Mags for Deploying Son

[F4E Phantom]

My son is an Infantry Marine. He will soon be deploying to Afganistan. He was assigned a SAW. He will also be issued a M9. He has asked me If I can "lend" him some of my orginal M92F pre ban mags. I have a couple of extras to lend him. As I understand it, He can take them on his deployment, but he cannot bring any firearm related equipment back home. US Customs will prevent this. Am I correct? Ideas? thanks to all.

[Argonaut]

He will get what he needs. My son was in the 101st Airborne (Infantry) in Iraq and he was issued the nicest AR mags that I have ever seen......The Military doesn't know (or care) what a magazine ban is. Stuff comes back like from all wars, You just have to be smarter than the inspectors.

[cc56]

When I was in Afghan (Oct/09) they did not stop us from bringing back mags. I would recommend you buy original factory beretta mags. I had an M9 and the military mags suck. They won't let you mail back (states) mags for sure!! You can receive mags through the mail. Any more questions hit me up.

[F4E Phantom]

Thanks for the replys. Maybe it is because he is still here(@ 29 Palms), but my son has been issued beat up M249 and faulty M9. he did have a nice M4 for a while, but his mags were all well used, one had a faulty spring. The M92F mags I have are made in Italy. Good day to all.

[haiedras]

If he's still in the stumps, that's probably what he's taking with him overseas, as units generally turn-over their large equipment and not the small-arms gear.

I'd have him start by asking his chain of command first, we've been at this far too long now to have shoddy equipment in the division. Not to split hairs, but your son's primary weapon is the SAW, and his far distant secondary is the M9. I'm assuming he's getting at least 2-4 mags for the pistol??

If he's still concerned about the mags he currently has, I have some Wolff springs from my last deployment that worked wonders with the existing mags.

[ace_31]

far distant secondary? what does that mean? Just seeking some clarification and enlightenment.

[Lost]

He will get what he needs. ... Stuff comes back like from all wars, You just have to be smarter than the inspectors.

Quoted for truth. I would wait and see what his Supply Shop can get once he gets overseas. Once there, they get a whole new budget, or at least that's how it was with the Army when I went.

far distant secondary? what does that mean? Just seeking some clarification and enlightenment.

The only reason he will be using his 9mm is if for some reason he runs out of his ammo, has no access to mags, and the enemy is close enough to use a handgun on.

[haiedras]

The only reason he will be using his 9mm is if for some reason he runs out of his ammo, has no access to mags, and the enemy is close enough to use a handgun on.

Exactly. If he's a SAW gunner, that's his primary means of causing hate and discontent among the enemy. 200 rounds of 5.56 linked at a cyclic rate of 750-1000 rounds/min at an effective range of 1000 meters vs 15 rounds of 9mm ball at maybe 30 rounds of unaimed fire at 25 yds?

Things have to go really, really bad if you're going to your secondary as the SAW gunner.

[technique]

If you don't want to give him your prebans he can't bring back...You can buy some new ones and have them shipped to me (out of state) and I will then ship them to him in AFG. Easy enough to do!

[Decoligny]

My son is an Infantry Marine. He will soon be deploying to Afganistan. He was assigned a SAW. He will also be issued a M9. He has asked me If I can "lend" him some of my orginal M92F pre ban mags. I have a couple of extras to lend him. As I understand it, He can take them on his deployment, but he cannot bring any firearm related equipment back home. US Customs will prevent this. Am I correct? Ideas? thanks to all.

We deploy people all the time. They are issued a Military weapon and magazines. They come back with the Military weapon and the magazines.

Customs is mainly interested in keeping out "souvenirs" taken from the Taliban.

U.S. Government issued equipment comes through without question.

[Decoligny]

Thanks for the replys. Maybe it is because he is still here(@ 29 Palms), but my son has been issued beat up M249 and faulty M9. he did have a nice M4 for a while, but his mags were all well used, one had a faulty spring. The M92F mags I have are made in Italy. Good day to all.

Nothing saying you can't do a rebuild on his issued magazines. They are already hi caps, so there would be no manufacturing. He is already in legal possession of them, so there would be no giving or lending. After all "parts is parts".

[Call_me_Tom]

Your son will most likely never use the M9 and I'm surprised that he was even issued one.

The M249 is not considered a crew served weapon but rather a Squad Automatic Weapon. It is small enough that it can swing left to right to cover his lateral approaches. A M240, M2 or Mk19 can not and that is why they are issued an M9.

I wouldn't send any of my personal use equipment to be abused in theater. Your and my tax dollars have already paid for that. If he is concerned about his issued gear then all he has to do is go to the armory and swap out magazines. They have boxes of magazines in the armory and could care less about swapping them out.

[Grassninja]

As what has already been said, your son should be able to acquire what he needs.

In terms of him actually using the M9, in the open range of Afghanistan he may not, but if he ever has to clear buildings he might end up switching to the M9 instead of the SAW. I had the pleasure of carrying a SAW for 2 years and doing CQB with one isn't its strong suit obviously. Switching to a M9, if available, was considered a viable alternative in such cases.

[Call_me_Tom]

I too was a SAW Gunner for 2 years...damn I hated cleaning that thing; carbon magnet!

No SAW Gunner should ever be used to clear any building. They should be employed in a Support By Fire (SBF) position outside of the building or from an adjacent building that they've all ready gained a foot hold in.

[doc1buc]

He will get what he needs. My son was in the 101st Airborne (Infantry) in Iraq and he was issued the nicest AR mags that I have ever seen......The Military doesn't know (or care) what a magazine ban is. Stuff comes back like from all wars, You just have to be smarter than the inspectors.

I remember when I was getting inspected, the AF guy tried to tell me I couldn't have my morphine or other meds on the plane, HAHA! I still remember his face when my CO butted in and monkey stomped him (verbally) for messing with his Doc. Inspectors have to process like, a battalion worth of good guys at a time, things get by.