“...which allowed for rapid changing of barrels – something that was necessary as it was not safe for a sustained rapid rate of fire without the danger of catastrophic failure of the barrel. When firing 100 rounds per minute, it was necessary to change the barrel every five minutes, but at 200 rounds per minute, it was necessary to change out the barrel in just about two minutes.”
Right. Real fun in the middle of combat — take a time out
to change the barrel...
Changing barrels was fast and easy for a good crew.
That's why the M60 is a crew-served weapon. A well-trained crew can change barrels as fast as a NASCAR pit stop.
The Germans pioneered the quick change barrel with their MG42, and the M60 has a lot of features taken from the MG42.
They have those hand held mini gattling guns. Wouldn’t that prevent having to change out the barrel of an m60? I guess the only problem is that it’s a complicated machine. Might be a problem in the field if there’s a mechanical problem.
We should have just copied the MG 43 100% and slowed the cyclic rate down. Change the stock design and say we made one better.
Even Hitler’s buzz saw, the Mg 42 that the M60 was partially designed from had a quick change barrel for the same reason.
Either you need a water cooled MG or perhaps a mini gun like governor Jesse “the brain dead” Ventura wielded in Predator.
That’s why there’s an M60E4.
An 850-round burst from an M60E4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh8lDgV993A
Don’t confuse assault fires with defensive fires.
On the assault, the Gunner of any LMG will operate the gun from any or all available firing positions and modes. As with any crew served weapon system, he will be supported by an assistant gunner who protects the gunner from opportunity attacks and feeds the gun when in the prone or other fixed or semi fixed position. He also carries the spares bag. And yes, in a lull the crew will change barrels not for preservation of barrel life but to insure that rounds will be properly fed and fired due to issues from both fouling and heat.
In the defensive mode, usually the gun will on a tripod and fixed with a T&E ( traversing and elevating mechanism) which allows the gun to be mechanically moved to preset X and Y coordinates of the lead screws to lay on designated target reference points or avenues of advance in a protected firing position. The more time available, the more developed the position will be. From a shallow hasty position to a fully protected In this mode, a barrel change can be completed in a very few seconds by a trained crew. The third member of the LMG crew will be the mule. He carries the bulk of the MGs ammo along with his own basic load of rifle/carbine ammo and assorted other munitions’ like frag grenades etc.
Yes, barrels are changed in combat, just not when they are being fired.
Once, my AGunner pulled a jammed and fouled barrel and tossed it to the side, it apparently ad a round in the chamber still, it cooked off a moment after he chucked it. The round did not exit the bore, the case ruptured and separated, leaving the front 2/3s in the chamber and the case head hitting the ammo bearer in the chest (pre IBA) leaving a welt and causing a cease fire on the line during a division competition. We were dinged 10 points for failure to clear, and took second place nonetheless. C Co 2/30 INF, 1985 Wild Boars. I was a 24 YO CPL weighing 160 lbs soaking wet.
The M240 series LMG is utilized the same way.
I had the pleasure of being a MG section leader and primary MG gunner in the 3rd Id in the mid 80s in West Germany. Fired probably 10k rounds in training and divisional/corps competitions.
The Pig was a good gun overall. The 240B is better but I have only limited experience with that gun as I was a BFV guy for the latter part of my Infantry enlisted time (we used the 240C in the turret coaxially with the 25mm Bushmaster cannon.), and then as a combat Engineer officer, well, the fun went away except for the explosives and such....
Combat is not what you see on the tube. It is hours and days of tedium boredom and monotony, punctuated by in frequent brief and terrifying moments of violence.
Makes one love life and peace.