Advanced futuristic weapons always have been a staple of sci-fi movies and TV shows. There have been many times where I would see a fictional gun, and wished I could get a chance to use it out on the range. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. Starfleet Phaser

When he was feeling diplomatic, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) set his phaser to ‘stun’.

As a third grader, I begged my mom to let me dress up as Captain Kirk for my school’s Halloween celebration. It wasn’t for the uniform. It was for the phaser that came with the utility belt. There was something super cool about the way the trigger was so close to the muzzle.

It was a powerful weapon that could be used for everything from warming up rocks on the freezing surface of Alpha 177 to scaring away huge prehistoric cavemen on Taurus II. Also, I love the way the beam could be seen as opposed to a pulse.

2. Sandman Pistol

In this idyllic dystopia, Logan 5 (Michael York) aims his awesome gun to fire at the establishment.

Logan 5 used this awesome weapon to stop ‘runners’ attempting to escape the dark fate of Carousel. While I dig the Star Trek phaser because of its all-around utility, this is actually my favorite sci-fi weapon.

For me, it was all about the discharge. When fired, this gun would produce four amazing jets of flame and a very unique sound. I still wish I could get my hands on one of these babies. When I was a kid I wanted one so badly that I made a facsimile out of a long black hair comb. Pathetic, I know, but it worked for playing Logan’s Run on the playground.

3. Deckard’s Gun

Deckard (Harrison Ford) cautiously hunts for replicants among a toymaker’s dolls in “Blade Runner”.

This thing packed a serious punch. Unlike the aforementioned weapons, it felt like something less futuristic and out of the real world.

I will never forget the scene toward the end of Blade Runner, when Rick Deckard attempts to fire on Roy Batty at J.F. Sebastian’s home. The sound by itself would have stopped me in my tracks, let alone the huge explosion the projectile produces on the far wall. And what were those cool lights along the top of the barrel? Regardless, this gun was just plain amazing.

4. Han Solo’s Blaster

A blaster is no match for the harsh ice planet of Hoth in “The Empire Strikes Back”.

I’m with Han Solo… “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” Of all of the cool weapons in the Star Wars Universe, the neatest one belongs to Han Solo and he sure knew how to use it.

In The Empire Strikes Back — if Darth Vader had not had the ability to deflect laser bolts with the force — the dark lord would have been toast. This tight and compact pistol comes with a cool sight. That is probably the part I like best, the way the sight and the barrel combine.

One of the cool things about Star Wars was that, regardless of the laser animation added in post, the guns appeared to actually discharge and kick. Although, I’m not sure why a laser would kick.

5. Laser/Stun Gun

In the opening of “Space:1999”, Commander Koenig fired offscreen at a menace only he knew.

I would use my dad’s unloaded staple gun to play Space: 1999 when I was kid. Why? Because the weapon they used on Moonbase Alpha looked a lot like a staple gun. No matter what though, it was a very creative design and I loved it.

I thought it was neat that the front had several discharge points for different types of beams. It felt specialized. I also thought many of the effects shots where the guns were used were pretty awesome. Nothing like stunning a crazed astronaut who is about to bust a window — leading everyone to being blown out into space!

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