US Army issue weapons

[Eddie]

Zero bayonets in my company until about a month ago, and even then we only got 40. He's right though in that almost every Infantry Company will have them.

[jester]

In the MC EVERYONE who had an M16 or 203 or SAW was issued a M7 Bayonet. Those who were "gunners" ie, SMAW, M60E3 and Mortars <and only the primary gunners> had 9mm but no Ka-Bars. As I recall, the Corpsmen, the Gunny, 1st Sgt and Company Comander had M9s with the Black Ka-Bar. Our XO chose to carry an M16. And most blades where banned or forced to check into the armory the exception being a KA-Bar with brown leather which was privately purchased or fixed blades with a blade length of 3 inches or less. Hell even my Kuhkri I traded for with the Gurhkas had to go into the armory. And when they found my Sykes Fairbian Comando knife WOW! They raised a fit. Bascialy it was a old style KA-Bar or the Pilots Survival Knife and that was about it.

[Abbott Shaull]

You can use the bayonet with the M16/M203 combo weapon, you just won't be able to use the 203 while you have the bayonet mounted. With that said, the old proverbial order to fix bayonets with the modern Platoon/Squad set up would mean as much as 1/4 to 1/6 of the force wouldn't have little more than a knife to bring to the fight. When I was the M7 only fitted to the M16s leaving the SAW and M60 gunners as well as those issued only pistol didn't have a weapon to fix the said bayonet too.

Interesting if they are close for the order to fix bayonets, the enemy that was a major concern were too close to use the M203 anyways for arming issues IIRC.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

You can use the bayonet with the M16/M203 combo weapon, you just won't be able to use the 203 while you have the bayonet mounted.

Must depend on the actual type of bayonet. The ones we were issued with could not be fitted to the M16 while the M203 was fitted. The launchers barrel extended too far foward and there wasn't enough space between it and the rifle barrel for the bayonet to fit into.

[Abbott Shaull]

Okay I stand corrected. It been twenty years since I used one and seen one up close and personal. Forgot it connected as far back as they did.

If that is indeed the case, it takes away that many more trooper who can fix bayonets.... Which I have always found ironic in some books where the command has been given, in book written by various authors... But it always make the book more interesting.

But then again for the average player who doesn't have prior experience in such things in real life. I can several Player and GMs overlooking as many authors have seem to overlook.