Randall,Rolex,Hi-Power

B

B. Miller

Joined
Aug 22, 1999
Messages
159
When in the Marines,during Viet-Nam "68", to be considered well equipped you would have a :
1-Randall No.1, 14, or 15 ( 1 year wait), for about $45.00, or a model 14 made in Soligen for immediate delivery at the same cost. I wanted a original Randall, so didn't order the Soligen ( my life story, look at what they're worth now). I bought a Buck Bowie as there wasn't many stainless blades then, and took it to "Nam", still have it.
2-Rolex. Omega, or Bulova Accutron watch
3-Browing Hi-Power

What would be considered well equipped today?
 
Thirty some odd years down the road and you would still be well equiped as mentioned. Though various guns and knives may be substituted- and probably will be...

Erik

Oh, I almost forgot "my duty" to reply:
1. Project 1
2. Glock 17 (9mm)- to stick with the 9mm above.
3. Rolex
 
My personal picks would be:

1. Glock 23 or Kahr K9
2. Casio G-shock
3. RJ Martin Kwaiken, Gary Bradburn Tanto, or Greg Smith Recurve fighter (local guy, flavors of Walter Brend and original Gil Hibben)
 
Question about the Rolex. I am not in the service but I know a couple guys in Special Forces and my brother was in the Marines 76-80.

My brother said he never saw any Rolexs for the front line guys and the guys in SF said they wouldn't take a Rolex to some of the places they go, they would get there hands cut off to get the watch.

My friend in SF said he carries either a Ka-Bar or a Cold Steel SRK, HK USP .45 and a cheap Timex. He said he has seen a few officers with Rolex's, but none of the guys that do any work. His words.

------------------
Paranoia is only smart thinking
when everyone is out to get you.


 
The PLGR GPS receiver you'd be carrying to be well-equipped today beats the pants off any Rolex for time keeping. Don't forget the J-STARS two-way data radio, and the Gen III+ nightvision scope.

Even your USP, or the newer variant of it ("Mark 23" as I recall), is going to have the combination tac light and visible/I.R. laser aim aide mounted on it.

Yes, if the army of yesteryears traveled on its stomach, the army of today needs batteries.

Chuck

[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 31 August 1999).]
 
A Sig P-226
A GH World War Khukuri (but in a Kydex sheath)
A Casio G-Shock

All 3 will take a whole lot of abuse and still function as advertised.

Blackdog

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
I have read a LOT that the Mk23 has fallen out of favor with the Special Forces guys, except as almost a squad silenced weapon, with the nod for general sidearm use going to one of the latest Beretta incarnations. Apparently, Beretta made a special run of 92's that have the capability of being carried cocked and locked. Also, this option is apparently available to the general public for armorer fit to the Beretta Brigadier (if I remember all the details correctly). So, apparently, the latest well equipped soldier would include the Beretta.

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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
I was never in the military but I went through a watch phase in the early 70s. I went from a Seiko to an Omega. The Omega was clunky and awkward but for me the most important thing was that it did not keep good time. I was obsessed with accuracy. I wanted the most accurate watch around and also something that would take some abuse. I settled on a Rolex Submariner in stainless. A beautiful watch, a joy to wear and accurate as anything available. Then came the Pulsar and its numerous descendents. My theory is the SF boys back then as today, wanted the best of something they might have to stake their life on. Before GPS and the improved communications of today an accurate watch was extremely important. Thats still true to a lesser extent today but you can get that in a Casio G-Shock without getting a second mortgage and I'd be willing to bet that is why they are preferred to the Rolex today. Just my 2 cents.

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
Outlaw_dogboy remarked: "Apparently, Beretta made a special run of 92's that have the capability of being carried cocked and locked."

Why would you want to carry a DA auto in cocked and locked? It really doesn't take a tremendous amount of practice to get used to the "crunch-tick" shooting. A "DA" auto that can be carried cocked and locked sounds to me like the answer to a question no one asked...

BTW, my answers are:

SA: 1911 or DA: Glock 23 (.40 S&W) -- 9mm is a girlie round
Ka-Bar USMC
Timex Ironman (tells the same time as a Rolex, but for $20!)
 
You forgot the Sapphire ring and to note the spooks carried HPs with out serial #s.

Wear the Rolex everyday in town. Use a Seiko dive watch out and about.

Replaced the Randall with an Arbuckles.
Replaced the Arbickles with a Carson.

Still carry a Highpower on occassion. Prefer to take Inglis with shoulderstock rebuilt by Cylendar & Slide. Might replace with .40S&W
Highpower but would loose the stock option.

Cheers,

ts

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"Cet animal est tres mechant;quand on l'attaque il se defend."("This animal is very mischievous: when it is attacked it defends itself")
 
Brend #2
Rolex Sea Dweller
1911 .45 tuned by Larry Vickers or Richard Heinie.

heck i still think your original pick is still as effective today as in '68.

For you Glock Fans- never fumble a loaded mag and drop it!! Ive seen 2 come apart this way. (and im not trying to start a pen war, i like the Glock overall but the mags are weak)
 
The SF watch for today: more than likely a Casio G-Shock.

The SF folding knife for today: I have seen more Spyderco Enduras than anything. 90% of the guys get their knives from the PX or clothing sales.

The SF field knife: Varies. I carry a Cold Steel Government Recon. Who wants to lose an expensive knife.

The SF sidearm: Beretta M-9. Only CQB teams and the really special ones carry something else.

And don't forget your Oakleys...

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Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
 
During the era described above, my group most coveted the Gerbers with the 5 degree bend.
Mortals could not obtain one.

I bought a Hi-Power in the PX for $92, and then later sold it, pawned it, during my street person days.

I broke every watch I ever had until my wife bought me a Rolex GMT Master II for my fortieth birthday.
I have had it serviced once in thirteen years.
It looks like it has gone through a meat grinder but it keeps perfect time, sometimes a few seconds fast and sometimes a few seconds slow, but averaging out well with no resetting.

I remember the Marine NCOIC at a training pool in SoCal making a joke that he could always identify the recon guys by their big watches and their small thingamajiggies.
He couldn't have meant me.
I didn't have a Rolex, then.

But I ramble.

Unaltered Colt Combat Commander in .45
Rolex GMT Master II
Gene Osborn "Griz Fighter" of my own design

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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11
 
Rolex Chronometers (or any Chronometer for that matter) aren't as accurate as ANY Swiss Quartz watch currently made. Just check out the accuracy rating that a Chronometer has to go through, and then check out a Swiss Army, Luminox, or hell even a Swatch accuracy rating on their ETA (usually) movement. Yeah you have to buy batteries once in a great while, but if you want to avoid that, get a Seiko Kinetic, or an Eco-Drive.

My thought is that just because something is ultra precise for what it is (i.e. mechanical-self-winding movement-Rolex) doesn't mean that it's the best. Heck, even Rolex made Quartz watches for a while because they are more accurate. But people who want a accuracy don't get a mechanical watch anymore. If you want craftsmanship, and an amazing marvel of moving parts, that's what a Rolex is for.

Just my 2 cents...can I have my change?
 
Just for grins, mine would be;
SAK watch
Ruger Security Six 357 (ss model 4")
Buck Mentor
mostly cause they all perform reliably and don't cost a fortune
 
b.miller,
all your toys did not get their rep.for nothing. my rolex never failed me once in 16 years of use.
my hi-power did the same for the last 15 years[used a few guns and always returned to the hi-power].
as for my randall no.1 it is very old and became very valuble and it is the only item i will replace with another,for a fixed blade.. chris reeve or a new randall and for a folder spyderco starmate or emerson commander.
in my view miller b. keep them all they work for ever.
scorpio.
 
Leatherneck, I can't answer your question as to why they would want them that way. I just konw that a Beretta armorer told me that was what they wanted, and that was what they got.

I have heard rumor that when they carried the Beretta with the decocking safety, they had a habit of carrying it cocked and unlocked during entry training. Sounds almost like they liked the 1911 pattern better, and were trying to make do with what they were given, initially. Dunno.

I've had/shot a few crunchentickers, a few crunchers, and a few tickers. The tickers seem to work best.

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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Outlaw-Dogboy - Do you know which SF Groups are using the Baretta? My friend is in 19th Group out of WVA and is currently attatched to 5th Group. He said he rarely sees anyone with a Barreta. He said most of the guys he works with in 19th and most in 5th carry 1911's, Hi-Powers, a few H&K's and he doesn't recall seeing any Glocks. Of course he hates Glocks and wouldn't admit anyone in the Army had them, even if they were issued. He said the guys he has spoken to that carry Barreta's generally don't have any personal weapons.

The Mk 23 has fallen into disuse for the most part. It is too specialized from what he has heard. They can still draw one if they want it, but you don't see it alot.

By the way, anyone know where 19th Group disappeared to? He took off in awhile back and I haven't heard a word.

------------------
Paranoia is only smart thinking
when everyone is out to get you.


 
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