Hi all, was wondering if there was a way to do access my NPC's equipment to give them a better gun, I want to use the shotgun while I give Ian the SMG. Just wondered if it was at all possible. Thanks in advance,
Mike

Many thanks sir, rep given... now if I could just get Ian to quit getting in my way I'd be in business. Thanks again

It's sad that you can't give Ian or any of the others armor, and they don't level up. It sucks when a random encounter with a super mutant gets them shredded by a one burst from a minigun.
And of course, that you can't have dogmeat wait for you someplace safe.

Glad I could help.

Check out the NPC mod on No Mutants Allowed, it's fantastic.

You can also barter with them. But of course when you are taking something from them you have to give them something worthy in return, so it's the less useful method. But when I played through Fallout 1 I didn't even think about stealing, so using bartering also worked :)
You should also note that the weapons your companions have equipped will not show up in their inventory. So for example if you give Ian a better weapon, you still have to tell him that he should draw his best weapon, this way he will change it and only then you can take away his previously used gun.