The guns of No Time to Die

James Bond’s arsenal takes centre stage in this deep dive into No Time to Die’s guns.

If you think of James Bond’s gun, one particular weapon is likely to come to mind. The Walther PPK has become inseparable from Bond’s image, representing a perfect balance between practicality and deadly style—a compact weapon suited to the needs of a secret agent.

Over the decades, however, Bond’s arsenal has expanded far beyond this iconic pistol, featuring everything from compact concealed weapons to heavy-duty assault rifles. Each firearm is chosen to suit the mission at hand, and the technology of the times. No Time to Die continues this tradition, combining classic staples like the Walther PPK with modern weaponry suited to the film’s intense action sequences. But what role do these weapons play in equipping Bond for his toughest mission yet?

James Bond

In No Time to Die, James Bond’s arsenal includes a range of firearms, each contributing to the film’s dynamic action sequences.

Walther PPK

Bond’s signature firearm, makes its return in No Time to Die. Compact and reliable, this semi-automatic pistol is a staple of Bond’s kit. Apart from appearing in the gunbarrel sequence, Bond is armed with a Walther PPK when he, Madeleine and Mathilde are in the forest trying to escape from Logan Ash and his men. He hands it to Madeleine, who uses it to dispatch one of the motorcyclists who are in pursuit.

Designed by Carl Walther in 1931 as a more compact version of the Walther PP, the Walther PPK was engineered for concealed carry, making it popular among law enforcement and civilians alike.

Browning Hi-Power

After returning from a day out fishing, Bond finds cigar ash outside his house. After this we see him with a gun in his hand, and when he eventually returns it to a secure desk drawer we can see it is a Browning Hi-Power.

The Browning Hi-Power was conceived by John Browning for FN Herstal but only completed in 1934, some years after his death. It was the first 9 mm pistol to incorporate a staggered magazine design, providing a then-unprecedented 13-round capacity. Used extensively by military forces around the world, it earned a reputation for durability and ease of use.

SIG Sauer P226

In Cuba on the trail of SPECTRE, Bond teams up with CIA agent Paloma. After witnessing the deaths of SPECTRE members in a hotel ballroom, Bond and Paloma are forced to fight their way out while trying to grab missing scientist Obruchev – competing against Nomi, who has the same objective.

Although it’s difficult to be certain, Bond appears to be using a SIG Sauer P226. Later, in the Norwegian forest sequence, it looks like he’s using the SIG again after giving Madeleine his PPK.

What is certain though is that he carries a SIG Sauer P226R in a thigh holster when infiltrating Safin’s island.

Developed in the early 1980s by SIG in partnership with JP Sauer & Sohn, the P226 was designed for the US military’s XM9 Service Pistol Trials. Although it ultimately lost to the Beretta M9, the P226 was adopted by numerous law enforcement and military agencies worldwide due to its accuracy, high magazine capacity, and rugged design.

Kalashnikov AKS-74U

As Bond grapples with one of Safin’s men at the hotel in Cuba, they smash through a balustrade and onto the counter of the ground floor bar. After Bond pours Paloma and himself a shot of tequila, he then picks up the man’s AKS-74U from the counter, which he soon puts to work.

The AKS-74U is a compact carbine variant of the AK-74, developed in the late 1970s for close-quarters combat. It features a shortened barrel and folding stock, making it highly manoeuvrable and lightweight, while still firing the 5.45×39mm cartridge of the full-sized rifle.

Beretta ARX-160 A3/GLX-160 A1

In Norway Bond takes a Beretta ARX-160 A3 fitted with a Beretta GLX-160 A1 grenade launcher from the body of one of the pursuers. Drawing attention to himself by firing his handgun into the air, he uses the grenade launcher to take out one of the pursuing Range Rovers and finishes off the driver by shooting through the windscreen.

The Beretta ARX-160 was developed in the mid-2000s as part of the Italian Army’s Future Soldier programme. It features a fully modular design, allowing quick barrel changes and ambidextrous controls. The GLX-160 grenade launcher, introduced alongside it, offers integrated compatibility for seamless use in combat situations.

Colt M4A1 (MK18 Mod 0)

Bond relies on heavier firepower during the final assault, utilising a Colt M4A1 carbine, specifically the MK18 Mod 0 variant equipped with advanced attachments such as an EOTech holographic sight and a suppressor.

The MK18 Mod 0 was developed by the US Navy as a variant of the M4A1 favoured by special forces. Designed for close quarters combat, it’s an ideal choice for the corridors and stairwells of Safin’s base. It features a shortened 10.3-inch barrel, allowing for rapid handling without sacrificing reliability. Despite its compact size, the weapon maintains the same modularity as the standard M4 platform, enabling the attachment of various optics, grips, and suppressors to suit mission requirements.

While James Bond’s firearms often take center stage, his allies also play pivotal roles in the action. Each character’s choice of weapon reflects their unique approach to combat and their contribution to Bond’s mission.

The good guys

Now that we’ve looked at James Bond’s guns in No Time to Die, let’s look at other weapons carried by Bond’s allies.

Madeleine Swann

In a flashback sequence alluded to in SPECTRE, a young Madeleine Swann defends herself with a Beretta 92FS when Lyutsifer Safin invades her family home. In the US military the gun is known as the M9.

Later, in the forest sequence, Bond hands Madeleine his Walther PPK, which she soon uses to defend herself.

Paloma

While she initially appears to be barely competent, Paloma proves her worth in Cuba. As she and Bond shoot their way out of the hotel, Paloma demonstrates exceptional combat skills, both hand-to-hand and with firearms.

She wields a two-tone Walther PPK, as well as a Heckler & Koch MP7A1 submachine gun that Bond tosses her after taking it from a dead heavy. The MP7A1, with its lightweight design and high rate of fire, is ideal for the close-quarters chaos of the scene.

Nomi

In Cuba Nomi carries a Glock 17 handgun fitted with a FAB Defense KPOS G1 that converts it to a carbine. During the infiltration of Safin’s lair her primary weapon is the Heckler & Koch MP7A1, the same model used by Paloma.

Bond and his allies are undoubtadly well-equipped in No Time to Die. However the villains also carry an equally formidable array of weapons.

The bad guys

The villains of No Time to Die wield a variety of firearms that reflect their roles, from the calculated precision of Lyutsifer Safin to the brute force of his henchmen. These weapons contribute to the tension and danger Bond faces throughout the film.

Lyutsifer Safin

During the flashback in the pre-title sequence Safin carries a Czech Small Arms Sa vz 58 Compact slung from his shoulder. But while the opening is set in the 1990s, the gun was only introduced in 2007 according to IMFDB.

During his confrontation with Bond in the final act, Safin uses a Beretta M9A3 fitted with a tactical light. This is the weapon he uses to shoot Bond.

Logan Ash

Logan Ash, the duplicitous CIA agent who betrays Bond and Felix Leiter, is also seen with a Beretta M9A3. Ash’s weapon is prominently featured during the fight on the trawler, where he fatally wounds Leiter and leaves Bond for dead. Later on in the forest he uses a SIG SG 552 assault rifle.

Primo

Primo, Safin’s one-eyed enforcer, uses a SIG Sauer P226 as his sidearm. He also uses a lightweight Beretta PMX submachine gun in the Matera sequence.

Henchmen

The henchmen are armed with a variety of weapons that heighten the intensity of the film’s action-packed sequences. The AKS-74U makes its first appearance in Cuba, wielded by one of Safin’s men, while the Heckler & Koch MP5K-PDW is used by Safin’s guards during Bond and Nomi’s daring rescue of Madeleine and Mathilde. These weapons emphasize the sheer firepower Bond must overcome as he faces his enemies.

A farewell to arms: the guns of No Time to Die

From Bond’s trusted Walther PPK to the modern and practical weapons used not only by him, but also his allies and adversaries, the firearms in No Time to Die contribute to the film’s high-stakes action sequences.

Throughout the franchise, Bond’s firearms have evolved alongside the character, mirroring his adaptability and the shifting demands of his missions. No Time to Die continues this legacy, showcasing an arsenal that balances tradition and modernity—a fitting tribute to the Daniel Craig’s closing chapter as James Bond.