M60
Saco Defense (now General Dynamics) · Machine Gun · In Production · 1957
Also known as: The Pig, Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M60, Mk 43 Mod 0
Overview
The M60 is an American general-purpose machine gun chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, type-standardized in 1957 as a replacement for the M1919A6 Browning and M1918A2 BAR. Its design draws heavily from two iconic World War II German firearms: the belt-feed mechanism of the MG 42 and the gas operating system of the FG 42 paratroop rifle. The M60 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed weapon that fires from the open-bolt position in fully automatic mode only, with a cyclic rate of approximately 550 rounds per minute. Weighing 10.5 kg with bipod, it was notably lighter than contemporary GPMGs when introduced, earning the nickname 'The Pig' among American soldiers due to its perceived unwieldiness and appetite for ammunition in Vietnam. The weapon feeds from M13 disintegrating metallic link belts, typically in 100-round bandoleers or 200-round assault packs. Despite being largely replaced in U.S. infantry service by the M240 (FN MAG) beginning in the 1990s due to reliability concerns, the M60 has seen continuous improvement through multiple variants and remains in production and service worldwide. The current M60E6 variant, manufactured by U.S. Ordnance, incorporates decades of refinement and serves with the Danish military among others.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 10510 g (370.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1105 mm (43.50") |
| Barrel Length | 560 mm (22.05") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Automatic Only |
| Magazine Type | Belt Fed |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3396 J (2505 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1100 m (1203 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Stellite Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester compatible, 7.62 NATO, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt Fed Disintegrating
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Stellite Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Gas Operated, Open Bolt, Belt Fed, Folding Bipod, Flash Suppressor, Adjustable Gas System, Carrying Handle
Variants
- M60E1 — Improved
- M60E2 — Vehicle Coaxial
- M60B — Helicopter Door
- M60C — Aircraft Fixed
- M60D — Helicopter Pintle
- M60E3 — Lightweight
- M60E4 (Mk 43 Mod 0) — Improved Reliability
- Mk 43 Mod 1 — Naval Special Warfare
- M60E6 — Lightweight Modern
- Type 57 (T57) — Taiwanese Production
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1957
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1957 · as M60/M60E3
- United States Navy · as Mk 43 Mod 0/1
- United States Navy SEALs · as M60E3/Mk 43
- Australian Defence Force · adopted 1960
- South Korean Armed Forces
- Republic of China Armed Forces · as Type 57
- Danish Armed Forces · adopted 2014 · as M/14 (M60E6)
- Philippine Armed Forces
- Egyptian Armed Forces
- Greek Armed Forces
- Turkish Armed Forces
- Colombian Armed Forces
- Israeli Defense Forces
- Royal Malaysian Armed Forces
- Indonesian Armed Forces
- Thai Armed Forces
- Peruvian Armed Forces
- Mexican Armed Forces
- Iraqi Armed Forces
- Jordanian Armed Forces
- New Zealand Defence Force
- Croatian Armed Forces
- Bosnian Armed Forces
- Azerbaijan Armed Forces
- Czech Armed Forces · as M60E4
- Yemeni Armed Forces
- Indian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Invasion of Grenada (1983-1983)
- Invasion of Panama (1989-1990)
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production
Estimated total produced: 250,000 · Production years: 1957-present
Produced by Saco Defense, Inland Manufacturing, U.S. Ordnance, and others; current production by U.S. Ordnance as M60E6
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
The original M60 had a well-known design flaw where the bipod and gas system were attached to the barrel assembly rather than the receiver, meaning the bipod had to be removed during barrel changes -- a dangerous procedure during sustained fire. The M60E1 attempted to address this by relocating the gas cylinder to the receiver, but never entered mass production. The M60E3, developed for the USMC in the 1980s, reduced weight to 8.51 kg by using a receiver-mounted bipod, adding a forward pistol grip, and incorporating an ambidextrous safety, but the lighter barrel caused overheating problems and was deemed unsafe for overhead fire. The M60E4 (designated Mk 43 Mod 0 by the Navy) resolved the E3's reliability issues with a Stellite-lined barrel for extended service life while retaining the ergonomic improvements. The Mk 43 Mod 1 added MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails for modern accessories. The M60E6 is a lightweight evolution of the E4 originally developed for the Danish military (designated m/14), combining reduced weight with the proven reliability improvements. The M60E2 was a specialized coaxial variant for armored vehicles with a gas exhaust system that redirected propellant gases forward to protect the crew compartment. The M60C and M60D were aircraft variants, with the M60C being a remote-fired fixed mount and the M60D featuring dual spade grips for flexible door-gun applications on UH-1, H-2, H-3, and H-60 helicopters. Taiwan produced the M60 under license as the Type 57 (T57). The weapon saw extensive combat use in Vietnam, where it served in every conceivable machine gun role from infantry squad weapon to vehicle mount, helicopter door gun, and riverine boat armament.
Background
The M60 earned the nickname 'The Pig' among Vietnam-era soldiers for its heavy weight and voracious appetite for ammunition. Its design borrowed heavily from two legendary WWII German weapons: the belt-feed mechanism of the MG 42 and the gas system of the FG 42 paratroop rifle. A notorious design flaw placed the bipod on the barrel assembly, forcing gunners to remove it during barrel changes under fire.