Halloween is right around the corner, so with that in mind, I’ve been debating what costume to don this year. I typically stick to something simple that requires minimal investment. That got me thinking about gun guys and gals and the best costumes that can combine firearms with some Halloween fun.
Keep in mind this article is just for fun. It originates from a discussion between some friends. I probably wouldn’t suggest open carry while in a costume. There’s something about masks and guns that tends to be offputting for some and downright frowned upon depending where you live. I’m not your mom, so do what you legally can.
With that in mind, let’s have a little fun and dig into five costume ideas that I think are awesome options for gun guys and gals. Plus, we get to talk about the ‘costume’ appropriate guns.
The Bank Robbers From Heat
Heat is one of those quintessential gun guy movies that we all love and appreciate. It’s got a distinct style, great action, awesome characters, and iconic bank robbers. There are two specific Halloween costumes that could allow you to take the Heat route.
The first would be a setup from the armored car robbery. The crew wears grey jumpsuits, HRM Tactical vests, and goalie masks. A grey jumpsuit or coveralls would be an easy find. The HRM Tactical vest is a bit tougher.
An authentic one will likely be pricey. You could, however, purchase some cheap airsoft-grade vests that look pretty close to that old LAPD tactical rig. Finally, you can also find the hockey helmet under MyLec Street Hockey Goalie Mask.
The second costume would be a suit with a tie, either grey or black. Under the suit, you’d wear the Kommando Store Heat vest, an authentic replica of the bank robber rig seen in Heat. Unlike some previous incarnations, it’s legit.
Gun-wise, you can choose an FN FAL, a Galil, or a Colt 733 if you really want to be accurate. Unless you want to be Waingro, you’ll need a Star pistol, but I don’t trust anyone who wants to be Waingro. The rifles in Heat are all awesome. The FLAA give sus a .308 battle rifle and the right arm of the free world. The Galil is a somewhat obscure, but still awesome take on the AK platform. The 733 is an early carbine variant that’s crazy light with the always awesome carry handle.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones isn’t really a huge gun guy, but he does have an extremely memorable scene that will forever go down in history. When a menacing Saracen with a sword starts swinging it around trying to intimidate Indy, the professor draws his revolver and puts him down without a second thought.
If you’re going out as Indy this year, the costume is simple. White shirt, dark leather jacket, brown pants, fedora…and a whip, of course. There are plenty of Indiana Jones Halloween costumes ratting around. Add a leather belt with an old-school leather holster, and you’re ready to go.
Indy carried and used various guns throughout the various Indiana Jones films. My favorite is his Smith & Wesson Model 1917, which had a trimmed barrel and replaced sight. There are certainly other options, but that’s my go-to. S&W built the M1917 for World War I. We didn’t have enough 1911s, so the M1917 supplemented the .45 autos. The N-frame revolver fires .45 ACP from half or full-moon clips.
Sarah Connor
Sarah Connor from Terminator 2 was a true badass. From the moment we see the character doing pull-ups in her cell with a feral look in her eye, we know Sarah Connor has changed since the first film. The best Sarah Connor costume is her all-black garb, which we see her wearing in the desert before her attempted assassination of Miles Dyson.
The costume is simple. It consists of a black or dark grey tank top and black BDU-style cargo pants. Around her waist sits an OD Green military pistol belt with a fixed-blade knife. Pop the hair into a pony tail, put on a black patrol cap, and you’re good to go, ladies.
Gun-wise, while she was seen with the AK above, she also used a suppressor-equipped Colt Model 653 and a Trijicon ACOG mounted to the carry handle. It’s a really modern rifle for a film that was made in 1991. Bonus points if you pair it with a Detonics 1911 to complete the look.
The Man With No Name
A generic cowboy might be the easiest costume to make, but that’s not much fun. Instead, how about we look to a specific cowboy with a distinctive costume? Who? Well, the Man With No Name, of course. Clint Eastwood’s famed antihero starred in three movies, known as the Dollars Trilogy.
The Man With No Name’s costume is easily recognizable thanks to that distinct poncho. That poncho has been reproduced widely and is easy to find for costume purposes. Beyond that, we need a brown cowboy hat, a gun belt, some cowboy boots, and a few cigarillos. Grow some facial stubble and communicate via steely looks.
The Man With No Name carries a Colt Single Action Army (of course). Specifically, an artillery model with a 5.5-inch barrel is used. The frame is color case hardened, and the grips utilize a silver snake inlaid into wood grips.
What Kind of American Are You?
Scary costumes are the point of Halloween, right? Well, how can we mix scary with gun guy costumes? One of my favorite films of the year, Civil War, does just that. A character who isn’t named ratchets up the tension. Jesse Plemons portrays the character mand he’s terrifying.
When the protagonists assert they’re Americans, he asks, “What kind of American are you?” An interesting and menacing question in the middle of a Civil War.
The costume for Plemmons’ character is simple. It’s a full multicam set of BDUs. They’re widely available around the internet in varying qualities. All you need is a multicam top and bottom with a set of boots. What tops the costume off, though, is those silly red glasses. They’re easy to find and they made the character stand out and seem almost humorous, contrasting with the terrifying nature of the character.
Gun-wise, it’s simple. It’s an M4gery with an EOTech optic, Knight’s Rail, and single-point sling. That’s a pretty easy one to obtain these days.
Happy Halloween
This is the spooky month where it’s somehow okay to put on costumes and ask perfect strangers for candy. Hopefully, we had some fun today and we can keep it going in the comments below. Share what you think is the best Halloween costume for gun guys and gals.