Industry-leading prices on quality products. Check out what's on sale today!
SHOP NOWThis video analyzes the most notable firearms used in John Wick: Chapter 4 and how they appear on screen. It focuses on specific models, configurations, and memorable action sequences.
The host introduces a countdown of the top five guns from John Wick: Chapter 4 and immediately warns viewers about spoilers, since the movie is still in theaters and specific scenes will be discussed. He clarifies that Classic Firearms is not affiliated with Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment, or any other company involved with the film, and that trademarks and movie content shown are not owned by them. The goal is to take a focused look at the firearms featured in the movie, how they are used, and why they stand out, before moving into the ranked list starting with number five.
The number five pick is a group of short-barreled AR-pattern rifles used by the antagonists, which appear to be suppressed short M4s and possibly Mk18-style carbines. The host notes that multiple bad guys arrive with these compact rifles, all running suppressors and what look like Aimpoint optics. From the limited on-screen views, the optic resembles an Aimpoint Comp M5, described as similar to the PRO but in a smaller package. After searching online, he cannot confirm the exact model of the rifles, so he broadly identifies them as M4 or Mk18-type SBRs. Their full-auto capability and suppressed configuration make sense for the villains, but the uncertainty about exact identification and relatively brief screen time keep them at the bottom of the list.
The number four spot goes to the Thompson Center Arms Encore pistols used as dueling pistols in the climactic sequence. These are break-action, single-shot pistols that the characters John Wick and Caine use in a formal duel, stepping off 30 paces and loading one round each. The host explains that this depiction of dueling is closer to historical practice than typical Hollywood quick-draw portrayals, with both participants deliberately taking aim before firing. The pistols in the film are heavily customized and engraved, presented as elegant dueling pieces. Based on the visual impression of the cartridges, the host speculates they might be chambered in .45 Long Colt but leaves it open for debate. Despite their ornate appearance, he notes that Thompson Center Encore pistols are relatively affordable platforms beneath the custom work.
In third place is the Marlin 1894 lever-action rifle customized by Mad Pig Customs and used by the character Mr. Nobody. The host shows a Marlin 1895 SBL as a stand-in, acknowledging it is not the exact 1894 model from the film. The on-screen rifle is a takedown Marlin 1894 chambered in .44 Magnum, set up as a compact, hard-hitting lever gun. It features XS sights, including a rear peep and a vertical white line front that offers fast sight acquisition, and a Picatinny rail on top for mounting a magnified optic or red dot. At the muzzle, it appears to have a three-chamber brake with a QD interface, and in at least one scene near the Arc de Triomphe, Mr. Nobody fires it suppressed. The rifle becomes an iconic part of his character, appearing repeatedly alongside his dog, which plays a key role in several action sequences.
The number two pick is the Taran Tactical Innovations Pit Viper, a highly customized 2011 pistol carried extensively by John Wick. The host uses a Springfield Armory Prodigy 2011 as a visual reference, acknowledging it is only a rough stand-in. The Pit Viper is a double-stack 9mm 2011 with a hammer-fired action and refined trigger work by Taran Butler. It is named for its “fangs,” referring to protruding front features on the slide and barrel assembly. In one notable scene, John Wick removes the slide and barrel and uses them as an improvised impact weapon. The silver-colored magazines seen on his belt in the film are 2011 magazines, reinforcing that it is a 2011 platform. The host points out that John runs iron sights only, with no red dot on the Pit Viper in this movie, emphasizing a traditional sighting setup despite the pistol’s modern competition-style configuration.
Before revealing the top pick, the host offers an honorable mention to the Glock 34 Combat Master from John Wick: Chapter 2, another Taran Tactical build. He recalls interviewing Taran Butler at the NRA Annual Meeting at the Savior Equipment booth, where they discussed the Combat Master, the Pit Viper, and the high-end Sand Viper, described as a very expensive model. During that conversation, Taran explained that he had been developing his own trigger but stopped after trying the new Timney Glock trigger. Taran felt the Timney design was so good that it was not worth continuing his own project, choosing instead to work with Timney. The host demonstrates the Timney trigger’s characteristics: a bit of smooth take-up, a flat-faced shoe, and a short, distinct reset that differs from a typical Glock trigger. This performance convinced Taran that surpassing it would be extremely difficult.
The top spot goes to the Genesis AR12 shotgun with Taran Tactical modifications, which the host has previously fired on full auto. In the film, John Wick picks up this shotgun from an enemy and uses it in a standout sequence featuring dragon’s breath ammunition. These shells produce short-range but dramatic flaming effects, effectively setting targets on fire while still delivering the pellet impact of a shotgun blast. The host emphasizes how devastating this combination would be, describing it as both a wounding and incendiary effect. The scene is shot from an overhead, top-down perspective that resembles a video game, highlighting the impacts on walls and enemies as John moves through the environment. The host references an interview where Taran brings in Cody from Genesis to discuss the AR12’s design details, including the choice of KeyMod, and notes that this sequence ranks among the most impressive action scenes he has seen, cementing the Genesis AR12 as his number one pick.
Loading... 
