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NEW LIFE FOR A COMBAT CLASSIC:

US ORDNANCE MK43 MOD 1 MACHINE GUNa special report byROBERT BRUCE

2005, Nevada. STS President Dale McClel-lan, a former M60 gunner with SEAL Team 8, prepares to test fire a MK43 Mod 1 machine gun fitted with the short (17.5 inch), fluted Assault barrel. It is topped with a Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight on the distinctively angular machined feed cover’s rock-steady integral rail and a PEQ-2A laser aiming module on the Mod 1’s new Rail In-terface System forearm. He has moved the Tango Down vertical grip to just the right place for his shooting preference. Note on his load harness the specialized rectangular carrying pouches for belted ammo, available now in desert tan from US Ordnance as a sturdy al-ternative to the flimsy GI bandoleers. (Photo courtesy of Vantage Pointe Studios)

“The M60E4 is a great weapon and definitely fills the gap between vehicle mounted M240B and dismounted M249 SAW. Scout teams have been taking them out to over-watch and support the snipers, occupying OPs near them and carrying the M60E4 because it is small enough to hump a good distance and has great firepower. Some comments directly from soldiers: The M60E4 is small enough to ma-neuver in tight places, it allows for easy access entering and exiting vehicles and aircraft, can be shoulder fired in short bursts accurately, does not require a complete crew to operate effectively.” Email to US Ordnance from an of-ficer of 101st Airborne Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom

What’s not to like about a real machine gun that’s significantly lighter than a chunky M240, about the same size as a puny SAW, pumps out powerful 7.62mm rounds with reliability and accuracy, and has long

been a force multiplier in elite Navy SEAL Teams? GIs who’ve tried ‘em love ‘em, they’re comparable in price to buy and sustain as the FN guns, they’ve been in the logis-tics and combat doctrine chains for ever, and they’re 100 percent American designed and built. Slam dunk? Sorry.

The “Screaming Eagles” in Iraq only had a few of the newest Sixties, provided free of charge by US Ordnance in response to their urgent request while forward deployed for the Global War on Terror. US Ord sent a crate full of MK43s (M60E4), spare barrels and spare parts to Fort Campbell and the Army delivered it to Iraq.

Subsequent use in the unforgiving arena of intense ur-ban combat resulted in a number of enthusiastic responses leaking out, but any formalized after action report has ap-parently been kept on close hold. We are unaware of any plans by the Army for further evaluation and PM Soldier Weapons is moving out at double time to develop a lighter

and shorter version of the M240.

Meanwhile, production of M240s and 249s at FN’s South Carolina plant continues at breakneck pace but there remains a substantial backlog. This necessitates keeping large numbers of existing M60s in service with all branches of the US Armed Forces. But these guns are mostly old and tired veterans of decades of hard service and victims of poor maintenance with shoddy and cannibalized parts. What’s going on here?

ABOVE: The tough and rigid machined feed cover with in-tegral MIL-STD 1913 rail, as well as additional rails on both sides and underneath the improved Rail Interface System (RIS) forearm, immediately identify this as the new MK43 Mod 1 machine gun from US Ordnance. That’s an ELCAN M145 Machine Gun Optic clamped on top and the RIS is fitted with an Insight ANPEQ-2A laser aiming module on the side plus a Tango Down vertical foregrip underneath. The short, fluted Assault barrel (17.5 inches) seen here has the E4 ver-sion gas cylinder extension that is self-locking. The barrel’s improved “birdcage” flash suppressor is closed on the bottom to minimize dust dispersion when firing from prone. (Photo courtesy of Vantage Pointe Studios)DEFENSE

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LEFT: 27 May 2003, Al Hillah, Iraq. Engineering Aide 1st Class Scott Lyerla, of Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 15, mans a MK43 Mod 0 machine gun to provide security for his convoy conducting a road movement during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (US Navy photo by PHM1C Arlo Abrahamson)

Passing a Sputtering Torch

Prior to its last-ditch effort in the “Upgrade Kit” trials, M60 production had long been the exclusive domain of Saco Defense, where a skilled force of dedicated craftsmen had been turn-ing out hundreds of thousands of these guns in various configurations. But for some reason the level of quality seems to have dropped.

This is particularly puzzling given Navy Special Warfare’s apparent satis-faction with their measurably improved M60E4/MK43s of about the same time frame.

It must be left to others to explain the reasons for the abysmal performance of the eighteen guns SACO brought to the Army’s gunfight in 1994. Our numerous phone calls – with detailed messages left for a certain individual who had been identified to us as a key player on the industry side of the trials – were not returned.

Market forces being what they are, SACO was acquired by defense indus-try giant General Dynamics in 2000. No secret that the Sixty was by then a neglected stepchild as Big Army transi-tioned to the M240 and it would have slowly faded away if it weren’t for a vi-

sionary named Curtis Debord.

We contacted Steve Helzer, Gener-al Manager of US Ordnance, Inc., locat-ed in Reno, Nevada, to get the straight story on how the M60 was saved from a lingering but certain death. What fol-lows is based on telephone conversa-tions and email exchanges.

SADJ: Who is primarily responsible for acquiring the M60 rights from SACO and what was his reason for pursuing this?

Helzer: In 2000, Curtis Debord recog-nized that there was a business oppor-tunity for a small arms manufacturer in acquiring the original tooling, technical data packages, processes, and proce-dures necessary to make a MIL-SPEC M60. General Dynamics (GD) was just completing the purchase of SACO Defense and recognized that they had an obligation to ensure the availability of spare parts for the M60 for the next five to ten years. But GD wanted out of the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun business so a licensing agreement between US Ordnance and Saco De-fense/GD was a logical conclusion. It ensured the availability of spare parts and ensured that the M60 remained in production. Spare parts and complete weapon systems would be available, and design improvement work could continue.

SADJ: We have seen plenty of evi-dence to convince us that US Ord-nance’s M60E4 – initially fielded by Navy Special Warfare as the MK43 Mod 0 and now the Mod 1 – represent signifi-cant ‘design improvements’ over all pre-vious versions. Will you take our read-

ers through its mechanical upgrades? Helzer: US Ordnance’s MK43s feature twenty-two key improvements. I’ll list them roughly from muzzle to buttstock, not necessarily in order of importance:

1. Redesigned flash suppressor. It’s shorter, more effective and not prone to breaking like the ‘duck bill’ variant used in early SEAL team guns. 2. Adjustable front sight allows for ze-roing of spare and primary barrel prior to mission operation. The old design required the gunner during combat to remember to adjust the rear sight for each barrel change. A small relief cut in the new front sight base decreases the chance of losing the front sight in the field. 3. Bipod moved from barrel to receiv-er. This has reduced the weight of the spare barrel and keeps the receiver stable, off the ground away from debris and pointed down range during barrel changes.4. Bipod is strengthened and simplified, one hand operated and has ambidex-trous legs to ease maintenance and spares.5. Improved forward handguard with increased heat shielding that protects the operator from barrel heat, plus a for-ward pistol grip for better control.6. Mod 1 variant has a Rail Interface Handguard with removable/reposition-able pistol grip. This accommodates different sized soldiers and allows mounting of the gun to most all existing platforms. Three rails (both sides and underneath) allow mounting of multiple items like lasers and aiming devices.7. Carry handle is mounted on the barrel to facilitate hot barrel change and offset so it won’t get in the way of the sights. 8. Improved gas system is “soldier proof” reversible. The old system was one direction only and if assembled wrong the gun would fire once and not

cycle. 9. Gas tube on the barrel is simplified with three fewer parts than the old stan-dard. 10. Both the Mod 0 and Mod 1 come with an aluminum rail top cover to facili-tate the mounting of optics. 11. A new spring loaded feed cam al-lows loading of the weapon with the bolt forward (safe position) or rearward (charged) without damaging the feed cam assembly. 12. A redesigned feed cam, feed pawl assembly, and cartridge retaining pawl for 30% improved belt pull to overcome misaligned ammo and debris.13. Two sear notches on the operating rod help prevent run away gun in ex-treme operating environments.14. The operating rod tube is now hard chrome plated for corrosion resistance and to facilitate cleaning. Its fore end is

induction hardened to resist mechanical wear from the forward sling mount. 15. A new captured pin prevents acci-dental detachment and loss of the trig-ger group. 16. Improved trigger grip housing that is stronger and redesigned to prevent trigger pin from being installed back-wards in unsafe position.17. Ambidextrous safety.18. A trigger guard that hinges down to allow trigger finger access wearing thick winter mitts or NBC protective gloves. 19. Nyloc safety nut on cocking handle retainer holds tight despite vibration and allows for multiple assembly and disas-sembly with no degradation. 20. The ammunition hanger is now rig-idly mounted to the side of the receiver – unlike the previous version, where the hanger was mounted to the feed try. Now, when checking the chamber,

OPPOSITE TOP: 2005, Nevada. Formidable topside armament for a desert camo’d HMMWV, this versatile MK43 Mod 1 machine gun fitted with the distinctively fluted 17.5 inch long Assault barrel and its new type self-locking gas cylinder exten-sion. A Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight is securely clamped on the integral section of MIL STD 1913 rail on the feed cover and the bipod is neatly folded up but instantly ready if needed for dismounted operations. Note also the PEQ-2A laser aiming module on the side and the Tango Down “broomstick” vertical foregrip underneath the Mod 1’s new Rail Interface System forearm. (Photo courtesy of Vantage Pointe Studios)

19 Feb 1968, South Vietnam. An M60 machine gun team from Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division takes cover behind a palm tree during Operation Hue City. Note the gunner’s secondary armament, a .45 caliber M1911 pistol, and both he and his assistant gunner carry a spare belt of 7.62mm ammunition worn bandoleer style over their flak jackets. The gun’s bipod is deployed for accurate shooting from a prone position. (USMC photo/National Archives)

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the gunner doesn’t have to lift a belt of heavy ammunition and also risk dump-ing it out of the bandoleer. 21. Improved polymer buttstock that is lighter and stronger while retaining the hinged shoulder rest feature.22. Overall weapon length (fitted with short barrel) is 5 inches shorter then the Standard M60 and almost 4 pounds lighter

SADJ: When we interviewed Dale Mc-Clellan at STS he said there were some other improvements in the works.

Helzer: That’s right. Our improved short fluted barrel is currently available and is based on the ones that STS did the 850 round demos with. Still in the RDT&E (research, development, test and engineering) stages are the im-proved cocking handle, bolt with new metallurgy, and a modification to the feed tray. We’re always working to im-prove our M60 family of guns and there are a couple of other things that maybe we can talk about in a few months.

SADJ: What US military/government/law enforcement entities have pur-

29 Mar 2004, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Master-at-Arms Seaman Ray Cowan, assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor Security, mans a MK43 Mod 0 machine gun aboard a 28 foot SeaArk patrol boat. (US Navy photo by PHM1C William Goodwin)

chased at least several guns and/or quantity orders for spares in the last couple of years?

Helzer: We have sold to numerous Sheriff Departments to assist with their new role in Homeland Security. Pri-marily for Maritime Security escort duty for tankers carrying oil or LNG (Lique-fied Natural Gas) in states with ocean access ports. We would prefer not to mention their names as this might be somewhat sensitive. It is safe to say we

have ongoing programs on both coasts and in with the gulf coast states to arm their various patrol boats with Mk43s.

The US Army Tank and Automo-tive Command in Rock Island, Illinois (TACOM-RI) is our largest customer. TACOM-RI purchases are primarily for Foreign Military Sales. We have also received US Government purchase orders for spare parts from TACOM-RI, Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) and Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) for use by our own soldiers. These have primarily been spare barrels and sub assemblies for complete weapons.

And, we just delivered a small quan-tity of complete MK43 Mod 1s to the US Navy.

SADJ: What foreign countries have gotten guns in quantity over the last two years?

Helzer: Colombian Navy and Army, Czech Republic for their 601st Special Forces, Philippine Air Force, Spanish Air Force, Italian Navy, Chilean Air Force, Mexico, Denmark, Tunisia and Thai

Navy. The M60 family of weapons is still very popular around the free world. SADJ: What’s the price of the MK43 retro-fit parts kit?

Helzer: Anyone with a serviceable M60 receiver can have what amounts to a brand-new MK43 for about 60 percent of the cost of a complete new gun. Or, we’ll be happy to sell them a complete MK43 Mod 1 for $11,200 (domestic suggested retail price). That’s less than commercial price for FN’s M240 and significantly less than their MK48 guns. Our MK43s are in stock and ready for delivery to US Government and law enforcement pending ATF transfer ap-proval.

SADJ: We know that US Ord used to sell semiauto M60s that were civilian le-gal with no special paperwork. But now, the website says resumption of sales is delayed indefinitely. Comment?

Helzer: The Global War on Terror has caused a dramatic impact on the small arms industry. As our government or-ders ramped up we pulled our employ-ees from the semi-auto production line and converted that area in our shop to military and law enforcement. This was a difficult decision because of the large and loyal civilian M60 following but a necessary one to support the warfighter and our coalition partners. Sales are still delayed indefinitely.

SADJ: How many semiauto US Ord Sixties are out there now?

Helzer: There are more than 150 of the M60, M60E3 and a small number (10-20) of factory M60E4/Mk43 Mod 0 and Mod 1 semi autos in civilian hands. US Ordnance have resumed semi-auto sales and now offer a semi-auto M249 SAW in limited numbers. These are available from Desert Ordnance (www.desertord.com)

Live Firing the MK43

The scope of this feature is not in-tended to include a hands-on evaluation of the new Sixties from US Ordnance. This has been well done by others, most notably Kent Lomont, the highly respected tactical small arms guru.

In a recent telephone conversation, Lomont told us he has put more than 70,000 rounds of “every kind of ammo” through his US Ord MK43 with excellent results. In no uncertain terms he de-clared, “It’s a goddamn good gun! For the first time there’s a Sixty you can bet your life on.”

Lomont’s salty and straightforward endorsement tracks with what we have repeatedly heard from law enforce-ment and military users. To the point, the MK43 has proven itself over recent years in hard training and combat op-erations by Navy SEALs and other elite formations such as the “Screaming Ea-gles” in Iraq.

We have personally observed the situation where one US Ordnance MK43

Mod 1 was run without incident for sev-eral thousand rounds in the industry demo and participant live fire opportu-nity at NDIA Small Arms 2006. Then, in our day on the range with students of Navy Center for Security Forces’ Crew Served Weapons Instructor Course, no problems occurred with either of two US Ord MK43 guns that were hard-used all afternoon by a dozen Sailors.

Those who are still skeptical are in-vited to see for themselves some real tor-ture tests of the MK43. A couple different 850 round continuous burst videos are linked on the Special Tactical Services’ website at www.spectacserv.com. Click VIDEOS on the navigation bar, then se-lect MACHINE GUNS. Plenty more folks have accessed and marveled the one at Blackwater that is posted on YouTube.

9 Sep 2005, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Expended brass cartridge cases and steel links pile up as STS President Dale McClellan hammers away with a MK43 Mod 0, nearing the end of another highly convincing demonstration of the gun’s ability to sustain a continuous 850 round burst when fitted with US Ordnance’s high reliability retrofit kit. (Photo courtesy of Special Tactical Services)

MK43 MOD 1 TECH SPECSCALIBER

7.62x51mm NATO

OPERATIONGas piston with 2-lug turning bolt

WEIGHT20.5 pounds with short barrel

LENGTH37 inches with short (16.5 in.) barrel

BARREL OPTIONSShort (16.5 in.)

Assault (17.5 in.) Long (21.5 in.)

CYCLIC RATE 500 to 600 rounds per minute

MAX EFFECTIVE RANGE1,100 meters

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