Unissued military sidearms...

cold dead hands · August 31, 2008, 04:58 PM

Can and/or do soldiers in the field carry ''un-approved'' sidearms when they feel the m9 is not good enough and/or they cannot properly operate the gun?

How do they get new ammo if the S.O. looks the other way because he is more concerned about his boy instead of the regulations?

I have been told that an individual soldier can carry a privately owned sidearm into duty, but they may not bring it back to the U.S.

Creature · August 31, 2008, 05:26 PM

No, they cant as it is against regulations. For the average enlisted GI, it is strictly verboten to carry a personally purchased sidearm. Dont believe everything you hear.

Does it happen that something might get picked up in the field? Maybe.

hoytinak · August 31, 2008, 05:28 PM

It's up to the unit itself but 99.99% of the time....no. I tried everything to talk my CSM and Col. into letting me carry my one of my personal sidearms.

RolandMk.1 · August 31, 2008, 08:30 PM

I think most enlisted ground-pounders and others who'd be issued sidearms, they're stuck with what they get. I think officers can get by with carrying personal pistols in some cases, depending on rank and where they're stationed.

Special forces are another matter; they can be a bit more choosy as far as sidearms go. I know Delta Force has M1911's custom-made for them; other units might have a selection of a certain caliber for operators to choose from.

rkba_net · September 1, 2008, 01:09 AM

It is against US military regulations to carry ones own POW (Privately Owned Weapon). Also it is specifically against General Order Number 1 to carry one in Iraq / Afghanistan.

Arabia · September 1, 2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Can and/or do soldiers in the field carry ''un-approved'' sidearms when they feel the m9 is not good enough and/or they cannot properly operate the gun?

It depends on the CO, but some units can carry non standard issued weapons if they see fit. For instance a Russian made SMG, or MG. All of these are battle field pick-ups, used in conjunction with standard issued weapons. This is not common practice, and rarely happens. Though most soldier in theater do familiarize themselves with enemy weapons for just in case moments. They can not carry their own personal weapons from home or bring a battle field pick-up home.

Arabia · September 1, 2008, 01:51 AM

DP.

August 31, 2008, 04:58 PM	#1
cold dead hands Junior member Join Date: November 14, 2007 Location: Arkansuck...I dream of the day I leave here. Never to return. Posts: 854	Unissued military sidearms... Can and/or do soldiers in the field carry ''un-approved'' sidearms when they feel the m9 is not good enough and/or they cannot properly operate the gun? How do they get new ammo if the S.O. looks the other way because he is more concerned about his boy instead of the regulations? I have been told that an individual soldier can carry a privately owned sidearm into duty, but they may not bring it back to the U.S.

September 1, 2008, 01:51 AM	#7
Arabia Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Location: Massachusetts, The Bay State Posts: 432	DP. __________________ -Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. Ferris Bueller, from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

August 31, 2008, 05:26 PM	#2
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	No, they cant as it is against regulations. For the average enlisted GI, it is strictly verboten to carry a personally purchased sidearm. Dont believe everything you hear. Does it happen that something might get picked up in the field? Maybe.

August 31, 2008, 05:28 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	It's up to the unit itself but 99.99% of the time....no. I tried everything to talk my CSM and Col. into letting me carry my one of my personal sidearms.

August 31, 2008, 08:30 PM	#4
RolandMk.1 Member Join Date: June 23, 2007 Posts: 25	I think most enlisted ground-pounders and others who'd be issued sidearms, they're stuck with what they get. I think officers can get by with carrying personal pistols in some cases, depending on rank and where they're stationed. Special forces are another matter; they can be a bit more choosy as far as sidearms go. I know Delta Force has M1911's custom-made for them; other units might have a selection of a certain caliber for operators to choose from.

September 1, 2008, 01:09 AM	#5
rkba_net Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2000 Posts: 153	It is against US military regulations to carry ones own POW (Privately Owned Weapon). Also it is specifically against General Order Number 1 to carry one in Iraq / Afghanistan.