Suppressors Deployment trophies

ZLBubba

ZLBubba

Sergeant
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 15, 2009
920
86
45
Maryland
#1
The place I'm deployed at is overrun with old 1911s and I've got a real desire to bring one back. Since I'll be traveling COMAIR, having it in my luggage is a no-go. Is it possible to send it back in pieces? Or maybe send it to an FFL license? If bringing a full gun back is illegal, could I bring or send the frame, slide, spring back and not worry about any issues in customs?

If any of you have experience with this, let me know. I'd love for my first 1911 be one I picked up overseas.
 
#4
Re: Deployment trophies

I'm not willing to try and slip an operational pistol in my tough box, that was never really the intent. It's more the issue of parts. There's got to be some legal way to go about it, right? I've heard there's some paperwork you have to fill out to take something home.

I wanted to build a custom 1911 off the thing anyway so I'd probably be happy with just the frame and slide. Does anyone know of how this can be legally done?
 
#5
Re: Deployment trophies

Send the slide home in the mail. Leave the frame there and get a new frame when you get home. It'll make for a great conversation piece. The frame itself is the "firearm." Just leave it there...gut it if you want.
 
#6
Re: Deployment trophies

You *may* be able eo export it from wherever you are and then ship it to a licensed importer here in the states. *IF* its legal to do it that way...is it really worth all that effort?

Take Downzero's advice. Gut it and leave the frame wherever you are.
 
#7
Re: Deployment trophies

First and only question you should ask is is it yours to take in the first place? If not it's stealing. Plain and simple. Save up and buy one like everyone else has to do. Don't be a scumbag thief. Not a good role model as a team leader.
 
#8
Re: Deployment trophies

If you are active duty military, military contractor or any sort of personnel not associated with an alphabet agency, you cannot mail, ship, transport of otherwise return to the United States a weapon or parts thereof.

Go to your PO clerk and ask them for the list of items that are precluded from being shipped back. It is essentially everything except optics. If it is an accessory like a Surefire, hand grip, etc. you are GTG. However firearm components, such as handguards, grips, barrels, slides etc are a no go.

FWIW everything coming through an APO is not only examined by X ray technology it is stored in a database.
 
#9
Re: Deployment trophies

Back in my day all one need, was to have paperwork from the CO. I'm sure things have changed as to Full Auto toys, but don't know about Title 1 stuff.
If you want to go the legal route ask your CO. or higher, if you want to take the chance of doing jail time, with a D/D thats your choice as well.

There is a "Chance" there will be another NFA amnesty. Unknown as to what A/O will be the cut off point if it happens at all.

Battlefield weapon pickups are great conversation pieces, but so are spent shell cases an clothing with the holes. The helmets they were wearing with the holes ect.

One item you <span style="font-weight: bold">Do Not want to get out of there w/o</span> is, photos with names an addys of those that were with you. Trust me on this, as it took most of us 38+ years to find each other again,..too Damn Long. Also get a complete copy of your unit roster, for your in country dates.
 
#11
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First and only question you should ask is is it yours to take in the first place? If not it's stealing. Plain and simple. Save up and buy one like everyone else has to do. Don't be a scumbag thief. Not a good role model as a team leader. </div></div>

Thanks for standing way up there on your internet moral high ground...he asked a simple legal question, no need to call him a scumbag.

However, everyone's right in this regard - it is illegal to try to bring a gun home that's not on a property book and if you're not willing to risk it, you're SOL. I personally wouldn't risk trying to send back the slide, they'll probably know what you're trying to do.
 
#12
Re: Deployment trophies

Yeah, Rob01, the 45 was a gift my native counterpart gave me from his own collection. But thanks for assuming the best out of America's soldiers serving overseas. You may be a moderator, but that was a pretty douchebag comment. I was merely asking a legal question, which I got enough answers to. It's obviously way too big of a hassle and I'm not going to do it. Definitely not worth it. Wow, scumbag thief, that's a new one on me. I'll have my counterpart email what I've done over here and you can decide for yourself.
 
#13
Re: Deployment trophies

I dont think Rob was being a prick about it. He didnt call the guy a scumbag thief, he just said that is what he would be if he was stealing stuff to send home. He is right. If he appropriating said 1911 without right to do so, then its stealing. That in and of itself will get the guy in trouble if he gets caught. Violation of further law by sending it home without paperwork is just another charge they'll pile on top.
 
#14
Re: Deployment trophies

There is a system in place to bring back items. Ask your CO about the necessary paperwork, it can be done. I'm not 100% positive if it will apply to the pistol you are inquiring about, but I know of people who LEGALLY brought back SVD's by getting all the necessary paperwork completed. You just have to ask the right people, obviously not here.

Geb
 
#15
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, Rob01, the 45 was a gift my native counterpart gave me from his own collection. But thanks for assuming the best out of America's soldiers serving overseas. You may be a moderator, but that was a pretty douchebag comment. I was merely asking a legal question, which I got enough answers to. It's obviously way too big of a hassle and I'm not going to do it. Definitely not worth it. Wow, scumbag thief, that's a new one on me. I'll have my counterpart email what I've done over here and you can decide for yourself. </div></div>

Just my experience, but there is a system in place somewhere, somehow but it is for special people, maybe you are one of them.

I had a great gift of from a local tribal leader. The problem is that the ATF considers it importation even if it is Title I and you have to do it on a Form 6. If you want to try and work it out with the ATF, the US military, the End User Certificates and Export Documentation from the country of origin, knock yourself out.

But I believe that you will find that anything weapon related and a whole lot of other shit falls under ITARs (International Trade in Arms Regulations), read up on it if you want a better picture of what you are trying to do.

20 years ago stuff was moved around in our personnel bags on MAC flights, no big deal. More attention was paid to these types of actions during Operation Desert Storm, and it has only gotten worse.

Good luck with it.
 
#16
Re: Deployment trophies

Like I said in the PM I got from the OP. Not calling him a scumbag thief. Told him not to be one and that doing that would make him a bad role model. NOT THAT HE IS ONE! Just playing the good angel on his shoulder to make him think if a cheap .45 is worth risking his career or making himself look bad with his troops. Looks like he has enough bad angels here trying to help him with ideas to commit felonies. Figured he could use a good one.

So to all you assholes wanting to jump on me for trying to keep him on the straight and narrow, fuck you all very much. Atleast Shaggy can read.
 
#17
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like I said in the PM I got from the OP. Not calling him a scumbag thief. Told him not to be one and that doing that would make him a bad role model. NOT THAT HE IS ONE! Just playing the good angel on his shoulder to make him think if a cheap .45 is worth risking his career or making himself look bad with his troops. Looks like he has enough bad angels here trying to help him with ideas to commit felonies. Figured he could use a good one.

So to all you assholes wanting to jump on me for trying to keep him on the straight and narrow, fuck you all very much. Atleast Shaggy can read.</div></div>


<span style="font-weight: bold">mentor</span> Show Spelled Pronunciation [men-tawr, -ter] Show IPA

–<span style="font-weight: bold">noun</span>

1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.
 
#18
Re: Deployment trophies

I'm honestly going to look into the regulations per Fighthard's post. I realize it may not be worth jumping through all the hoops, but the gift, which is still in my counterpart's possession since I refused to take it without finding out the regulations, may just stay here. Ah well, I will start digging up the regs and start with the ATF website and ITAR.

The bigger picture is that we should grant fellow servicemembers and fellow shooters the benefit of the doubt. Before we jump on someone with accusations and condemnations, let's make sure we know the full situation. It's easy to be a cynic, especially over here, trust me. But here online where it's set up for questions, answering, and the sharing of experiences, there's usually more to the story than what someone may bang out in a couple minutes on the keyboard.

I appreciate the responses that were more than "ugghhh, it's so illegal and you're going to be sodomized in jail". Just wanted to see if anyone had done it legally, and what paperwork needed to be done, and if bringing home parts was illegal or not. That's all. And now I realize that there's a lot of misinformation even in this knowledgeable community and that I need to start reading a lot of regulations on federal agency websites. Too easy. I've got my reading materials for the next month now.
 
#19
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The bigger picture is that we should grant fellow servicemembers and fellow shooters the benefit of the doubt. Before we jump on someone with accusations and condemnations, let's make sure we know the full situation. It's easy to be a cynic, especially over here, trust me. But here online where it's set up for questions, answering, and the sharing of experiences, there's usually more to the story than what someone may bang out in a couple minutes on the keyboard.

</div></div>

Seems like plenty of accusations and condemnations coming my way from you about what you thought I meant even after I explained it. Seems like you are the only one that gets given the benefit of the doubt. Must be nice on the ivory tower.

 
#20
Re: Deployment trophies

Short and sweet of it, there is no way that you can bring a firearm or any part back to the states. You could call it a war trophy if you wanted and maybe..MAYBE...get your CO to sign off on it but just as soon as it gets to customs, they're going to laugh at you. The only firearms that you're bringing back are the ones that you took over with you. I just got back in December (from Baghdad this time)and heard every possible story for someone bringing stuff back...its not going to happen.
Now knives, swords, etc, that's another story...but if it goes 'boom' or makes something go 'boom', you're not bringing it back...
 
#21
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm honestly going to look into the regulations per Fighthard's post. I realize it may not be worth jumping through all the hoops, but the gift, which is still in my counterpart's possession since I refused to take it without finding out the regulations, may just stay here. Ah well, I will start digging up the regs and start with the ATF website and ITAR.

The bigger picture is that we should grant fellow servicemembers and fellow shooters the benefit of the doubt. Before we jump on someone with accusations and condemnations, let's make sure we know the full situation. It's easy to be a cynic, especially over here, trust me. But here online where it's set up for questions, answering, and the sharing of experiences, there's usually more to the story than what someone may bang out in a couple minutes on the keyboard.

I appreciate the responses that were more than "ugghhh, it's so illegal and you're going to be sodomized in jail". Just wanted to see if anyone had done it legally, and what paperwork needed to be done, and if bringing home parts was illegal or not. That's all. And now I realize that there's a lot of misinformation even in this knowledgeable community and that I need to start reading a lot of regulations on federal agency websites. Too easy. I've got my reading materials for the next month now. </div></div>

Dail it back and reread Rob's post. Nowhere did he accuse you of anything...He pointed out that (and correctly so) that a lot of "trophies" are ill gotten in the first place and if that was the case you should rethink. Nothing more, nothing less. You took it to the interpretation that he had accused you of something. From his post that was clearly not the case. Unwad your panties and get on with the paperwork and research.
 
#23
Re: Deployment trophies

He's not stoking anything. He's just someone who has been here for more than a few months and knows me and my personality and knows in what sense I made my post. Maybe if you stay around you will too.
 
#24
Re: Deployment trophies

I researched this myself when I was in Afghanistan. The 1911 is not authorized. First, go to the JAG office and find out if they are still doing it for antqiue firearms - which is the only firearm authorized for shipping back CONUS. I think the age of the weapons was it had to be built before 1900 (again, verify this with JAG). Regardless, sending parts is unauthorized - period. I could not even send back a BUIS, magazine, etc., from either IZ or AF.
 
#25
Re: Deployment trophies

Hey Rob, I don't know you from Adam so I've got no reason not to believe what you're telling me. So long as you know that I'm not trying to do anything illegal and you're not calling me something that I'm not, we're both good. If you didn't intend any offense, then I won't take any. Get a bunch of alpha males in the room and this kind of stuff happens.

So back to business: the issue is if it goes boom, it can't be legally brought back. Next time I'm up at HQ, I'll drop by the JAG office and ask. Looks I'll just have to take some pics and say, "That's the pistol my friend wanted to give me..."
 
#26
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First and only question you should ask is is it yours to take in the first place? If not it's stealing. Plain and simple. Save up and buy one like everyone else has to do. Don't be a scumbag thief. Not a good role model as a team leader.</div></div>

Good intentions or not, you came off like a DICK.
 
#27
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Rob, I don't know you from Adam so I've got no reason not to believe what you're telling me. So long as you know that I'm not trying to do anything illegal and you're not calling me something that I'm not, we're both good. If you didn't intend any offense, then I won't take any. Get a bunch of alpha males in the room and this kind of stuff happens.

</div></div>

Sounds good to me. It's in the past as far as I'm concerned and we're good.
 
#28
Re: Deployment trophies

If your not in Iraq or Afg you can get this weapon back to the states.

IM Sent

PACOM= Pacific Command Korea/Japan/etc if I am wrong about this then ignore the IM
 
#29
Re: Deployment trophies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The matter is closed. Stop stoking the fire, Johnny-come-lately. </div></div>

Johny come lately??? take at look at registration dates genius...no one called you a thief...no one insulted your service... as one of the most forthright guys on this sight Rob posted a reminder to anyone too simply think a little before doing something that shouldn't be done.

So again, take a breath, dial back the persecution complex, and carry on.
 
#31
Re: Deployment trophies

my CO did the whole commanders letter paperwork, i brought home some iranian G3 parts (night vision scope, rear sight drum).

try a form 6 and find an importer (stomp, stomp) its been done, also heard a C&R works and that was from the navy customs official when i was leaving.
 
#32
Re: Deployment trophies

A few years ago, a Major tried it. Smuggled parts in different containers. Claimed it was just parts, not firearms. A friend was hired by the JAG to prove him wrong. He's doing hard time now.
 
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