US GI's serving in Germany, bought any Euro-firearms?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Glockster35

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2002
Messages
485
Location
Goldsboro, NC
As some of you may know I am currently serving my last year at Spang Quentin (Spangdahlem AB, Germany).

I was wondering if any other GI's have purchased any firearms over here in the last couple of years or so.

I am sure you can still get them at the Rod and Gun clubs (if any still exist), but I was more interested in buying somethign from europe, like a Sig, Walther, Browning etc. I wouldn't mind driving to the factory to make the purchase and then having them send it directly to my mothers house in the states.

Anyone know if there is a process in place to do any of this?
 
The licensing requirements are trouble, and last I knew they didn't even allow you to bring your own. I don't recall anyone being allowed to buy firearms, though paintball guns were fine.
 
Once upon a time, I was the SAC of the Bitburg BO, US Army CID. Spangdahlem was in my AOR, as well as most of the Eifel region of Germany and Luxemborg. I bought a couple of brand new Walther P-1s with consecutive numbers at the Bitburg rod & gun club. IIRC, they can get most any European firearm made at wholesale prices (plus, of course, their markup ;) ).

Buying guns over there isn't like it is over here. To buy them on the economy, you must belong to a German hunting club, which is a long, expensive, involved process. Plus you can't ship them directly to the states -- you'd have to go through an FFL holder just like making an interstate purchase over here.

Check out the R&G. Anything you buy through them you can ship back to the states in your household goods, or take with you in checked baggage. You'll have to fill out an import form, but that's fairly easy. Last time I brought back 4 rifles and a revolver, plus the two P-1s.

Good luck!
 
Bitburg Air Base closed some time ago, there are no rod and gun clubs left in the Eifel region. Closest one was at Vogelweigh, but I heard rumor it closed it's doors also.

You can't bring firearms into Germany anymore, and may not be able to buy any here either. That's why I was asking, because I have suffered without for three years now, and now that I can see the end of the tunnel, I want to bring back something with me, in the shape of a European firearm (would love a hi-power or Sig), and will stay away from the target pistols...not my thing!

I would gladly send one back to an FFL in the states if need be.
 
Glockster,

While still possible to buy a gun over there, it takes around 2-3 months the first time.....and then you need to ensure you buy something that the BATFE will "allow" you to "import" into America :rolleyes: (can take another 2-3 months) I just got back to the US last Fall from Germany and you wouldn't believe the nutroll that I went though.....especially with my handguns...(sporting clause you know) Rifles are much easier and some manufacturers will even ship directly to one of their importers in the US for you.....Pistol makers may do so as well, but most already have a manufacturing division over here, ie. Glock and HK.

Sorry to be the wet blanket but htought you should know what you might be getting into.

Good Luck!

Mike
 
FALMike,

Thanks for the information. Figured it wouldn't be an easy thing. I think I will contact a manufacturer over here first to see what they recommend.
 
That's not true. You can still import your weapons into Germany if you (want to) are willing to undergo the same restrictions/regulations/tests as the locals.

You are told you can't because they (US Army Officials) don't understand what they are telling you. They just parrot what they heard...you know, like the Commander/NCO who says the regs says this or that when he/they never read the reg...he/they only parrotted something he/they heard without any proof...and the reg doesn't say what he/they thinks it says.

Unlike in the US, none of the forms will be translated into English for you so you better understand/read/speak German well.

My point is you are DISCOURAGED from bringing them in to avoid all the red tape.

It is not forbidden even though some will say "Es ist verboten" (It is forbidden).
 
In 88, 7 Army Tng Command, MPI section Graf, I was stationed. Could have bought CZ75, not B, CZ75's at $250 each on post at the rod and gun club. I still kick myself for not purchasing a few.
 
No offense to any military lawyers out there, but military lawyers are a joke.

The majority don't know anything about German law, and are little help in any other sitaution.

Yes, you can still bring firearms into Germany, but to me it wasn't worth it. I like to be free to shoot when I want, not when they require it of me.
 
My dad brought home some handguns when he was stationed in Germany, though that was prior to 1968.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top