The M9

[Tac45]

I have a soft spot for the M9 bayonet. The models from Lan Cay are not very sharp at all. The Lan Cay M9's which feature a grey blade with stamped unit emblems seem to be a little sharper but not much. These grey bladed models are commercial market not issue. Ontario M9's come quite sharp and are standard issue.

Lan Cay changed the handle of the M9 some time ago from the original waffle pattern to one they call the ergo grip. Ontario have retained the original pattern. The ergo grip is much more confortable than the waffle pattern. To me any way.

Cammouflage models are available from Lan Cay but these are more for display. The cammo pattern is spray painted over the scabbard and handle. As you can imagine it wouldn't take much to rub the paint off. Lan Cay also make other colours besides the issue olive and black. The other colour models are molded. Only the cammo is painted.

Apart from the handle pattern differences between the Ontario and the Lan Cay the only other difference in the issue model is the green colour. Lan Cay have a darker olive colour. The Ontario colour leans towards the new foliage green colour.

Here are some pics.

Ontario waffle pattern and Lan Cay ergo grip
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2661-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2665-1.jpg



The two Lan Cay center models are not issue.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2616.jpg



The top scabbard is a Lan Cay with molle attachments. These are not issue. Only the bottom Ontario scabbard is an issue item.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2629.jpg

[Tac45]

These markings are commercial. Some sellers try to pass them off as unit issue. Some units do purchase them. But they are not inventory.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2624.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2627.jpg

Painted scabbards
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/Cammo3.jpg



Painted handles. The desert model is an EOD knife. It is an issue item in green and black. Basically it is a Lan Cay M9 without a boyonet ring or pommel with bayonet lug
attachment.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/Cammo.jpg

[Tac45]

M9 and M11 EOD pommels
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2667.jpg

Issue M9 scabbard with cutter plate. Molle M9 with cutter plate covered. Non Issue
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2637.jpg

Issue M9 top with Bianchi patent quick release belt attachment. Molle belt attachment bottom
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/tac45/IMG_2639.jpg

[Man of Iron]

nice collection bro. i don't even dare to start buying bayonets, too tempting and too many choices, good oldies for small prices. probably would end up counting them by weight.

back to the M9, did you know you can sell a genuine Buck M9 in China for $1000???!!! the last one sold here at the local weapondealer went for 300 EUR, and it was a few years back. all because the US military signed an exclusive deal with Buck, like the Humvee - selling a few hundred, maybe a thousand cars in the private sector or selling them in gross to the military? the choice was already made.

[Tac45]

One thousand dollars!!!!!!! The Australian Army could get rich. When the L1A1 rifle was put out to pasture here. The army re equiped with the Steyr AUG. The original L1A1 bayonets were replaced with M7's and M9's which were made by Buck. The Aussie Buck M9's are marked with the Broad Arrow.

Lan Cay and Ontarios retail here for around $300 AUD.

[doubletap]

You have a nice collection of Lan-cay's there! They have a forum at www.lancay.com You guys might also like www.quarterbore.net and www.m9m4.com There is alot of information about the m9 and the Buck Buckmaster on them. You may already be aware of these sites but if not they are pretty neat.I have an original Buck M9 that I bought when they first came out 20 or more years ago. I also have a Buck Buckmaster. It is a cool knife but it is very heavy.



john

[eatingmuchface]

doubletap, welcome to the forum.
:D

[Tac45]

Thanks Double Tap. They are great websites. I've been to them often. Certainly a wealth of information for any one interested.

Also these are most interesting and a goldmine of information if you like military knives.

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/bayonet_points.htm

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/porters_page.htm

[doubletap]

Eatingmuchface, thanks for the welcome. glad to be here.
Tac45, Thanks for the links. Bill Porter is a wealth of knowledge.


John

[Noss]

doubletap: Welcome to the forum.

[Leigh]

Great pics, Tac45!

After owning two (early Probis issue M9 and EOD in black), my only complaint was the WEIGHT!
Sturdy but heavy buggers and nothing I'd want to hump in the boonies.

Not unlike the AK/AKM bayonets, I also question the real usefulness of the wire-cutting feature.

[Man of Iron]

Great pics, Tac45!

After owning two (early Probis issue M9 and EOD in black), my only complaint was the WEIGHT!
Sturdy but heavy buggers and nothing I'd want to hump in the boonies.

Not unlike the AK/AKM bayonets, I also question the real usefulness of the wire-cutting feature.

LOL!!! :D But if they were made of INFI, and sharp enough...:rolleyes: j/k

[xxo]

Hey TAC45

Which M16 bayo do you like best M7, M9 or the OKC3?

[Tac45]

A Phrobis is something I have been meaning to get. (so many blades so little money) I like the look of the fullered blade. They are a pretty hefty knife. The instructions that come with them are funny. If I can find one I will scan it and post it. They warn of correct hand postioning when using the wire cutter. I suppose a few soldiers did themselves some damage using it. They changed the scabbard from the original by removing the top strap loops and moulding a rough texture on the scabbard where they used to be.

[Noss]

I noted the correct hand position during the test. You could easily loose a thumb if the stop on the cutter breaks. :eek:

[Tac45]

What you didn't include accidental amputation in the test!!!!! I'd volunteer but I'm still looking for my thumbs in the back yard.

[Tac45]

Hey TAC45

Which M16 bayo do you like best M7, M9 or the OKC3?

My humble apologies. I missed you question. Must have been all the frivolity around here lately.

I like the M9 best.

The OKC to me is more of a knife than a bayonet. They come sharp and certainly look intimidating. The finish is better than the M7's and Lan Cay M9's. The handle is very confortable and grippy. The extra inch of blade is nice. Not as thick as the M9 but the carbon steel sharpens better.

The M7 blade is excellent for use as a bayonet and maybe some light use work. It was definately designed as a fighting blade and even carried across to the M3 Trench Knife which could be found strapped to many a paratroopers leg in WW2.

But I like the M9. When sharpened it makes a decent knife. The added utility of a wire cutter and saw back are nice to have. It dissasembles easily. The screw driver bit on the cutter plate is designed to undo the pommel screw. Again this aspect is handy if you need to replace a part or decontaminate the knife. If you own one and get tired of the bayonet ring or lug pommel you can get the M11 pommel and guard and replace them. You can even replace the tang with a stainless steel Phrobis one if you want a little extra corrosion resistance. There are a lot of haters out there and stories of how the tip breaks etc.........Guess we will find out how strong it is when Noss posts the test.

If you were buying one to use as a knife. I would buy the OKC3S. If you wanted to buy the M9 to use. Ontario M9's come with a sharp blade. If you don't like the Ontario waffle handle you can always replace it with a Lan Cay ergo grip. The beauty of the M9. Parts.

[xxo]

Thank you TAC,

Any thoughts on the Russian bayonet?

[Leigh]

Thank you TAC,

Any thoughts on the Russian bayonet?

Not speaking for TAC of course, but my own 0.02 on the AK/AKM bayonet.

They (just like the rifle it fits on) were produced with only one thing in mind; arming LARGE numbers of people in a short period of time for as little cost as possible.
Not bashing the Kalashnikov, it is a fine weapon and deserves a place in history for both technical and political reasons.

I have examined at least 50 of them (from various countries) and found that none came sharpened from the factory. Add to the fact that there is only one grind to the edge and you have a very dull implement. The shallow sawteeth on the spine are next to useless.

Not sure of the type of steel used but I have seen all of 2 (out of 50 or so) that showed damage such as a broken tip. They seem tough but not really that useful as a knife.

[xxo]

thnx Leigh.


Here are some cool sites on the M9 =

http://www.m9bayonet.com/index.html

http://www.lancay.com/news.php

http://www.m9bayonet.com/library/TM9-1005-237-23P.pdf

[doubletap]

Thanks for the welcome Noss. I'm glad to be here.