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Saco M60E3


Light Machine Gun (LMG) / General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)


United States | 1986



"The M60E3 light machine gun was designed to lighten the overall weight and simplify the barrel changing process of the base M60 GPMG."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Saco M60E3. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
3,600 ft
1,097.3 m | 1,200.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range
600
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire
2,800 ft/sec
853 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the Saco M60E3. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
1,077 mm
42.40 in
O/A Length
558 mm
21.97 in
Barrel Length
19.40 lb
8.80 kg
Weight
Air-Cooled; Gas-Operated; Disintegrating Metallic Link-Belt
Action
7.62x51mm NATO
Caliber(s)
100-round disintegrating link belt
Feed
Iron Front and Rear
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Saco M60E3 Light Machine Gun (LMG) / General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) family line.
M60 GPMG - Base Series Designation; adopted by US forces in 1957.
M60E3 - Improved lightened form of 1986.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/17/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The 1950s-era M60 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) proved a relatively effective infantry support weapon throughout the Vietnam War (1955-1975) though it was not without its inherent drawbacks. It was a cumbersome system to transport on patrol while lacking a carrying handle, was heavy by its very construction and featured a complex gas operation. The M60E3 of 1986 was, therefore, intended as a remedy variant and brought about a lighter overall weight, an integral carrying handle for transport and to facilitate barrel changing and a revised, simplified gas cylinder. Two barrel types - a light short assault and a heavy sustained fire version - were also introduced to suit varying mission roles. One key design addition of the M60E3 was its use of a forward vertical hand grip which allowed for more stable firing from the shoulder and further eased transport of the weapon (particularly when used in conjunction with a shoulder strap via sling loops). The bipod was now affixed to the receiver and a tripod mounting could still be utilized. Saco Defense of Maine was charged with the system's manufacture. Other changes included a new feed cover protecting the bolt regardless of its internal position and the trigger ring could be replaced by one with a larger opening to allow use of a gloved hand.

The M60E3 retained the original's chambering of 7.62x51mm NATO and also utilized the same gas-operated action feeding through a 100-round disintegrating belt. Overall weight was 8.8kg with a running length of 1,077mm and a standard barrel measuring 558mm. Rate-of-fire was 600 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet per second. Cooling of the barrel was by air and sighting was through a front and rear iron arrangement.

Despite the changes, the M60E3 was hardly a perfected solution. The use of lighter components seemed to lessen the weapon's overall reliability as components were known to fracture through prolonged use. This necessitated another M60 form to appear as the M60E4. The M60 family line as a whole was eventually superseded by the heavier, though more reliable, M240 GPMG based on the excellent Belgian FN MAG series.

The M60E3 saw limited export sales to US-friendly forces worldwide.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Saco M60E3. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Saco Defense, Incorporated - USA
National flag of Egypt National flag of India National flag of Malaysia National flag of Portugal National flag of South Korea National flag of the United States

[ Egypt; India; Malaysia; Portugal; South Korea; United States ]
1 / 1
Image of the Saco M60E3
Image from the United States Department of Defense.

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The Saco M60E3 Light Machine Gun (LMG) / General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) appears in the following collections:
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