Let's walk back in time and review some of the most iconic onscreen gun moments of all time!
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Memorable Movie Gun Quotes You Can Relate To
Terry Nelson's List of Gun Quotes from Movies
These movie gun quotes listing from Terry Nelson, amazingly, give us unexpected lessons about guns we can relate to!
Everyone loves a good movie. For those who take firearms and the use of them seriously, there are a few famous gun quotes from the silver screen that have real-world applications.
Below are but a few of the gun quotes from movies that stick out in my mind … along with my accompanying interpretation for everyday carry and defensive living.
1.“I bet you could almost get that fancy gun outta that fancy holster before some fast gentleman with an old-fashioned six gun blew a hole in ya.” Jacob McCandles, played by John Wayne, from the movie Big Jake, 1971
Don’t let your equipment defeat you! A couple of months ago I wrote an article on just that topic, which can be read at this link.
Whatever gun you carry for defensive purposes, know it well and be able to efficiently get that firearm into action if need be—your carry system is just as important as the gun. Be confident in your abilities through purposeful training.
2. “When you have to shoot…shoot, don’t talk.” Tuco, played by Eli Wallach, from the movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, 1966
There may indeed be a time when it’s valid to give some warning prior to use of deadly force, and then again, maybe not. There is no requirement that you give a warning or that you try and talk yourself out of a life-or-death encounter; this hesitation may get you killed.
Don’t misinterpret what I am saying if you can leave or avoid a violent encounter, by all means, do so. If not, shut up and take care of business. Remember your actions must be reasonable and necessary to protect your life or the life of another.
3. “I’ve shot many a sassy bandit with just my pistol.” Gus, played by Robert Duvall, from the TV miniseries Lonesome Dove, 1989
Most of us are not packing a carbine around on our person every day (although I have one in my vehicle 24/7). Again refer back to #1, know your pistol, be confident in your abilities, and train well, train often.
A quote from the late Colonel Jeff Cooper comes to mind here: “The pistol, learn it well, wear it always”.
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4. “Aim small, miss small.” Benjamin Martin, played by Mel Gibson, from the movie The Patriot, 2000
This quote can very well be in the category of marksmanship quotes.
The better you understand and are able to carry out marksmanship fundamentals, the better you will perform under the stress of a defensive encounter. I believe in accuracy first. I often utilize the “five shot drill” for students.
In this drill, I challenge students, standing at three or five yards from the target, to fire five shots and put them all in one hole. Very few can do this right out of the box.
The purpose? If I can shoot those five shots into one clustered hole, then I have the foundation of good shooting fundamentals.
Under the stress of a violent encounter, your shooting accuracy will drop off. But if you have these solid fundamentals, you are on your way to winning.
Another great drill that leads you down this path can be found. You want a combination of speed and accuracy … but in the end, I’d rather be accurate first than fast and miss!
5. “A gun that’s unloaded and cocked ain’t good for nothing.” Rooster Cogburn, played by John Wayne, from the movie True Grit, 1969
Keep your everyday carry gun hot and ready to go! I hear much discussion from students as to whether they will carry a round in the chamber or not.
Again, this is a training and equipment issue. The last thing you need under the stress of a violent encounter is to have to remember to chamber a round in your handgun in order to defend yourself.
Take such nonsense and inhibitions out of the equation, being sure to use a carry system that keeps the gun both accessible and under your direct control.
6. “It ain't so easy to shoot a man anyhow, especially if the son of a bitch is shootin' back at ya.” Little Bill Daggett, played by Gene Hackman, from the movie Unforgiven, 1992
Mental preparation and related training that assists you in developing stress inoculation is invaluable if you intend to take defensive living and mindset seriously. Force decisions and Simuntion© training come to mind.
In this type of training, you are forced into a confrontation with another live human being in a controlled and safe environment.
7. “I just don’t wanna be killed for lack of shootin' back.” Clyde (one armed deputy), played by Ron White, from the movie Unforgiven, 1992
Don’t be without your pistol. When it’s needed, take decisive action.
As you can see, I’ve avoided the more “badass” quotes such as “make my day” or “I’m gonna blow your head off.” I am not glorifying the use of force.
Rather the opposite. My goal here is to apply some sound advice in your training process for EDC spoken in the movies that are, in my estimation, more than just Hollywood talk.
Talking about movie gun quotes, watch this video from Watch Mojo for the top 5 gun myths that Hollywood taught us:
There are unforgettable most badass movie quotes of all time we like to revisit once in a while. Sure they're badass movie one-liners but they are just that.
Some movie gun quotes go beyond that. They offer critical and practical applications to gun enthusiasts like us—like the ones we just featured here!
Do you have a favorite action movie gun quote we were not able to include here? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
Up Next:
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- Anti-Gun Oscar Noms | Numbers 2 and 6 Are Shocking
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on August 21, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
“Sudden Impact” when Harry tells the hostage-takers, “We’re not gonna let you do that.” and they reply, “Who’s WE?” He says, “Smith, Wesson and me!” and then his .44 Mag starts shooting. I’m in the majority with a gun on which I’m I’m well-trained. Don Johnson & Mickey Rourke in “The Marlboro Man” (I think?). Johnson asks, “Any more bright ideas, Einstein?” and Rourke replies, “Yeah! Keep firing!” As my karate instructor said, “Don’t just hit once. Hit him again and again until he can’t hit back.” Same with shooting … don’t stop firing until they are unable to shoot back. And a funny one from “Broken Arrow” when they’re blasting away and John Travolta says, “Will you please stop shooting at the thermonuclear weapons?!?” I’m always amazed at the many self defense shootings in which the good guy has no regard for what is behind/beyond the criminal. Yes, shoot the louse … but be careful you don’t shoot an innocent bystander in the process. Doc Holliday in Tombstone, “I’ve got two guns. One for each of ya.” and though I don’t carry a BUG as part of my EDC, I’ve been considering it lately.
In Big Jake ” now understand me. If anything goes wrong, your fault my fault nobody’s fault. I’m gonna blow your head off. “
Both are good ones