Figure 13-16.--M60 machine gun disassembled into six major groups.
CLEANING AND LUBRICATING
ACTION BEFORE AND DURING FIRING
Immediately after firing and on 2 consecutive days
Before firing, wipe the bore dry, inspect the weapon,
and ensure the M60 is properly lubricated.
thereafter, thoroughly clean the bore, the chamber, and
the parts that have become powder-fouled with bore
During firing, change the barrels as prescribed for
the number of rounds fired in a given period of time,
cleaner. Do not wipe it dry. On the third day after firing,
periodically inspecting the M60 to ensure it is properly
clean the M60 with bore cleaner, wipe it dry, then lightly
lubricated; then follow the procedures given when
coat it with oil.
malfunctions or stoppages occur.
Weekly thereafter when the M60 is not being fired,
FIELD STRIPPING
clean the bore and chamber with bore cleaner, wipe it
dry, and then oil it. The rest of the machine gun should
The M60 machine gun can be disassembled and
be cleaned with a dry-cleaning solvent immediately
assembled without the use of force. With exception of
after firing and weekly thereafter. Wipe it dry and oil it.
the barrel group, all disassembly can be accomplished
with a cartridge or some other pointed object.
Do not clean the inside of the M60 gas system unless
blank ammunition has been used or unless the gun fires
As you disassemble the machine gun, be sure to
sluggishly after all other reasons for sluggishness have
place the parts in the order in which they were removed
been checked.
on a clean, flat surface, such as a table or workbench.
This reduces the possibility of losing parts and aids in
Lubricate the machine gun with a general-purpose
assembling the gun.
lubricant when operating in an average climate. For hot,
A general disassembly (field stripping), as shown in
humid climates, inspect the M60 more frequently for
figure 13-16, and reassembly involve removing and
signs of rust. Keep it free of moisture and lightly oiled
replacing the six major groups. These groups consist of
with a special general-purpose lubricant. When exposed
the STOCK GROUP, BUFFER GROUP, OPERATING
to salt air, high humidity, or water, clean and oil the M60
GROUP, TRIGGER HOUSING GROUP, BARREL
more frequently to remove contaminated lubricants.
GROUP, and RECEIVER GROUP.
13-12
