M9 as Offset Flashhider

[hyrax222]

Sirs:

 

What fresh hell is this? Puts me inclinded to think offshore.

 

hyrax222

[militariaone]

It's a British L3A1 Bayonet see below.

 

Best,

 

V/r Lance

 

 

[hyrax222]

Doh!

 

I leared something new! Thank you.

 

hyrax222

[Misfit 45]

When I was in the high school band, our uniforms were modeled after the British royal bands.  The uniforms looked great, but we didn't get to wear a bayonet!

Marv

[Slufstuff]

I owned one. It is a miserable bayonet, neither fish nor fowl. The offset handle is awkward to use as a field knife, much less as a fighting knife. No natural balance at all and almost impossible to use as a tool. Then as a bayonet it is just unwieldy and a bit heavy for what it is. They would have been far better served to just produce a simple spike bayonet for the rifle (like the No. 4 Mk.1 Enfield bayonet) and an actual field knife. IMO, it is one of the worst bayonets fielded in the modern era, and that is being charitable. 

 

Royal Enfield submitted the design in the US XM9 competition. Thankfully it was quickly eliminated.