The M60, drawing heavy inspiration from the esteemed MG42 of World War II—often regarded as the original GPMG—and the dual-purpose FG42, initially encountered significant challenges.
However, most of these shortcomings were addressed and rectified in subsequent versions of the weapon.
Although weighing 23 lbs (10.5 kg) when empty, the 'Pig' can still be accurately fired at short ranges from the shoulder, hip, or underarm positions.
While the M60 was introduced to the U.S. military as a crew-served weapon, the Navy SEALs operated it as a squad automatic weapon in Vietnam. A single SEAL was designated the M60 man and carried both the machine gun and its ammunition.
The M60, while appreciated for its portability by individual soldiers, still presented a formidable load, tipping the scales at 30 pounds (13.5 kg) with a standard 100-round belt attached.
Significant enhancements were not made until the M60E3 model was released in 1986.
The redesign resulted in a five-pound reduction from the original M60's weight.
Nevertheless, the lighter build and thinner barrel introduced new issues, particularly a tendency to break and overheat more easily.
Despite its imperfections, the "CAR-60" (M60E3) remained a favored choice for the U.S. Navy SEALs due to its reduced weight and slower rate of fire, which extended the duration of effective fire given the limits on ammunition a soldier could carry.
The evolution of the weapon continued with the development of the M60E4 variant in the 1990s, specifically for the Navy SEALs. This variant was officially designated by the Navy as the Mk 43 Mod 0.
The M60E4/Mk 43, designed with ambidextrous handling, is compatible with parts from all former M60 versions, including those used in vehicle mounts. Its lighter frame and compact size facilitate precision shooting from the shoulder. The addition of multiple Picatinny rails also allows for a wide array of accessories and optics to be attached with ease.
This model offers versatility with three different barrel types to suit various operational needs, each barrel being stellite-lined to accommodate prolonged firing and to increase barrel longevity.
The M60E6 represents the most recent advancement in the M60 series, offering a lighter and more refined version of the M60E4.
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