Now that we have pretty much covered every part of 12-inch Barney Ross' upper body with all his tattoos (see previous post), it's time to cover him up and get him ready for battle. After all, he's a mercenary and that's what they do for a living, right?
This is Hot Toys recently released Movie Masterpiece Series MMS194 Expendables 2 Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross 1/6th scale Collectible Figure and he comes with two styles of outfits: casual wear and tactical suit. This toy blog post covers Barney Ross in his all black tactical suit consisting of black zip-up three-quarter sleeve tee, black tactical vest, black pants and black boots.
Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) uses a pair of Kimber Gold Combat II pistols as his sidearms in "The Expendables 2" film, the same Kimber Gold Combat II pistols that he wielded in the first film. In this film, the Kimbers' grips feature small "Expendables" emblems on both guns. Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures (24 of them in this post alone).
Here are two pictures of how 12-inch Barney Ross looks with just his 1/6 scale black zip-up three-quarter sleeve tee-shirt on. The sleeves are sewn bunched together so that you can get the desired (movie accurate) look when you put the clothes on.
And here's 1/6 scale Sylvester Stallone Barney Ross in full tactical attire (in black zip-up T-shirt and assault vest) with both Kimber Gold Combat II pistols in hands, otherwise known as dual wielding. Dual wielding is the technique of utilizing two weapons, one in each hand, during combat. It is not a common combat practice, since it does not offer much advantage.
In terms of firearms and handguns, this style has been popularized by television and shooting enthusiasts. Though there is a distinct advantage to using two hand guns at a time, it is rarely done due to practicality. Dual wielding is present in many films and video games, which have the freedom of ignoring the impracticality of the style.
Dual wielding has not been used or mentioned much in military history. In modern terms, the use of a gun in each hand is most associated with the American Old West, mainly due to media portrayals. Some people of the era preferred to carry two guns, but not to use them at the same time, as shown in movies, since few people were ambidextrous. In movies featuring old western themes, people fired two revolvers by alternating firing each rather than firing simultaneously.
Fighting with both guns simultaneously was hard to master and took a lot of time. Very few people were skilled enough. Dual wielding two handguns was popularized by the passion of gun enthusiasts and television.
The use of two pistols simultaneously was used in the movie adaptation of the Spider character (a contemporary of the Shadow), "The Spider's Web (1938)". It is unknown when the style went out of fashion before it was resurrected by Hong Kong cinema, notably movies directed by John Woo and often featuring Chow Yun Fat. The concept of dual wielding became more acceptable and achieved somewhat of a cult status from Hong Kong action cinema.
In this pose, you can see the limitations in the elbow articulation of this Hot Toys TrueType muscle body. The forearms cannot go any higher i.e. closer to his biceps and can only bend 90 degrees.
Also the right palm included and meant for "gun shooting" is not designed for firing the Kimber Gold Combat II pistol. It doesn't grip the pistol properly as compared to the left palm / hand.
Close-up view of the right and left "gun holding / shooting" palms / hands. See the difference in the angle of the index / trigger finger? Way back in 1973, Palitoy UK introduced the "Kung Fu grip" hands for their Action Man 12-inch figures which worked great for gripping pistols, rifles, swords etc. (check out my toy blog post HERE of the Palitoy Action Man Blues and Royals 12-inch figure). Unfortunately, they were made of rubber and prone to hardening and breaking. Somebody should re-look into that.
Hot Toys The Expendables 2 1/6 scale Barney Ross 12-inch Collectible Figure also comes with a headset with "walkie-talkie" for him to communicate with his fellow mercenaries. There isn't an actual 1/6 scale walkie-talkie, just a small black rectangular thingy that you put inside his vest (see the pictures HERE in my first-part review). The ear-piece and throat microphone is nicely done though.
The picture below shows best the incompatibility of the right gun holding / shooting palm hand for Barney Ross' Kimber Gold Combat II pistol. The pistol grip sticks out too much and Barney doesn't seem to have a good grip of his gun. It's because of the angle of the trigger finger.
Hot Toys Barney Ross comes with a 1/6 scale gold watch with painted "leather" straps and clear "glass" cover (actually made of plastic) which looks nicer than the first version IMHO. Click on the picture for a bigger and better view.
Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) also carries a customized Colt .45 Single Action Army revolver a.k.a. Peacemaker or Frontiersman which he fires old West style
The revolver has a shortened barrel, compensator cuts and no front sight. He uses the SAA (Single Action Army) during the rescue mission in the beginning of the film and near the end of the airport shootout prior to confronting Vilain.
Barney Ross quick-fires his customized Colt Single Action Army revolver
He's in full all black tactical gear but has no pouches carrying extra pistol and rifle magazines.
That's the thing with most action movies and video games. The hero always seems to have an ample and unlimited supply of ammunition without considering how they are being carried on his person and the extra weight it adds to his load which will inevitably impede his movement.
And when he carries multiple type of guns which require different types of ammunition for use with them, he has to make sure he has enough of each kind to last him through the entire mission or find ways and means to get replenishment and supplies.
Scroll down to see close-up pictures / shots / views of Hot Toys MMS194 1/6th scale Expendables 2 Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) 12-inch Collectible Figure firing his customized Colt .45 Single Action Army revolver a.k.a. Peacemaker or Frontiersman with both Kimber Gold Combat II pistols holstered.
Hot Toys sculpting is almost always spot-on (with some notable exceptions) and this 1/6 scale Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross head sculpt is as realistic and life-like as it gets
The 1/6 scale outfit, gear and accessories plus weapons are all movie-accurate and of the highest quality and standard which makes for an overall exceptional figure. Plus the price for this figure was pretty good (the Pre-Order price tends to beat the secondary market price once the figure has been released unless the figure is overstocked and then market forces cause the price to drop) considering the amount of accessories plus the extra costume / outfit (casual wear suit) that you get with this figure.
Would i recommend this figure? Absolutely, especially if you are a Sylvester Stallone or Expendables fan. Otherwise, stick to Iron Man LOL
NEXT: Hot Toys "The Expendables 2" 1/6 scale Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross 12-inch Collectible Figure with beret, goggles and Noveske Rifleworks Diplomats with Vltor VIS-1
Other Sylvester Stallone figures:
September 2, 2007 - Hot Toys 1/6 scale Rambo: First Blood Part 2 (1985) HERE
August 23, 2008 - Kitbash John Rambo from First Blood (1982). Check out the pictures HERE
April 3, 2009 - Medicom RAH (Real Action Heroes) Judge Dredd 12-inch figure posted HERE
Related posts:
December 29, 2012 - Review 3: Jason Statham as Lee Christmas – Art Figures 1/6 Soldiers of Fortune 12-inch figure (pictures HERE)
September 12, 2013 - The Expendables 2 Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lungren) 12-inch Figure aka Art Figures 1/6 scale Soldiers Of Fortune 2 posted HERE
September 15, 2013 - Army of Two: Art Figures 1/6 Soldiers Of Fortune Lee Christmas and Gunner Jensen (pictures HERE)
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