Bayonets: Are they practical?

[era81]

I had a bayonet lug on my M4 never had to use it though. My buddy was in a squad that had been pinned down and running low on ammo and by the time we got to them most of them had knives at the ready. I don't think an actual bayonet charge has been ordered since the Korean conflict.

 

[archvile93]

Well, they still work when shit hits the fan - I assume. Don't soldiers carry knives with them too? Which are pretty impractical UNLESS your gun fails you in some way.

So, yeah. I assume they have some use even today, although it's definitely not anywhere near 19th century usefulness of bayonets.

Don't be fooled by the term "combat knife". they're really used for everything but that.

 

[ROFLMAO299]

Well i think that they are always good to have even if you don't always use them. Think back to when you went to boyscouts. what was that motto? Always be prepared.

 

[era81]

You can only carry so much ammo.

 

[MurderousToaster]

They would be useful, but a weapon with a shorter barrel than the Assault rifle class of gun would probably be a better bet. Close quarters would be a dick because of your gun not being comfortably maneuverable, and adding more length wouldn't help all that much.

 

[Katana314]

Wimps, you've never been in actual combat.
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/paige.html
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/lighthorse.html
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/millett.html

Nowadays most soldiers are trained in methods of bashing the shit out of someone with the rifle alone, in the case of a jam.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

They were useful on the rifles of the great wars and the 19th century wars. You only had a few shot in those clips and the gun itself wasen't to useful in close combat, hence the reason for the Bayonet. It's still a handy weapon if you find yourself low on ammo and against a charging enemy.

 

[Ixal]

They are nice to have when you run low on ammo to have a fall back weapon which gives you a longer range than just having a knife.
The situation where bayonets are useful are far and few, but they do exist.
The main advantage of them is reach and not having to pull out your knife when you need it.

 

[Slycne]

It's essentially a why not decision. If you are carrying a knife into the field, which you probably should, why not have a bayonet attachment built in as well.

 

[Superbeast]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article88661.ece
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=0bd_1249524865

Seems to work well enough.

There are many modern applications for bayonets. They aren't dated as the bayonet itself has evolved. A modern bayonet works well as a "BFK" all by itself even when not attached to a gun.

Why get close and club someone over the head with your gun-stock/get real personal with a blade when you can jab them with the length of the rifle too? Much safer.

 

[IamQ]

I wouldn't mind having one...they look cool...

 

[countrysteaksauce]

Considering that they were pretty useless as early as the Civil War, bayonets haven't been practical in combat for over a century, especially when rifling became common and inexpensive.

 

[HTID Raver]

bayonets are practicly AWESOME



not in todays time however

 

[Sion_Barzahd]

Using a bayonet is obviously going to be much faster if you meet an enemy up close than using a knife attached to your thigh.

They aren't the best tools but for a select few situations they're brilliant.

 

[SextusMaximus]

Does it matter... to anyone?

I suppose if you want to look cool then, yeah - you may as well stick one on your gun.

 

[Superbeast]

Considering that they were pretty useless as early as the Civil War, bayonets haven't been practical in combat for over a century, especially when rifling became common and inexpensive.

Points to post #34.

That was less than a century ago