It wasn't until about 1986 with the adaptation of M9 bayonet when bayonets around the world started to focus on utility roles instead of just simple plain knives that could go onto the rifle. M7 is still a pretty good knife though, but not as a utility knife. Afterall, the Soviets had a spike for the bayonet!
Justin Well aware, that’s not really the point of my video here can’t rightly you around stabbing people for a video had to find someway to make content
Unless something has recently changed the US Army has not issued bayonets or even done the bayonet assault course training in a many years. It was generally looked at as a joke during my time in the Army and nobody ever even mentioned it. Pugil sticks have been resurrected in more recent times which was originally the sparring portion of bayonet fighting w/rifle. I think part of it is we haven’t fought a conventional war in many decades and the other part of it is the current issue M4 and now M4A1 Carbine are not as well suited for rifle w/bayonet combat where as the M16A2 and A4 are much longer weapons with solid buttstocks typically. M4 carbine collapsible stock would likely break if you used it as an impact weapon.
The m7 is great for stabbing and not great for anything else. Its still a good fighting knife. It's effective for the purpose it was designed for which is stabbing people to death. When I go into the mountains I carry a machete for general purpose and m7 for extra self defense.
I know this is an old vid, but i thought i'd add my 2 cents here as my OKC M7 is finally starting to see some use as my Schrade MKII copy (yeah i know) finally crossed the rainbow bridge into knife hell (it was an awful knife, schrade has some serious quality control issues these days even though they used to make higher quality products). The M7 bayonet is not exactly a conventional 'knife', and it was never meant to be one. It's primary purpose is a bayonet, and to get the most out of it, it needs to be attached to an implement (rifle, shotgun, etc.). It's basic physics, the longer rifle provides more energy to the blade, and when used this way, it's actually extremely effective, and damn hard to beat. It's secondary role is a fighting knife. A lot of using a fighting knife boils down to personal preferences and what you're used to. I actually quite like the balance of the M7 for a fighting knife, and I think it's pretty awesome. It was never meant to be do-it-all utility/survival knife. It's only purpose is to stab and kill stuff, and it excels at doing just that. I'm not a professional, these are just opinions and observations. Interesting to see someone try to use it as a tool though. But honestly its like trying to perform open heart surgery with an M16. Only one outcome: disaster. Neat video though, didn't say all this to detract from your content, just want people who may be thinking of getting one of these bayonets to understand it's function. It kills stuff and that's about it. But it kills stuff pretty damn well. Edit: If you had attached the M7 to a rifle or even a pole or something, I bet you my whole paycheck you would have gone straight through that tire. (I've done it)
