I need a myth put down.

M

Morgoroth

New member
Some one I know has been saying that they where allowed to take their weapons with them when they left the military.

Now I could be wrong, but some this sounds a little far fetched.
It sounds like someone who is looking for a silly excuse....

Is there any possibility that this is true?
 
How old is this person? While I am not sure it was “allowed” I think years ago it did happen. I know a friend’s Grandfather kept a sidearm or at least that was the story. I am pretty sure it is not allowed now days, but who knows what might happen.
 
although I am all for retired military personnel to receive an M-16 or their duty weapon upon retirement, like they do in some police departments. I figure if they were in the military for 20 years they can handle one of those weapons but I digress. That is not the case nowadays.

He could have smuggled it back from a deployment but they are not just handing out M-16s and M9s when you leave.
 
In World War 2 or Korea perhaps. Probably not after that, as we began issuing fully automatic weapons between Korea and Vietnam.
 
Officers used to be allowed to buy and carry personal sidearms. Otherwise, I do not know of officially sanctioned programs for service members to keep issued weapons.
 
They had to buy the weapon and it was at the commanders discretion whether or not it was allowed. Today it ain't happening but if they were smart everybody from potato peeler to Airborne to desk jockey to pilot to engine-man on a submarine should be qualified expert with a handgun and long gun and the guns with 500 rounds of ammo for each should be part of their checkout kit when they separate from service if they have an honorable discharge.

Just dos centavos from a dinosaur
 
Once upon a time it was true. My grandfather was offered his .45 when he left service after WWI, but he turned it down. Because he was an officer, they wouldn't let him take a Springfield, which was what he wanted! :(

When I retired in '91, I requested my sidearm, a .38 S&W that I had carried most of my time in service (I was a CID Special Agent). There were provisions that a non-automatic weapon of special sentimental value or which was used in an act of heroism could be purchased for its acquisition cost by the person to whom it was issued. Apparently carrying the same weapon for a dozen years didn't make it sentimental enough for them to grant my request. Would have loved to get my excellent Model 10 for $57.00! :cool:
 
Thanks for the responses!

I thought it was probably not true, but it's nice to have some conformation with all the mis-information running around.
 
The only situation where an enlisted man could have his rifle was in the Marine Corp up until WWII.
A retiring Marine enlisted man could buy his rifle. I think this policy went back to the very founding of the Corps.

There were a VERY few cases where rifles were presented as shooting awards or to high medal winning heroes. These were usually marked with a plaque in the stock or some sort of engraving.
I seem to recall that after the war Audie Murphy's favorite M1 Carbine was found and presented to him, and is now in a museum.

For many years, officers were allowed to buy or to just keep their service pistol, especially West Point grads who were often issued a gun upon graduation.
As example, General Eisenhower was issued a Colt Model 1911 pistol when he graduated West Point, and he kept it after he retired.

In probably 99.9% of cases, a rifle or pistol was simply stolen from the military.
 
Only people I know who could do it was generals when they retire, they can buy their sidearm.

In OEF the only thing we could even ship back were antiques. Nothing modern could come home.
 
Only general level officers get to keep or are presented with their side arm.

Any other soldier that keeps a military issue firearm didn't do it legally.
 
+1 to Buzzcook and others regarding the generals and their M9s. I have been fortunate enough to work with some new "stars" when they were issued their sidearm: a very nice, wood gripped, high luster finish M9. I talked with the issuing armorer about it. Upon retirement, they can either turn in the weapon or purchase it for somewhere just north of $400.
 
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