imfdb

If you have ever watched a movie and wanted to know a gun that was used in it than imfdb or the internet movie firearms database is just what you need. Imfdb.org is a Wikipedia formatted website which lists firearms along with some other types of weapons used in movies and some video games. The site does a good job with screenshots of the firearms even those that are in the background of a scene. They even have write ups on firearms that aren't real but what they are assumed to be based on. For movies that haven't even come out they will have screenshots from trailers previewing firearms in the movie. Hopefully this site stays around for many more years.  

Franchi SPAS 12

The Franchi SPAS 12 is a unique and deadly looking shotgun. It was designed to be a tactical military shotgun but tactical is not how I would describe it. Complicated and heavy would be the best two words to sum up this gun. The SPAS 12 has the ability to shoot in both semi-automatic and pump action mode. When the slide action is all the way forward it opens the gas port so it can cycle rounds automatically. The tricky part about this gun is that it has to be set perfectly in the right mode to actually shoot or open the action. There are two safeties, one a push pin safety the other a quick release trigger safety. Earlier models of the SPAS 12 had a lever safety which had a recall because it didn't actually work and the gun could fire when it was on. Another flaw of the gun is that is has a shock absorber inside the receiver that if not replaced could cause severe damage to the gun. Again early models of the shock absorber would degrade and break apart making them useless, you can get replacement shock absorbers online that are made of better plastics to last longer. It has a folding stock and also has a hook(not pictured) that was meant to allow the shooter to use the gun with one arm to shoot around corners and such. With the weight of the gun I wouldn't suggest trying to shoot it with one arm. Since the stock is all metal it isn't very forgiving when it comes to recoil so you will feel everything. If you can find a SPAS 12 in good condition with all the parts it would be a good investment gun since they are no longer made and have always been popular among collectors. As long as video games and movies continue to include this gun people will buy it just to have it.  

M24 Sniper Rifle

I'll start by saying I don't own this rifle nor could I buy it direct from Remington and if I could it would be way out of my price range. The M24 sniper weapon system is sold by Remington Defense to the Military along with police SWAT teams. It is based of the Remington 700 rifle with major modifications. The Leupold scope that comes with this rifle cost close to $2000 alone. You can purchase a Remington 700 police rifle fairly cheaply and then try and build it up to the M24, this is a project I'd like to take on one day. If however you do want to get this rifle built for you at a decent price you can go to the Texas Brigade Armor. They make custom sniper rifle systems. The prices are reasonable but wait times can be long.

Army M24

http://texasbrigadearmory.com/index.htm