I've heard about soldiers carrying all kinds of weapons in the sandbox. How can you bring your own guns with you? A personal handgun at least? Do you have to pick them up off the field or PX? My plan is to work in a gun shop for the discount and get myself some quality battle weaponry and then bring 'em with me to sign up. Any suggestions for guns would be helpful too.
Personal guns in the Army?
- Thread starter CZ 42
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American soldiers carry what they're issued in the field. There is a General Order prohibiting the carrying of personally owned weapons in Iraq, knives and multi-tools allowed under unit regulations exempted. This serves a number of purposes. First, it ensure you are trained on the weapons your carrying. Secondly, it ensures commonality in parts or magazines. If you could carry whatever, getting repair parts would be a PIA, as would ammo. In a firefight, if you needed one, it would be pretty hard to ask your buddy for an extra mag if he's carrying something different from you.
If your seriously considering joining, start doing PT. The Army will provide you with the weapons you need (and will be allowed to use) for your job.
If your seriously considering joining, start doing PT. The Army will provide you with the weapons you need (and will be allowed to use) for your job.
yesit'sloaded
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Most of my friends that went over got AKs when they got in theatre. They never used them as a primary, but had them s truck guns.
WinchesterAA
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So how does one acquire something other than an m16/m4 and an m9?
birdbustr
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MP510 is right. All branches are this way. I've wished many times that I could have my deer rifle and scope with me instead of that M-14 with the Cheap scope that cost the gov't $800 (Smith and Wesson Scope, what a POS).
This was covering a VBSS team (Navy Visit Board Search Seizure) from our ship 300-1000 yards away. I know for a fact that they were only sighted in at 25 yards 1 month before we deployed. I wanted to take the weapons to a 300 yard range on my own time and money, but there was just too much red tape to get those rifles off of the ship and out there. Thank god we didn't have any need for covering fire from our ship.
I would think the only way to get something else is to get it over there. You can't just ship weapons into a combat zone. I guess you would have to take it from the former owner, whether he be dead or captured or whatever.
This was covering a VBSS team (Navy Visit Board Search Seizure) from our ship 300-1000 yards away. I know for a fact that they were only sighted in at 25 yards 1 month before we deployed. I wanted to take the weapons to a 300 yard range on my own time and money, but there was just too much red tape to get those rifles off of the ship and out there. Thank god we didn't have any need for covering fire from our ship.
I would think the only way to get something else is to get it over there. You can't just ship weapons into a combat zone. I guess you would have to take it from the former owner, whether he be dead or captured or whatever.
Geronimo45
Member
There's still some limited carry of non-issue weapons. I recall that tankers liked AKs due to the folding stock... or the short length, when operating in tight confines. That was apparently allowed in some units for some time (early on), but then ended.
As a general rule, no. You will carry the weapon you are issued and you will like it.
You can possess private guns on base - in the US, possibly not at all bases. No idea if they let you bring them outside the US. You are not supposed to carry privately-owned guns outside the wire in a combat zone, AFAIK. There may be exceptions in the regulations for certain parties, or just a willingness to let certain rules slide in some units.
As for battlefield pickups - you don't know if they're rigged to blow up, or have plain shoddy manufacture so they'd come to pieces on you. You don't know if the insides are rusted... so it's best to leave 'em be.
As a general rule, no. You will carry the weapon you are issued and you will like it.
You can possess private guns on base - in the US, possibly not at all bases. No idea if they let you bring them outside the US. You are not supposed to carry privately-owned guns outside the wire in a combat zone, AFAIK. There may be exceptions in the regulations for certain parties, or just a willingness to let certain rules slide in some units.
As for battlefield pickups - you don't know if they're rigged to blow up, or have plain shoddy manufacture so they'd come to pieces on you. You don't know if the insides are rusted... so it's best to leave 'em be.
So you can't even get accessories like scopes? Couldn't you have it sent in a care package? I've heard of organizations that send troops better M4 stuff, and people that bring there own shotshells and whatnot. I was sure they sold pistols in the PX too. Oh well, I guess the best I can do is acquaint myself with the weapons I might encounter. Safe to say we'll still be in Iraq by the time I get out of college, if Ron Paul isn't elected anyway... Oh, how about issue pistols? Can you buy, say, a H&K USP or 1911 if you don't like the M9?
And don't some units have choice over their armaments?
And don't some units have choice over their armaments?
Corporal K
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Unless you're in a highly specialized unit, you're not going to be able to modify your weapon or carry non-issue weapons. Maybe you could put a different sling on or something to that effect.
The M4 and M9 (which you probably won't carry at all) are good weapons. They'll do the job.
The M4 and M9 (which you probably won't carry at all) are good weapons. They'll do the job.
Bones11b
Member
There are some units with diverse and impressive arms available to them, yet these are still government property not individually owned firearms. Many people see a U.S. soldier on televison or in magazines with an out of the ordinary weapon and assume they are carrying a personally owned weapon. You may see soldiers carrying weapons that seem "cooler" than average, MK23's, 1911's, m14's, semi auto shotguns, etc; these are actually still signed out of an arms room, just like those "ho hum" M4's and M9's.
Twycross
Member
I've seen one privately-purchased scope on an issue M4, but I don't know whether that is authorized or just something that was let slide. He wasn't in my company. Every reliable person in my COC that I have queried has stated that all privately owned weapons are prohibited in theater, and I have not seen anything to contradict this.
PXs do not sell firearms.
PXs do not sell firearms.
CZ 42, Don't take any weapons with you when you go to sign up. You will also not be allowed to take any weapons with you to basic training or advance training, not even a knife ( if they know about it). If you are even sent to Iraq, they may send you to Korea for a year or so. Off times in a combat area there are non issue weapons floating around, but no, in the sand box you will not order any firearms from the Post Exchange. As a lower inelisted person or private nothing, you will not hand carry any personal firearms on a troop movement. Nor will you bring any modern firearms back from Iraq.. You will go through a search and a metal detector. So Just join and use what they give you. DWARREN123
Member
The military is acually very anti firearm. Use what you are issued for the mission and have none when you rotate back state side. On post/base your weapons (personal and issued) must be locked up/secured, no concealed carry except as a duty requirement.
No personal weapons in combat.
This is my experience for 22 years, retired in 1992.
No personal weapons in combat.
This is my experience for 22 years, retired in 1992.
Bones11b
Member
oh and as a side note soldiers living in the barracks must keep weapons locked in the arms room. This is why many single soldiers store weapons at the homes of soldiers who have living arangements off post. The more weapons you buy the more weapons you will be leaving in the trust of others while you are in basic, advanced training, or on deployments. Would hate to have a nice collection sitting at home while I was stuck in Korea for two years or Germany for four.
If you are willing to tempt going to military prison, then by all means take a pistol with you. You can bring just about anything into country, they don't search you going in, but try to sneak something out and you will get caught.
That said,my Nat.Guard company in Baghdad carried many pistols we found during raids. There were Berretas, Browning HPs, CZ75s, a couple of Glocks, and plenty of crappy haji copied pistols that were just plain dangerous. Since M9s were in short supply our company commander turned a blind eye to our using them. When we turned over our sector for rotation back home we offered the pistols to an active duty unit but they didn't want them. We ended up throwing them in the Tigres river.
That said,my Nat.Guard company in Baghdad carried many pistols we found during raids. There were Berretas, Browning HPs, CZ75s, a couple of Glocks, and plenty of crappy haji copied pistols that were just plain dangerous. Since M9s were in short supply our company commander turned a blind eye to our using them. When we turned over our sector for rotation back home we offered the pistols to an active duty unit but they didn't want them. We ended up throwing them in the Tigres river.
possum
Member
we may only use guns that we are issued, we pick up confiscate etc guns all the time all types, we turn them in to the higher hq's, and keep some for training purposes of course. we have found ak's, sks's pshg-41's, glock 19's, walther p99's, ruger p89's, sig pro 9mm's and many others. i reference to keeping hold of siezed weapons, soliders can get into alot of trouble depending on the chin of command.
1911 guy
Member
Ditto what they said.
Everyone is absolutely right. Once in a while I got to carry around some odd looking stuff, but every bit of it was Uncle Sam's property.
And the shotshell thing is bunk, too. You get busted with UA ammo and it's probably going to be NJP, at least.
Everyone is absolutely right. Once in a while I got to carry around some odd looking stuff, but every bit of it was Uncle Sam's property.
And the shotshell thing is bunk, too. You get busted with UA ammo and it's probably going to be NJP, at least.
From what my buddies who are still in tell me, the Military treats every hostile engagement site as a crime scene now and personal weapons of differing calibers or firing pin signatures would just complicate the investigation.
Leave your personal blaster at home and hope you get issued a short barrel shotgun as a door buster.
Leave your personal blaster at home and hope you get issued a short barrel shotgun as a door buster.
mljdeckard
Member
The short answer is forget about it.
Having said that, my plt sgt, who has deployed to Afghanistan twice, and is headed back again, is taking his USP .45 with him. He is a senior MI NCO who will be working mostly with who we refer to as "OGA"s, "Other Governmental Agencies", in civilian clothes. Part of his job is to keep the enemy guessing as to who he is and who he works for. I talked to him a lot about it, he said, "When you get there, ask your commander what his policy is. He'll probably tell you no way in hell. If he says, 'out of sight, out of mind', then scrounge to see what people who are leaving are selling since they can't take it home with them."
Meaning, you can't take it in with you, you certainly can't take it home with you, and even if you score a good .45 from someone, you probably want to use FMJ ammo.
The truth is, if you join the army as a place to use guns a lot, or learn a lot about guns, you're going to be disappointed.
Having said that, my plt sgt, who has deployed to Afghanistan twice, and is headed back again, is taking his USP .45 with him. He is a senior MI NCO who will be working mostly with who we refer to as "OGA"s, "Other Governmental Agencies", in civilian clothes. Part of his job is to keep the enemy guessing as to who he is and who he works for. I talked to him a lot about it, he said, "When you get there, ask your commander what his policy is. He'll probably tell you no way in hell. If he says, 'out of sight, out of mind', then scrounge to see what people who are leaving are selling since they can't take it home with them."
Meaning, you can't take it in with you, you certainly can't take it home with you, and even if you score a good .45 from someone, you probably want to use FMJ ammo.
The truth is, if you join the army as a place to use guns a lot, or learn a lot about guns, you're going to be disappointed.
Sounds like a great way to earn an Article 92 UCMJ Violation, up to 2 years imprisonment, and a dishonerable discharge, regardless of what his company commander says he won't pay attention to. That doesn't change the fact that there is a stadning General Order.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm92.htm
Hey, I was the proud owner of a M249 SAW yesterday!! Problem was I am a contractor and found it left in a Army truck at Camp Liberty. I stopped a soldier and asked him to keep it under his control while I went to look for its owner. Never found the soldier but I did find the unit Commanding officer (I was helped by truck bumper number) and this is what I said. "Captain, you have a serious problem, follow me" Now he does not know me but he walked with me to the truck and pointed out the saw and the soldier stopped was guarding it. He thanked us, and took it and went looking for the owner. Now pistol rifle saw shotgun are primary weapons hard to forget. You can forget bringing POW's here, as it is most of the soldiers carry these everywhere but shoot very little.
Peyton, I call dibs!
Aww, you already gave it away. I call dibs on the next one.
On topic, OP: DO NOT bring a private firearm to Iraq. Bad things will happen to you if you are caught.
I have heard of AKs and pistols being captured and occasionally used. The general attitude I have heard is 'Everything else in this country is poorly and cheaply made. What would make the guns any different? Use American stuff."
Besides, why would you want to bring something ELSE you would have to clean and keep dust free every day? If you were my soldier, it WOULD be cleaned. Often. If it were even legal to bring it.
As to modifications, I have a private harris bipod and a private acog for my m-4. I was issued an aimpoint. I carried it like that for at least a year and nobody cared. So long as you don't modify the 'fit or function' nothing will happen. This is Barracks lawyer [AKA don't follow] advice, beware!
Aww, you already gave it away. I call dibs on the next one.
On topic, OP: DO NOT bring a private firearm to Iraq. Bad things will happen to you if you are caught.
I have heard of AKs and pistols being captured and occasionally used. The general attitude I have heard is 'Everything else in this country is poorly and cheaply made. What would make the guns any different? Use American stuff."
Besides, why would you want to bring something ELSE you would have to clean and keep dust free every day? If you were my soldier, it WOULD be cleaned. Often. If it were even legal to bring it.
As to modifications, I have a private harris bipod and a private acog for my m-4. I was issued an aimpoint. I carried it like that for at least a year and nobody cared. So long as you don't modify the 'fit or function' nothing will happen. This is Barracks lawyer [AKA don't follow] advice, beware!
nwilliams
Member
I'm curious are soldiers allowed to bring back war trophies like many soldiers did in WW2 and Vietnam? Do they not allow soldiers to bring back captured weapons anymore?
My grandfather brought back a Japanese sword from when he served in the Pacific theater and I had a buddy whose dad brought back an SKS from Vietnam. I've also heard stories about soldiers bringing back AK's from Vietnam and I've always wondered if they were allowed to do that or if they just did it because nobody stopped them.
I can't imagine that soldiers are allowed to bring back captured weapons anymore other than maybe knives. But what about handguns and other weapons? Kinda a shame if soldiers can't do that anymore, if I were over there I'd be very tempted to grab an AK and try and bring it home with me. Of course then you'd have to contend with standard BATF gun laws.
Sorry to change the subject this thread just made me wonder.
My grandfather brought back a Japanese sword from when he served in the Pacific theater and I had a buddy whose dad brought back an SKS from Vietnam. I've also heard stories about soldiers bringing back AK's from Vietnam and I've always wondered if they were allowed to do that or if they just did it because nobody stopped them.
I can't imagine that soldiers are allowed to bring back captured weapons anymore other than maybe knives. But what about handguns and other weapons? Kinda a shame if soldiers can't do that anymore, if I were over there I'd be very tempted to grab an AK and try and bring it home with me. Of course then you'd have to contend with standard BATF gun laws.
Sorry to change the subject this thread just made me wonder.
steveracer
Member
they do indeed sell weapons at the
px.
You WILL NOT be carrying them in uniform in the field.
px.
You WILL NOT be carrying them in uniform in the field.
Technically, yes you can bring one back. But there are so many levels of people that need to sign the papers, and CYA is such a prevalent military objective, and so many of the people you need the signature of have never met you, it simply won't happen.
Phew, run on sentences.
Phew, run on sentences.
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