10 Guns That Are Only Popular Because of Pop Culture
I've been shooting for years, and it's always struck me how certain guns get way more attention than they deserve just because they looked cool in a movie or video game. Don't get me wrong - some of these are decent firearms, but their popularity is completely out of proportion to their actual performance. Hollywood and game developers pick guns based on how they look and sound, not whether they're worth a damn in real life. Here are ten firearms that owe their popularity more to entertainment exposure than actual merit.
Pop Culture Guns @TFB:
- The Rimfire Report: .22LR Firearms Found in Video Games
- Lara Croft's Brace of H&K USP 9 Pistols Up for Auction
- The Guns of Battlefield 2042: New and Old Friends on the Battlefield
- TFB Review: Cimarron 1887 Lever Action Terminator Shotgun
- Concealed Carry Corner: Carry Guns of Collateral
1. Winchester 1887
Terminator 2: Judgment Day transformed this lever-action shotgun into an action movie icon when Arnold Schwarzenegger flip-cocked it one-handed, leading to modern reproductions from Norinco, Cimarron, and Chiappa. Funny enough, John Browning himself didn't want to design it - he had superior pump-action designs ready, but Winchester insisted on a lever-action to maintain brand consistency. Despite 64,855 being produced before being discontinued in 1901, it is commonly agreed to be a commercial failure. The design called the Model 1901 only existed as long as it did because it was one of few repeating smokeless 10 gauge shotguns out there.
The 1887's real issues aren't speed - you can cycle it as fast as a pump if you work the lever aggressively. The actual problems are practical: Loading requires reaching through the open action to insert shells into the tubular magazine, which is awkward and time-consuming. The original was designed only for black powder shells and proved too weak for smokeless powder. Modern reproductions face reliability issues with ejection malfunctions unless cycled very forcefully, and the action screws tend to work loose over time.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 12 gauge, 10 gauge (original)
- Weight: 8-9 lbs
- Overall Length: 39-47" (depending on barrel length)
- Capacity: 5 rounds
2. MAC-10/MAC-11
The MAC series achieved iconic status through 1980s action films, music videos, and later video games, where its compact profile and rapid fire rate made it seem like the ultimate close-quarters weapon. The gun's simple lines and aggressive appearance became synonymous with urban warfare in popular media.
In practice, the extremely high cyclic rate makes controlled bursts nearly impossible, burning through ammunition while delivering poor accuracy. These firearms are among the cheapest transferable machine guns available since knowledgeable collectors understand their limitations.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .45 ACP (MAC-10), .380 ACP (MAC-11)
- Weight: 6.26 lbs (MAC-10), 3.5 lbs (MAC-11)
- Length: 21.5" stock extended (MAC-10), 21" stock extended (MAC-11)
- Rate of Fire: 1,090 RPM (MAC-10), 1,200 RPM (MAC-11)
3. TEC-9
The TEC-9 gained notoriety through its appearances in music videos, action films, and video games, where its aggressive styling, unique outline, and large in-front-of-trigger magazines created an intimidating presence. Media coverage of high-profile crimes further cemented its reputation as a dangerous weapon.
“Two Intratec Tec-9 Semi-Automatic Pistols w/ Cases.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2019/432/two-intratec-tec9-semiautomatic-pistols-w-cases.
Despite the scary black gun look, the TEC-9 represents the budget, intimidating-looking gun side of stuff. The guns were known for frequent malfunctions, poor accuracy, and awkward handling characteristics that make it neither an effective pistol nor carbine.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 9mm
- Weight: 2.7-3 lbs
- Length: 16.25"
- Capacity: 10/20/32 rounds
4. Walther PPK
James Bond transformed this German pocket pistol into a cultural icon, creating demand that far exceeds the gun's practical capabilities. The PPK commands premium pricing seemingly solely due to its fictional spy association, despite offering minimal advantages over modern alternatives. The .380 ACP chambering provides limited stopping power, while the original .32 ACP is even less effective.
The gun's reputation for finicky operation is well-documented, even TFB’s own James Reeves has brought it up in videos. Modern concealed carry options deliver better reliability, greater capacity, and more powerful cartridges in similar or smaller packages.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .380 ACP, .32 ACP
- Weight: 1.3 lbs (.380), 1.4 lbs (.32)
- Length: 6.1"
- Capacity: 6-7 rounds (.380), 7-8 rounds (.32)
5. Thompson Submachine Gun
The Thompson earned its "Tommy Gun" nickname through Depression-era gangster films and World War II movies that portrayed it as the ultimate close-combat weapon. This submachine gun's distinctive profile and historical associations continue driving collector interest and reproduction sales. Good lord are they expensive (both then and now).
However, the Thompson was prohibitively expensive during its production era, costing more than an automobile when introduced. The gun's weight exceeds most modern battle rifles, while its complex manufacturing process required extensive machining. Simpler, lighter submachine guns quickly replaced it in military service once alternatives became available. The M3 Grease Gun doesn’t quite have the same appeal, though.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Weight: 10.8 lbs (empty)
- Length: 33.75"
- Capacity: 20/30/50/100 rounds
6. Smith & Wesson Model 29
Dirty Harry rescued this revolver from commercial obscurity when Clint Eastwood's character declared it "the most powerful handgun in the world." Before the film's release, the Model 29 appeared destined for big-bore enthusiasts and the specialized hunting market only. Post-movie demand overwhelmed Smith & Wesson's production capacity until reality set in.
Many purchasers quickly discovered that the .44 Magnum's punishing recoil made the gun unpleasant for recreational shooting and impractical for most defensive applications. I own a Model 29, and it's a snappy boy. The cartridge delivers a ton of power for typical everyday use.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .44 Magnum
- Weight: 2.5-3 lbs (varies by barrel length)
- Length: 9.5-14.5" (varies by barrel length)
- Capacity: 6 rounds
7. AKS-74U
Video games and action films elevated this shortened Kalashnikov variant to legendary status as the compact assault rifle of choice for special operations and urban combat. The AKS-74U appears in countless first-person shooters where its combination of power and portability seems ideal.
Looking at this gun realistically, the abbreviated barrel severely reduces bullet velocity and effective range, while also creating excessive blast and muzzle flash. The gun sacrifices the AK platform's legendary reliability for marginal size reduction, offering few advantages over standard rifles except in extremely confined spaces.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm
- Weight: 5.9 lbs
- Length: 19.3" (stock, if any, folded)
- Capacity: 30 rounds
8. Volcanic Pistol
Modern video games like Red Dead Redemption introduced new generations to this historical curiosity, while Smith & Wesson's marketing department heavily promoted its connection to their recent lever-action rifle releases. Sure wish they would have come out with a modern interpretation or reproduction instead.
The Volcanic's unusual repeating mechanism and distinctive appearance make it visually striking in period entertainment. This commercial failure nearly bankrupted its original manufacturers due to fundamental design flaws. The proprietary ammunition generated so little power that contemporary accounts describe people catching the bullets in their hands. The complex action proved unwieldy, unreliable, and expensive to produce, leading to the company's eventual reorganization.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .31 Volcanic, .41 Volcanic
- Weight: 2-3 lbs (depending on barrel length)
- Length: 9-16" (depending on barrel length)
- Capacity: 6-10 rounds (pistol), 20-30 rounds (rifle)
9. Gatling Gun
Everyone loves the Gatling. You would be silly not to giggle after cranking off a mag full of black powder 45-70. Hollywood Westerns and modern video games turned the Gatling gun into the symbol of devastating firepower, appearing in everything from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly to Red Dead Redemption. The distinctive rotating barrels and impressive visual presence made it a favorite for depicting overwhelming firepower in entertainment media.
The reality was far less impressive. The original hand-cranked Gatling guns were mechanically unreliable, prone to jamming from fouling and debris, and required a dedicated crew of 2-4 men to operate effectively. The guns were extraordinarily heavy, often exceeding 200 pounds with their wheeled carriages, making battlefield mobility nearly impossible. More critically, they consumed ammunition at an unsustainable rate for the logistics of the era. A few minutes of sustained fire could exhaust an entire unit's ammunition supply. The U.S. military purchased very few during the Civil War era, and most commanders preferred conventional artillery that delivered more practical battlefield effects with better reliability. Nowadays, companies like Tippmann Ordnance make ones for all of us who love the history and some hand-crank novelty.
P.S. Please send me a TG-916 gatling gun, Tippmann. I’m begging.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .45-70, .50-70 Government (various others)
- Weight: 200+ lbs (with carriage)
- Rate of Fire: 200-400 rounds per minute (hand-cranked)
- Crew Required: 2-4 men
10. Desert Eagle
The Desert Eagle represents the intersection of firearms and fantasy. This arguably overrated gas-operated giant appears constantly in action films as the villain's weapon of choice and dominates video game arsenals as the ultimate hand cannon. Social media posts, YouTube videos, and articles featuring Desert Eagles generate massive engagement from people who equate size with power.
“I.M.I. (Israeli) Desert Eagle Pistol 44 Magnum.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2022/21/imi-israeli-desert-eagle-pistol-44-magnum
Having shot one, I can say this pistol is so heavy that extended shooting becomes exhausting, and its gas system requires good-quality and expensive ammunition to function reliably. The massive cartridges produce punishing recoil that makes accurate follow-up shots nearly impossible. Most experienced shooters view it as an expensive novelty rather than a serious firearm.
Specifications:
- Caliber: .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .50 AE
- Weight: 4.5 lbs (empty)
- Length: 10.75"
- Capacity: 7-9 rounds
Conclusion
Ok, I'm not saying all these guns are complete garbage. Some of them work fine for what they were designed to do. But when I see people dropping serious money on a Desert Eagle because it looked awesome in a movie, or wanting a PPK because of James Bond, it's pretty clear that marketing and entertainment are driving sales more than performance.
The funny thing is, some of the best firearms ever made never got their moment in the spotlight because they weren't flashy enough for Hollywood. Meanwhile, these attention-grabbing pieces keep selling based on their screen time.
Notice I didn't do a “Top 10”. What guns did I miss? What is only popular because of pop culture? Have any of these entertainment darlings caught your attention? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Staff Writer: TheFirearmBlog & AllOutdoor.com | Certified Gunsmith | Published Author | Firearm History Enthusiast
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The Desert Eagle isn’t for the timid nor the weak wristed . I absolutely love my three and have no problems holding them and or shooting them . No different than holding a 1/2 Milwaukee impact . Wrists don’t moan and complain either
Having owned or currently own most of the guns in this article, I think the author needs to look beyond "video games" and try and understand that when these guns were introduced, those of us that appreciated them for what they are weren't concerned with their weight or recoil. We didn't have plastic guns, or low recoil guns, we liked them for what they were, fun guns!! So go work on those weak wrists Sam, then maybe you'll understand.