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| Science & Technology |
| An M-60 Machine-Gun That Really Works |
| 2006-01-23 |
| January 23, 2006: The U.S. M-60 machine-gun was developed in the 1950s, for use by infantry and vehicle crews. It fired the full size 7.62mm round, and was long criticized for its week ammo feeding system, and poor mechanical design that led to ârunawayâ firing, or broken firing pins (or other components.) Changing an overheated barrel was clumsy and, well, the M-60 was not missed when it was replaced by the Belgian M-240 in the late 1990s. But now the M-60 manufacturer has come back with a new model that fixes all the old problems, and adds some startling new capabilities. The M-60E4 Barrel is good for 15,000 rounds (about 50 percent more than usual for such a weapon), and in an demonstration, 850 rounds (105 seconds worth) were fired in a single burst, without the barrel overheating. That was really outstanding. Moreover, the M-60E4 weighs only 22 pounds, making it easier to haul around, and fire from the hip. The manufacturer also sells conversion kits that will turn older model M60s (over 100,00 of them out there) into E4s. This is where the company expects to clean up, although many newly manufactured M-60E4s are being sold as well. In fact, the manufacturer has put a hold on any new orders until this Summer, in order to catch up with orders it already has. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #6 You want a cut gun that really really works? Here. http://upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060120-070112-5273r View info on the perfect home defense weapon. |
| Posted by: Inspector Clueso 2006-01-23 23:24 |
| #5 I've never encountered any serious probs wid the M60 as described here. Remember that US Army or USDOD weapons of the period were designed and intended primarily to fight the WARSAW PACT- Soviet tank and motorized infantry armies in Europe. Considering the America-devastating ambitions or premises in Chicom defense white paper of Febr 2005, may I suggest the USDOD bring back Man-/JEEP = HUMMER-portable battlefield tac nukes - DETERRENCE AT ANY LEVEL, OR AGS ANYONE, IS STILL DETERRENCE. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-01-23 19:43 |
| #4 Who knew Rascal Scooters came with a machine gun mount? |
| Posted by: ed 2006-01-23 11:03 |
| #3 Will Stallone be using it when he does Rambo again? |
| Posted by: Raj 2006-01-23 10:58 |
| #2 Don't the Germans to this day still produce an updated MG42? |
| Posted by: Cheaderhead 2006-01-23 10:24 |
| #1 And the M60 is based upon the German MG42. They tried copying it during the war but the contractor didn't cut the parts right resulting in failed testing and a cancelled contract. With all the Brownings out there and in production the need to switch to an entire new system was not thought pressing. In the post war reexamination, the contractor problem was identified and the Americanized design adopted. |
| Posted by: Ebbereng Elmaviger2204 2006-01-23 09:49 |