to rswartsell:
Nope,....wasn't my "primary function",... but,....like I said,....I was young, skinny and stupid,...and was standing in the wrong place at the right time,...all too often. My "platoon daddy" discovered an inherent "talent" I didn't know I had.
Funny thing is,..like many others who did the same thing,...I find that I became,..and btw....still am,.... extremley claustrophobic.......can't imagine why. Go Figger.
to Vern H.
I took a Colt Python in with me in 68 when things were a tad easier to get one in,..and when it was still "blind eye'd". After a few days upcountry,...I found myself with a beautiful paper weight. The tolerances were too tight on it. As soon as the "grunge" and moisture had a chance to accumulate,..it locked up tight at "a very inopportune moment!!"..... So I do tend to agree with you up to a point. First trip back to the rear, it was quickly swapped to a "slick jockey-fling winger type", for an issued S&W Model 10, .38 Special, 4 incher. It held up well,...but not as good as the 1911 in .45 that I later "scarfed". I got the Python back when he deros'd. When I left country,....as I was getting on a Huey outbound to PhuCat enroute to CRB and the world,...I handed the S&W..and a well used and abused combat KaBar, to an "FNG" that was getting off inbound. Figured he'd need them more than me.
The Python?...It came home with me, but was last seen walking away with a US Customs jerk at McCord AB,...said I was too young to own it,..(I was still just shy of 21years old!!....a victim of GCA-68!!).... and even after heart felt pleading and psiing and moaning,...it was confiscated,...and I walked away. Always hoped that motherless P#@%K enjoyed carrying it.
SGM, USA (Ret)
Nam to Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Regular Army, 67-91