To be fair, the M-16 wasn't the best tool for "bayonet and buttstock" fighting, either. Fact is, such fighting is simply not regarded as frequent enough to warrant consideration.
The last rifle that was actually useful for such fighting was the M-14, which will, like its contemporaries, remain in the past as far as infantry use goes.
"To be fair, the M-16 wasn't the best tool for "bayonet and buttstock" fighting, either. Fact is, such fighting is simply not regarded as frequent enough to warrant consideration. The last rifle that was actually useful for such fighting was the M-14, which will, like its contemporaries, remain in the past as far as infantry use goes."
My Service Rifle was a true M-16 with a solid stock that had a steel plate on the end of it. I always figured that it would get the job done! However, I do see your point about the bayonet.