Known affectionately as ‘The Pig,’ the M60 machine gun has forged a legendary place within the annals of military history. Its roots firmly set within World War II, this weapon borrowed significantly from the German MG42 and FG42 to combine firepower and versatility into a single platform that would help define U.S. military influence across the globe for more than six decades.
From the need for a light, practical automatic weapon to supplement the infantryman, the M60 went a long way, impressed by the MG42’s rate of fire and changeable barrels, not to mention the dual-purpose FG42 for paratroopers that really made its mark on American designers. The result was T161E3, a cross between both German designs, standardized as the M60 in February 1957.
Weighing 8 pounds less than its predecessor, the Browning Automatic Rifle, the M60 featured an integral folding bipod and could be field stripped and reassembled in approximately half the time. It used 100-round metallic-link belts of 7.62mm ammunition at a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. Although this was less than half that of the MG42, it was more economical on ammunition and allowed for controlled, short bursts or even aimed single shots.
The M60 was in full use during the Vietnam War, where it proved so vital in delivering sustained automatic fire. However, early models were prone to dirt and fouling, and weight and awkwardness earned it the nickname ‘The Pig.’ Despite these challenges, the M60 evolved into a reliable and accurate weapon with the coming of the M60E1 and M60E3 variants in the 1960s.
The M60 proved highly adaptable to the U.S. Navy SEALs, who assigned just one man to become the carrier both of the machine gun and its ammunition. That surely proved that this weapon could be easily used in many combat situations, even weighing 30 pounds with a standard 100-round belt attached. Introduced in 1986, the M60E3 chopped five pounds off the original weight, but it created new problems, such as easily breaking and overheating with the thinner barrel.
It finally ended with the M60E4 version in the 1990s, particularly tailored for the Navy SEALs and officially named Mk 43 Mod 0. This model introduced ambidextrous handling and compatibility of parts with all former M60 versions, while being accessorized and optically equipped with multiple Picatinny rails. The Mk 43 was made versatile by having three different barrel types, all stellite-lined to accommodate long firing and increase barrel life.
The newest variant of the series is the M60E6, providing a lighter and more refined variant of the M60E4. The M60 has continued service with both the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard, along with many other nations, even after the introduction of newer-generation light machine guns, such as the Belgian FN MAG 58 and the FN-produced M249 SAW.
From its concept to its modern versions, the journey of the M60 machine gun is one of thorough evolution and an ability to meet the changing needs of the military. From the World War II battlefields to the hands of elite special forces, ‘The Pig’ remains a symbol of reliability, adaptability, and enduring firepower.