Stevie-Ray
Member
My BIL spent almost 2 years in Vietnam. At home, years later, he had a single-shot 12 ga, a scoped .30-30, a Marlin 60, a Ruger RST-4, and a S&W .38 snub.
Vietnam Vets and the Guns They Loved
- Thread starter MidWestDisappearance
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Cosmoline
Member
Interesting input!
One thing strikes me--it's hard to remember now but it seems folks just didn't have as many *things* back then as they do now. So gun owners tended to have just a few firearms. Not big collections. And while SP-1 sporters were around, they were pretty exotic and pricey. You had an old hunting rifle or two, some handguns and that's it. That fits the pattern I saw with my dad, grandfathers, grand uncles and so on. Usually an old beater hunting rifle, a plinker for shooting little garden varmints and maybe an old Civil War relic. That's it.
Also remember that a lot of surplus Cold War arms we consider dime-a-dozen now were VERY rare. Even Soviet Mosins were hard to find. You'd have a much easier time getting a US made M91 Mosin than a 91/30 Soviet. SKS's were well neigh unheard of outside bringbacks. But US surplus arms were still dirt cheap.
Rare ammo was truly rare, and gearing up to load some archaic European chambering was a task that could take YEARS, rather than a few searches of the internet and an order from Graf & Sons. You'd have to trim and fire form some other kind of brass laboriously, even for rounds we think of as common now. Things have gotten so much better in this regard. Look back at old mags from the 80's about, for example, shooting even something common like a .50-70 and see how much trouble had to be undertaken to find the dies, brass and so on. Now it's a few clicks and you're shooting.
One thing strikes me--it's hard to remember now but it seems folks just didn't have as many *things* back then as they do now. So gun owners tended to have just a few firearms. Not big collections. And while SP-1 sporters were around, they were pretty exotic and pricey. You had an old hunting rifle or two, some handguns and that's it. That fits the pattern I saw with my dad, grandfathers, grand uncles and so on. Usually an old beater hunting rifle, a plinker for shooting little garden varmints and maybe an old Civil War relic. That's it.
Also remember that a lot of surplus Cold War arms we consider dime-a-dozen now were VERY rare. Even Soviet Mosins were hard to find. You'd have a much easier time getting a US made M91 Mosin than a 91/30 Soviet. SKS's were well neigh unheard of outside bringbacks. But US surplus arms were still dirt cheap.
Rare ammo was truly rare, and gearing up to load some archaic European chambering was a task that could take YEARS, rather than a few searches of the internet and an order from Graf & Sons. You'd have to trim and fire form some other kind of brass laboriously, even for rounds we think of as common now. Things have gotten so much better in this regard. Look back at old mags from the 80's about, for example, shooting even something common like a .50-70 and see how much trouble had to be undertaken to find the dies, brass and so on. Now it's a few clicks and you're shooting.
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Lockheed
Member
Interesting stories, thank you for sharing. Two of my uncles went over.
The first uncle was a Korean War veteran and also a Seargant Major in the Army. As a child I went to many gun shows with him and he loved 1911 pistols.
The second uncle was drafted and when he came home went to work for the Secret Service. In the mid 1980s some "bad men" (my father's words) came for him once so he decided he needed protection. He had a fully automatic Thompson machine gun on the wall of his basement office. I remember him saying it was an antique and he had it mounted sort of on a wooden plaque. It was fully functional however.
The first uncle was a Korean War veteran and also a Seargant Major in the Army. As a child I went to many gun shows with him and he loved 1911 pistols.
The second uncle was drafted and when he came home went to work for the Secret Service. In the mid 1980s some "bad men" (my father's words) came for him once so he decided he needed protection. He had a fully automatic Thompson machine gun on the wall of his basement office. I remember him saying it was an antique and he had it mounted sort of on a wooden plaque. It was fully functional however.
Sport45
Member
During the Vietnam war era the firearms in our house included 2 -.22lr rifles (one bolt, one semi), 1 - 20ga bolt action shotgun, 1 - .22short High Standard pistol, and 1 - 7.7 Arisaka that we had no ammunition for.
Dad is a WWII vet and had no particular fondness for the guns he had "over there".
Dad is a WWII vet and had no particular fondness for the guns he had "over there".
I was in Vietnam in 1971. I left a 50's era A5 and a Ruger Mark 1 and for the wife a S&W 36 w/3in Heavy BBl. Whiile in Vietnam I picked up an almost new Browning HP after a ground attack one night and brought it back with me. I still have them all.
gmsharps
gmsharps
Maybe times were simpler back then I don't know but there weren't a lot of guns. My first was a Mossberg 500 for hunting with the second being a Remington nylon 10c. Third was a S&W model 28.
Probably 6 years later I got my first centerfire rifle, a Remington 700 in .25-06. Don't even ask what I have now.
Probably 6 years later I got my first centerfire rifle, a Remington 700 in .25-06. Don't even ask what I have now.
Well, I wasn't alive until 77, but I know what arms my Grandpa who raised me had. 
Walther P38
Luger 9mm
410 ga double barrel breech load
16 ga pump
We weren't very well off, but old grandpa, he could sure skin a rabbit or squirrel in a blink of an eye.
Walther P38
Luger 9mm
410 ga double barrel breech load
16 ga pump
We weren't very well off, but old grandpa, he could sure skin a rabbit or squirrel in a blink of an eye.
schnarrgj
Member
When I received my draft notice in 68, I had a Mossberg 500 12 ga, a remington nylon 66 .22 and a Savage 340 bolt in 30-30 and finally a savage 24 in 22/410. nothing expensive but all very reliable. Still have the 500 and the nylon 66. Didn't get the Black rifle until a few years ago. Still won't have an AK. To this day I can still recognize the distinctive sound of an ak firing. Causes the blood pressure to rise.
Back in the 60's & 70's huh, well 3 more days and I'll be 69. Never thought I'd make it this far, figured 24 or 25 tops would be my stopping point. So rifles where few a AR-7, a Armalite AR-15, Winchester 7mm Rem Mag, a Sears Robuck M-1 carbine and a Mossberg 500 with slug and rifled barrels were about it. Now handguns that was a different story a High Standard Supermatic Trophy, a Browning High Power, Walther PP, S&W Model 27 3 1/2 inch 357, Iver Johnson Top Break in 38 Spl, Beretta Bobcat, a MAC 10 and a strange looking 22 LR pistol I don't remenber the name of, but it was a jam-o-matic.
Jim
Jim
RhinoDave
Member
USAF 1969-73. SE Asia 71-72.
Before my hitch I owned a Westernfield 16 ga pump that I bought when I was 16. After the war, I had no desire for anything remotely tactical. I kept that old 16 ga. for years until a special need for cash forced me to sell it. I was never into hunting anything but small game. During the war I was issued a Model 15 S&W whenever I went on bombing missions. I often get a urge to buy one but everytime I do I just can't justify the expense. My tastes over the years has been in black powder traditional muzzleloaders. I currently own two Civil War era Rifled muskets and two percussion rifles.
Before my hitch I owned a Westernfield 16 ga pump that I bought when I was 16. After the war, I had no desire for anything remotely tactical. I kept that old 16 ga. for years until a special need for cash forced me to sell it. I was never into hunting anything but small game. During the war I was issued a Model 15 S&W whenever I went on bombing missions. I often get a urge to buy one but everytime I do I just can't justify the expense. My tastes over the years has been in black powder traditional muzzleloaders. I currently own two Civil War era Rifled muskets and two percussion rifles.
Yoda
Member
M-1 Carbine
The original "just right" gun.
- - - Yoda
The original "just right" gun.
- - - Yoda
hueytaxi
Member
When I left home and later to Viet Nam, my .22 rifle never rejoined me. I was issued a 1911 by the 1st Cav that was pieced together and rattled as you walked. When I arrived in the field at LZ Hammond, our co. armorer took it and issued me a decent S&W Model 10 with some of his wad cutters. Returning home I picked up my grandfathers 1873 Springfield trapdoor and his Winchester .410. Later purchased a cheap western 9 shot .22 pistol. When I received orders to return to RVN, I wanted to carry a little more firepower, so I gutted my AM/FM radio and installed a Colt Python inside to carry with me. After realizing that the colonel I was assigned to as pilot took a lot of ignorant chances with us, I bolstered our firepower with a M-79 and tried a variety of weapons I could shoot while flying. My first choice was a Thompson, but it was too heavy and not controllable one handed. Nest was the M3 grease gun which was better, but still too much recoil. I settled on a M2 carbine with the barrel cut off at the stock and the rear stock cut behind the pistol grip. I used this a few times flying scout convoy cover and it put out enough flame and noise to be effective. Knowing reintroducing the Python to the States would be more difficult that when I left, it was left there and I brought home a VC modified SKS. That one prompted my curiosity to have on or two I could fire.
1 old 0311-1
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Not a lot at HOME, BUT I was in I Corp and we had 1911's, K frames, grease guns, Thompson's, BAR's, High Powers, Chinese 9mm's, M-14's, AR's, and I got a Model 60.
Smith and Wesson's were popular along with Colt's Python (all of the snake series), Troopers, etc. Ruger wa around with their Blackhawks (I still have mine) and Remington 870/1100's Were popular. The big three in rifles, Winchester M70, Remington 700. and Marlin were common. Of course the lever actions from Marlin and Winchester were extremely popular at the time. Scopes were around but open sights were the norm.
CH47gunner
Member
Raised with 'em (Montana 'til I was 17), Pops was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, & camper. And I do mean roughing it out in the Montana sticks.
When I left for the Army, I was 17 and the year was 1969. I had my own battery of long-guns but, no hand-guns. Pops never hunted with a hand-gun tho he carried one at all times (bears) especially when picking huckleberries in the Mtns.
Stevens Favorite falling block .22lr, .410 shotgun side by side, & a Swedish Mauser in 6.5, that my Dad had sportized & scoped.
Older brother had a 30-06, younger brother had a 7mm Mag.
Don't have any of 'em any more since I ran away to California after the Army. My younger brother stayed in Montana so every couple of years I visit and see the old guns in his safe.
Bruce
When I left for the Army, I was 17 and the year was 1969. I had my own battery of long-guns but, no hand-guns. Pops never hunted with a hand-gun tho he carried one at all times (bears) especially when picking huckleberries in the Mtns.
Stevens Favorite falling block .22lr, .410 shotgun side by side, & a Swedish Mauser in 6.5, that my Dad had sportized & scoped.
Older brother had a 30-06, younger brother had a 7mm Mag.
Don't have any of 'em any more since I ran away to California after the Army. My younger brother stayed in Montana so every couple of years I visit and see the old guns in his safe.
Bruce
Vern Humphrey
Member
I've got four of the five guns you list there -- no SXS .410.
You are a man of discernment and good taste, sir.
Single Action Six
Member
M14 and the M1911A1
To answer your question..
Carried both the M14 and M1911A1 from 1964 - 1967 while stationed overseas during the Vietnam war.
Single Action Six
To answer your question..
Carried both the M14 and M1911A1 from 1964 - 1967 while stationed overseas during the Vietnam war.
Single Action Six
hermannr
Member
Army, 1966-1974, in country 1968-Oct 1969...18 months total.
At home. Marlin 80 from the 30's, no serial number... Rem 700, Bushnell scope...Wichester 1897 (1903 build)... Browning Superpoised... Colt Officers model .38 revolver (1926 build)...Ruger Bearcat (.22, purchased new in '66?) Still own all of the above except the Bearcat
Qualified with an M14 and 1911, in country...grease gun, then a tommy, then a M16...along with a 1911 (I was a technical, non-combat, person)
At home. Marlin 80 from the 30's, no serial number... Rem 700, Bushnell scope...Wichester 1897 (1903 build)... Browning Superpoised... Colt Officers model .38 revolver (1926 build)...Ruger Bearcat (.22, purchased new in '66?) Still own all of the above except the Bearcat
Qualified with an M14 and 1911, in country...grease gun, then a tommy, then a M16...along with a 1911 (I was a technical, non-combat, person)
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Navy from 72-77.
Never went to Vietnam but was overseas some of that time.
Still had my old Model 88 Winchester in 308 waiting for me when I got out. That, a Remington 22 and an Ithaca double barrel 12 guage were all I had.
Never went to Vietnam but was overseas some of that time.
Still had my old Model 88 Winchester in 308 waiting for me when I got out. That, a Remington 22 and an Ithaca double barrel 12 guage were all I had.
wannabeagunsmith
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I would like to see a pic or two of that HP someday if you don't mind
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