Behind the Barrel: A Closer Look at the Shotguns Used in John Wick 3

John Wick's Shotgun Arsenal

CTVJune 24, 2023

0 6 minutes read

There were a variety of shotguns used in John Wick 3. The protagonist of the movie, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), used many popular shotguns to get over his opponents. John Wick’s shotguns, like the Remington 870 and Benelli M4, have their own characteristics and uniqueness, making them formidable weapons, both for close combat and hunting. Explore the versatility behind these short guns and the firepower of these lethal firearms. Let us look closer at the details of these shotguns, their devastating impacts, their ergonomics, and the different designs we see on the big screen. If you are curious about the artistry behind the action, let’s join hands to uncover the secrets behind the barrels and visualize the attraction of these shotguns used in John Wick 3.

The Role of Shotguns in John Wick 3

The John Wick franchise has gained a reputation as a real action sequence, and the shotguns played a critical role in building this reputation. In the movie, shotguns are the weapons of choice in close-quarters combat. This specification provides Wick with an edge over his enemies. In John Wick 3, shotguns are featured in several high-octane scenes, showcasing their effectiveness and versatility in various combat situations. The scenes help to enhance the movie’s intensity among the audience, along with the highlighting and precision of the characters.

Shotguns seem synonymous with Wick’s character, as Wick does not use inferior items to get rid of his adversaries and their threats in the franchise. John Wick 3’s shotgun weapons not only accommodate working but also become an extension of the role of Wicks. This elevates Wick’s reputation as a lethal and unstoppable force. The use of shotguns sets John Wicks 3 apart from other action movies because it creates an innate, impactful, and powerful element to the action that boosts the uniqueness of the viewer’s experience.

John Wicks 3 includes some shotguns, and every shotgun that was selected seems perfect for the role and its purpose. Filmmakers always strive for aesthetic authenticity. That’s why they selected the perfect weapons for Wick’s combat style. Some of the guns that have been used in the wicks are:

1. Remington 870

A pump-action shotgun, the Remington 870 is the best-selling shotgun of all times, suitable for both hunters and sportsmen alike. It features a receiver made of a single block of hardened steel, thus making it a durable and dependable shotgun. The Remington 870 is the classic shotgun renowned for its smooth, bind-free action. An estimate suggests that a total of 11 million Model 870s have been sold to date. This shotgun comes in many different configurations, catering towards the diverse needs of the hunters.

Remington 870 - CarbonTV — Remington 870

Remington 870 Express: The most common variation of the classic Remington 870 was used during the Vietnam War as well as in the conflict in the Middle East. This 12-guage shotgun, especially its tactical version, is still used by the military personnel and law enforcement agencies around the world. This shotgun is also utilized in taking waterfowl, hence the name duck hunter’s shotgun.

Remington 870 FieldMaster: Suitable for hunting waterfowl and turkeys, the 870 FieldMaster is constructed with matte black metal, thus reducing the reflections that alert the prey. The FieldMaster is offered with either 26″ or 28″ vent-rib barrels. The barrel features a single white bead sight, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope.

Remington 870 410 Turkey TSS: Keeping the defining aspects of the regular Remington 870, like twin action bars and a solid steal receiver, this shotgun is solely optimized for High Density TSS Turkey Shotshells. This variation also features an extended full chock with a TRUGLO railing system. This is a .410 bore shotgun.

Watch Remington 870 DM | SHOT Show 2018 from CarbonTV Trade Show Coverage S1 | E24

2. Benelli M4

The Benelli M4, the most durable shotgun, is a semi-automatic shotgun that performs well in stressful situations and fast-paced action scenes. It works on a gas-operated system, making it capable of rapid and accurate follow-up shots. Benelli is light in weight, making it an easy-to-use shotgun. Using the Benelli M4 in Wick’s intense sequence scenes, the capabilities and devastating impact of the gun were highlighted. This iconic shotgun has been used in over 40 different TV shows and movies including The Walking Dead. Sabotage and Miami Vice.

Since this shotgun is built from the ground up for combat and tactical shooting, it is being used by military personnel from the US to South Korea and Australia. Let’s briefly go over the distinct features of the Benelli M4.

Pistol Grip: Yep, this is a shotgun but with a pistol grip, and this grip is as useful as its distinct showdown in the movies and TV shows. The iconic pistol grip not only makes this shotgun standout from the rest but also provides the comfort of a pistol with the balance of a shotgun.

Trigger: The trigger used in the Benelli M4 is crisp and nice to pull, despite being a combat-first shotgun.

Barrel: Most of the M4s feature an 18.5″ barrel, which makes this shotgun useful in many areas other than military combat. For example, you could hunt and even skeet-shoot.

3. Mossberg 590

The Mossberg 590 is a widely recognized shotgun for its solid construction, versatility, and dynamic and smooth action. Like the Remington 870, it is also a favorite among military and law enforcement agencies. It can tackle multiple types of ammunition by adapting to different combat scenarios. This pump-action shotgun, with its 20″ barrel, can be used for a variety of tasks, including hunting.

The Mossberg 590 is a modified version of the 500 that was built to meet the demands of the military. It features a heavy barrel with a dual lock-up on the magazine and a different magazine tube. The Mossberg 590 does not have plastic safety or trigger guards.

The Mossberg 590A1 also features a Ghost Ring Sight. Ghost Ring sights are known for more rapid acquisition of the target than aperture-type rear sight. They are called ghost rings because when you peek through the rear sight, the aperture fades away and all the attention is shifted towards the front sight.

Firearms Training

The actors and stunts in John Wick 3 underwent rigorous training and practice to ensure that the action sequences they performed in the movie would seem authentic and aesthetically pleasing. We know that a layman can’t use shotguns, so it needs a lot of training, a specific set of skills, and techniques to work their magic, especially in an action film, and the John Wick 3 cast spared no effort to make their craft perfect. Especially Halle Berry, who underwent a 3-gun course with Taran Butler while she trained for her scene as Sofia Al-Azwar. You can watch her training in the video below.

Video: Halle Berry 3-Gun Trains for John Wick: Chapter 3

The actor’s training includes steps like learning how to handle the weapons properly and what the operations of each shotgun are. Also, they learned the technique to reload a gun, how to aim and fire. Their long training under experts aimed only at the authenticity of the action moves in the movie that the actors performed on the big screen.

John Wick 3: Firearms Training

They also get close-quarters combat training along with forearm training. Close-quarter combat training involved learning how to maneuver, take cover, and engage multiple opponents effectively to achieve success in action. Learning these pieces of training, the actors bring authenticity to their actions involving shotguns on the big screen of John Wick 3.

Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of John Wick’s Shotgun Arsenal

John Wick’s shotgun arsenals are not limited to firearm enthusiasts; they go beyond this realm. They are powerful and stylish weapons spreading across different platforms, cultures, fashion realms, video games, and multiple other forms of media. The visual impact of the shotguns used in John Wick 3 captured the attention of audiences and weapon enthusiasts worldwide. Hence, shotguns gained popularity and a sense of power and authority.

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