M60

The ”’M60”’ (formally the ”’United States Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M60”’) is a family of American general purpose long range machine guns firing 7.62 mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links.

Introduced in 1957, it remains in use in every branch of the U.S. military and other armed forces. Its manufacture and continued upgrade for military and commercial purchase continues into the 21st century though it has slowly been replaced or supplemented in many roles by newer designs.

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[Gallery=m60]

• name: M60
• origin: United States
• type: Machine gun
• is_ranged: yes
• service: 1957—
• used_by: Australia, Colombia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Taiwan
• wars: Vietnam War, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq War, anti-guerilla operations in the Philippines
• manufacturer: Saco Defense, U.S. Ordnance
• variants: See ”Variants”
• weight: 10.5 kg (23.1 lb)
• length: 1,077 mm (42 in)
• part_length: 560 mm (22 in)
• cartridge: 7.62 × 51 mm NATO
• caliber: 7.62 mm (.308 in)
• action: Gas-operated, open bolt
• rate: ~550 round/min
• velocity: 853 m/s (~2,800 ft/s)
• range: 1,100 m (~1,200 yd)
• max_range: 3,725 m (~4,074 yd)
• feed: Disintegrating belt