Weapons of the Walking Dead!
By Spike Bowan
©frogdogwriting 2013
For those of you who know me, I am a HUGE fan of AMC’s “the Walking Dead!” I am also an avid weapons enthusiast and Second Amendment advocate. It dawned on me as I was preparing for tonight’s episode to put the two together.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pride and joy that I give you THE WEAPONS OF THE WALKING DEAD!
I am going to go through the characters, I will give you descriptions and statistics on as many weapons as possible. If I can, I will give you average cost of the weapons as well! Let’s get started:
Rick Grimes-
Ricks primary weapon of choice is his Colt Python. This 357 Magnum is a legendary weapon averaging around $2000 and up in price. It was first introduced in 1955. (Colt home website and Wikipedia.com)
Type Revolver
Place of origin United States
Production history
Manufacturer Colt’s Manufacturing Company
Produced 1955–1996
Variants 2.5-inch (6.4 cm), 3-inch (7.6 cm), 4-inch (10 cm), 6-inch (15 cm) and 8-inch (20 cm) barrel
Specifications
Weight 38 ounces (1.1 kg) to 48 ounces (1.4 kg)
Cartridge .357 Magnum
Action Double-action
Feed system Six-round cylinder
Sights Rear adj.; front ramp
Now in season 1 Rick heads to Atlanta after raiding the weapons locker from his Sheriff’s station. He ends up inside the M1 Abrams tank. Off of the dead soldier inside he retrieves the Beretta M9.
The M9 is either loved or hated by US Military service members. It won the contest to replace th 1911A1 as the official side arm for US military members in the 1980’s. It barely won against the Sig P226. I carried one for years as a Corpsman and personally I think it’s an okay weapon. Not my first choice but it works all the same. It officially replaced the 1911A1 in 1990. (Beretta.com)
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin
Italy
United States of America
Service history
In service 1985–present
Used by United States United States Armed Forces
Wars
Invasion of Panama
Persian Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
War in Yugoslavia
Production history
Manufacturer Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta
Specifications
Weight
952 g (33.6 oz)
1,162 g (41.0 oz) loaded
Length 217 mm (8.5 in)
Barrel length 125 mm (4.9 in)
Cartridge 9×19mm Parabellum
Action Short recoil
Muzzle velocity 381 m/s (1,250 ft/s)
Effective range 50 m
Feed system 15 round detachable box magazine
Sights Iron sights
Now Rick also picked up a little care package from the dead soldier inside the tank. The M67 hand fragmentation grenade.
Filled with 6.5 ounces of Composition B, the M67 has a specific fuse designed for it. The M213. The M67 can be thrown 30 to 35 meters by the average soldier. It has a 3 second fuse that ignites explosives packed inside a round body. Steel fragments (not to be confused with shrapnel) are provided by the grenade body and produce an injury radius of 15 meters (~45 ft), with a fatality radius of 5 meters (~15 ft), though some fragments can disperse as far out as 250 meters (~820 ft).
Type Hand grenade
Place of origin United States of America
Service history
In service present
Used by United States, Canada.
Wars Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Production history
Designed 1975
Produced 1975 to present
Specifications
Weight 14 oz (400 g)
Length 3.53 in (88 mm)
Diameter 2.5 in (64 mm)
Filling Composition B
Filling weight 6.5 oz (180 g)
Detonation
mechanism Pyrotechnic delay M213 fuse—4 seconds
We now start to see a wide array of weapons from axes, bats, machetes and knives. I am only going to touch on two specific non firearm related weapons. But that’s later on. Let’s keep going.
Andrea-
Personally I am not a big fan of this character and actually cheered when she died in Season 3! (Spoiler Alert!!! Sorry!!!) She ends up using an array of weapons ranging from a Beretta M9, to the S&W Lady Smith 9mm 3913. I can’t tell if it is the NL unmarked or not although I know the tapered frame should give it away. Problem is I can never really get a good look at it in the show.
Enough about her, I am going to keep going. I really just wanted a reason to post this next pic.
Shane:
Shane prominently uses his shotgun. A bad ass Mossberg 12 gauge 590!
Introduced in 1961, all model 500s are based on the same basic design. Originally using a single action bar, that was known to bind and even break, this was changed to dual action bars in 1970, following the expiration of Remington’a patent on the double action bar design. A single large locking lug is used to secure the breech. The magazine tube is located below the barrel, and is screwed into the receiver. The slide release is located to the left rear of the trigger guard, and the safety is located on the upper rear of the receiver (often called a “tang safety”). Model numbers included in the 500 series are the 500, 505, 510, 535, and 590. (Mossberg.com and Wikipedia.com)
Type Shotgun
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1961–present
Used by See Users
Wars Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Production history
Designer Oscar Frederick Mossberg
Designed 1960
Manufacturer O.F. Mossberg & Sons
Produced 1960–present
Specifications
Weight 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) to 7.5 (3.4 kg) empty
Length varies with model
Barrel length 14 to 30 inches (350 to 762 mm)
Caliber 12 gauge, 20 gauge, .410 bore
Action pump-action
Muzzle velocity 403 m/s (1,325 ft/s) for 12-gauge, 2¾”, 00 buckshot load
475 m/s (1,560 ft/s) for 12-gauge 437-grain rifled slug
Effective range 40 m
Maximum range 50m for shot, 300m for slugs
Feed system varies, 5+1 to 8+1 rounds; internal tube magazine
Sights varies
Average price is $350 and up+
Shane also uses a Glock pistol. from what I can tell it looks like a Glock 17.
If by now you don’t know what a Glock is I will just shake my head and give you the basics.
The Glock pistol, sometimes referred to by the manufacturer as Glock “Safe Action” Pistol, is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H., located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company’s founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearm design or manufacture at the time their first pistol, the Glock 17, was being prototyped. Glock did, however, have extensive experience in advanced synthetic polymers, knowledge of which was instrumental in the company’s design of the first successful line of pistols with a polymer frame. Glock introduced ferritic nitrocarburizing into the firearms industry as an anti-corrosion surface treatment for metal gun parts.
Despite initial resistance from the market to accept a “plastic gun” due to durability and reliability concerns, and fears that the pistol would be “invisible” to metal detectors in airports, Glock pistols have become the company’s most profitable line of products, commanding 65% of the market share of handguns for United States law enforcement agencies as well as supplying numerous national armed forces and security agencies worldwide. Glocks are also popular weapons amongst civilians for home/self defense and concealed/open carry (Wikipedia.com)
An early “third generation” Glock 17
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin Austria
Service history
In service 1982–present
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer Gaston Glock
Designed 1979–82
Manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H.
Produced 1982–present
Number built 5,000,000 as of 2007
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Cartridge
9×19mm Parabellum (Glock 17, 18, 19, 26, 34)
10mm Auto (Glock 20, 29)
.45 ACP (Glock 21, 30, 36)
.40 S&W (Glock 22, 23, 24, 27, 35)
.380 ACP (Glock 25, 28)
.357 SIG (Glock 31, 32, 33)
.45 GAP (Glock 37, 38, 39)
Action Short recoil, locked breech, tilting barrel (straight blowback for .380 ACP variants)
Muzzle velocity 375 m/s (1,230 ft/s) (Glock 17, 17C, 18, 18C)
Effective range 50 m (55 yd) (Glock 17, 17C, 18, 18C)
Feed system Box magazine, see Variants for capacities
Sights Fixed, adjustable and tritium-illuminated handgun night sights
Average price is $500-$700
Daryl Dixon:
I know this is one of the characters you all have been waiting for.
You have got to love that crossbow!
He uses two different crossbows in the show. The only info I could find was on the newer one he gets in season 3.
Hands down Daryl is my favorite character.
The Governor:
Morrisey plays one of the best villains I have ever seen in cinema. This Charasmatic psycopath uses a STEYR AUG.
The AUG, a bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, is a selective fire weapon with a conventional gas piston operated action that fires from a closed bolt.Designed as a family of rifles that could be quickly adapted to a wide variety of roles with the change of the barrel to a desired length and profile, the AUG is a modular configuration rifle that employs a high level of polymer and advanced alloy components.
The AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, designed in the 1960s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG (formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch). The AUG (Armee-Universal-Gewehr—”universal army rifle”) was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 (Sturmgewehr 77) in 1978,where it replaced the 7.62mm StG 58 automatic rifle (a licence-built FN FAL).In production since 1978, it is the standard small arm of the Austrian Bundesheer and various national police units.
Type Assault rifle
Submachine gun
Light machine gun
Place of origin Austria
Service history
In service 1978–present
Used by See Users
Wars
Afghanistan War
Iraq War
Syrian civil war
2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Production history
Designer Horst Wesp
Karl Wagner
Karl Möser
Designed 1970s
Manufacturer Steyr Mannlicher
Thales Australia, Lithgow Facility
SME Ordnance
Produced
1978–present (Standard)
1988–present (Para)
2004–present (A3)
2007–present (A3 SF)
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight
3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (Standard)
3.3 kg (7.3 lb) (Carbine)
3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (Subcarbine)
3.9 kg (8.6 lb) (HBAR)
3.3 kg (7.3 lb) (Para)
Length
790 mm (31.1 in) (Standard)
690 mm (27.2 in) (Carbine)
630 mm (24.8 in) (Subcarbine)
900 mm (35.4 in) (HBAR)
665 mm (26.2 in) (Para)
Barrel length
508 mm (20.0 in) (Standard)
407 mm (16.0 in) (Carbine)
350 mm (13.8 in) (Subcarbine)
621 mm (24.4 in) (HBAR)
420 mm (16.5 in) (Para)
Cartridge
5.56×45mm NATO
9×19mm Parabellum
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 680-750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity Standard rifle: 970 m/s (3,182 ft/s)
Effective range 300 metres (980 ft)
Maximum range 2,700 metres (8,900 ft)
Feed system
5.56×45mm NATO: 30 or 42-round box magazine,[1] Beta C-Mag[citation needed]
9×19mm Parabellum: 25 or 32-round MPi 69 box magazine[1]
Sights Swarovski 1.5x telescopic sight, emergency battle sights, various optics
(Wikipedia.com)
Average price $2500+ for Civilian version.
The Governor also uses a Nickle plated Taurus 9mm. pretty sure it’s a Taurus. I am almost positice that it is the Taurus version of the Beretta M9/92FS:
You tell me:
Michonne:
I love this gal! She’s mysterious, she’s beautiful, she carries a BAD ASS Katana and has ‘Walkers” as pets on leashes. She’s a warrior chick. What’s not to love?
Historically, katana (刀?) were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (日本刀 nihontō?)that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan, also commonly referred to as a “samurai sword”.Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods.
The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan and has become renowned for its sharpness and strength.
The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods: jokoto (Ancient swords, until around 900 A.D.), koto (old swords from around 900–1596), shinto (new swords 1596–1780), shinshinto (new new swords 1781–1876), gendaito (modern swords 1876–1945), and shinsakuto (newly made swords 1953–present).
The first use of “katana” as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi is found in the 12th century. These references to “uchigatana” and “tsubagatana” seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower ranking warriors. The evolution of the tachi into the katana seems to have started during the early Muromachi period (1337 to 1573). Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with the “katana” signature were made. This was in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called “katana style” (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with the signature facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi’s signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner.
The rise in popularity of katana by samurai is believed to have been due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times. The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the sharpened edge facing up. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.
The length of the katana blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 to 73 cm (27 1⁄2 to 28 1⁄2 in) in length. During the early 16th century, the average length was closer to 60 cm (23 1⁄2 in). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28 1⁄2 in).
The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi or it could also be worn with the tantō, a smaller, similarly shaped dagger. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō. The daisho could only be worn by samurai and it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai. (Wikipedia.com)
I don’t know anyone that can afford one or where to even buy a “REAL” one. If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be awesome. Just saying.
There are so many amazing weapons in this show that I could actually go for a good while. I just wanted to give you some cool facts about one of my FAVORITE ALL TIME SHOWS!
Watch your 6 out there and remember! HEAD SHOTS ONLY!
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