Source of 1911's and 1911A1's

[lentislee]

I continue to read with interest the threads about all of the pistols each day. This is a great forum to educate all of us on the different variations of pistols manufactured. Since I was issued a 1911(A1) during my entire 3 years of military service, I am astounded as to how individuals brought one back from service. While I was never on a battlefield, I was stationed in Korea, Ft. Benning and Ft McClellan here in the USA.

Pistols were regularly checked in and out based on the assignment of that day. I know of one instance where one was stolen from a pistol rack and you would have thought someone robbed Ft. Knox with the CID interviewing everyone even remotely associated with the area.

Because of this forum and the other I read, I realize there are thousands out there in private hands. I also know that NRA sold some in the early 60's, however do not suspect that many was distributed through this route.

I would be interested in any personal stories of how all of these pistols left the military and are now in private hands. I also suspect officers could purchase theirs, however do not know of this being done personally. I was in the army from 1961 to 1964 and never had the opportunity to purchase or obtain one.

Thanks.
Lentis Lee
Scottsville, Ky

[jwenum]

From what I've seen,everything was a LOT more lenient during the WWII years.I know that coming out of Vietnam your seabag was looked at closely to see what was in it.OH for the old days!!!(although, there was a time you could get K-Bar knives relatively easily--don't go there!)

[texagun]

I was in the Military Police from 1957-1961 and our 1911's were issued at the beginning of each shift, and cleared and turned in at the end of each shift. They were locked up and stored very securely. I never heard of one being stolen. During my 2 year stint in Morocco, supply had some excess 1911A1's that were "new" and still wrapped in brown paper and in boxes. They were offered to us at $25 each with a max limit of 2 per person. I was making about $120/month at that time so $50 was a lot of money, and I never bought one. But some guys did and just shipped them back home. I also served in SE Asia 1965-70, flying in and out of country at least a couple times a month. Customs inspected our aircraft and baggage very thoroughly upon re-entry into the U.S. so it would have been very difficult to bring a handgun back. They once found an AK-47 hidden behind the "honey-bucket" on one of our aircraft re-entering the country, and the loadmaster who had hidden it there was nearly drummed out of the service. That sort of thing was not taken lightly during the Vietnam War.

[Grumpa72]

I was in the Air Force from 1973-99 and I can echo the comments about the military version of gun control. Checking serial numbers, numbers of bullets, cleaning, etc. I flew C-130s and one day we were doing paratroop drops with the 82nd Airborne. The loadmaster hung up his vest, containing his pistol, while he rigged lines and such. After putting the vest on, he noticed his weapon was missing. I was informed and I cancelled the drop and then flew back to Pope AFB where we were met by the MPs. As suggested, you would have thought an armed robbery had occured. Each trooper was escorted off the airplane and each bag, pocket, etc was searched. The missing pistol was found stuffed under one of the nylon jump seats.

I can suggest that, in the fog of war, it is a lot easier to appropriate a gun and get away with it, especially if picked up off the battlefield. My son is in Iraq and he tells me that packages home are x-rayed and all stateside-bound personnel are given very close inspection. He tells me that anyone with an AK-47 or other war booty might not have a career when all is said and done. For example, he bought some civilian AR-15 magazines from a civilian contractor and is concerned that he might have difficulty getting them home. That is despite the fact that they aren't even GI equipment.

Talk about changing times.

Gary