Firearm aesthetics

[Gentry]

Okay, I have a question.  I've seen here and there big weight-lookin' things hanging off the ends of handguns in films and on tv.  (Example here, just for reference:  http://www.review-a-gadget.com/Green-Gas-Tomb-Raider-Pistol-FPS-375-All-Black-Airsoft-Gun-Review.php). 

What is that thing on the end of the barrell?  Is it just a weight to try and combat recoil?  Does it have something to do with barrel porting?  It is just foolish and unnecessary aesthetics?  And why are they only on the weapons of "cool" people? 

[TheTSKoala]

(Edit.)  Oooh.  I think I see what you mean.  Looks like it was added to the stock and a longer barrel was used?  Is that the area you mean?

[Ezram]

Compe

[afrodave]

I believe it's this:
Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913): Integrated rail allows rapid attachm
ent of tactical lights and laser aiming devices.

http://www.berettausa.com/communities/le_mil/catalog_PX4.htm

[Aragathor]

In this case it's a HK USP MATCH. The forward addition is a weight to counterbalance recoil.
But in other cases it might be something else.

[Gentry]

Is it safe to assume that in most cases when there's a big thing hanging off the tip of the barrel that it's there to help fight recoil?

The picture in the opening post was just a quick and dirty example.

[Aragathor]

Many cases, yes. Most, no.
It could be an extended and ported barrel.
Or a really long firearm with laser.

[Gatac]

Incidentally, compensators and barrel weights such as this have been used in a variety of films to suggest that the pistol is suppressed. While that makes no sense, it does look cooler than a more realistic suppressor. (Off the top of my head, Crying Freeman does this, for example.)

But yeah, many movie guns have a tendency to collect attachments at a rather alarming rate, not to mention going for "cool" guns instead of something more common. I think the breaking point was xXx 2, where they threw jazzed-up guns and prototypes (XM8 represent!) at the screen by the shovelfull.

Gatac

[Mister Andersen]

I find the XM8 an exceptionally aesthetically pleasing weapon.

[Ezram]

Speaking of which...

[Krensky]

I find the XM8 an exceptionally aesthetically pleasing weapon.

Whenever I look atthe XM8, I think: "Hey, it's a Laser Tag rifle!". Out of all the next gen rifles... Honestly I like the SCAR's aesthetics best. Probably because its so starkly utilitarian compared to the rest.

[Aragathor]

Speaking of which...

A simple extended & ported barrel.
You can see the cuts on both guns.

[TheTSKoala]

I believe it's this:
Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913): Integrated rail allows rapid attachm
ent of tactical lights and laser aiming devices.

http://www.berettausa.com/communities/le_mil/catalog_PX4.htm

Typically, the rails are kept close to the finger guard.  so the Tac-light / Red eye can be engaged & disengaged by the trigger finger.  It COULD be a rail that far off the body, but it'd be very inconvient. 

Ahh.  The XM8.  Pretty gun.  Looked like a child's toy.  Got cancelled. 

As for Counterweights, I find they throw off drawing more than they help.  I mean, seriously, unless it's a 50, do you really need to fight the recoil?

[Ezram]

It's the fact that it looks so aerodynamic. A real gun has to look and feel like a brick  .

[Krensky]

I believe it's this:
Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913): Integrated rail allows rapid attachm
ent of tactical lights and laser aiming devices.

http://www.berettausa.com/communities/le_mil/catalog_PX4.htm

Typically, the rails are kept close to the finger guard.  so the Tac-light / Red eye can be engaged & disengaged by the trigger finger.  It COULD be a rail that far off the body, but it'd be very inconvient. 

Ahh.  The XM8.  Pretty gun.  Looked like a child's toy.  Got cancelled. 

As for Counterweights, I find they throw off drawing more than they help.  I mean, seriously, unless it's a 50, do you really need to fight the recoil?

Well, I understand competition target shooters use them, but that's a different color horse.