Looking for some advice for overseas pistol.

H

Hothram

Inactive
First I would like to say that I love SIGs and Rugers. I think they are truly great guns. And for some reason they just feel better then other guns when I have shot them.

So in that line of thought i have finally decided to buy my first pistol. I have been shooting for a number of years with either rented guns or friends weapons.

My only problem is that i just cannot decide between the Ruger 97D .45 and the SIG Pro .40.

As the price of these two weapons are not that different my worries are mostly on caliber and reliability.

It should also be known that i am going to be sent overseas purdy soon as a part of my job and am a little worried over the availability of .40. I also understand that the 9mm is a hugely popular round but just for some reason I prefure a larger round for self-defense.

Got any advice? Thank you for your time.
 
I have lived and worked all over the Middle East, North Africa and travelled in SE Asia. In every country I've been to the same holds true; unless you are a diplomat and have the weapon issued to you, you will go to jail.

If you need a weapon, one will be issued to you. If one is not issued to you and you carry your own... did you ever see midnight express?

Just to be completely honest, there are exceptions to the rule. I did get a permit for a shotgun and a pistol in Egypt. It took the help of a brigader in the internal security forces. I also lived there for five years, spoke the language and married one of their girls. I have a friend living in Paluwan who has a permit for several weapons. He carries a .45 under his barong and a Mac 10 in his truck. He has lived in PI for 30 years, owns property and a business and is married to a filipina. Neither of us would have lasted a day had we showed up packing.

All said, do whatever you feel that you must. It is your skin and you have to be the one who decides how to treat it. And get over the 9mm problem. Unless you cast your own, that is the only round larger than .32 that you will commonly find anywhere else in the world.

[This message has been edited by Libertarian (edited May 03, 2000).]
 
What Liberterian said! The weapon of choice in much of the world is a knife, but because most of the world considers a knife a tool. Most don't give you a second thought if you have one. Sword caines and just plain caines can be very useful in many places. Course these things aren't guns, but less likely to get you in trouble. Many times these things can be picked up overseas when you arrive, at reasonable cost and make great reminders of your visit. Taining with these things wouldn't hurt and it is fun.

[This message has been edited by ak9 (edited May 04, 2000).]
 
Listen to Libertarian.

Not only are weapons unlawful in most countries, pistols will really put you on the smoke-list. And military-calibre weapons are the worst taboo of all.

The laws in various countries vary widely inside the countries. The HMFIC of the local Garda may have a feud, vendetta or general hate for the guy who gave you permission to carry. The locals may not even know what a Permission to Carry looks like. They may not care.

Let me give you a 'fer instance' on laws overseas: Friend of mine and I were riding in a taxi in Abu Dhabi in 1980. Some guy lost control of his scooter, drove it across an empty lot and hit the taxi we were in.
We, my friend and I, were held liable. All we were doing was riding in the back of the taxi.
Now, if vehicles are that bad how do you think the locals will react to a pistol?

The US Embassies and Consuls will not be of any help in getting you out of jail/prison.

If you are cleared to carry a pistol, or if you feel you must, there is one piece of advice passed on by Very Wise Men that you should keep in mind:

You can usually find .45ACP if you know where to look. You can always find 9X19 if you know where to look.

The difference between 'always' and 'usually' could be worth your life.

LawDog

[This message has been edited by LawDog (edited May 04, 2000).]
 
Listen to these guys! Believe it!

Carrying a weapon into another country is considered arms smuggling. In some countries, arms smuggling carries the same penalty as drug smuggling. DEATH! And the drawn-out appeal process takes a whole hour.

In other countries, it is "only" a life sentence. Which means they not only throw the key away, they deny they ever heard of you.

If you are an exception, you know it. If you are under diplomatic cover and your people say you can be armed, a gun will be provided to you as needed. If you are military or a civilian under SOFA, you know it and can get advice from your KO or legal counsel.

Otherwise, forget it. A few other people may be able to get permits, but again, if you are one, you would not be asking us about it.

You may have real reason to fear outlaws in foreign countries (and here, for that matter), but being killed by bandits will be better than spending the rest of your life in a prison where cockroaches are gourmet meals, with guards who like to use their clubs and know only two English words, "Yankee" and "bastard".

Jim
 
Hate to say it. Most foreign Nationals tend to dislike Americans. They aren't going to do you any favors.

However. I don't think any contries have laws against fire extinguishers. A blast of pressurised powder or foam can give you a second to save your yankee but.
 
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