Daniel Cary
AH legend
Thank you! Addl: the M240 I look forward to research.Former MOS: 0331. Machine Gunner. As stated, in VN it was the M60. 7.62mm, air cooled, belt fed, open bolt, medium machine gun. Replaced in the mid-80s with the M60E3, and in the early 90s to mid 90s by the M240G. I had the MOS from '86 to '91, so I trained on both. In 2000 I went to school to become an 0303 (Light Armored Vehicle Officer), and both the pintle mount and the coax were M240s.
Biggest difference between the VN era M60 and the M60E3 was the older version of the weapon had the bipod legs attached to the barrel. The M60E3 moved the legs to the receiver, making it much easier to change the barrel, especially on a hot gun.
All of the above comments on the M60 are true. As I have explained it on more than one occasion, my M60 was a lot like my ex-girlfriend. I loved it to death, but it always was letting me down, especially when it was really important.
The ex-gf, I can relate. Completely unpredictable & temperamental, when "your life is on the line."