The M60 machine gun, lovingly referred to as “the Pig” because of its voracious use of ammunition, has been in operation for well over six decades since its roll-out in 1959. From the humid jungles of Vietnam to the contemporary battlefield, its history is both defined by its legendary status and the difficulties it posed to troops on the ground.
On July 22, 1966, during the heat of the Vietnam War, the M60 demonstrated its bravery in a desperate situation. A U.S. Marine company, engaged by opposing forces, was hit by a intense engagement. Medal of Honor recipient Lance Cpl. Richard Pittman used the M60 so effectively against the enemy that his actions became a testament to the machine gun’s operational capability and his own courage. The M60’s fire rate, its 650 rounds per minute with a maximum effective range of 1,200 yards, exceeded that of its predecessors and became a standard for use by the Army and Marine Corps infantry units.
Still, with all its battlefield capabilities, the M60 was not faultless. At a substantial 30 pounds fully loaded, it was heavy and susceptible to malfunctions jams, premature barrel release, and a wearing sear causing “mechanical issue” situations haunted the gun, particularly under the rugged conditions of Vietnam. To meet these reliability problems, the military introduced the M60E3 in 1986. The new model featured less weight, a bipod mounted on the receiver, ambidextrous safety, and a reduced gas system, but the design also suffered, with the lighter frame and narrower barrel being prone to breaking and overheating.
The ongoing search for dependability resulted in the development of the M60E4, or Mk43, as the most reliable version of the series. This last version was flexible, offering three barrel variations and such modifications as stellite lining for increased heat resistance and durability, as well as rails for current 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.
