US Army M9 Bayonet & Disassembly

[@echohunter4199]

I’m a retired 11H/11B serving on Active Duty from 1983-2009 and not many of us liked the heavier M-9 and we preferred the M-7 which was perfect in all aspects. The Army gradually went away from keeping all field gear light weight as was the main focus during Vietnam to much heavier items that just made life annoying in a tactical environment.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I absolutely agree. If they are going to give us heavy gear then it should be worth the weight and the M9 simply does not meet that criteria.

[@kevinthomas9958]

I learned a lot from your video Sir, thank you for your simple explanations and please keep your videos coming, they’re great !!! 😊

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for the kind words! I will keep at it.

[@andrewtate5568]

loved it as usual. please keep them coming.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Andrew!

[@pointynotsharp]

We did the opposite in the Aussie army, we used non issue stuff so we could keep our issued stuff serviceable and clean. Easier to replace personal kit than issued kit, plus we were usually issued rubbish

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Don't get me wrong, we carried non-issue stuff as well if the Army wouldn't issue it to us, but having pretty gear for inspection made the process so much easier, plus if we lost or broke something in the field we could get it replaced by Army issue stuff without too much problem. The Army was famous for issuing old, dirty gear to young troops so after a while we learned not to take it and make a big enough fuss about it that our leaders would get involved. Once I became an NCO the guys in supply would hate to see me come in with new troops because I would raise hell if they tried to issue crap or refuse to take gear back that was serviceable.

[@kaylamarie8309]

I still have my issued M7 bayonet from the mid 80's. I won't knock the M9 but I'm like you, I prefer the robust, no frills M7 baonet. Simplicity. Thing has a blade just made to slip in between ribs. Great combat knife/MRE opener lol.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

LOL! I've stabbed a lot of MREs with my M7. Thanks for your comment!

[@kaylamarie8309]

@FreeAmericaChannel works great for that lol. You are quite welcome!

[@jonleone777]

Brought two back from my time in korea. One is an original buck phrobis III and the other an Ontario mil contract m9. Both are decent. Steel is not great, the buck is 425m and the ontario is 420. While they are good for poking holes they are not meant for bushcraft type stuff. Buddy broke his,snapped off the handle trying to chop wood. I keep one in my truck just in case.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I prefer my M7 as a bayonet for weight and as a weapon. The M9 also rattles so much that you have to tape it all up. It is an interesting part of US military history.

[@reevesc87]

Fun fact: the m7 and m9 fit the older Israeli galil rifles also. My lan-cay is right at home on my galil arm

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Right on! I never thought about it, but I had an M7 on my Galil AR years ago and it just follows that the M9 would work as well.

[@594bolt]

The "nut" you referred to is a slotted Allen head cap screw.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I thought I was clear that it was a slotted allen head. Did I miss something?

[@christostsolakidis2924]

Hi, the one holl is for the barrel, the other one is for what?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Do you mean the oval-shaped hole at the end of the blade? It is for the wire cutter feature on the scabbard ( 9:35 ). Does that answer the question? Thanks for watching!

[@NotRealGhostNomad]

Nice

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@Tovar555]

What's the diameter of the ring?

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I rpesume that you mean the muzzle ring, if not let me know. ID is 1", OD is 1 3/8".

[@Tovar555]

@@FreeAmericaChannel I have a bayonet that won’t fit any of the attachments that I own I have the Super Stabby attachment and an attachment made by Sig The ring on the hand guard of the bayonet doesn’t fit neither of them The ring is too small not by much at all So I just wanted to see what diameter I should look for when it comes to proper fitment There’s a website that just sells hand guards but I want to know which one to get

[@dansherman1980]

In my opinion these are heavy garbage. Had an Ontario M9 I would sharpen it all nice and went camping. The blade rattles in the sheath so when I would use it, it would be dull. The M7 is more superior in a combat roll. Have a AKM style bayonet have no idea from where because it’s unmarked. Took that camping and that did much better. The blade grind was done better only beveled on one side and the other is ground flat. Easier to sharpen, was much lighter, and could actually function as a knife. The wire cutter of the M9 functioned better though because it’s longer. You can also re-orient the blade for blade up when mounted ( AK style ) and can use the sheath to disassemble it if you feel the need to. Mine had a flathead screwdriver on the cutter that fits the bolt and the sheath fit over the tang and fit the flats where the blade and tang meet. My Ontario was a civilian model if that matters. Also had a tanto bladed one Ontario made that was also lame but very pointy.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I agree. Too heavy and rattles too much. I have never found occasion to use the wire cutter, although I am sure some folks have.

[@1965Leonard]

How could the defense department approve this disgrace of a "bayonet"? Handle is round not oval making it impossible to steer the edge. It is not full tang and the nut will come lose after a couple of wacks. Thank you for your indept review.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Clearly I'm not a huge fan of the M9, but I honestly can say I have not seen the tang come unscrewed in the field. Thanks for watching and for the comment.