As the expanding gases force the gas piston to the
rear, the operating rod is initially moved independently
of the bolt. The yoke of the operating rod acts against
the rear firing pin spool, withdrawing the firing pin from
the primer of the spent cartridge case. The action of the
operating rod yoke continuing to the rear against the
rear firing pin spool fully compresses the firing pin
spring. As long as the trigger is held to the rear, the
weapon will continue to complete the first seven steps
of functioning automatically. When the trigger is
released and the sear again engages the sear notch, the
cycle of functioning is stopped and the weapon is
cocked.
Disassembly
Figure 2-52.--Extraction and ejection.
Two types of disassembly procedures may be
performed on the M60 machine gun-general and
presses on the base of the cartridge case, forcing the
detailed. General disassembly procedures involve
front of the spent case against the right side of the
removing most of the major groups and assemblies of
receiver, as shown in figure 2-52. As the bolt continues
the weapon, while the detailed procedures consist of
to the rear, the action of the ejector pushing against the
removing the components of the major groups. Because
detailed disassembly is so complex, we will discuss
base of the cartridge case and the extractor gripping the
only the general disassembly procedures.
right side of the case causes the cartridge case to spin
from the gun as the case reaches the ejection port. The
The M60 machine gun can be disassembled into
empty link is forced out of the link ejection port as the
eight major groups and assemblies without the use of
rearward movement of the bolt causes the next round to
force or special tools. These groups and assemblies are
shown in figure 2-53. With the exception of the barrel
be positioned in the feed plate groove.
Figure 2-53.--Major groups and assemblies of the M60 machine gun.
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