M60 machine gun-description, specifications, modification

After unsuccessful attempts to develop universal models of the German machine guns by firing bullets of large caliber, American designers attempted to issue their own offspring. Thus, in the 50-ies of the last century there was a brand new model – the M60 machine gun, a photo of which will be discussed in this material.

Development History

During the Second world war by the army of the United States was enough heavy machine guns М1919 and М1918. Despite the high level of reliability, machine guns had lower maneuverability on the battlefield. In addition, hand gun М1918 had a relatively small magazine capacity (20 rounds), making it impossible maintaining a long and heavy fire suppression.

Development of an improved sample began in the United States immediately after the end of world conflict. New M60 machine gun was designed for cartridges caliber 7.62 x 51 mm. during the tests the model has been proven as accurate, quite a powerful weapon. However, the whimsical nature of the American soldiers immediately dubbed sample not only as “pig”. However, during the battles in Vietnam was the M60 machine gun TTX was used as the main rapid-fire, heavy weapons fire in the dense thickets of the local jungle.

In the 70-ies of the army high command took the decision to replace the model on a sample of Belgian FN MAG. The reason was a significant number of misfires, which gave the M60 machine gun during continuous firing. Despite this, the development still remains in service support of the Americans.

Recommended

Professional figure skates: review, views, and reviews

Ice skating is popular with many. But if you do it professionally, you will need the proper equipment. First and foremost, professional figure skates, which have to meet certain requirements. Before I talk about the most popular brands of this mercha...

Spinner for pike with his hands. The most successful turntables on the pike. The best turntables for pike

The Most effective bait when fishing for pike is considered a spinner. Type it is vertical, oscillating, and rotating. While all of these lures has one goal: the imitation of a fish.All about turntablesthis type is characterized by an absolute unique...

Telescopic fishing rod for fly-casting

Modern rods are composite structures of glass or carbon tubes-knees, having the shape of a cone or cylinder.When choosing a rod professionals pay attention first and foremost on their basic parameters: weight, material, length with stiffness. However...

Purpose

M60-machine gun of American manufacture. The advantage of this sample is the possibility of installation in military vehicles, particularly tanks, armored personnel carriers and support vehicles. During the Vietnam war M60 machine gun was used as on-Board weapons on the helicopters.

A weapon Designed primarily to suppress infantry and defeat dense, the advancing enemy forces. At the time, the machine gun played an indispensable tool, if necessary, provide fire support to land forces.

Features

What parameters you'll be the M60 machine gun? The weight of the weapon in the basic Assembly is about 10 kg. is equal to the Length of 1.11 m. Rate of fire-600 rounds per minute. Starting speed rounds of 7.62 mm does not exceed 853 m/s.

Design features

The M60 machine Gun based off the design of automation with a gas drive. Locking barrel under the influence of rotation of the shutter. The model is equipped with quick-change barrel, which is caused by the tendency to overheating during continuous fire. Nutrition ammunition-belt. As for sights, the latter practically does not differ from the sample mounted on the M16 automatic rifle.

The machine Gun can be mounted on a tripod or on a bipod. Maximum range of fire is about 1800 m. At this distance remains the lethal effect of weapons. For damping impact load the butt is equipped with rubber coating.

Modifications

1. M60 – the base sample. Bipod attached directly to the stem portion. Consists on arms of the American infantry and naval forces, beginning in 1957.
2. М60Е1 – a modified model with bipod that is separate from the barrel. Has a gas chamber, and a variety of external enhancements that facilitate ease of use of weapons in combat.
3. М60Е2 – exclusive pattern, designed for picking heavy military equipment. A distinctive feature is the absence of butt. The latter is used instead of the vertically positioned handle. The trigger is replaced by the trigger.
4. М60Е3 stands modified sample model М60Е1. In the list of improvements include the use of plastic forend, front handle, slightly altered appearance.
5. М60Е4 – modification of the basic version with the possibility of fixing devices of night vision and optical sights.
6. М60В – special model for installation on Board the helicopter. Characterized by the presence of a convenient handle pistol type.
7. М60С – modern pattern, designed for picking combat helicopters. Activation of the trigger is due to the electronic power supply of the trigger. Allows pilots to fire remotely controlling the arms directly from the cabin.
8. М60D – model for installation on heavy land, air and water equipment. Often used as a means for completing the support vehicle. Has arms instead of the stock. The trigger, replaced trigger.

In conclusion

Despite the presence of a number of modifications, the series of M60 machine guns still has a number of disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the use of rather unreliable venting systems. The energy of the powder gases is often not enough to suppress the resistance of the stock. The result was misfires and fitful:shooting.

Another disadvantage common to the most improved models, acts unregulated fastening fly. This feature prevents zeroing of the gun after being forced to change barrel because of overheating.

In General, the M60 machine gun is not too high demand. Currently, the sample consists on arms of army of South Korea, Australia, Egypt, Taiwan and El Salvador. In the US the model is replaced by a modified gun based on the Belgian MAG machinegun.