SA80 Bayonet

[4z5]

I was just wondering why the SA80's Bayonet fits right over the muzzle, as opposed to being clipped under it like just about every other rifle in history.

I know that today they are mainly used for Ceremonial and Psychological purposes, but surely it would be far more practical if you could still fire the weapon with the bayonet fixed.

Sorry if this has already been covered.

[4z5]

I didn't think you could even fire the rifle with the Bayonet attached

If you look at a side-view of the gun with the bayonet fixed you can understand why I thought this.

Thanks.

[voodoo sprout]

You can fire the rifle with bayonet attached, the blade is lightly offset with a hollow grip so rounds pas through the middle. I'm not sure exactly why, buit at a guess being completely attached to the barrel rather than an attachment point it might be more solid? And I doubt underbarrel weaposn weren't an isue, it's only now eighteen odd years after introduction we've got any of them, and they will not work with the bayonet.

[4z5]

Not only that, I can't think of a single scenario where a soldier would need the use of an under-barrel weapon (usually a grenade launcher) and a Bayonet at the same time.

[rabby]

If he does then he's seriously in the shit!

He's launching grenades 200m at the enemy whilst also stabbing more enemy which has over-run his position, that would be fun.

[voodoo sprout]

I can, it's called moving. Considering a fire team (in the RM at least) should theoretically have one LMG, one SA80 UGL and one LSW, that leaves a single SA80 capable of having a bayonet. And if the enemy comes close to you, it probably would be useful having more than 25% of your force capable of engaging in hand to hand combat with the upper hand. The whole idea of infantry these days is flexibility, and there are plenty of times when a grenade launcher equipped bloke could feasibly get close enough to the enemy for hand to hand combat to be a possibility. And that's assuming the forces don't adopt any of the specialist close quaters 40mm rounds...

However, my last post was a typo, I should have said "I doubt under barrel weapons were an issue" . Many apologies for the spelling as well on that one... Oops .

[mattt_h]

im assuming the bod would put his bayonet on the gat and leave the UGL on the rifle

[Batfink]

Is it an urban myth about the bayonet having severe tendancies to jump of the end of the barrel if used during firing practises???

[sp10122]

No, not really heard of that one .


The rifle breaks or stops first anyway. A2 is supposed to be better though?

I've snapped two extractors and a firing pin and I would hardly say I've shot a massive amount.