How to Load an M60 Machine Gun

The M60 machine gun is a light, reliable weapon used by the military since 1957. Its ease of use and reliability has proved invaluable to military personnel around the world. The proper care and feeding of this gun begins with proper loading. Here are some tips to get you started with your M60.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• M60 machine gun
• Belt of linked 7.62mm ammunition

1. Place your hand, palm up, on the charging handle and pull it to the rear until the bolt locks in the open position. Once it is locked, open slide the charging handle back to the front.
2. Put the safety lever on "safe" by lifting up on the little latch just forward of the trigger guard.
3. Raise the feed tray cover and inspect it, ensuring that the tray and breech are clear of brass and debris.
4. Set the first round on the belt in the feed tray groove.
5. Grab the belt about four or five bullets from the loaded end and hold it up, level with the feed tray.
6. Close the cover, while ensuring the bullet does not slide out of the groove.

Tips & Warnings

• When you put the ammo belt into the M60 be sure that the open side of the link belt is down. Remember keep the "Brass to the grass."
• Carry ammunition belts in appropriate ammunition boxes or feeder bags. Slinging ammunition belts over your shoulder can cause kinks in the belt that will cause jams.
• Be sure that your ammo belt will feed smoothly into the weapon. Kinks and misalignments in the linked ammunition will cause jams.
• Treat every weapon as if it is loaded. Never point one at anyone for any reason.