Movies have an odd relationship with guns. It’s either they get it right, or they get it terribly wrong. One of the struggles movies have is making the guns in their films memorable. Hero guns is often the title used to describe standout firearms. Along the way, they occasionally make something a bit odd, and sometimes they create what I call Hollywood Abominations.
The Lee Enfield/Mossberg Maverick- Young Ones
Young Ones is this independent apocalyptic film involving water, water thieves, and a couple of famous child actors. The film is fairly entertaining but not exactly memorable. Something about robots and jealousy. What I do remember about the film is the very distinct combination of a Lee Enfield No.1 MK3 with a Mossberg Maverick Shotgun.
The Maverick is mounted like a Knight’s Masterkey under the Lee Enfield. Somewhat chopped the stock off the Lee Enfield and added a Vektor folding stock, and rounded the whole thing off with a seat belt as a sling. The end result is one of the standout Hollywood Abominations that looks awkward as hell. Holy length of pull Batman. This thing looks terrible to shoot.
(I still want it.)
The End of Days MP5
Is it really fair to blame the film End of Days for this configuration? It popped up first in the video game Half-Life. This is about Hollywood Abominations, not the video game abominations. Combining an M203 with an MP5 makes almost no sense. You’d choose an SMG when you want something lightweight and easy to handle.
Adding an M203 40mm grenade launcher is a great way to increase weight and reduce maneuverability and handiness. Plus, the M203 has a longer effective range than the MP5! It’s a bit absurd, but here we are. To mount the M203, the armorer had to use a larger muzzle device to act as a secondary index point for the damn thing.
That being said, I guess if you are fighting the literal devil, maybe you want as much firepower as you can carry.
Snake Plissken’s MAC-10
God, I love Escape From New York. It’s such a fun flick that perfectly encapsulates pulp fiction. Our gravel-voiced hero Snake Plisken, former Green Beret and current criminal, is sent into the penal colony of New York City to rescue the President. His issued firearm is a MAC-10 machine pistol.
An odd choice, but okay. It features the famed SIONICS suppressor, which is downright necessary for controlling the MAC. Still in the normal territory. Where we enter Hollywood Abomination territory is in the optic. It appears to be a 2-7X scope mounted to the suppressor. Trying to index this thing just right to use the optic would be a pain. Oh and they removed the stock too.
Not to mention that the heat from the can would likely play with the zero. The gun also has a holster and sling. We actually see Snake use the sling when he has to climb away from the baddies. We also see him cut a hole in the floor with the MAC, so take it for what you will.
All The Hollywood Abominations
This is only one article on Hollywood Abominations. It’s likely one of many I could write, and I might just make another. Hollywood tries its hardest to make interesting weapons that stand out, and sometimes it gets a little weird. Maybe they should consult some real gun pros to get something both unique and effective, but what do I know?
