The US M6 Bayonet for the M14 Rifle

[@robertrobert7924]

This was the bayonet I trained with @Ft. Bragg, NC during 8 weeks of Basic Training in the Summer of 1968. I have been collecting 20th Century bayonets for 50 years, and mostly for early multi-national surplus Mauser rifles.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I was super stoked to get one in such excellent shape. I'm a former Artilleryman that trained at Ft. Sill with the M7 bayonet and I still prefer the M7 to the current M9.

[@robertrobert7924]

@@FreeAmericaChannel The M9 is a piece of junk with a silly internal tang that is its weakest part.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@robertrobert7924Indeed. It is big and heavy too. I was issued one for the invasion of Iraq and left it in the conex. On the other hand the Marines' newest bayonet, the OKC3S, is a great bayonet and worth every ounce of its weight.

[@texman8150]

The M14 rifle and M6 bayonet are what I trained with in basic training at Fort Dix in 1963. I can attest to two facts regarding this bayonet. One, it was very effective at taking out bayonet dummies, especially when combined with a vertical or horizontal butt stroke. Two, it can definitely penetrate a man's cheek. During one training exercise we had to charge down a course, five men abreast with "live" ammo. The objective was to overtake an entrenched enemy position. As we ran down the course silhouette targets would pop up from the trench. When that happened we would drop to the prone or kneeling position and fire off a few rounds at the targets. When the targets went down we would start charging again until the targets popped back up and we would repeat the firing. At the very end of the course we had to do a running jump over a ditch and bayonet the dummies in the trench screaming "kill kill kill". After that, one of the range instructors would take us to a safe area so that the next group of five could begin their charge. There he would have us remove the bayonet from the rifle, specifically telling us to hold the rifle out at an angle when taking off the bayonet so as not to stab ourselves. The guy next to me on my left missed that part and was having a problem removing his bayonet from the lug, so still tugging at it, he decided to look straight down at it to see what was going on. Naturally the second he did that, as he was forcefully pulling upward, the bayonet released and went right through his cheek, missing his eye by about two inches. As this guy was standing there bleeding profusely the sergeant went into a rage about him not following instructions. That was the only casualty I saw in my two years in the army. So yes, the M6 bayonet was/is an effective weapon.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Haha! Thanks for sharing that piece of history, texman81! I had to laugh because I was that Sergeant on a few occasions, except that we had M16A1s and M7 bayonets. I never had a soldier stab himself in the face, but not because they didn't try. A soldier did stab his hand while putting the scabbard on his bayonet. We had the Privates put their scabbards on their bayonets before removing them from the rifle, precisely to keep them from stabbing themselves in the face.

[@moolieboy]

Just bought one for an m1a. Still relevant. Great video! Thank You! Came here for attachment instructions though, seeing that woulda been cool too.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

It may not attach unless your rifle has an intact bayonet lug. Most modern (post-1990s) M1As do not have complete bayonet lugs and cannot affix a bayonet.

[@moolieboy]

@@FreeAmericaChannel Bought the flash suppressor with the lug, before the bayonet. Thanks for checking though. This is an expensive hobby.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@moolieboy Right on. It is expensive but a little addicting too.

[@andrewh6034]

I like the military knife collectors videos. Look forward to more. Cheers.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Andrew! More to follow.

[@quad50mg]

I have this bayonet that I brought back from the service . I just need the scabbard . Were would I buy one at a faIr price ? Thank's

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

They are getting more and more expensive. Keep an eye on ebay and try Sarco, inc. Good, used M8A1 scabbards are running $30-40 and new ones $50-too much. Surplus stores and gun shows are always good places to look as well.

[@andrewfox6631]

I’ve got a imperial m6 . I feel quite lucky having one considering I live in the uk. Very difficult to get a m6 over here I think

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I think you are right. Hang on to it my friend! Thanks for watching.

[@donaldduck4867]

Thumbs up of course! Thanks for the video!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Many thanks, Donald!

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

Vapour phase inhibitor paper. It gives off petrochemical fumes. The aluminized plastic obviously maintains a mini atmosphere around the bayonet. The long term packaging for weapons is a vry interesting branch of military science. Beautiful bayonet by the way.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Very cool. I learned something new today, now just to figure out how to work it into a conversation so I sound like I know what I'm talking about, LOL!

[@longrider42]

I have the M6 Bayonet, with scabbard. Knife was made by Imperial and sheath by V.P. Co. Its in pretty good shape. I've had it since 1984

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

In 1984 you could still get Springfield M1As and other M14 clones with bayonet lugs.

[@IrnMaiden304]

I picked up an M6 with the scabbard at a garage sale, the man who lived there had past and he served, his son in law was trying to get rid of what was left. Knife is Aerial and same V.P. Co. Scabbard, not in too bad of shape, could be better but not sure if I should try to clean it up some.

[@longrider42]

@@IrnMaiden304 Just looked at mine again. The Scabbard is labeled US M8A1. Is this right?

[@IrnMaiden304]

@@longrider42 That's what mine is labeled, from what I understand the scabbard was used for more then the M6.

[@sergeantdef.3572]

@@longrider42 Yes..M8A1 Scabbard. Many were made by PWH. House of the working blinds.

[@bbtbmb]

I got a nice M6 a few months ago in a trade but my M1A doesn't have the USGI flash hider I have one now though I have to install it so I can attach the bayonet!!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Good thing you found one. You should do a video on installing it!

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Can you post a video of snapping it on a M1A?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I think I can. Let me dig up an M1A.

[@PAPATexas]

Got your mail, haven't opened it yet. Doing mail call next weekend! Have a Merry Christmas! Cool bayonet !

[@Joe-rx7ht]

Hi. Army soldier here. I was issued the M7 for my M16A1 back in 1999. Question is... Will both the M7 and M6 bayonets fit the M1A .308 battle riffle? I’m currently looking to buy an M1A and would like a bayonet to go with it. Thank you in advance. 🇺🇸

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Joe, unfortunately not. Only the M6 will fit on the M1A/M14. M7s are far more available than M6s, but I just looked on eBay and saw a number of M6s for $50.00 and up. $50.00 is a fair price for a good bayonet.

[@davidschaadt3460]

I bought a used Springfield Armory M1A and I just had to add a bayonet lug to it .

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Good call. Luckily I have seen excellent surplus M14 flash hider/bayonet lug assemblies for sale at reasonable prices.

[@John-v4i]

I’d love one with a 16” blade. Not for any practical reason other than just to have one

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That would be interesting for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@daveruble6455]

👍 where is the best place to get one.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

eBay is a good place to start looking. There are a lot available for a range of prices.

[@bayogyog137]

got 1 here i just dig from the ground..from phil..

[@dustinewing7974]

I believe Fulton Armory sells them unopened for a little over $100!

[@SgtJohnRemairez]

ArmyNavyOutdoors? Theyre selling Imperial and Colombus supposedly...idk which mfg is better though

[@hajjibarbara2900]

Arizona looks like it may try to get cute with the gun laws this year. May as well get a lug and one of these for my M1A just because I still can.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Interestingly enough, Springfield M1As do not have bayonet lugs anymore. They did before the Clinton era ban, but I guess they didn't retool after the ban elapsed. I have been looking for a real, GI flash hider/front sight assembly but I want a NOS stock one - hard to find.

[@aaronfoust88]

@@FreeAmericaChannel www.fulton-armory.com/flashsuppressorfanm.aspx

[@davidschaadt3460]

Yes that was a priority for me in Pa.

[@gumecindogarcia1070]

I got one af a garage sale yesterday for 5 dollars

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Wow! I'll give you $15.00 for it, LOL!

[@gumecindogarcia1070]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I sure don't have any use for it. Next step

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@gumecindogarcia1070 Well, I see them selling on eBay for around $80 depending on condition. You stand to make a healthy profit on reselling it.

[@jessietidwell702]

My bayonet will not go on the gun,I have a m1a,looks like the top of the knife needs ground down some

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Most M1As do not have bayonet lugs anymore. Springfield stopped making flash hiders with bayonet lugs in the '89 "assault rifle" ban and never started making them afterwards. Unless you have an early Springfield or a gun with a real M14 flash hider, the M6 may not fit your rifle.

[@rocksteel44]

...AUSGEZEICHNET!!!!!!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Vielen Dank!