Considered by some to be an essential for personal security, and by others as a hard-edged fashion statement, very few people can claim weapons evoke no emotion, even if they aren’t a hardened Role Player or fashionista. Simple truth is in this your second existence a large proportion of us own at least one weapon for whatever reason. Role Players must be armed suitably to handle any situation they face and likewise many fashion icons have toyed with the use of weapons, especially guns. “Girls with Guns” have quite an avid following, in both lives, by both sexes.

In this my essential list of some of the superior weapon manufacturers in Second Life, I will cover places to purchase your firearms or if you have a penchant for steel, a fine blade.

First on my tour is Breach. Breach is a popular creator of replica firearms for your virtual life. A small, yet succinct range of guns await you here all meticulously created with the vision to improve combat in Second Life. From the timeless classics of the 1911s and Eagles through the heavier powered Sawedoff Shotguns, Submachine Uziels, M5’s and MP7’s to the precision of the sniper rifle; Breach have it well covered, and their popular following is proof of the fact. Breach’s mission statement claims “…on par with normal first person shooters. We concentrate on "look and feel" and customisation instead of providing a hundred different types of bullets.”


Heading over from Breach, also on Overdrive Island, you arrive at the doors of C-Tech.

With a small selection of guns, only 4 in-fact, C-Tech provides an AK-47, Pulse Rifle, Mach 10 and quite possibly my favourite Second Life handgun the MK4 (Redemption Pistols). What C-Tech lacks in number it more than makes up in attention to detail and as well as this small range of weaponry, you can also purchase full body armour and aircraft that wouldn’t look out of place in the popular Wipeout games.


Leaving the two shops on Overdrive Island behind the next essential choice for a Second Life arsenal would be Black Ops.


Upon arrival at the Black Ops main store it’s plainly obvious you are at a fully-fledged military outfitter and in fact the store takes the form of an outpost in style. Various vendors await your arrival which are helpfully split into easy to use categories where you can select between the pistols, machine guns, assault weapons and snipers. Black Ops has the biggest selection of guns of the three places I visited on this tour. Ranging from standard issue Beretta M9’s to RPG-7 Rocket Launchers. Other vendors are in place offering armour and uniforms including replica armed forces uniforms. One major advantage which Black Ops has over the other stores featured is that it has it’s own firing range. You are welcome to go to the range and test your weapons out, provided you can abide by the few rules they have in place.


If firepower isn’t for you and you wish to recreate some epic moves with the shiniest and sharpest blades you can find you mustn’t miss out on Samurai Island – House of Blade Mall.


A vast array of shops awaits you here in a beautifully created, themed sim. From blades to Kimonos and other outfits this sim has it all. As well as a shopping destination and a visual delight, this island also has a growing and popular community complete with combat areas. Contained within one of the larger structures here are a few blade specialists. On my list for here is Musashi Blades. I am the proud owner of some blades from Mushashi and can report the quality of these weapons is unmistakable. With various outfits and 6 diverse Katanas on offer, at Mushashi you won’t be stuck for choice. As well as the high quality of these blades they also have arguably the best packaging I’ve ever seen. Each blade opening in it’s own unique way which is quite compelling. I have recorded a short video of the Sizuka naru Shi Blades, which I own; you must see it to believe it!

Leaving Samurai Island behind I pop over to Hanzo Blades.

Hanzo is a sizeably growing popular collection of Samurai outfits and armour. Coupled with the work from DirtyLynx, Hanzo offers eleven blades currently and numerous outfits and armour parts. Interestingly Hanzo also offers a full permission Katana, complete with scripts, for you to create your own custom blade. Most certainly not a shop to be missed if you seek Samurai.


The last place on my little whirlwind tour is TalTECH Weapons. TalTECH is a massive vendor location for pretty much any weapon you can find in Second Life. There are quite literally hundreds of vendors on location here. Featuring the likes of Omega Concern, aubreTEC, Galiko and some of those featured in my list above. Personally I prefer visiting the main stores where you can obtain more information generally, but this vendor location is a very good place to start your search for any Second Life weaponry. TalTECH also have firing ranges available to be used and even bought. So if you find your addiction to weapons in Second Life grows you can furnish your own land with an arena.

So, if you seek some protection, or accessories for your virtual life the places above are essentials not to be missed on your mission. Your mission (should you chose to accept it) is to use the list above to match yourself with your perfect Second Life weapon.