Unusal guns of Vietnam

[ironhead7544]

I was not there but saw some weapons sent to my shop on Okinawa. There were some M2 Carbines with the barrel shortened to just in front of the hand guard and an M1A1 folding stock. These were supposed to be for chopper pilots. They were very compact.

 

[eveled]

I don't like to tell other peoples story's, so I have been reluctant to post this. Hoping somebody with first hand experience would post the info.

The story came from another gun forum, the OP talked about the .45LC cylinder he still had in his safe. (I can try to find it and post a link, but am not sure if it violates and rules.)

He had bought a Ruger Blackhawk with both cyllinders at the PX, and brought it to VN with the .45acp cylinder. The single action Blackhawk can be loaded from a 1911 magazine.

Sadly when his tour was over, he loaned it to a friend who never came home. Any .45acp revolver would have been good to have over there because of the ammo availability.

A Blackhawk in .30 carbine would have been a good choice too.

Thanks for those who served, and thanks for those who have contributed to this thread making it IMHO the most epic thread ever. Ed

 

[Saigon1965]

Thank you for starting it!

Since I started this thread a few months ago, I never thought it would continue for such a long time

Very nice HS -

HS/HD .22
This pistol has no Govt. markings. I don't know how it got there. Traded
Chi-Com pistol for it.[/IMG]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Welcome Home Luangtom -

I was a Tail-end Charlie, as far as Vietnam goes. I was there for the wind-down and change-over to ARVN and company. I went to locations in Thailand and did our monitoring of the Trail from there. Saw a number of non-issue weapons and accessories used by Company people, SOG personnel, contract-soldiers and Air America crews. This thread seems to have covered the gamut from start to finish. I truly thank all that contributed input, information and photos. It has educated, filled in gaps and brought a flood of emotions. Thank you all. And......welcome home.

 

[Saigon1965]

Happy Holidays to everyone - Welcome Home!!!

I hope you're all enjoying the day with loved ones near and far -

Luong / Saigon1965 -

 

[Saigon1965]

Welcome home and Happy New Year Gentlemen -


A few more VC Jungle workshop guns -

 

[Zeman]

Wow. That was a great read. Thanks to everyone who posted, and especially those who served.

 

[Saigon1965]

Like to share these pictures -


A copy of the Webley -








Public security - Saigon/Cho Lon -





These were not unsual back then - But now they are -

Current day storage -

 

[jpage]

Doesn't do much good to lock that M16A1 through the trigger guard......

 

[kenv1950]

Anybody ever hear of the model 29 (RATTER)

 

[Trooperdan]

Anybody ever hear of the model 29 (RATTER)

There was the Model 29 with short barrel that fired silenced ammunition for use in tunnels. The ammo fired a load of shot but the cartridge case was very heavy and had a captive piston that contained the pressure of firing so the gas never escaped. The load was rather low velocity but likely effective at tunnel-rat range.

Edit to add: Member 29-1 has posted the complete story of these guns here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/blogs/...magnum-vietnam-tunnel-gun-page2.html#comments

 

[derek45auto]

pop, and hinge that winter trigger guard down, and walk away

 

[kenv1950]

There was the Model 29 with short barrel that fired silenced ammunition for use in tunnels. The ammo fired a load of shot but the cartridge case was very heavy and had a captive piston that contained the pressure of firing so the gas never escaped. The load was rather low velocity but likely effective at tunnel-rat range.

It was a model 29 smooth bored to 10mm.. cylinder also bored for that special cartridge

 

[Saigon1965]

Happy New Year Gentlemen - Chuc Mung Nam Moi - Year of the Goat -


The current regime in Vietnam have the death penalty without much of a trial - I wouldn't worry much of it walking away!


Here's an unusual one from my collection -

A Remington M1917 bring back - Oh the roads it traveled...

Vietminh troops using M1917 -

 

[BE Mike]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlQRy5lSbXU

 

[da gimp]

an interesting note on the High Standard model HD .22 pistols is that if it is designated a Military model, it ain't a USGi procured/issued one, but if it lacks that Miliary engraving, it is one of early ones that our government picked up for either the OSS, or one of the armed forces branches to issue/use. the nra's American rifleman had a nice write up on them several years back.

 

[okiegtrider]

A wonderful thread. I got nothing to add here other than sincere respect and appreciation for our veterans.

 

[30-30remchester]

Just when I thought this thread had run its course I saw a segment of Mysteries of the Museum. In it the were showing the last day of Saigon, with US servicemen assisting in the helicopter evacuation of local and embassy personnel. An American airman was carrying a M1 carbine with a 30 round magazine. This seems awfully late, 1975, for a US airman to be using a M1 carbine. And when he turned sideways he was wearing a plow handled revolver.

 

[eveled]

Just when I thought this thread had run its course I saw a segment of Mysteries of the Museum. In it the were showing the last day of Saigon, with US servicemen assisting in the helicopter evacuation of local and embassy personnel. An American airman was carrying a M1 carbine with a 30 round magazine. This seems awfully late, 1975, for a US airman to be using a M1 carbine. And when he turned sideways he was wearing a plow handled revolver.

I wonder if the revolver was a Ruger Blackhawk, chambered for .30 m1 carbine?

 

[30-30remchester]

I wonder if the revolver was a Ruger Blackhawk, chambered for .30 m1 carbine?

The revolver was only in a few frames. Not anyway of seeing any emblems on the grips. Another mystery.