The M60 machine gun, affectionately dubbed “the Pig” for its insatiable appetite for ammunition, has seen more than six decades of service since its introduction in 1959. Its journey from the steamy jungles of Vietnam to the modern battlefield is marked by both its iconic status and the challenges it presented to soldiers in the field.
On July 22, 1966, in the thick of the Vietnam War, the M60 proved its valor in a dire situation. A company of U.S. Marines, ambushed by North Vietnamese soldiers, faced a desperate firefight. Lance Cpl. Richard Pittman, Medal of Honor recipient, wielded the M60 with such effectiveness against the enemy that his actions became a testament to the machine gun’s fire power and his own bravery. The M60’s rate of fire, at 650 rounds per minute with a maximum effective range of 1,200 yards, outperformed its predecessors and became an indispensable weapon for the Army and Marine Corps infantry squads.
Yet, despite its battlefield prowess, the M60 was not without its faults. At a hefty 30 pounds loaded, it was burdensome and prone to malfunctions—jams, premature barrel detachment, and a wearing sear leading to “runaway gun” scenarios plagued the weapon, especially in the harsh conditions of Vietnam. To address these reliability issues, the military developed the M60E3 in 1986. This new variant boasted a reduction in weight, a receiver-mounted bipod, ambidextrous safety, and a simplified gas system, but this design also had its own problems, with the lighter frame and skinnier barrel being more susceptible to breaking and overheating.
The persistent quest for reliability led to the introduction of the M60E4, or Mk43, which became the most dependable model in the series. This final iteration was adaptable, with three barrel options and enhancements such as stellite lining to improve heat resistance and durability, as well as rails for modern optics and lasers.
Despite the improvements, by the turn of the century, newer, more reliable machine guns like the M240 and the lighter M249 began replacing the M60 series. However, the Navy SEALs adopted the M60E4, and even today, some Coast Guard, Navy, and reserve units still deploy the legendary “Pig” for amphibious operations.
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