File:M60.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Also known as M60 machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun M60
general-purpose light machine gun
Key facts
- Type
- General-purpose machine gun , Medium machine gun
- Place of origin
- United States
- In service
- 1960–present
- Used by
- See Users
- Designed
- 1952–1957
- Manufacturer
- Saco Defense U.S. Ordnance
- Unit cost
- US$6,000 (M60E3)
- Produced
- 1957–present
- Variants
- See Variants
- Mass
- 10.5 kg (23.15 lb)
- Length
- 1,105 mm (43.5 in)
- Barrel length
- 560 mm (22.0 in)
- Cartridge
- 7.62×51mm NATO
- Caliber
- 7.62 mm (0.308 in)
- Action
- Gas-operated , short-stroke gas piston, opened rotating bolt
- Rate of fire
- 550–650 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity
- 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
- Effective firing range
- 1,200 yd (1,100 m)
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg
Show 2 more facts
- Commons category
- M60 machine gun
- service entry
- 1957-01-01
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~39 min read
Article
The M60, officially the Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M60, is a family of American general-purpose machine guns firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links. There are several types of ammunition approved for use in the M60, including ball, tracer, and armor-piercing rounds.
It was adopted in 1960 and issued to units later that year. It has served with every branch of the U.S. military and still serves with the armed forces of other nations. Its manufacture and continued upgrade for military and commercial purchase continues into the 21st century, although it has been replaced or supplemented in most roles by other designs, such as the M240 machine gun in U.S. service.