uh...not sure how to topic this one...
I'm trying to start a very small and minor collection of all the firearms I "used" during my time in the military. Since it was mostly Air Force, you can count on the list being short and undistinguished.
Anyway, started in high school Marine Corps JROTC with M-14s. We used them for drill, and like any good American, I fell in love. I had that rifle for 4 years, and I even remember the serial number. The had no firing pin and a lead rod smelted (or something) into the barrel, but I still want it.
(Side note: can that be reversed so the rifle can be made usable again, or is that a permanent thing?)
I called the the unit yesterday and asked what the likelihood was of the organization selling me one of the rifles, and the WO in charge wasn't very receptive. He said he would ask HQ, but didn't know what the rules were for selling to a civilian. I like how he thought he was someone important.[:D] Marines are so cute!
Next one I'm trying to track down is the M1 Garand we used at the Air Force Academy for drill and training. Same story with making them unserviceable. We only had them a year, and then the Academy switched to rubber M-16's. They were totally lame, heavy, and bounced if you dropped them. Still want one. I've contacted the USAFA armory in the hopes the M1's are still stored somewhere and available for purchase.
Who knows, I might get lucky!
Lastly, there's the M9 (Beretta 9mm) we officers were supposed to use. I was never issued one but had to qualify every year. Expert shot, of course. I was never a big fan of it because it was just a bit too big for my hands. When I bought my first handgun, I got a Ruger P95, which I liked much, much better. A bit smaller and more features (like the lack of a pesky safety). I guess I'll try to track one of those down, too, but the rifles are at the top of my priority list.
So, that's the story. Anyone know if military units will sell discontinued/decommissioned firearms to people at auction or whatnot?
Anyway, started in high school Marine Corps JROTC with M-14s. We used them for drill, and like any good American, I fell in love. I had that rifle for 4 years, and I even remember the serial number. The had no firing pin and a lead rod smelted (or something) into the barrel, but I still want it.
(Side note: can that be reversed so the rifle can be made usable again, or is that a permanent thing?)
I called the the unit yesterday and asked what the likelihood was of the organization selling me one of the rifles, and the WO in charge wasn't very receptive. He said he would ask HQ, but didn't know what the rules were for selling to a civilian. I like how he thought he was someone important.[:D] Marines are so cute!
Next one I'm trying to track down is the M1 Garand we used at the Air Force Academy for drill and training. Same story with making them unserviceable. We only had them a year, and then the Academy switched to rubber M-16's. They were totally lame, heavy, and bounced if you dropped them. Still want one. I've contacted the USAFA armory in the hopes the M1's are still stored somewhere and available for purchase.
Who knows, I might get lucky!
Lastly, there's the M9 (Beretta 9mm) we officers were supposed to use. I was never issued one but had to qualify every year. Expert shot, of course. I was never a big fan of it because it was just a bit too big for my hands. When I bought my first handgun, I got a Ruger P95, which I liked much, much better. A bit smaller and more features (like the lack of a pesky safety). I guess I'll try to track one of those down, too, but the rifles are at the top of my priority list.
So, that's the story. Anyone know if military units will sell discontinued/decommissioned firearms to people at auction or whatnot?
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If qualified, you can get Garands at CMP http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm
You can't buy original M-14's but Springfield's M-1A is as close as you can get.0 -
I've seen the CMP website, but for sentimental reasons, I want one that was used at the Air Force Academy. As far as I could tell on their website, they didn't differentiate to that degree. 0 -
Y'all went from M1 Garands to rubber-duck M16's at the Air Force Academy??? Us Citadel boys stuck to the M14, M1, and '03 Springfields. 0 -
You can get an AR-15, A2 style anywhere. It'll be close enough to the rubber M-16 you had. Beretta 92s are easy to get as well.
It's good that you perceived the Marine as "cute." I'm not sure that you'd have gotten a nice answer from my armorer if you asked to buy a weapon off us.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cce1302
You can get an AR-15, A2 style anywhere. It'll be close enough to the rubber M-16 you had. Beretta 92s are easy to get as well.
It's good that you perceived the Marine as "cute." I'm not sure that you'd have gotten a nice answer from my armorer if you asked to buy a weapon off us.
He wants one of the rifles that was used AT the Air Force Academy, for sentimental reasons. I've often wished to be able to buy the M14 I carried @ The Citadel, too.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Glock23Expert
Y'all went from M1 Garands to rubber-duck M16's at the Air Force Academy???
Believe me, I was NOT pleased with the transition. In fact, I was one of the cadets who was asked to test out the new "weapon" as the next drill firearm. I gave it a very scathing review, as it had absolutely NO functionality, was heavier, and less balanced than the actual M-16. As I recall, we all said we disliked it and wanted to keep the M1s. At least those could be disassembled, teaching some rudimentary firearms knowledge to the cadets.
As usual, the decision was already made before they even asked us, and they went ahead with the Rubber Duckies despite the cadets' desires not to.0 -
Isn't that the way it seemed to always be? 0 -
Not to hijack your thread, but at our first inspection of my knob year, the tactical officer inspecting my platoon was none other than Marine Major Bruce Norton, formerly Navy corpsman of Force Recon fame in Vietnam (authored several books about his experiences). Planted himself in front of me, looked me over, went to take my M14 from me and I didn't let go quick enough, he held me off the ground with one hand while I'm still holding the rifle. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Glock23Expert
Not to hijack your thread, but at our first inspection of my knob year, the tactical officer inspecting my platoon was none other than Marine Major Bruce Norton, formerly Navy corpsman of Force Recon fame in Vietnam (authored several books about his experiences). Planted himself in front of me, looked me over, went to take my M14 from me and I didn't let go quick enough, he held me off the ground with one hand while I'm still holding the rifle.
HAHA! That is awesome!!0 -
[:(] Well, looks like this is a total bust. I can never get my old rifle back, because even though it is demilitarized, it's controlled by the Navy. And they cannot and will not sell them to civilians.
I'm really bummed right now. That rifle meant a lot to me.0 -
This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. 
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Yeah, that's the M14 all right. Maybe I should contact Hollywood....they seem to be able to get things. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Oklahoma223
This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.
i believe the correct caption at that point is;
"This is my rifle, this is my gun..."0
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