OK, I hope this doesnt count as a "Which gun poll" cuz I don't care about the airsoft versions, I just want to know what u guys think is a better support/gunner weapon.

I personaly go for the M60, cuz it looks cooler

This post has been edited by aka Erky: Nov 3 2005, 11:16 PM

M249 is newer, therefore can preform better, but the M60 is higher caliber...

Real steel wise, the M249 doesn't require a second man to help you operate it, nor carrying ammo. Another added bonus is you can use 5.56, which is the same caliber in the M16/M4, so you can pass and share ammo. Other than that, I can't say much as I've never fired a M249 or M60, though I had a chance to look a real-steel of both at a local Army Guard Warrior Weekend event, and from what I can remember the M249 was just alittle less heaiver, plus what some soliders did was put a vertical foregrip on it so it was easier to control in CQB.

This post has been edited by WTA_Delta: Nov 4 2005, 12:12 PM

M249

More new technology. Smaller and more wieldable. Better in supported and unsupported mode. Just an all around better weapon.

and it has
m249 has a higher rof but only uses 5.56 and has a magazine so you don't need another guy feeding you belted rounds.
the m60 has a slower rof but uses 7.62 so it has more punching power the m60 is prone to having technical problems jamming and such and over heating through only 100 rounds.


I would take the m249 for looks and practicaly.

Yep... that pretty much covers it.

I like the 249 cuz it's sexy

you can compare the 2.... ones a 7.62 and ones a 5.56.... the 7.62 can out preform the 5.56 making the m60 superiour

7.62 is more expensive, heavier and has more recoil. When your gun shoots out hundreds of rounds a second, 7.62 is a pretty bad choice.

M249 all the way.

I say the M249. While the M60 can be more powerful and more accurate, the 249 Para can be used almost as a CQC Weapon. The M249 is really a useful weapon in any situation.

Have to go with the 249 on that one.

I'm a sucker for SEAL guns and such, and the regular M60s are too big for my tastes. Both are nice guns though, if you're going for a support role.

Neither. M240 Bravo.

It's pretty much a draw, but I like the fact thae the M249 has a box magazine. The M60 has a belt and those are less reliable.

Both are belt fed, they just have different methods of carrying the belt on the weapon itself. Boxes for 7.62 belts are widely available.

This post has been edited by Bear: Nov 15 2005, 05:20 PM

Hundreds of rounds a SECOND? I don't know much about either of these guns in particular, but that seems high...

I meant to say minute but yeah.....

I did some google-ing and found that the M249 shoots at 1000 RPM, which is about 17 rounds a second.

if you're talking knockdown power, the 5.56 is limited by the ammunition type the us military uses anyway.

Honestly, if you guys are talking real steel, then you can't compare the two. If you are talking a true support weapon in combat. Then you should be comparing the M240b and the M60. The former replaced the latter, for the U.S. Military. For the record ALL the weapons, M249, M240b, and the M60 are all belt fed weapons.

The M249 uses 5.56 ammo, from primarily 100 and 200 round belts, contained in boxes or pouches. which attach to the underside of the weapon. It will also fire rounds from a standard 5.56 M16/M4 magazine. It is primarily a one man weapon, designed to provide a standard infantry fire team with a light support weapon w/ a higher rate of fire than the standard infantry rifle.

The M240b and the M60, are medium machine guns and are not part of a standard infantry squad. They are considered belt fed, crew served(meaning 2 or more soldiers) weapons. They both fire 7.62 ammo and are heavier weapons than the M249. They are both carried by one man (the machine gunner) with another man (the assistant gunner or AG) who carries the spare barrel and extra ammo. The AG will also "feed" ammo to the weapon as needed. These weapons can also be carried and fed w/ a box of ammo attached to the side near the feed tray, just like the M249. Yet since the are usually used for a sustained rate of fire and are a lil heavy to try and shoulder fire, it is rare for them to be used in the capacity. Although, SOCOM units (primarily SEALs) use the MK43 MOD, which is based on the M60 and replaced the M60E3, in the same role as the M249. Meaning it is carried, maintained, employed by one man on the team.

All that being said, given the choices....... I would choose the M240b over the M60 as a full support weapon. It's newer and easier to maintain than the older M60's.

Now choosing between the M249 and the MK43...... Definately the MK43. Better ROF, and better caliber for stopping power. (7.62 like the M240b and M60)

504Rngr, beat me to it compairing the Minimi to the M60 is apples to oranges. Comparing the M60 to MAG 58 (M240) is an apples to apples comparison.

I would say the MAG58 is a superior weapon in the "real world", basicly because it is much more soldier proof than the M60. However I personally still prefer the M60, for the simple reason that in its standard form you can easyily/comfortably achieve aimed fire from the shoulder (while standing up), which is much more difficult with a MAG58.

Truth is if I had one SAW/GPMG to choose from I wouldn't take a minimi, MAG58, or M60. I'd take an RPD, might be unamerican of me, but is just a simple gun to use.

Now just to address a few things that popped up in this thread. #1 If you think magazines are more reliable than belt fed, get off the airsoft and try the real thing, see if you still think that. #2 .223 vs .308 arguement may never have an answer, like 9 vs 45 #3 don't think the government is concerned about ammo cost, miniguns run what 4000rpm and are .308. I guess that is enough for now...

I would always choose a 7.62 (.308) over a 5.56 (.223) as long as it is reliable unless in a CQB environment. Of the two listed above I would pick the M249 since it is more reliable. But only for that reason. Gosh... I hate saying that. I'm not a big fan of the puny 62 grain bullets or the 5.56 cartridge past 100m.

well I would pick a m249 saw while playing airsoft but in real steel id choose the m60 due to the 7.62 round. alot of what I read on the m249 is about the ineffectivness ( or put down power) of the 5.56 round. and in sandy muddy condition it jams quiet easy.

M60 just cause I'm a sucker for Vietnam era weapons.

M60 because it is in 7.62mm. No point in a big gun if it can't shoot bigger slugs.

who in the world would cqb with a lmg :p

Probably the same guys that CQB with an M16A2. I wouldn't recommend it for airsoft but in real life they may not have a choice.

How many people in the military are issued two or three rifles? You make do with what you are assigned despite the task at hand. If you run the squad's automatic weapon then you provide cover anywhere. Read more about our guys' fighting in Iraq.

I picked the M60, because I just love vietnam weapons, as my M14 and VN can attest to. also the 7.62mm rounds has a much longer effective range, therefore you can give suppressing fire at targets out of range of the smaller weapons like the m16 and m249.


and the m60 looks sexy. the 249 does not tickle my fancy.

This post has been edited by Garth: Dec 16 2005, 08:27 PM

M60, because Chuck Norris uses it.

Went with the 60. Always had an affection for the old pig, and if you're gonna lug something around that big and heavy, the least it can do is repay you with the punch of a 7.62x51.

The M249 is much more prone to jamming than the M60. Ask any support gunner who has used it.

The only good things I can think of about the M249 is the ROF (750-1000RPM compared to the 550RPM of the M60) and the lower weight it has (difference of 1.5kg of the M60E4) . Maybe accuracy but I can't be too sure of that.

The M60 on the other hand has a better range (5.56mm is limited to 550 meters, 7.62mm can reach 800 meters), almost never heating (M60E4 can fire over 800 continuous rounds non-stop and keep going), 1-2 hit kill (a human being can take numerous 5.56mm hits and live with minor bleeding), and conservation of ammunition (lower ROF).

So for me personally I would take the M60E4 (Preferred machine gun of US SOCOM) into battle if I had a good supply of 7.62mm.

Sorry double post.

To answer your question. The Marine Corps sniper. In March 2003 during the 21 days to Baghdad, GSgt Jack Coughlin used the M82, M40, and the M16A2. He only carried two at a time though. He always had his M16A2 with him or if he didn't then his spotter had one.

But yes if you are the SAW gunner then you only have your LMG with you. Although I have heard that some picked up an M16 during firefights.

I like the more sexy look of the M249.

While the M60 is a higher caliber, you don't have to have 2+ operators, and you can use the common 5.56mm round with the M249, and I just think that because the M249 is newer, it is more efficient.

In airsoft, I vote M249 para in reel-steel I still choose M249

for airsoft, the M249 is more affordable and more reliable in feeding BB's than the gavity fed TOP M60

for real world support, I'd choose the M60E4. The M249 does jam alot if it's not taken care of all the time.

if if there was another choice, I'd choose the M240

A one year and one day old thread.....a 366 day necro-post!

Fore shame Jerry, fore shame.

My first necropost in 1000. I think that is a pretty good job. But yeah I didn't look at the year, just the date.

im prety sure the m60 has been remade I read that in a gun magazine
so im going with that. it is suposed to be amazingly better then the old m60

This post has been edited by Jake35: Dec 21 2006, 05:09 PM

The M60 is a more defensive weapon (it was designed to be one) while the M249 can be defensive and offensive because it is so versatile. This is why you see M60s in stationary gun positions like helicopters and checkpoints. You see the M249 more in the field because it is lighter and the ammunition is smaller. I think 5.56 is an ineffective round to be used in a defensive position in a weapon that will be greatly depended on, not to mention that it doesnt even match 7.62 when it comes to going through armor. I also think they are two totally different classes and shouldnt be compared. Also, an M60 doesnt need two men to operate it. The M60 does have boxes that mount directly to the gun...do you guys think that that steel plate coming out of the left side is for decoration? You see lots of SEALs using the E4 version in the field.

And yes, there are numerous versions of the M60. Including the M60, E1, E2, B, C, D, E3 and E4 and is still being used by all branches of our military.

This post has been edited by Sharpshot: Dec 23 2006, 11:03 AM

M249 because you only need one person to operate because of the ammo box. also I think you can switch to like M16 ammo??