Bayonets are a problem in melee, but they are by far not as big of a problem as someone reloading with ramrods. I really don't want to imagine what happens if someone shoots this thing and it ends up flying straight at someone else. Chances that it will kill someone if it hits the right spot are extremely high.
Unless you stab with your bayonet, the worst thing that can happen is someone loosing an eye or some smaller wounds from poking. (Both, especially first is still really bad)
In melee, most of the time people just push with their muskets, no one is really stabbing.
Obviously someone can forget about safety and accidentally stab someone else in the belly.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is, that I feel more uncomfortable if there is a group using ramrods during the battle, than if there is a group with bayonets. It is also much easier to avoid the groups with bayonets. When they charge in, you retreat, and you just do not charge them yourself. But there is nothing you can do about a ramrod flying straight for your head.
