The M60 is a U.S.-origin 7.62x51 mm NATO belt-fed general-purpose machine gun built for ground, tripod, vehicle, and aircraft-mounted fire support. U.S. records document M60 use from Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan, while later conflict reporting shows legacy guns turning up with non-state armed groups in Nigeria, Colombia, and Haiti.
U.S. Army personnel records for Medal of Honor recipient Don Sloat identify him as an M60 machine gunner in the Republic of Vietnam in 1969-1970, documenting the weapon's infantry fire-support role in the war.
A U.S. National Archives and DVIDS image record from Operation Desert Shield documents a soldier manning a 7.62 mm M60 machine gun, showing the weapon in U.S. force-protection and vehicle-security service during the 1990 Gulf War buildup.
Role detailsA DVIDS/National Archives image record from Baghdad International Airport describes an M60 door gun on a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk before a mission over Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Role detailsDVIDS/National Archives records document M60 and M60D machine guns on U.S. force-protection patrols and CH-47 helicopter door-gunner positions at Bagram during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Role detailsBoko Haram/JAS and ISWAP media showed rare M60 machine guns, including a reported example with Nigerian Army markings, indicating captured or diverted 7.62 mm belt-fed weapons reused for insurgent infantry fire support.
Colombian police reported seizing an M60 machine gun in a January 2023 arsenal they said belonged to Estado Mayor Central FARC dissidents, documenting the weapon as dissident-held fire-support equipment rather than confirmed battlefield firing.
UNODC told the Security Council in April 2024 that Haiti's gang attacks showed increased gang firepower and that UNODC had recorded use of higher-calibre weapons including the M60 machine gun.
M60-family designations cover the original infantry gun, vehicle and aircraft mounts, lighter infantry rebuilds, and modernized M60E4/Mk 43 and M60E6 production or conversion standards.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M60D | Mounted door, vehicle, and naval gun | The mounted version uses spade grips and ring-sight features; U.S. Ordnance describes the enhanced M60D as a mounted M60E4/Mk 43 derivative for boats, vehicles, and helicopter door-gun positions. Sources: Life and Times of the M60, M60D |
| M60E2 | Solenoid-fired coaxial gun | Small Arms Defense Journal describes the M60E2 as a solenoid-fired variant developed for tanks and helicopter gunships. Sources: Life and Times of the M60 |
| M60E3 | Lighter infantry configuration | The M60E3 reduced weight and moved to recognizable fore and aft pistol grips with a receiver-mounted bipod, but the redesign had reliability compromises. Sources: Life and Times of the M60 |
| M60E4 / Mk 43 Mod 0 | Naval special-warfare and improved infantry gun | Saco Defense developed the E4 retrofit package for Naval Special Warfare requirements, with deliveries beginning in late 1994 under the Navy Mk 43 Mod 0 designation. Sources: Life and Times of the M60, About U.S. Ordnance |
| M60E6 | Current U.S. Ordnance production standard | U.S. Ordnance lists the M60E6 as a 7.62x51 mm NATO M60-family weapon with updated features and ongoing production support. Sources: M60E6, About U.S. Ordnance |
The M60 family fires 7.62x51 mm NATO ammunition from disintegrating metallic-link belts.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | NATO rifle and machine-gun cartridge | The U.S. Army operator manual identifies the M60 as a 7.62 mm machine gun and describes disintegrating metallic-link belted feeding for the weapon. Sources: TM 9-1005-224-10 Operator's Manual for Machine Gun, 7.62-mm, M60 |
The M60 entered U.S. service as a 7.62 mm NATO general-purpose machine gun after post-World War II development work.
Sources: Life and Times of the M60
U.S. Army records identify Don Sloat as an M60 machine gunner in the Republic of Vietnam, illustrating the gun's infantry patrol role.
Sources: Specialist Four Don Sloat Medal of Honor Recipient
A National Archives/DVIDS record documents an M60 manned by a U.S. soldier during Operation Desert Shield.
Sources: Operation Desert Shield M60 Machine Gun Image
Saco Defense began quantity deliveries of M60E4 guns and parts kits to U.S. Naval Special Warfare units, which received the Mk 43 Mod 0 designation.
Sources: Life and Times of the M60
