The Taran Tactical Innovations Pit Viper

The Story Behind John Wick's Newest Sidearm

In the latest installment of the John Wick franchise, viewers see Keanu Reeves' titular anti-hero traversing the globe as he and his colleagues deal with the consequences of their actions in the previous film. No one is safe from the High Table's wrath, which ultimately leads the characters to take the fight to the High Table directly in a dramatic sunrise showdown.

There are also plenty of shootouts leading up to the film's climax, including a pulse-pounding race against the clock through the streets of Paris. For the penultimate set piece, John wields a new custom pistol graciously gifted to him by the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) and as in previous installments, this firearm was designed and built by the legendary Taran Butler from Taran Tactical Innovations.

The Taran Tactical Pit Viper 2011 Pistol

What Is The TTI Pit Viper?

The Pit Viper is a heavily customized double-stack 1911-style handgun chambered in 9mm, perfectly mirroring the precision and endurance of the man for whom it was made. John Wick's pistol boasts a compensated barrel, flared magwell, textured grips, ambidextrous safety, and an enhanced extractor as well as an Extreme Engineering hammer and sear.

Because of these enhanced features, the Pit Viper is one of the smoothest, most reliable semi-auto pistols available for purchase anywhere in 2024. It handles like a fine-tuned luxury automobile and as with those exotic cars, after you try one, using a standard model will never feel quite as satisfying again.

TTI Pit Viper Case W/ Classic Firearms Logo

Unveiling The Pit Viper Package

Each pistol is packaged in an exquisite laser-engraved wooden case, which also includes several accessories inspired by the John Wick cinematic universe. A bloodied pencil, Continental coins, and the infamous blood oath marker add even more flair to this already iconic handgun. And of course, the Pit Viper ships with three additional 21-round magazines, so it's ready to hit the range right out of the box.

TTI Pit Viper In Display Case

TTI Pit Viper W/ Bloody Pencil, Blood Oath Marker, and Gold Continental Coins

Specs

  • Grip: TTI traditional full wrap stippled grip
  • Barrel: 5" large single port compensator with DLC coated match-grade barrel
  • Trigger: 1.75-2.25lb trigger pull (average)
  • Safety: Ambidextrous blended safety
  • Capacity: 21+1 w/ basepad
  • Frame: Built-in bladed stand-off Fangs

For superior handling, the Pit Viper comes equipped with extended controls and an ergonomic beavertail grip safety that offers a solid purchase on the pistol when firing. A unique feature of the Pit Viper (and the TTI Sand Viper) is the integral bladed stand-off device, the "fangs" that make this handgun extra deadly against attackers.

It also wouldn't be a stretch to call the Pit Viper a work of art. The high-polished slide contrasts nicely with the black DLC coating on the frame, plus the slide serrations and relief cuts are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. The Classic Firearms team has been fortunate to handle a number of quality custom guns, so you can trust us when we tell you it simply doesn't get better than this.

The TTI Pit Viper 2011 (Pistol Only)

Shooting The TTI Pit Viper

Clint and Kaya were recently invited to Taran Butler's iconic range in California for a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime shoot with the Pit Viper 2011 pistol. Everyone who fired it was blown away by the Pit Viper's flawless performance, and we even got to see Taran use it to land some lightning-fast shots from the hip.

The trigger is smooth as glass, with a crisp break and an exceptional reset. Additionally, the blended beavertail and ambidextrous safety lever are easy to engage or disengage, aiding the shooter in manipulating the pistol during reloads and transitions. It was truly a pleasure to shoot, with minimal recoil and muzzle flip thanks to the match-grade compensated barrel.

Overall, the Pit Viper definitely lives up to the hype and then some. It is undoubtedly one of the finest semi-auto pistols ever created, which could explain why they are so expensive and hard to come by. Each Pit Viper is made to order and there is an extensive lead time for new purchases - but then again, you'll never need another handgun again after picking one up.