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The M60 (formally the United States Machine Gun, Caliber 7.62 mm, M60) is a family of American general purpose machine guns firing 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links. more...

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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 been replaced or supplemented in many roles by newer designs, notably the M240 in U.S service.

The M60 machine gun family

For information on specific types, see Variants below.

The designation is currently written without dashes (i.e., M60) though historically M-60 was correct. 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.

Overview

The M60 is an air-cooled and gas-operated machine gun firing from an open bolt. It chambers the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge and feeds from a disintegrating belt of metallic M13 links. In most variants, it has an integrated folding bipod and can be mounted on the M122 Tripod and some fixed mounts.

In the U.S. military, the M60 has largely been replaced by versions of the M240 in the medium machine gun and fixed weapon roles, and by the M249 as a squad automatic weapon. It remains in use in every branch of the U.S. military (as well as other armed forces) and continues to be manufactured.

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.

Read more at Wikipedia.org