When it comes to firearms in entertainment, realism is often left at the door in favor of pure, unadulterated entertainment. This could be the protagonist in a Hollywood blockbuster, the gritty antihero in a TV drama, or the pixelated warrior in a video game. Firearms are often portrayed in ways that leave those who understand them scratching their heads.
I work in law enforcement, one of my kids is a Marine, and the others love to shoot on the range. So, of course, it’s hard for anyone in my family to watch a movie without saying, “That’s not real.” And yet, we continue to watch and enjoy the movie. That’s because we don’t mind having guns, characters, and scenes that are not real. After all, it’s a movie that is meant to entertain us, isn’t it?
But entertainment or not, it’s fun to point out some of the exaggerated or downright made-up things we see on the big screen, video games, or TV shows. Let’s take a lighthearted look at some of the most common and hilariously inaccurate portrayals of firearms we see from time to time.
The Infinite Ammo Trope: Hollywood’s Gift to Protagonists
One of the most beloved scenes in action movies is the infinite ammo phenomenon. Heroes can fire off round after round without ever reloading. This leaves audiences wondering if they have some sort of magical gun or if physics just took a vacation. The bad guy isn’t always as lucky and seems to run out of ammo more often than the hero. Take John Wick, for example.
As impressive as Keanu Reeves’ gun-handling skills are, the sheer volume of rounds he fires would require a small arsenal of magazines. Yet he seldom pauses to reload. I’ll admit some of the sequels show many cool reloading skills. But even with multiple mags on his belt, he must have a bottomless pit of ammunition hidden in his tailored suit. The Wick movies are a little more realistic than others, but they still have Hollywood written all over them.
Silent but Deadly: The Myth of the Silencer
TV shows and movies often depict silencers (or suppressors, for the sticklers) as turning gunshots into whisper-quiet puffs. In reality, while suppressors do reduce the noise, they don’t make a gun silent. Firing a suppressed gun still produces a noticeable sound, more akin to a loud clap than a gentle whisper.
But hey, why let facts get in the way of a dramatic stealth scene? Go ahead and let the hero take down a room full of baddies without anyone else hearing a thing. One of my favorite silencer scenes is John Wick Chapter 2, in which he shoots it out in the mall without anyone noticing the gun battle. And for all those John Wick fans, don’t hate me; I love movies, too. I even had my picture taken in his car! But a movie is a movie.
Shotguns: The Ultimate Swiss Army Knife
In the realm of TV and film, shotguns are portrayed as the ultimate multi-tool. They are capable of achieving anything from blowing a bad guy across the room to delicately picking a lock. The reality is that shotguns are powerful, but they don’t send people flying as if they’ve been hit by a truck. The spread of buckshot can be devastating at close range, which is what makes them so popular.
But the idea that it can blow doors off hinges or execute pinpoint accuracy at long distances is pure Hollywood magic. We have door-breaching shotguns at work, and they will knock a hinge loose from the door, but one shot is required for each hinge. Shoot the door, and you will just make a lot of little holes or one big hole in the middle.
Video Game Firearms: Where Reloading is Optional
Video games take firearm fantasy to a whole new level. Characters run around with mini-guns, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers as if they weigh no more than a loaf of bread. The convenience of reloading is often an afterthought if it exists at all. Games like Call of Duty offer reload animations that take mere seconds, regardless of the firearm.
In reality, some of these weapons would take much longer to reload and require a lot more finesse. But who wants to deal with that when you’re in the middle of an epic online multiplayer battle? Again, I’m not complaining; just pointing it out. When I’m fighting zombies, I don’t have time to mess with longer reloads.
My favorite video game guns, however, are the made-up ones. You know, those futuristic guns that will probably be invented someday? Depending on the game, some can shoot for an impressive amount of time before they need to be reloaded, charged, or whatever makes them tick.
The One-Handed Machine Gun: Defying Physics and Common Sense
Another favorite in both movies and games is the one-handed machine gun wielded by heroes with apparent superhuman strength. Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator” or Sylvester Stallone in “Rambo” can spray bullets with one hand while striking a cool pose.
In reality, the recoil from these weapons would likely knock even the strongest person off balance. But then, we wouldn’t get those iconic action shots. Having said that, I’m not going to say it’s impossible for someone to do it, but not likely. If anyone could, I’m sure it would be Mr. Schwarzenegger or maybe Chuck Norris.
The Magic of Ricochets: When Bullets Defy Logic
Ricocheting bullets are another staple of cinematic and gaming gunfights. The hero can shoot at a metal surface, and the bullet will conveniently bounce off and hit the villain hiding behind a corner. However, it’s a little more complex and unpredictable than this in the real world.
Bullets can change direction upon impact, but predicting where they’ll end up is nearly impossible. But, of course, a perfectly timed ricochet shot makes for great dramatic tension and creative combat sequences. Unless you’re Angelina Jolie in the movie Wanted. Then your bullet-curving game would make any baseball player jealous.
The Exploding Car Conundrum
Nothing says “Hollywood action” quite like a car exploding from a single bullet hit. Whether it’s a well-placed shot to the gas tank or a dramatic sniper bullet, vehicles in movies and TV shows are apparently ticking time bombs. Real cars, however, are designed to be pretty resistant to such catastrophic events. Shooting a gas tank is unlikely to cause an explosion; it would more likely just cause a leak. But where’s the fun in that? Explosions are cool in movies and so most cars must explode when they crash or get shot.
Pistols: The Accuracy Debate
Pistols are not as accurate as rifles, but handing one to a movie star makes it a laser-precise weapon. They can take out a bad guy from across the room with a single shot, usually while running or diving through the air. This is why people think cops can just shoot the bad guy in the leg while he is running.
The Classic Western Showdown: High Noon Hilarity
The Western genre has given us some of the most iconic and exaggerated firearm portrayals ever. The classic high noon showdown, where two gunslingers face off in a deserted street, is a trope that has been endlessly parodied and exaggerated. These showdowns are typically over in a split second, with one gunslinger drawing and firing with lightning speed. Back in the day, real-life showdowns were extremely rare. And when they did happen, they were far less glamorous than depicted.
Embracing the Absurdity
While the portrayal of firearms in movies, TV shows, and video games often stretches the boundaries of reality, it’s all part of the fun. These exaggerations and inaccuracies create memorable moments, iconic characters, and thrilling action sequences that keep us glued to our screens.
So, the next time you see a hero firing endless bullets without reloading, don’t have a conniption fit. The villain may dramatically fly through the air from a shotgun blast, but it’s okay; it’s just a movie. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. After all, where would the entertainment industry be without a little bit of firearm fantasy?
