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Yeah, it's amazing how long some piece of gear can serve before something new/better/more effective/cheaper comes along to replace it.

I think the M2-M3 family is just about the longest continually serving piece of hardware in any nation's inventory about now.

Jefffar wrote:Yeah, it's amazing how long some piece of gear can serve before something new/better/more effective/cheaper comes along to replace it.

I think the M2-M3 family is just about the longest continually serving piece of hardware in any nation's inventory about now.

Actually, that honor goes to the Marine Corps' Officer's sword, the Mamaluke. It's been an official combat weapon since the late 1700's, and the USMC NCO sword is the 2nd oldest weapon in continuous use.

Interesting.


I'd be tempted to disagree due to the sword currently being used as article of dress uniform rather than a weapon

Check this link and drool...

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m307.htm

Well the thing is, in the real world this is a crew served weapon.

In an RPG, it's a pistol.

Jefffar wrote:Interesting.


I'd be tempted to disagree due to the sword currently being used as article of dress uniform rather than a weapon

it's still classified as a combat weapon. and when your in close range with no more ammo see which you'd prefer to use. a sword or your fist when the other guy has a gun pointed too close to you.

though as far as a weapon that still see REGULAR use. . . proablly a pistol or some other sidearm.

Considering how long it will take the old weapons to wear out, even if the Army stops purchasing the M-2, there will be several decades before it fades from service.

what about combat knives, trench knives or the like? how long has the USMC used the ka bar?

According to the KA-BAR website https://www.kabar.com/history.jsp the Marines adopted the KA-BAR knife in 1942.