Travel to India. Safety, guns, nonfiring weapons...

[leadcounsel]

This covers a variety of gun, non-firing weapons, legal and travel safety and strategy. Mods please move where-ever it best fits.

I may have an opportunity in the future to travel to India (the country). I'd like insights on a variety of topics from anyone with knowledge, insights, or experience. This will be a tightly organized group trip with at least one native Indian in our group.

I expect the trip to be safe, educational and fun.

1. Safety. I've traveled internationally as a civilian and Soldier and have been well-briefed on OPSEC and travel safety. I'll look at the State Dept website, and plan accordingly. But anything I need to know specifically about India. Anything I can carry legally that will be obscure enough to not raise alarms? Thinking a nice hardwood cane. Any insights on self-defense laws? Relative safety of the urban areas from anyone with actual experience?

2. Are there any gun markets where I might find and be able to buy and bring home a pre 1898 curio and relic, and does anyone have any experience in such a thing getting it through customs? I have a C&R but have never looked into this. Do they even have gun markets or shops? It would be cool if it were simple and affordable, but I'm not interested in a significant amount of time or money investment. I used to have a .308 Indian Enfield, but sold it a few years ago.

3. Are there any really cool non-firing weapons native to India, culturally significant, items I might purchase. Or other hand-made gun gear? I suspect there may be awesome and cheap magazine rigs for the FAL or other things, as one might find on Ebay. Can one expect to see these things in the markets? Maybe some quality hand made camoflage fatigues?

4. Any other cultural advice is appreciated.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

There are a couple of active Indian gun forums and RKBA-ish sites. They were mentioned here but Google will bring them up. They probably know such.

India is remaking break-top 32s (IIRC) for women's SD. That would be fun to bring back if you could. I think they are very expensive.

 

[Doyle]

You could always bring back a genuine khukuri knife.

 

[kilimanjaro]

You will find a lot of Mughal relics, both original and replicant, edged weapons such as Tulwars and wrist daggers, bucklers, armor, etc., etc. Makes a nice wall display in your den when you get back. Packing and shipping charges are usually reasonable, and vendors will do this for you.

You may find a pre-1898 Martini or Jezail or some such thing somewhere, but the odds are you will be looking at a modern fake made out of inferior metals. They're not antiques.

No matter what you are buying, Indians are pretty savvy businessmen, and haggling the price is generally standard behavior in the bazaars. Less so in shops. They also know the value of their goods and price accordingly. A middle class income there is $20,000 a year, with imported electronics and such being expensive.

Food is cheap, and delicious. Take a necktie and a light jacket to ensure your restaurant dining in the evenings, the British never quite left, you know, and some establishments have rules. May never use it, but may save an evening for you.

Drink bottled water if you don't boil it yourself, if outside of your hotel. Inquire about all tap water before using.

Take your vision and medical prescriptions with you, you may want to stock up on new eyeglasses or pills before returning.

Don't wear jewelry or a wristwatch, keep your watch in your pocket, your wallet in your money belt or neck bag under your shirt, all else in your front pockets, the camera in a jute bag or something similar that doesn't scream 'expensive first-world goodies inside', and refrain from dressing like a tourist. Lock up valuables in the hotel safe, do not leave them in your room, and don't carry them about if you don't need to. Women should not go out alone, or even in pairs. Men should accompany women at all times. Women should dress with some sense of decency, just like at the office in summer. Short shorts and halter tops are an insult to Hindu and Muslim.

Wear good walking shoes. Do not wear sandals, the streets are filthy.

Do exchange $50 into the lowest denomination of Rupee notes, 5 or 10 Rupees (about 6 or 12 cents), and give one to the many beggars you will encounter. $50 in Rupee notes will take care of about 200 or 400 poor wretches, and I guarantee you will encounter them. Don't stand there and feel good about it after giving one or two notes away, you will be swamped with another dozen or more, I swear the beggars have a hive mind and communicate to the swarm in seconds at the sound of a feringhee hand dipping into a pocket for a note.

Do be prepared for a cultural shock, and treat the people you meet with civility and grace. Do not shout at, push, or get into verbal exchanges with the folks you interact with, such as waiters, wallahs, clerks, etc. If your meal is taking time, it's because you didn't arrive earlier, it's not their fault you are unable to enjoy life.

Do learn to enjoy chai tea, which is basic ditch water, boiled yak milk and enough sugar to put you into a diabetic coma.

Do get a shave from a barber, you won't need another for a week. Take a blade razor, electricity will be intermittent in some places.

Do accept any invitations to visit a private home and spend time with the owners. You will enjoy the experience.