M60E3
Saco Defense (now General Dynamics) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1986
Also known as: M60 E3, CAR-60
Overview
The M60E3 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, belt-fed general-purpose machine gun chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Introduced in 1986 as an improved variant of the M60, it shaved weight to roughly 8.5 kg through a shortened barrel, a pistol-grip forearm with heat shield, a receiver-mounted bipod, an integral barrel carrying handle, and a simplified gas system. It saw service with the U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Special Warfare, though its lightweight barrel could not sustain heavy rapid fire, prompting eventual replacement by the M240G and the Mk 43 Mod 0.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8510 g (300.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1077 mm (42.40") |
| Barrel Length | 558 mm (21.97") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 100 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3441 J (2538 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1100 m (1203 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3725 m (4074 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety
- Features: Receiver Mounted Bipod, Integral Carrying Handle, Simplified Gas System, Quick Change Barrel, Pistol Grip Forearm, Universal Sling Attachments, Fixed Headspace And Timing
Variants
- Mk 43 Mod 0 — Special Operations
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1986
- United States Naval Special Warfare · adopted 1986
- Portuguese Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
Production
Production years: 1986-1990s
Manufactured by Saco Defense of Maine; superseded in U.S. conventional service by the M240G
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Saco Defense
Notes
The lightweight barrel was unsuitable for overhead and sustained rapid fire, which led to limited troop acceptance in conventional units. Naval Special Warfare retained and further modified the design, evolving it into the Mk 43 Mod 0.
Background
Navy SEALs favored the M60E3 (nicknamed 'CAR-60') for its lighter weight and slower cyclic rate, which let gunners stretch their carried ammunition over a longer effective duration of fire before the platform evolved into the Mk 43 Mod 0.