Nightcrawler
Member
When did the M60 first come online?
I ask because the Federation of American Scientists' web page, which has a LOT of great information on US weapon systems, says this:
Observe.
1950? In 1950, the standard service cartridge was .30-06 (or rather, Caliber .30), and the standard machine guns were the M1919A4, the M1917, and the M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle.
So when DID the M60 first come online?
Just curious. I don't especially like the M60. Many guys I know prefer having a GPMG in the squad, despite the weight (granted, we're mechanized, and don't walk long-long ways). The range and penetration provided by a GPMG certainly are comforting.
I think the US might've been better served adopting the MG3 or MAG-58 way back when, though. The M60 has, well, flaws. Others here are better informed on the specifics; all I know is sometimes the things get pissy and don't stop firing when you let go of the trigger. And the bipod is attached to the barrel; how dumb is that?
I ask because the Federation of American Scientists' web page, which has a LOT of great information on US weapon systems, says this:
The M60 Machine Gun has been the US Army's general purpose machine gun since 1950. It fires the standard NATO 7.62 mm round and is used as a general support crew-served weapon. It has a removable barrel which can be easily changed to prevent overheating. The weapon has an integral, folding bipod and can also be mounted on a folding tripod.
Observe.
1950? In 1950, the standard service cartridge was .30-06 (or rather, Caliber .30), and the standard machine guns were the M1919A4, the M1917, and the M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle.
So when DID the M60 first come online?
Just curious. I don't especially like the M60. Many guys I know prefer having a GPMG in the squad, despite the weight (granted, we're mechanized, and don't walk long-long ways). The range and penetration provided by a GPMG certainly are comforting.
I think the US might've been better served adopting the MG3 or MAG-58 way back when, though. The M60 has, well, flaws. Others here are better informed on the specifics; all I know is sometimes the things get pissy and don't stop firing when you let go of the trigger. And the bipod is attached to the barrel; how dumb is that?