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M60 machine gun

Overview

The M60 is a belt-fed machine gun that fires the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge commonly used in larger rifles. It 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 ammunition bearer carries additional ammunition and the tripod with associated traversing and elevation mechanism, if issued, and fetches more ammunition as needed during firing.

Firing an M60 machine gun from the standing position during the DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 competition

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.[citation needed]

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 M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. It may also be fired from the integral bipod, M122 tripod, and some other mounts.

M60 ammunition comes in a cloth bandolier 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 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 unnecessary.

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 MG 42 and FG 42), as well as improvements of its own. It was intended to replace the M1918 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.

The experimental T-44 machine gun developed from the German FG 42 and MG 42 machine guns.

The U.S. Army officially adopted the M60 in 1957. It later served in the Vietnam War as a squad automatic weapon with many U.S. units. Every soldier in the rifle squad would carry an additional 200 linked rounds of ammunition for the M60, a spare barrel, or both. The up-gunned M113 armored personnel carrier ACAV added two M60 gunners beside the main .50 gun, and the Patrol Boat, River had one in addition to two 50 cal mounts.

This section requires expansion with:

Fill in M60 history, including Vietnam War info.

M60 in Vietnam 1966.

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.

A 19th Special Forces Group soldier mans an M60 machine gun on a HMMWV in Afghanistan, in March 2004. An AT4 anti-tank launcher can be seen in the foreground.

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 more reliable in use and testing.[citation needed] 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.

A sailor fires an M60E3 machine gun during a live-fire exercise at the Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Site (MIUW) at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The M60 continues 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 being phased out in favor of the M240 7.62 mm medium machine gun. The use as an Army helicopter door gun will soon be tapering off, as an improved M240 version has been adopted for this role.

Design

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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.

An Airwoman of the UK's Royal Air Force handles an M60 during a demonstration for Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) in 2004

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.

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.

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 35 rounds. The weapon is heavy and difficult to aim when firing without support, though the weight helps reduce the felt recoil. 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. However, this is highly discouraged, as doing so can damage that round and increase the chance of a misfire.

The M60 is often used with its own integrated bipod or with the M122 tripod. 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.

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.

Ammunition

M60 machine gun fired during a small arms familiarization exercise aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19); November 2004

810th Military Police Company, mans a 7.62 mm 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.

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.

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 firearticularly 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.

Design flaws

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An M60 machine gun aboard a Navy patrol craft. The USS Constellation (CV-64) is visible in the background.

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, though M60 was among the lightest 7.62 mm machine guns of the era.

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 safety was awkward to operate and worked the "wrong way" for soldiers who were trained with the M16 rifle and M1911A1 pistolhat 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"eaning 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 safety wired in place.

A Gunner Mate 3rd Class in the process of preventative maintenance and cleaning on an M60 machine on the USS Constellation (CV-64); December 2002

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". A second sear notch was eventually added to the operating rod to reduce the chance of this happening.

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.

An M60 machine gun team changes barrels before engaging their last target during the DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 competition.

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 changedot 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.

U.S. Marines especially disliked the M60, and many Marine units held onto their BARs until 196768 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, which uses 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.

Variants

A member of the 101st Airborne Division, armed with an M60 machine gun, participates in a field exercise in 1972.

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).

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.

There are many smaller variants among each type, between makers of the firearm, and over time.

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

M60 on the deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in 2006.

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.

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.

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.

A camouflaged infantryman armed with an M60 machine gun.

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

M60E2, intended for co-axial use. Note gas tube extension and no grip.

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.

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.

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 machine gun.

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.

See also: US Helicopter Armament Subsystems

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 pilotather, 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.

See also: US Helicopter Armament Subsystems

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 typehe former for when lighter weight was desired, and the latter for situations where more sustained fire was required.

M60E3.

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 27.6lb (12.5kg) compared to the standard M60 at 23.15lb (10.5kg).

The U.S. Air Force Security Forces received the M60E3 from 1988 to 1989. All USAF M60E3s were withdrawn from general issue by 1990, because it did not meet the vehicle mount requirements of the Cadillac Gage Ranger and due to overheating problems. The M60E3 did remain in the Air Force as an emergency issue weapon only. Still in service on Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines as a more reliable weapon has not even been considered for reissue.

M60E4 and Mk 43 Mod 0/1

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 and 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 43hese early Mk 43s had some distinct differences from the E4 (such as a duckbill flash suppressor), though by the 2000s these distinctions seemed to have ended.

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 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 43s 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 M240s 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 recoilimilar to that of the M60as incorporated. While the M240B had been more reliable in the tests, it was a few pounds heavier than the M60E4.

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: 22.5 lb (10.2 kg); length: 37.7 in (95.8 cm)

Long barrel: weight: 23.1 lb (10.5 kg); length: 42.4 in (108 cm)

Assault barrel: weight: 21.3 lb (9.66 kg); length: 37.0 in (94.0 cm)

Width: 4.8 in (12.2 cm)

M60E4 (mounted):

Length: 43.5 in (110 cm)

Width: 5.9 in (15.0 cm)

Weight: 22.7 lb (10.3 kg)

M60E4 (co-axial):

Length: 42.3 in (107 cm)

Width: 4.8 in (12.2 cm)

Weight: 21.2 lb (9.62 kg)

Civilian versions

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.

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.

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. $20,00030,000. 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).

Users

Republic of Korea soldiers with an M60 conduct combined amphibious landing during Foal Eagle 07.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front militant laying prone with an M60.

Portuguese Army V-150 Commando armed with an M60.

 Australia

 Colombia

 Czech Republic: The M60E4 is used in small numbers by specialized units of the Czech Army.

 Egypt

 Greece

 Jordan

 Panama

 Peru

 Philippines

 Portugal: Portuguese Army uses M60E and D mounted on V-150 Commando.[citation needed]

 Republic of Korea

 Taiwan

 Thailand

 Tunisia

 United States: Used by the US Army and the US Navy SEALs.

See also

Military of the United States portal

Airman with M60, assigned to the 52nd Security Forces Squadron (SFS), at Spangdahlem Air Base (AB), Germany.

PK machine gun, M60's Warsaw Pact counterpart.

List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces

List of crew-served weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces

References

^ a b The M60. Federation of American Scientists.

^ Weapons: An International Encyclopedia From 5000 B.C. To 2000 A.D. Diagram Visual, p. 217. ISBN 0-312-03950-6.

^ "Gun Control : Machine Guns". Guncite.com. 2005-02-19. http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcfullau.html. Retrieved 2009-07-06. 

^ a b c d e f g h i j k {{cite web |url=http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm |title=Profiling the Small Arms Industry

^ http://www.army.cz/assets/files/9334/zbrane_definit.pdf

^ http://www.timawa.net/pmc.htm

^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.

^ M60E3 & Mk43 Mod 0

Global Security: the M60E3

Modern Firearms & Ammunition: the M60

Department of the Army Field Manual No. 3-22.68

U.S. Army TACOM Rock Island

MCWP 3-15.1 United States Marine Corps: "Machine Guns and Machine Gun Gunnery"

Navy SEALs

M60E4

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

M60 (machine gun) (category)

US Ordnance Website (Current maker of M60s)

Military Factory Small Arms

Belt-Fed FG42: Predecessor to the M60

US Army manual: Operator's Manual For M60, M122, M60D

Video links

Nazarian`s Gun`s Recognition Guide (FILM) M60 Presentation (.MPEG)

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DMR  M14  M39  Mk 12  SAM-R  SDM-R  SEAL Recon Rifle

Sniper

M24  M40  M107  M110  Mk 11  Mk 15

Shotguns

M26  M590  M870  M1014

Submachine guns

MP5N  P90

Machine guns

M2HB  M240B  M249 and Mk 46  Mk 43

Grenade launchers

M203  M32  M320  M79  Mk 19  Mk 47

Mortars

M120  M224  M252

Rockets

M3  M72 series  M136  M141  M202A1  Mk 153

Missiles

FGM-172  FGM-148  FIM-92

Cartridges

12-gauge  5.7x28mm  9x19mm NATO  .45 ACP  5.56x45mm NATO  7.62x51mm NATO  12.7x99mm NATO

v  d  e

Current equipment of the United States Air Force

Aircraft

Attack

A/OA-10A/C Thunderbolt II  AC-130H/U Spectre/Spooky II

Bomber

B-1B Lancer  B-2A Spirit  B-52H Stratofortress

Electronic Warfare

E-3B/C Sentry  E-4B  E-8C Joint STARS  E-9A  EC-130J Commando Solo

Fighter

F-15C/D Eagle  F-15E Strike Eagle  F-16C/D Fighting Falcon  F-22A Raptor

Reconnaissance

OC-135B Open Skies  RC-26B  RC-135S/U/V/W  RQ-4A Global Hawk  RQ-11B Raven  RQ-170 Sentinel  U-2R/S Dragon Lady  WC-130J Super Hercules  WC-135C/W Constant Phoenix  Scan Eagle  Wasp III

Search and Rescue

HH-60G/MH-60G Pave Hawk   HC-130P/N

Tanker

KC-10A Extender  KC-135E/R/T Stratotanker

Trainer

T-1A Jayhawk  T-6A Texan II  (A)T-38A/B/C Talon  T-43A  TG-10B/C/D  TG-15A/B

Transport

C-5A/B/C/M Galaxy  VC-9C  C-12C/D/F Huron  C-17A Globemaster III  C-20A/B/C Gulfstream III  C-20G/H Gulfstream IV  C-21A Learjet  CV-22 Osprey  VC-25A  C-32A/B  C-37A Gulfstream V  C-37B Gulfstream V  C-38 Courier  C-40B Clipper  C-41A Aviocar  C-130E/H/J Hercules

Utility/Multi-Mission

LC-130H  MC-130 Combat Talon I,II/Combat Spear/Combat Shadow  MQ-1B Predator  MQ-9 Reaper  U-28A  UH-1H/N/V Huey  UV-18A/B Twin Otter  YAL-1

Space Systems

Launch Vehicle

Atlas V  Delta II  Delta IV

Satellite

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)  Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)  Defense Support Program (DSP)  Global Positioning System (GPS)  Milstar Satellite Communications System  Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)  Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS)  Wideband Global SATCOM

C2

AN/USQ-163 Falconer

Munitions

Bomb

CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition  CBU-89 Gator  CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon  GBU-10 Paveway II  GBU-12 Paveway II  GBU-15  GBU-24 Paveway III  GBU-27 Paveway III  GBU-28  GBU-31 JDAM  GBU-32 JDAM  GBU-38 JDAM  GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb  GBU-54 Laser JDAM  Mk-82  Mk-84  M129

Missile

AGM-65A/B/D/E/G/G2/H/K Maverick  AGM-86B/C/D Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM)  AGM-88A/B/C High-speed Anti-radiation Missile (HARM)  AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon  AGM-154A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)  AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM)  AIM-7M Sparrow  AIM-9M/X Sidewinder  AIM-120B/C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)  LGM-30G Minuteman III

Target

BQM-34 Firebee  BQM-167 Subscale Aerial Target  MQM-107 Streaker  QF-4 Aerial Target

Small Arms

M4 Carbine  M9 Semiautomatic Pistol  M11 Semiautomatic Pistol  M1911A1 Semiautomatic Pistol  M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD)  M16A2 Rifle  M18A1 Claymore Mine  M24 Sniper Weapon System  M67 Fragmentation Grenade  M79 Grenade Launcher  M107/M82A1 Long Range Sniper Rifle  M2 .50-Caliber Machine Gun  M240B Medium Machine Gun  M249 light machine gun  M60 Medium Machine Gun  MCS 870 Modular Combat Shotgun  MK-19 40 mm Machine Gun  MP5K Submachine Gun  UZI Submachine Gun  M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW)  GAU-5A/GUU-5P Carbine  M136 AT4 Light Anti-tank Weapon  Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle

Categories: General purpose machine guns | Cold War infantry weapons | 7.62 mm machine guns | Machine guns of the United States | Aircraft guns | Modern infantry weapons of Australia | Vietnam War infantry weapons of Australia | Historical United States Coast Guard weaponsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from July 2009 | Articles to be expanded from July 2009 | All articles to be expanded | Wikipedia expand-section box with explanation text | NPOV disputes from July 2009 | All NPOV disputes | Articles needing additional references from July 2009 | All articles needing additional references | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2010 | Articles lacking in-text citations from July 2009 | All articles lacking in-text citations
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Fly Tying $29.95 Readers will discover the most effective, most original, and most historic flies published in the 30-year history of Fly Rod & Reel magazine. The book is filled with fly-tying tips and fly-pattern designs straight from Fly Rod & Reel, contributors such as Darrel Martin, A.K. Best, Ted Leeson and many others; all make this a must-have or perfect gift for a fly tier of any skill level.

Close View of Fly Tying $39.99 Nick Norman Close View of Fly Tying - Photographic Print

Mastering The Art Of Fly Tying $27.95 A beautiful and comprehensive manualcarefully detailing for you how to tie 160 flies—listedin order from simple to complex. In Mastering the Art of Fly Tying, one of the world’smost experienced fly-tying instructors reveals thatthe real secret to fly tying is not learning to tie eachfly individually, but mastering and building upon thenecessary skills and techniques. The 160 flies in thisstunningly photographed guide are organized fromsimple to complex, rather than by type of fly as inother books. Each new fly teaches you another techniqueand builds your skill and confidence, along with an exceptionalcollection of flies.

Fly Tying for Beginners $33.93 Any angler who takes up the art of fly tying will discover an added dimension to the wonderful sport of fly fishing. This profusely illustrated instruction book shows beginners how to craft 50 professional-looking flies for trout and salmon fishing. Each fly-tying project consists of step-by-step instructions accompanied by close-up photos of the work in progress and a large photo of the finished fly. Beginners will learn how to make dry flies, wet flies, bugs, nymphs, hairwings, and streamers. They`ll also get advice on which flies are best for catching which variety of fish. Author Peter Gathercole is the ideal fly-tying instructor, offering a thorough grounding in the core techniques required for fly tying, while assuming no previous knowledge on the reader`s part. As he instructs, he also demonstrates that with good guidance and a little practice, every angler can tie a fly that is good enough to fool a fish. More than 500 color photos.

The Fly-Tying Bible $33.89 Avid sport fishermen will treasure this book—which is nearly as beautiful as the objects it describes. Fly-tying is a highly prized fisherman’s craft, but it’s also an art form, wonderfully captured in this volume’s hundreds of color photos. Each of 100 fly patterns is presented in a two-page spread: an enlarged photo and textual description on the left-hand page, complemented with a set of step-by-step, clearly captioned photos on the facing page. In addition, fishing enthusiasts will find sections on fly-tying tools and materials plus general instructions for getting started. The author, a well-known fly-tier and sport fisherman gives instructions on making traditional trout and salmon flies—all of them fish catchers of proven effectiveness in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Examples vary in complexity, with patterns to fit every skill level from novice to expert fly-tier. Here are dry flies, nymphs and bugs, wet flies, streamers, and hairwings—a virtually complete selection of traditional and up-to-date examples of the art. The book’s hidden spiral binding keeps its pages opened flat, which makes it ideal for reference at the workbench. More than 600 color photos.

Fly Fishing And Fly Tying (DVD) $17.43 Angling instruction designed for the Fly Fisher. Explores the various techniques needed to master the discipline. Running Time: 300 min

Kershaw Skeeter Fly Tying Scissors $12.1 Compact and durable, the Skeeter series of fly-tying scissors are designed to cut through a wide variety of materials with ease. An extra fine point provides for precise trimming. The comfortable finger loops provide precise control during use. Choose serrated, ideal for cutting very coarse fishing line, or non-serrated blades. SPECIFICATIONS: Overall Length: 4 1/4 in. (10. 7 cm) Weight: 0. 8 oz.

Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Tying (Paperback) $21.33 This Orvis-endorsed guidebook?part of a continuing seriesthat includes guidebooks on fly fishing basics and saltwaterfly fishing?will give you all the tools you need to begin makingyour own flies. Learn how to read a fly recipe, choose the correcttools (including vises, bobbins, threaders, dubbing needles, and hairstackers), select the right materials (everything from dry fly saddles,threads, beads, and Krystal Flash, to hooks, wires, cements, andpaints), and pick the best flies to tie first. Before you know it, you`llbe tying such flies as the Wooly Bugger, Clouser minnow, beadheadsoft hackle nymphs, Adams dry fly, and Hare`s Ear nymph. You`llalso get solid advice on how to set up a well-organized fly-tyingarea, so you can enjoy this fascinating craft in ease and comfort. Fly Tyer magazine editor David Klausmeyer shares his Five GoldenRules for tying better flies. Many books say they are for beginnersbut then quickly turn fly tying into a series of complicated fingercalisthenics. The Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Tying really is for thereader who has never made a fly. Catch fish with flies that you`vetied on your own, and you`ll get more enjoyment from the richsport of fly fishing.

Uk, Antique Fly-Tying Equipment with a Traditionally Tied Salmon Fly in Vice on a Fly-Tiers Bench $24.99 John Warburton-lee Uk, Antique Fly-Tying Equipment with a Traditionally Tied Salmon Fly in Vice on a Fly-Tiers Bench - Photographic Print

Fly Tying By Healy, Joe $32.07 Author: Healy, Joe Subtitle: 30 Years of Tips, Tricks, and Patterns Publication Date: 2010/12/16 Number of Pages: 240 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 8.50 Height: 11.00

The Benchside Introduction to Fly Tying $55.03 9 x 12 inches, All Color, Split pages

Wet-Fly Tying and Fishing $57.2 No Synopsis Available

The Complete Guide to Fly-Tying $16.53 No Synopsis Available

Ogden on Fly Tying, Etc $28.27 No Synopsis Available

Creative Fly Tying $41.54 No Synopsis Available

My Fly Tying Journal $5.84 No Synopsis Available

Ogden On Fly Tying $35.08 No Synopsis Available

Introduction to Fly Tying $12.66 No Synopsis Available

Tying Trout Flies $24.99 Trout anglers of all skill levels can easily make these 100 popular and effective trout flies. All fly-tying procedures are well illustrated, providing a sound base for the projects listed. Text includes lists of all materials and step-by-step instructions. Tying Trout Flies includes patterns for dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers, with exceptional photography depicting the tying process. The book is designed to lie flat on the tying bench allowing for easy access to instructions and photos throughout the tying process.

Fly Fishing And Fly Tying - Beginners (DVD) $13.93 Angling instruction designed for the Fly Fisher. Explores the various techniques needed to master the discipline Running Time: 120 min

Anglers Book Supply Co 0871089319 Introduction To Saltwater Fly Tying $63.38 Stepbystep fly tying guide designed specifically for the novice the intermediate tyer. A carefully crafted presentation of everything you need to know to get started begin tying flies that are sure to bring results. BW photos; 9x11 inches 176 pgs. A stepbystep fly tying guide designed specifically for the novice and the intermediate tyer is now available. Introduction to Saltwater Fly Tying provides a carefully crafted presentation of everything you need to know to get started and begin tying flies that are sure to bring results.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Scott Sanchez began tying flies at the age of 12. When he was 14 Scott taught his first fly tying class. This early ambition and ability to teach his craft was just the beginning of his 22 successful years of working in the fly fishing industry. Hardcover

Anglers Book Supply Co 1932978216 Hooked On Fly Tying Basic Saltwater Fly Tying $49.88 Fly casting tying instructor Dickinson shows you how to tie basic saltwater flies. Includes Honey Blond Seducer Clouser Minnow Lefty s Deceiver. 60 min. Jamie Dickinson fly casting fly tying instructor sales representative for major fly fishing lines shows you how to some some of the most effective saltwater flies. The basic knowledge you ll need to tie a variety of saltwater patterns. Patterns included are: Honey Blond Seducer Clouser Minnow and Lefty s Deceiver. DVD

Kershaw 1215X Skeeterii Fly Tying Scissors Clam $32.08 Skeeter II Fly Tying Scissors . Manufacture ID: 1215X. Compact and durable the Skeeter series of flytying scissors are designed to cut through a wide variety of materials with ease. An extra fine point provides for precise trimming. The comfortable finger loops provide precise control during use. Choose serrated ideal for cutting very coarse fishing line or nonserrated blades. SPECIFICATIONS:. Overall Length: 4 1/4 in. (10.7 cm). Weight: 0.8 oz.

Fly Tying With Common Household Materials (Paperback) $30.41 How to save money and get better results—including 300 full-color photos Novice fly fisherman start fly tying with a predictable set of materials. Their benches are neatly arranged with small bags of elk hair, pheasant feathers, stray pieces of chenille and yarn. But eventually they find that not only are these materials more expensive than they need to be, they are also largely unnecessary. And so they starts making substitutions, using trial and error to gradually build up a bench of funky, personalized materials that work just as well as what the “experts” recommend. For the first time, here is a book that truly demystifies fly tying, making it accessible to any fisherman with a vice, a hook, a few dabs of glue, and a handful of twisty-ties. Tying legend Jay “Fishy” Fullum brings together a lifetime of substitution experience to give invaluable advice on appropriate substitution materials. He describes how to find them and make them tier friendly, and how to turn them into flies that are practically guaranteed to catch fish.

Anglers Book Supply Co 0Rfc10 Rotary Fly Tying Dvd $43.2 Introduces 9 new rotary fly tying techniques that will help people get 100 out of their ROTARY fly tying experience. Tie along w/ Mike; put these techniques to work Your tying will be easier more comfortable your flies more durable. Tie along with Mike and learn these techniques:The Rope WrapTurn LookRotate to the TopWrap in ReverseClear the WayFold WrapReady the Thread the HeadThe Roly PolyMike has slected 6 standardfly patterns to demonstrate these techniques.Tie:The AdamsPrinceGinger FlymphStimulatorLittle Brook TroutPartridge GreenMike has been tying with a Rotary Vise for over 20 years and developed these techniques during that time. When his fly tying students started requesting lessons specifically for Rotary Fly Tying he introduced the techniques to them and the techniques were a hit. As they were when later demonstrated on Harry Vanderweide s show Northeast Journal and seen on NESN and the Outdoor channel.The introduction of these techniques was well received by the TV audience as indicated by ther calls to Renzetti Vise who sponsored the shows. The acceptance of these techniques by fly tying students and the TV audience led to the production of this DVD. DVD

Wet-fly Tying and Fishing (Hardcover) $95.28 Shows how various types of flies play a complementary role in fishing. This book demonstrates how wet-flies catch trout and are effective as dry-flies and nymphs.

Fly Tying with Common Household Materials $16.39 No Synopsis Available