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Why don't we train and equip modern soldiers with swords?

Sure, long range shooty shooty stuff is the way of warfare these days but still. When it comes down to close combat, swords are pretty flippin effective.
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
Google bayonets.
@hippyjoe1955

maybe not in a trench. But how often are you fighting in a trench?

This isn't ww1 anymore, joe! lol
AceWarbringer · 36-40, M
@Pikachu it's urban combat and roomclearing now. Still close quarters stuff. Knives l, bayonets, grenades, shotguns are the tools of the trade. You have to move quick and hit hard.

Not to many people gave the reaction time or strength to swing a sword quickly enough in CQB. (Close Quarter Battle)

The problem is one of reaction. So you need to build as much buffer into yours, and take away as much of your opponents, as possible.

This is why we developed flashbangs, and short battle rifles (m4 carbine comes to mind)

A sword is approx. 18-36 inches (up to 100cm) long. Weighs about 8-10 lbs, (15-20 kilos) and takes a bit of windup to get in motion. Which is great, if you opposite is unarmed or has a sword themselves.

A firearm takes a triggerpull. And doesn't require too much training before you can be trusted not to cut off your limbs(or your buddies) swordmandhip can take years of training before you can even expect the ability. It only takes a few minutes to get someone equiped with a gun and trained up.

This is also the reason why bows were surpassed as the weapon of choice for long distance item throwing.

So it comes down to training, ability, usefulness, and speed.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@hippyjoe1955 [center][/center]

Combine with a well-trained operator.
Keraunos · 36-40, M
There is actually a lot of close-combat military hardware, but I'm not sure a clunky heavy thing that would always be banging about at your waist should be one of them.
Keraunos · 36-40, M
@Pikachu I think like most on-screen blade-fights, the choreography was more determined by "what would look neat" than "what would people actually do in real life with these weapons".
@Keraunos

Well yeah, it's got to be that way. As someone who actually knows some basic sword technique, i can confirm that real fights are not nearly as visually interesting.
I suppose that actually goes for most fighting
Keraunos · 36-40, M
@Keraunos Well, actually, as far as defending goes, you definitely can. The flats are extremely broad and absorb impact well.
HerKing · 61-69, M
There are advantages...

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno]
@HerKing

lol classic. Although i guess this proves how ineffective swords are at stopping your opponent
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
How often are you fighting in an area large enough to use a sword?
@hippyjoe1955

Meh, i'd still rather have it than not.
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
@Pikachu When you are a trained soldier let me know.
@hippyjoe1955

When you are a trained swordsman, let me know.

Ohhhhhh!
deadgerbil · 22-25
Equip a shotgun with a bayonet :D
@deadgerbil

That would work pretty well. But swords are cheaper

 
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