subscribe for more deep dives into spy movie lore. Don’t forget to like, comment, and tell us: which Bond weapon do you think is the most underrated?
Where you can find Caleb Daniels
Preorder Caleb’s book, Licensed Troubleshooter: The Guns of James Bond, find him on Instagram, or YouTube. Look for CommandoBond.
Tell us what you think about our discussion of James Bond’s Guns – What’s Real?
So, what new facts did you learn about the guns of 007? Let us know what was new to you.
Also, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com. The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be! We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!
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