| Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M60 |
M60 machine gun | | Type | General purpose machine gun | | Place of origin |
 United States | | Service history | | In service | 1957— | | Used by | See Operators | | Wars | Vietnam War
Cambodian Civil War
Gulf War
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Iraq War | | Production history | | Manufacturer | Saco Defense, U.S. Ordnance | | Unit cost | $6,000 [1] | | Variants | See Variants | | Specifications | | Weight | 10.5 kg (23.1 lb) | | Length | 1,077 mm (42 in) | | Barrel length | 560 mm (22 in) |
| | Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO | | Action | Gas-operated, open bolt | | Rate of fire | ~550 rounds/min | | Muzzle velocity | 853 m/s (~2,800 ft/s) | | Effective range | 1,100 m (~1,200 yd) | | Maximum range | 3,725 m (~4,074 yd) | | Feed system | Disintegrating belt with M13 Links | The M60 (formally the United States Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M60) is a family of American general purpose machine guns firing 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links. The term M60 can refer to several things: The M60 motorway The M60 Patton tank The M60 machine gun An astronomical object, see Messier 60 BMW M60, a BMW piston engine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
M60 Patton Tank, Public domain image from usarc. ...
The MG 34 - the first Universelles Maschinengewehr forerunner of the modern GPMG, shown here in two different mountings. ...
Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
For other uses, see M60. ...
Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...
Combatants Khmer Republic, United States, Republic of Vietnam Khmer Rouge, Democratic Republic of Vietnam, National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF) Strength ~250,000 FANK troops ~100,000 (60,000) Khmer Rouge Casualties ~600,000 dead, 1,000,000+ wounded[1] The Cambodian Civil War was a conflict that pitted...
For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...
For other uses of War in Afghanistan, see War in Afghanistan. ...
It has been suggested that 2003 invasion of Iraq be merged into this article or section. ...
For other uses, see M60. ...
This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
The 7. ...
In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation that the firearm employs to seal the breech (in a breech-loading firearm), and to load consecutive rounds. ...
The gas-operated system for implementing automatic reloading of a firearm is one of five such systems, the others being recoil-operated, gatling, chain, and blowback. ...
A semi or fully-automatic firearm which is said to fire from an open bolt is one where, when ready to fire, the bolt and working parts are held to the rear. ...
(for paintball markers also)Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific weapon can fire or launch its projectiles. ...
A guns muzzle velocity is the speed at which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun. ...
A disintegrating belt feeding into an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, from a United States Army training manual A non-disintegrating belt feeding into a . ...
An M240B in the hands of a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division Soldier in Iraq September 2006; The rounds and feed system use the M13 Link An M60 machine gun aboard a Navy patrol craft. ...
The MG 34 - the first Universelles Maschinengewehr forerunner of the modern GPMG, shown here in two different mountings. ...
The 7. ...
This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
A disintegrating belt feeding into an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, from a United States Army training manual A non-disintegrating belt feeding into a . ...
An M240B in the hands of a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division Soldier in Iraq September 2006; The rounds and feed system use the M13 Link An M60 machine gun aboard a Navy patrol craft. ...
Introduced in 1957, until recently it remained in use in every branch of the U.S military and still serves in other armed forces. Its manufacture and continued upgrade for military and commercial purchase continues into the 21st century though it has been replaced or supplemented in most roles by newer designs, notably the M240 in U.S service. M240B pictured Caliber: 7. ...
The M60 machine gun family - For information on specific types, see Variants below.
The nomenclature M60 describes either the first adopted version or, generically, the family of weapons derived from it.
Major variations include the M60E1 (an improved version that did not enter production), the M60E2 (a version designed to be used from fixed mounts as a co-axial for armored vehicles or in helicopter armament systems), the M60E3 (a lightweight version) and the M60E4 (another improved version, designated Mk 43 Mod 0 by the U.S. Navy). Coaxially mounted weapons refer to those weapon systems that are mounted coaxially, side-by-side, with the main weapon system. ...
USN redirects here. ...
The M60C was adopted for use on fixed mounts on aircraft. It was characterized by the use of an electric solenoid to operate the trigger and a hydraulic system to charge the weapon. The M60D differed from the base model by employing spade grips, a different sighting system, and lacking a forearm. It was typically employed as a door gun on helicopters or as a pintle mounted weapon as on the Type 88 K1 tank. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
There are many smaller variants among each type, between makers of the firearm, and over time.
Overview The M60 is an air-cooled and gas-operated machine gun firing from an open bolt. It chambers the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge and feeds from a disintegrating belt of metallic M13 links. In most variants, it has an integrated folding bipod and can be mounted on the M122 Tripod and some fixed mounts. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 526 pixelsFull resolution (2851 × 1873 pixel, file size: 686 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A member of the 101st Airborne Division, armed with an M60 machine gun, participates in a field exercise in 1972. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 526 pixelsFull resolution (2851 × 1873 pixel, file size: 686 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A member of the 101st Airborne Division, armed with an M60 machine gun, participates in a field exercise in 1972. ...
101st Division and 101st redirect here. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2100x1378, 457 KB) Summary From: http://www. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2100x1378, 457 KB) Summary From: http://www. ...
Gitmo redirects here. ...
Map of Cuba with location of Guantánamo Bay indicated. ...
The gas-operated system for implementing automatic reloading of a firearm is one of five such systems, the others being recoil-operated, gatling, chain, and blowback. ...
A semi or fully-automatic firearm which is said to fire from an open bolt is one where, when ready to fire, the bolt and working parts are held to the rear. ...
In firearms, the chamber is the part of the barrel in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being fired. ...
The 7. ...
A disintegrating belt feeding into an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, from a United States Army training manual A non-disintegrating belt feeding into a . ...
An M240B in the hands of a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division Soldier in Iraq September 2006; The rounds and feed system use the M13 Link An M60 machine gun aboard a Navy patrol craft. ...
A M1919A4 on the famous M2 tripod Marines with a M240G on a M122A1 Tripod at Camp Hansen, Okinawa The M2 tripod is a U.S. machine gun tripod originally used with the Browning M1919 infantry machine gun. ...
In the U.S. military, the M60 has largely been replaced by versions of the M240 in the medium machine gun and fixed weapon roles, and by the M249 as a squad automatic weapon. It remains in use in every branch of the U.S. military (as well as other armed forces) and continues to be manufactured. The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States. ...
M240 redirects here. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (M249 SAW) is the United States military designation for a sub-family of the FN MINIMI squad automatic weapon (from Mini-mitrailleuse French: mini-machine gun. Both are 5. ...
A squad automatic weapon (SAW) is a light or general-purpose machine gun, usually equipped with a bipod and firing a 7. ...
The M60 is considered effective up to 1,100 meters when firing at an area target and mounted on a tripod; up to 800 meters when firing at an area target using the integral bipod; up to 600 meters when firing at a point target; and up to 200 meters when firing at a moving point target. United States Marine Corps doctrine holds that the M60 and other weapons in its class are capable of suppressive fire on area targets out to 1,500 meters if the gunner is sufficiently skilled. Look up tripod in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with only two legs. ...
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea,[1] using the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces and is one of seven uniformed services. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
It has been suggested that Spray and pray be merged into this article or section. ...
The M60 is generally used as crew-served weapon and operated by a team of two or three men. The team consists of the gunner, the assistant gunner (A-gunner in military slang), and the ammunition bearer. The gun's weight and the amount of ammunition it consumes when fired make it difficult for a single soldier to carry and operate. The gunner carries the weapon and, depending on his strength and stamina, anywhere from 200 to 1000 rounds of ammunition. The assistant carries a spare barrel and extra ammunition, and reloads and spots targets for the gunner. (The latter task, because it requires the soldier to keep his head up while under fire, makes A-gunner one of the most dangerous and thus least sought after and least desirable assignments in the military.) The ammunition bearer carries additional ammunition and the tripod with associated traversing and elevation mechanism, if issued, and fetches more ammunition as needed during firing. The basic ammunition load carried by the crew is 600 to 900 rounds and theoretically allows approximately two minutes of continuous firing at the maximum rate of fire. All crews carry more than the basic load, sometimes three or more times the basic amount if they can get it. In many U.S. units that used the M60 as a squad automatic weapon in Vietnam, every soldier in the rifle squad would carry an additional 200 linked rounds of ammunition for the M60, a spare barrel, or both, in addition to his personal weapon and equipment. Crew-served weapons are operated by a crew of soldiers. ...
This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
Ammunition, often referred to as ammo, is a generic term meaning (the assembly of) a projectile and its propellant. ...
A squad automatic weapon (SAW) is a light or general-purpose machine gun, usually equipped with a bipod and firing a 7. ...
 Firing an M60 machine gun from the standing position during the DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 competition Unlike the M240 variants replacing it, the M60 can be accurately fired at short ranges from the shoulder due to its design. This was an initial requirement for the design and a hold-over in concept from the Browning Automatic Rifle. It may also be fired from the M122, the integral bipod, and some other mounts. Originally an experimental M91 tripod was developed for the M60, but an updated M2 Tripod design was selected over it which became the M122. The M122 would be itself replaced in the 2000s by a new mount, in time for the M60 to also be used with it. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 526 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,830 × 1,860 pixels, file size: 3. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 526 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,830 × 1,860 pixels, file size: 3. ...
The Browning Automatic Rifle (more formally designated first as the Rifle, Caliber . ...
A M1919A4 on the famous M2 tripod Marines with a M240G on a M122A1 Tripod at Camp Hansen, Okinawa The M2 tripod is a U.S. machine gun tripod originally used with the Browning M1919 infantry machine gun. ...
M60 ammunition comes in a cloth bandoleer containing a cardboard box of 100 pre-linked rounds. The M60 changed from M1 link to the different M13 link, a change from the older link system with which it was not compatible. The M240 continues to use the M13 link. The cloth bandoleer is reinforced to allow it to be hung from the current version of the feed tray. Historically, units in Vietnam used B3A cans from C-rations packs locked into the ammunition box attachment system to roll the ammunition belts over for a straighter and smoother feed to the loading port to enhance reliability of feed. The later models changed the ammunition box attachment point and made this adaptation not possible.
History The M60 machine gun began development in the late 1940s as a program for a new, lighter 7.62 mm machine gun. The design included features that had been successful on earlier designs (most notably the German MG42), as well as improvements of its own. It was intended to replace the Browning Automatic Rifle and M1919A6 Browning machine gun in the squad automatic weapon role. It was also to replace the M1919 family in the medium machine gun role. One of the weapons tested against it during its procurement process was the FN MAG. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1435x1156, 82 KB) Summary A 173rd Airborne Brigade soldier mans a M60 machine gun on Hill 875 in November 1967 in vietnam. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1435x1156, 82 KB) Summary A 173rd Airborne Brigade soldier mans a M60 machine gun on Hill 875 in November 1967 in vietnam. ...
The 173d Airborne Brigade of the United States Army is based in Vicenza, Italy. ...
See also: Dak To The battle for Hill 875 took place in the Vietnamese Highlands area. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1689x1155, 832 KB)March 3, 2004: Sgt. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1689x1155, 832 KB)March 3, 2004: Sgt. ...
This article refers to the Military HMMWV, not the civilian Hummer sold by General Motors General Characteristics (Humvee) Manufacturer: AM General Length: 4. ...
This article is about the unguided anti-tank weapon. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 743 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,396 × 1,127 pixels, file size: 395 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Description: Soldiers Laying Down Covering Fire with a M60 maschinegun - Vietnam 1966 Source: US Army Post-Work: User:W.wolny Licence: Public Domain File...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 743 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,396 × 1,127 pixels, file size: 395 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Description: Soldiers Laying Down Covering Fire with a M60 maschinegun - Vietnam 1966 Source: US Army Post-Work: User:W.wolny Licence: Public Domain File...
The MG42 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 42, or Machine Gun 42) was a machine gun that was developed for and entered service with Nazi Germany in 1942, during World War II. The 7. ...
The Browning Automatic Rifle (more formally designated first as the Rifle, Caliber . ...
The Browning M1919 was a . ...
The MAG is a Belgian 7. ...
The U.S. Army officially adopted the M60 in 1957. The United States Army is the largest, and by some standards oldest, established branch of the armed forces of the United States and is one of seven uniformed services. ...
After the failure of the M73 Machine gun as a coaxial weapon and its replacement by the M240, variants of the FN MAG (usually those derived from the British versions) also replaced M60 variants on armored vehicles in US service. 7. ...
The MAG is a Belgian 7. ...
In the 1980s, it was partially replaced by the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon within the Infantry squad. The M60 was retained in the vehicle mounted role and the general-purpose role due to its greater power and range compared to the 5.56 mm M249. In USMC service, concerns about the M60's reliability, the system's weight, and high round counts of many M60s in service prompted the adoption of the M60E3 to replace most original M60s in Infantry units. U.S. Military 5. ...
Continued dissatisfaction by the Marines prompted them to begin replacing their M60s and M60E3s with M240s made surplus by the drawing down of US forces and the replacement or obsolescence of some Army and Marine armored vehicles. Starting with Ranger Battalions, the US Army began adopting and modifying M240 variants for replacing their remaining M60s in the early 1990s. By comparison, the M240 is several pounds heavier than the M60, and has a longer barrel and overall length, but is measurably more reliable in use and testing. However, the M60 uses a much simpler gas system that is, when care is taken during reassembly, easier to clean. This advantage is obviated by the fact that, in practice, the gas tube is wired shut with lockwire to prevent the gun from disassembling itself due to vibration in hard use.
In Australia, the M60 was replaced by the F89, an Australian built version of the FN Minimi, and is still in use (as of 2006). Its reputation varies widely, and often depends upon which version a person gained experience with, and when. The FN Minimi is a squad automatic weapon — the name coming from Mini-mitrailleuse (French: mini-machine gun. It is a 5. ...
The M60 continued to be used by U.S. Navy SEALs and as a door gun on U.S. Army helicopters into the 21st century, and as the main 7.62 mm machine gun by some U.S. special operations forces into the late 1990s. As of 2005, it is used by the Coast Guard, Navy, and a number of reserve forces, though it is rapidly being phased out in favor of the M240 7.62 mm medium machine gun. The weapon can still be found in use in the U.S. Army and special operations forces in other roles. The use as an Army helicopter door gun will soon be tapering off, as an improved M240 version has finally been adopted for this role in the later half of the decade. Navy SEALs redirects here. ...
For other uses, see Special forces (disambiguation). ...
USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk USCG HC-130H departs Mojave USCG HC-130H on International Ice Patrol duties The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is at all times a branch of the U.S. military, a maritime law enforcement agency, and a federal regulatory body. ...
M240 redirects here. ...
Use of the M60 is tapering off over a long period, as the weapons in service slowly wear out (and then new weapons are bought) or when a new weapon is obtained for a given job. Also, subgroups that continue to use them may obtain funding to keep models in service. One unit might have received new M240s, only to give their M60s to a reserve unit, sometimes replacing an even older weapon. It also remains in use in other countries in a variety of roles. The M240 itself has been slated for eventual replacement under a program for a new lightweight 7.62 mm machine gun under Joint Service Small Arms Program (JSSAP). The Joint Service Small Arms Program, usually just called JSSAP was a program run by the Air Force to select a 9mm Parabellum pistol in the late 1970s and the turn of the decade. ...
Design
 An Airwoman of the British Royal Air Force handles an M60 during a demonstration for Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) in 2004  An M60 machine gun team changes barrels before engaging their last target during the DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 competition. The M60 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed, automatic machine gun that fires from the open-bolt position and is chambered for the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge. Ammunition is usually fed into the weapon from a 100-round bandolier containing a disintegrating, metallic split-link belt. As with all such weapons, it can be fired from the shoulder, hip, or underarm position. However, to achieve the maximum effective range, it is recommended that a bipod-steadied position or a tripod-mounted position be used and fired in bursts of 3–5 rounds. The weapon is heavy and difficult to aim when firing without support, though the weight helps reduce the felt recoil. The straight-line layout allowed the operating rod and buffer to run directly back into the buttstock and reduce the overall length of the weapon. The large grip also allowed the weapon to be conveniently carried at the hip. The gun can be stripped using a live round of ammunition as a tool. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,464 × 1,632 pixels, file size: 959 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Squadron Leader (SQL) Tori Thomas of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) handles an M60 7. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,464 × 1,632 pixels, file size: 959 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Squadron Leader (SQL) Tori Thomas of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) handles an M60 7. ...
The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force of the United Kingdom. ...
The gas-operated system for implementing automatic reloading of a firearm is one of five such systems, the others being recoil-operated, gatling, chain, and blowback. ...
Engine cooling is the process of cooling an engine by using either air or liquid. ...
M2 Browning machine gun An automatic firearm is a firearm that automatically extracts and ejects the fired cartridge case, and loads a new case, usually through the energy of the fired round. ...
A bandolier is a pocketed belt for holding ammunition. ...
The design drew on many common concepts in firearms manufacture of the period, such as stamped sheet metal construction, belt feed (a modified mechanism for belt feed from the MG42 with a single pawl), quick barrel replacement, a pistol grip and stock, and a semi-bull pup design similar to the FG42 (much of the action occupies the weapon's stock). The M60's operating system of an operating rod turning a rotating bolt was inspired by the FG42, which was based on the much earlier Lewis Gun. The M60's gas operation is unique, and drew on technical advances of the period, particularly the White "gas expansion and cutoff" principle also exploited by the M14 rifle. The M60's gas system was simpler than other gas systems and easier to clean. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x1312, 1176 KB)020725-N-5232L-002 San Diego, CA (Jul. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x1312, 1176 KB)020725-N-5232L-002 San Diego, CA (Jul. ...
USS Constellation (CV-64), a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the new constellation of stars on the flag of the United States. ...
The MG42 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 42, or Machine Gun 42) was a machine gun that was developed for and entered service with Nazi Germany in 1942, during World War II. The 7. ...
On a firearm, a pistol grip is a portion of the gun which is held by the hand that orients the hand in a manner similar to the position one would take with a conventional pistol such as a Colt 1911. ...
Folding stock of a SIG 550 rifle A stock or buttstock or shoulder stock is present in many firearms and some crossbows, and performs three functions - to facilitate easy and steady holding and aiming of the weapon prior to and during firing (which may be further assisted by a sling...
The Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 (FG42) was an automatic rifle produced in Nazi Germany during World War II. The weapon was developed specifically for the use by paratroopers, who wanted a suitable gun after their experiences in the invasion of Crete. ...
The Lewis Gun is a pre-World War I era squad automatic weapon/machine gun of American design that was most widely used by the forces of the British Empire. ...
The M60 is often used with its own integrated bipod or with the M122 tripod. A M1919A4 on the famous M2 tripod Marines with a M240G on a M122A1 Tripod at Camp Hansen, Okinawa The M2 tripod is a U.S. machine gun tripod originally used with the Browning M1919 infantry machine gun. ...
Design & performance When tested in the field, the M60 was fairly effective, but in the jungles of Southeast Asia in which it was soon used, the initial versions displayed several potential problems when used on the ground. A common complaint was the weapon's weight, a common problem with battle rifle-caliber machine guns. The M60 was among the lightest 7.62 mm machine guns of the era and lighter than the M240 that is replacing it. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...
The FN FAL battle rifle The term battle rifle can have different meanings. ...
For units in Vietnam, the single most common complaint was that the M60 was comparatively unreliable and prone to jamming and other malfunctions, especially when it was dirty. Fine sand and dust in the mechanism could bring the M60 to a halt. This was a major factor in the Israeli Defense Force declining to adopt the M60. The weapon was more difficult to clean and maintain than the M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) it replaced in the squad. In normal conditions it would often fire thousands of rounds without a serious jam while field conditions tended to reduce reliability without proper maintenance. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ...
The Browning Automatic Rifle (more formally designated first as the Rifle, Caliber . ...
 A Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class in the process of preventative maintenance and cleaning on an M60 machine on the USS Constellation (CV 64); December 2002 The safety was awkward to operate and worked the "wrong way" for soldiers who were trained with the M16 rifle and M1911A1 pistol — that is, it required an upward movement of the thumb on the safety catch to make the gun ready to fire, rather than a downward movement as with the other weapons. Additionally, it is possible to install some of the fire control mechanism incorrectly, causing a "runaway gun" - meaning that it would keep firing until empty even if the operator took his finger off the trigger. The gas system of the original model could be assembled incorrectly causing failure to function and could unscrew and come apart if not safely wired in place. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 954 KB)021219-N-1397H-042 At sea aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) Dec. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2100x1368, 954 KB)021219-N-1397H-042 At sea aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) Dec. ...
The M60 sometimes (depending on the version) tore rims off of fired cartridge cases during the extraction cycle, resulting in failure to remove the empty case, causing a jam that could take time to clear. The barrel latch mechanism (a swinging lever) could catch on the gunner's equipment and accidentally unlatch, causing the barrel to fall out of the gun. The lever was replaced with a pushbutton mechanism that was less likely to be accidentally released, but many of the swinging-lever latches are still on guns in inventory, forty years after this problem was discovered.
The grip/trigger housing assembly is held in place with a rather fragile leaf spring clip instead of the captive pins used in other designs. The spring clip has been known to be prone to breakage since the first trials at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Duct tape and cable ties have been seen on M60s in the field, placed there by their crews in case the spring clip breaks. The sear in the trigger mechanism gained a reputation for wearing down and a malfunction could cause the gun to "run away". In a firearm, the sear is the component of the trigger group which resists pressure on the trigger. ...
Several critical parts of early production M60s, such as the receiver cover and feed tray, were made from very thin sheet metal stampings and prone to bending or breaking; sturdier parts were eventually available in the early 1970s. Early M60s also had driving spring guides and operating rods that were too thin and gas pistons that were too narrow behind the piston head (part of an attempt to save weight), leading to problems with breakage. Metallurgical problems also played a part, (blamed by some on low-bid contractors), but after 1970 a slightly heavier part was designed and slowly put into the supply chain. High round count weapons were also susceptible to stretching of the receiver and other parts. In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of the firearm that houses the operating parts of the gun. ...
Another criticism with some versions of the M60 is that the barrel was heavy. The bipod was a permanent fixture to the barrel as well as the gas chamber of the gas system; the latter was a result of using a piston design with a fixed regulator design. The advantage of the fixed regulator was no adjustment was required, though it risked the ability to compensate for fouling of the gas system, leading to insufficient power to operate the action, including lifting the ammunition belt. The non-adjustable front sight is fixed to the barrel and adjustments for "zeroing" the sights could only be made at the rear sight requiring readjustment when the barrel is changed—not ideal for combat situations.
There was no handle to hold the barrel by for changes. A large asbestos glove was part of the standard issue to allow the crew to handle hot barrels during barrel change. Loss of the glove was always a problem. For other uses, see Asbestos (disambiguation). ...
U.S. Marines especially disliked the M60, and many Marine units held onto their BARs until 1967-68 officially, and longer unofficially. The M60E3 variant designed in the mid-1980s for the U.S. Marine Corps, reduced the design's weight to 18.9 lb (8.61 kg) unloaded and slightly improved reliability. Users complained about the quickly-overheating barrel, a common problem with the original M60. This problem was aggravated in the M60E3 using a lighter barrel which required changing every 100 rounds instead of every 200. The M60E3's barrel used a wire and plastic handle near the breech end and could be changed safely without the use of heat-resistant mittens.
The U.S. Navy special operations forces continued to use and upgrade the M60E3 for years because of its portability and low weight for its caliber requiring many modifications, including a change in feed system and barrel configuration. Additional required changes were the addition of rails for optical sights and other modern accessories.
The reliability problem with the M60 machine gun was even more evident when the gun was compared to the successful and reliable PK machine gun used by Warsaw Pact forces and Soviet client states. The PK is a 7. ...
Not to be confused with the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ...
Ammunition  810th Military Police Company, mans a 7.62mm M60 machine gun atop an M998 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) during Operation Desert Shield. The M60 family of weapons are capable of firing standard NATO rounds of the appropriate caliber. Most common in U.S. use are M61 Armor piercing, M62 Tracer, and M80 Ball. For training purposes, M63 Dummy and M82 Blanks are used. The new tungsten cored M993 Armor-piercing rounds may also be fired in the M60 as well, though they did not enter the inventory until after the M60 was withdrawn from service in active-duty units. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1840x1224, 382 KB)041102-N-1693W-003 Western Pacific Ocean (Nov. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1840x1224, 382 KB)041102-N-1693W-003 Western Pacific Ocean (Nov. ...
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead ship of the Blue Ridge-class of command ships of the United States Navy. ...
Armor Piercing Ammuniton is used to penetrate hardened armored targets such as body armor, vehicle armor, concrete, and other defenses. ...
Tracers from M16 rifles on U.S. Army firing range Tracer ammunition (tracers) use special bullets that are modified to accept a small pyrotechnic charge in their base. ...
Blank cartridges, as used in nail guns Yugoslavian 7. ...
For other uses, see Tungsten (disambiguation). ...
Armor piercing ammunition is used to penetrate hardened armored targets such as body armor, vehicle armor, concrete, and other defenses. ...
When firing blanks, the M13 or M13A1 blank-firing adaptor (BFA) is necessary in order to produce enough gas pressure to cycle the weapon with blanks. All ammunition must be fixed in a NATO standard M13 disintegrating metallic split-link belt to feed into the weapon. A blank-firing adaptor or blank-firing attachment (BFA), sometimes called a blank adaptor or blank attachment, is a device used in conjunction with blank ammunition. ...
The standard combat ammunition mix for the M60 consists of four ball (M80) cartridges and one tracer (M62) in belts of 100 rounds. The four to one ratio theoretically allows the gunner to accurately "walk" the fire into the enemy. Tracer bullets do not fly quite the same trajectory as ball and weapon's sights must be used for accurate fire— particularly at ranges in excess of 800 meters, where 7.62x51mm NATO tracer bullets usually burn out and are no longer visible. This is a problem for all weapons in this caliber using this tracer round. Rimmed, centerfire . ...
The 7. ...
Variants Many different variants of the M60 have been developed over the years. Most of the revisions have been aimed at rectifying problems with earlier designs; however, two versions (the M60C and the M60D) are modified for use primarily in aircraft.
Variant summary - T161 — The M60's developmental designation before it was type-classified in the 1950s.
- M60 — The basic model, type-classified in 1957.
- M60E1 — An improved version that did not enter production. The primary difference was the handle fixed to the barrel and the removal of the gas cylinder and bipod from the barrel assembly.
- M60E2 — Used in vehicles as a coaxial machine gun; electrically fired.
- M60B — Used in helicopters in the 1960s and 1970s; unmounted.
- M60C — Used in fixed mounts in aircraft in the 1960s and 1970s; electrically fired and hydraulically charged.
- M60D — Replaced the M60B; a pintle-mounted version used especially in armament subsystem for helicopters, but also some other roles.
- M60E3 — An updated, lightweight version adopted in the 1980s.
- M60E4 (Mk 43 Mod 0/1) — An improved model of the 1990s that looks similar to the E3, but has many improvements. It has subvariants of its own, and is also used by the U.S. Navy (as the Mk 43 Mod 0/1). The Mk 43 Mod 1 is a specialized version with additions such as extra rails for mounting accessories.
M60 The initial version was officially adopted by the U.S. Army in the late 1950s, though at this time it was only intended for the infantry. It was known as the T161 before it was adopted (specifically the T161E3), and was chosen over the competing T52 during testing in the 1950s. They both used a similar feed and were both gas-operated, but the T161 was easier to produce and its different internals performed better. The model that won the competition was the T161E3. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,800 × 1,200 pixels, file size: 352 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,800 × 1,200 pixels, file size: 352 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) (known affectionately as the Big Stick or TR) is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier and its call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelts volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War. ...
 Airman with M60, assigned to the 52nd Security Forces Squadron (SFS), at Spangdahlem Air Base (AB), Germany.  A camouflaged infantryman armed with an M60 machine gun. The model was type-classified in 1957, and entered production. It saw its first heavy use in the 1960s. The basic design has undergone some smaller changes, and has been produced by different manufacturers. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,032 × 2,008 pixels, file size: 1. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,032 × 2,008 pixels, file size: 1. ...
M60E1 The M60E1 was the first major variant of the original M60. It did not go into full-scale production, though many of its features were included into the later E3 and E4 variants. Some of its features were also incorporated into the existing M60 production. This mainly changed how the gas cylinder, the barrel, and the bipod were connected; in the first iteration. The M60 and the M60E1 are two different versions. Opinions are varied on whether the M60E1 was officially adopted or not.
One of the more noticeable changes on the M60E1 is that the bipod attachment point was moved to the gas tube rather than the barrel (like on the later M60E3). It did not, however, have a forward pistol grip, as was added on the E3.
M60E2 The M60E2 is used on armored fighting vehicles, such as the M48A5, later M60 Patton versions and the K1 Type 88. It lacks many of the external components of the standard M60, including stock and grips. The M60E2 was electrically fired, but had a manual trigger as a backup, as well as a metal loop at the back for charging. The gas tube below the barrel was extended to the full length of the weapon to vent the gas outside the vehicle. This version achieved a mean time between failures of 1,669 during testing in the 1970s, more frequent than the FN MAG, which was adopted in 1977 as a co-axial vehicle gun and designated the M240. An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ...
For other uses, see M60. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
Charge is a word with many different meanings. ...
The MAG is a Belgian 7. ...
The M60E2 is used on the South Korea's K1 Type 88 tank as a co-axial weapon, along with an M60D on a pintle mount. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
Coaxially mounted weapons refer to those weapon systems that are mounted coaxially, side-by-side, with the main weapon system. ...
 M60E2, intended for co-axial use. Note gas tube extension and no grip.
Image File history File links Us_m60e2_01. ...
Image File history File links Us_m60e2_01. ...
M60B The M60B was a short-lived version designed to be fired from helicopters, with limited deployment made in the 1960s and 1970s. It was not mounted, just held, and was soon replaced by the pintle-mounted M60D. The 'B' model differed most noticeably in that it had no bipod and featured a different rear stock than the regular model. It still had a pistol grip (as opposed to spade grips). The M60B's advantage over pintle-mounted variants was that it had a wider and much less restricted field of fire.
M60C The M60C is a variant of the standard M60 for aircraft-mounting, such as in helicopter armament subsystems. It lacks things like the bipod, pistol grip, and iron sights. The main difference between the standard M60 and the "C" variant is the electronic control system and the hydraulic swivel system used. It could be fired from the cockpit by the pilot or co-pilot. It is an electronically-controlled, hydraulic-powered, air-cooled, gas-operated, belt-fed weapon system. It used the M2, M6, and M16 armament subsystems and was mounted on the OH-13 Sioux, the OH-23 Raven, the UH-1B Huey, and comprised the standard fixed armament of the OV-10 Bronco. M60C production was on the order of several hundred. It was also used in the XM19 gun pod. The M60C Machine Gun. ...
The M60C Machine Gun. ...
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...
Looking down the iron sight of an M15A4 Carbine (a civilian copy of the M4 carbine) The term iron sights refers to the open, unmagnified aiming system used to assist the aiming of a variety of devices, usually those intended to launch projectiles, such as firearms, airguns, and crossbows; they...
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...
The Bell 47 (military H-13 Sioux) was the first helicopter to be certified for civil use on March 18, 1946[1][2]. It was largely designed by Arthur M. Young who joined Bell Helicopter in 1941. ...
OH-23 The four-place Hiller H-23 Raven light observation helicopter was based on the United States Navy UH-12, which was first flown in 1948. ...
This article is about the military versions of the Bell 204 and 205 models. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
One of the first American attempts at a gun pod was the forward-firing . ...
A gun pod is a detachable external pod or pack allowing one or more machine guns or automatic cannon to be carried by a military aircraft. ...
 M60C was used as part of M2 armament system on the OH-13 Sioux.
 Close-up of one of the two mounts for the M2 system, showing the mounted M60C. Image File history File links M2m60c. ...
Image File history File links M2m60c. ...
Image File history File links M2m60c2. ...
Image File history File links M2m60c2. ...
M60D
 The M60D on the M23 Armament Subsystem. The M60D is a mounted version of the standard M60. It can be mounted on boats, vehicles and as a pintle-mounted door gun in helicopters. When used in aircraft, it differs from the M60C in that it is not controlled by the pilot—rather, it is mounted in a door and operated by a member of the crew. Like the rest of the M60 family, it is an air-cooled, gas-operated, belt-fed weapon. Unlike other models, however, the M60D normally has spade grips and an aircraft ring-type sight or similar, as well as an improved ammunition feed system. A canvas bag is also affixed to the gun to capture ejected casings and links, preventing them from being sucked into the rotor blades or into an engine intake. The M60D was equipped on the UH-1B Huey (using the M23, XM29, M59, and the Sagami mounts), the CH-47 Chinook (using the M24 and M41 mounts) in both door and ramp locations, the ACH-47A "Guns-A-Go-Go" variant of the Chinook (using the XM32 and XM33 mounts), and on the UH-60 Black Hawk (using the M144 mount). The M60D is also used by the British on Royal Air Force Chinooks. In US service, the M60D are being replaced, primarily by the M240H. The M60D Machine Gun on the M23 Armament Subsystem. ...
The M60D Machine Gun on the M23 Armament Subsystem. ...
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. ...
For other uses of Blackhawk/Black Hawk, see Black Hawk. ...
- See also: US Helicopter Armament Subsystems
 M23 Armament Subsystem (with M60D).
 M23 Armament Subsystem on the UH-1D. UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...
Image File history File links TM-9-1005-262-13_20_1. ...
Image File history File links TM-9-1005-262-13_20_1. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (670x675, 60 KB) Summary Picture from the US Army Technical Manual TM-8-1005-13 of the M23 armament subsystem on the UH-1D Obtained from: http://www. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (670x675, 60 KB) Summary Picture from the US Army Technical Manual TM-8-1005-13 of the M23 armament subsystem on the UH-1D Obtained from: http://www. ...
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the Huey, was a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam war. ...
M60E3
 Navy SEAL team member fires an M60E3 from the shoulder during a field training exercise in 1987. The M60E3 was fielded circa 1986 in an attempt to remedy problems with earlier versions of the M60 for infantry use. It is a lightweight, "improved" version intended to reduce the load carried by the gunner. Unlike its predecessors, the M60E3 has several updated modern features. It has a bipod (attached to the receiver) for improved stability, ambidextrous safety, universal sling attachments, a carrying handle on the barrel, and a simplified gas system. However, these features also caused almost as many problems for the weapon as they fixed. There were different types of barrels used, but the lightweight barrel was not as safe for sustained fire at 200 rounds per minute as heavier types. However, some personnel claim to have witnessed successful prolonged firing of the weapon. The stellite superalloy barrel liner makes it possible, but the excessive heat generated by this process can quickly make the gun unusable. There were two main barrels, a lightweight barrel and another heavier type—the former for when lighter weight was desired, and the latter for situations where more sustained fire was required. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 529 pixelsFull resolution (2860 × 1890 pixel, file size: 2. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 529 pixelsFull resolution (2860 × 1890 pixel, file size: 2. ...
Stellite is also the name of a winning racehorse trained in Scotland, sometimes called The Burr. ...
The reduced-weight components also reduced the durability of the weapon, making it more prone to rapid wear and parts breakage than the original. Most infantry units in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps have now switched over to the M240 as their general-purpose machine gun, which is more reliable (particularly when dirty) and seems to be well-liked by the troops for its ruggedness, despite the fact that it weighs five or six pounds more than the M60E3. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,820 × 1,890 pixels, file size: 2. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,820 × 1,890 pixels, file size: 2. ...
Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I Infantry or footmen are very highly disciplined and trained soldiers who fight primarily with small arms(rifles), but are trained to use everything from their bare hands to missle systems in order to neutralize...
M240 redirects here. ...
The MG 34 - the first Universelles Maschinengewehr forerunner of the modern GPMG, shown here in two different mountings. ...
M60E4 and Mk 43 Mod 0/1
 A mounted Mk 43 Mod 0 (M60E4) (later model) is crewed by a Seabee of NMCB-15 (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion), on a convoy in Iraq in May 2003. This firearm is the latest generation of the M60 family and incorporates a number of improvements over other versions. Externally, it looks somewhat like the M60E3, but it has other internal changes improvements. It features a different forward grip and is also a more reliable weapon than the other M60s. The M60E4/Mk 43 has higher pull for the belt, and is available in a variety of configurations. It is also possible to convert some older models to this standard. The M60E4 and Mk 43 were primarily developed in the 1990s. First the E4, and soon after the Mk 43—these early Mk 43 had some distinct differences from the E4 (such as a duckbill flash suppressor), though by the 2000s these distinctions seemed to have ended. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x1312, 658 KB)030527-N-5362A-001 Al Hillah, Iraq (May, 27th 2003) – Engineering Aide 1st Class Scott Lyerla, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Five (NMCB-15) maintains security for his convoy with an M-60 machine gun while...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2000x1312, 658 KB)030527-N-5362A-001 Al Hillah, Iraq (May, 27th 2003) – Engineering Aide 1st Class Scott Lyerla, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Five (NMCB-15) maintains security for his convoy with an M-60 machine gun while...
This article is about the Seabee naval unit. ...
There are only thirteen NMCBs in the U.S. Navy. ...
This version also has another designation under the Navy, Mk 43 Mod 0. The Mk 43 Mod 0 was developed for the U.S. Navy SEALs to replace their existing stock of M60E3 machine guns fitted with shorter "assault barrels". These weapons are identical to standard M60E4s, with the exception of the barrel length, and can be used either as suppressive fire or direct fire weapons, at least in terms of theory and training. The Mk 43 Mod 1 adds significantly more rail attachment points to the weapon's receiver cover and handguard.
The M60E4 and Mk 43 versions are roughly similar, although they are only part of the same family. While it might be fair to say that the Mk 43 are a type of M60E4, there are technical differences between any given M60E4 model. Early Mk 43s have certain differences over M60E4 from the same period, the most obvious being the duck-bill flash hider and different handguard. Current Mk 43s do not have these differences however, and the U.S. Ordnance website states in their FAQ, as of 2005, that the "M60E4 and the Mk43 are the same weapon system".
The M60E4 was pitted against the (then called) M240E4 in Army trials during the 1990s for new medium machine gun for the infantry, in a competition to replace the decades-old M60s. The M240E4 won, and was then classified as the M240B. This led to 1,000 existing M240 being sent to Fabrique Nationale for an overhaul and a special kit that modified them for use on ground (such as a stock, a rail, etc.). Afterwards, procurement contracts were let in the late 1990s for all-new M240B models. However, a new feature was added: a hydraulic buffer system to reduce the felt recoil similar to the M60 was incorporated. While the M240B had been more reliable in the tests, it was a few pounds heavier than the M60E4. M240 redirects here. ...
The M60E4 is not just another version, but a whole update to the series, that is also available in many of the previous configurations, such as a co-axial weapon. Kits are also offered to convert older models to the E4 standard.
- M60E4 (Light machine gun):
- Short barrel — weight: 10.2 kg (22.5 lb); length: 958 mm (37.7 in)
- Long barrel — weight: 10.5 kg (23.1 lb); length: 1077 mm (42.4 in)
- Assault barrel — weight: 9.9 kg (21.3 lb); length: 940 mm (37.0 in)
- Width: 120 mm (4.8 in)
- M60E4 (Mounted):
- Length: 1105 mm (43.5 in)
- Width: 149 mm (5.9 in)
- Weight: 10.7 kg (22.7 lb)
- M60E4 (Co-axial):
- Length: 1074 mm (42.3 in)
- Width: 120 mm (4.8 in)
- Weight: 9.6 kg (21.2 lb)
Civilian versions  United States Air Force in Europe, armed with an M60 machine gun focuses on an enemy target during DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2000 at Lackland Air Force Base. A number of semi-automatic versions for the civilian market have been produced in the United States. The internals must be extensively modified to make it essentially impossible to convert them to fully-automatic weapons. If the design is approved by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), they are treated as belt-fed semi-automatic rifles; however, individual state and local regulations still apply. USAF redirects here. ...
For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...
Walther P99, a semi-automatic pistol from the late 1990s A semi-automatic firearm is a gun that requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired, unlike a single-action revolver, a pump-action firearm, a bolt-action firearm, or a lever-action firearm, which require the...
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (abbreviated ATF, sometimes BATF or BATFE) is a United States federal agency; more specifically a specialized law enforcement and regulatory organization within the United States Department of Justice. ...
The U.S. Ordnance company is the current maker authorized by Saco to produce mil-spec M60s and M60 parts. However, U.S. Ordnance put its civilian semi-auto sales on hold until 2006 because its production capacity is required for government orders. The company had charged $8000 for a new semi-automatic M60. A United States Defense Standard, often called a military standard, MIL-STD, or MIL-SPEC, is used to help achieve standardization objectives by the U.S. Department of Defense. ...
The Desert Ordnance company is a current maker of M60s and M60 parts. The company charges between $13000-$14000 for a new semi-automatic M60, depending on the model.
Various makes of older fully-automatic versions are on the market as well, but there are many legal requirements to be met before purchasing them, and they cost upwards of U.S. $20,000–30,000. This is largely due to the restriction on the production of fully-automatic firearms in the U.S. for the general civilian market since 1986. The combination of banning production and importation has led many to think it is illegal to own a machine gun, when, in fact, it is legal to own and use a fully-automatic M60 machine gun in the United States (unless prohibited by other state or local laws).[citation needed]
 A sailor aboard the patrol combatant missile hydrofoil USS TAURUS (PHM 3) stands beside an M60 machine gun as he keeps an eye on a small craft that was stopped after being spotted unusually far from shore
Operators |
