U.S. Ordnance M60
7.62×51 NATO general-purpose machine gun, an icon of the Vietnam War; inspired by the German MG42 and FG42, fed by disintegrating belt.
U.S. Ordnance M60
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- U.S. Ordnance M60
- Alias
- The Pig
- Manufacturer
- Saco Defense / U.S. Ordnance
- Country
- United States
- Year
- 1957
- Category
- Medium machine gun
- Status
- In service
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 7.62×51 mm NATO
- Muzzle velocity
- 853 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~600 rpm
- Effective range
- 1100 m
- Maximum range
- 3725 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 560 mm
- Overall length
- 1077 mm
- Empty weight
- 10.5 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Gas-operated, long-stroke piston
- Bolt / action
- Rotating bolt
Feed
- System
- 7.62 NATO disintegrating belt
- Standard capacity
- undefined rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Development
After World War II the US Army studied the German FG42 and MG42 — the most advanced machine guns of the conflict — and launched the T44/T161 program for a general-purpose machine gun combining both: FG42 gas system, MG42-style disintegrating belt feed.
The T161E3 model was adopted in 1957 as the M60 and produced by Saco Defense (later General Dynamics) and Inland Manufacturing. It replaced the BAR, the M1919A6 and the M1918 in US infantry units.
Design
Operates by gas with a long-stroke piston and a rotating bolt. Fed by an M13 disintegrating belt in 7.62×51 NATO. The barrel is replaceable to manage overheating, but on the original model lacks an integrated handle: the assistant gunner must use an asbestos glove to change it — an immediate source of criticism.
The composite stock and the bipod attached to the barrel (which detaches when the barrel is swapped) are two other criticized choices. Later E3, E4 and E6 (Mk 43) variants progressively fixed them.
Operational service
The M60 became the iconic US infantry weapon of Vietnam, heavily used by the Army and Marines as a squad weapon and aboard UH-1 Huey helicopters. Troops nicknamed it "The Pig" for its weight (10.5 kg) and ammunition appetite.
From the 1980s it was progressively replaced by the M240 (Belgian FN MAG) as the standard GPMG, and by the M249 SAW as the squad weapon. The lightweight M60E4/E6 and Mk 43 Mod 1 versions remain in service with USSOCOM, US Navy SEALs and several allied navies. Current production is by U.S. Ordnance.
Variants
Main users
United States · Australia · Taiwan · over 30 countries
Key components
- ●Stock — Fixed polymer/wood stock.
- ●Receiver — Stamped sheet-steel housing.
- ●Grip — Pistol grip with trigger.
- ●Magazine — Disintegrating 7.62 NATO belt feed.
- ●Barrel — Quick-change barrel with carry handle.
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