To remove the traversing and elevating mechanism,
release the traversing slide-lock lever and raise the rear
of the gun. Pull down on the adapter pin release and pull
the mechanism straight back off the mounting plate, as
shown in figure 13-15.
Return the platform lock to the down position. Stand
to the left of the gun and grasp the carrying handle with
your left hand. With your right hand, depress the
platform latch and raise the rear of the gun slightly, thus
removing the rear locking pin from under the platform
latch. Place your right hand on the top of the stock, pull
the gun slightly to the rear, pushdown on the stock, and
lift the gun from the mount.
OPERATION
The M60 machine gun is loaded, fired, unloaded,
and cleared in the OPEN-BOLT position. The safety
must be placed in the F (Fire) position before the bolt
can be pulled to the rear.
To load the machine gun, check to make sure the
Figure 13-14.--Attaching the traversing and elevating mechanism.
safety is in the F position. Using the cocking handle, pull
the bolt to the rear. When the bolt is held to the rear by
the sear, return the cocking handle to the forward
position and place the safety in the S (Safe) position.
Raise the cover to ensure that the feed tray, receiver, and
the chamber are clear. Place the first round of the belt in
the feed tray groove and close the cover, ensuring that
the round remains in the feed tray groove.
To unload the machine gun, pull the bolt to the rear,
place the safety in the S position, and return the cocking
handle to the forward position. Raise the cover and
remove any ammunition or links from the feed tray.
To clear the machine gun, pull the cocking handle
Figure 13-15.--Removing the traversing and elevating mechanism.
to the rear, place the safety in the S position, and push
the cocking handle forward. Then raise the cover and
inspect the chamber; if it is clear, close the cover and
(2) position the front locating pin (in the forearm
place the safety in the F position; then pull the trigger.
assembly) in the front mounting lug; and (3) lower the
After the bolt has gone forward, place the safety in the
receiver so the rear locking pin snaps under the platform
S position.
latch.
To attach the traversing and elevating mechanism,
FUNCTIONING
take the following steps: (1) mount the gun on the
tripod, release the platform lock, and raise the rear of the
By having a basic knowledge of how the machine
gun; (2) place the mounting plate recess on the rear of
gun functions, you should be able to recognize and
the mounting plate and push it forward, as shown in
correct stoppages that occur during firing.
figure 13-14 (the adapter pin automatically locks into
position in the bottom of the mounting plate); and (3)
The machine gun is designed to function
lower the rear of the gun, place the traversing slide (with
automatically as long as ammunition is fed into the
the traversing slide-lock lever to the rear) on the
chamber and the trigger is held to the rear. Each time a
round is fired, the parts of the machine gun function in
traversing bar, and lock into position.
13-9
