The M60 machine gun, despite its widespread use, garnered significant dislike among its operators primarily due to its poor balance and awkward handling, making it cumbersome to carry over extended periods. This fundamental flaw overshadowed its design advantages and contributed significantly to its negative reputation.
Key Reasons for Discontent
While seemingly contradictory, the M60's design presented a paradox that led to operator frustration:
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Perceived Weight and Poor Balance: A common and significant complaint revolved around the weapon's weight. Although the M60 was designed to be among the lightest 7.62 mm machine guns of its era, its weight distribution was severely flawed. This made the weapon feel much heavier and more unwieldy than its actual mass suggested, particularly during long patrols or movements.
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Awkward Portability: The poor balance made the M60 extremely awkward to carry for extended periods. Soldiers often found its center of gravity made it uncomfortable and tiring to transport, impacting their mobility and endurance in the field. This issue was a practical concern that directly affected the effectiveness and morale of the machine gun teams.
M60 Handling Characteristics
| Characteristic | Detail | Impact on Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Designed to be among the lightest 7.62 mm machine guns of its era | Conceptually positive, but negated by balance issues |
| Balance | Poorly balanced | Made the weapon feel heavier and awkward to carry |
| Portability | Awkward to carry for long periods | Led to fatigue, reduced mobility, and operator frustration |
This combination of a relatively light design with problematic ergonomics meant that while the M60 might have looked good on paper in terms of weight specifications, its real-world usability was severely hampered, leading to its negative perception and often being "hated" by those who relied on it.
