Beretta BM59
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Beretta BM59
| BM59 | |
|---|---|
 BM59 battle rifle with Paratrooper Stock |
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| Type | Battle rifle |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959–1990 (Italian service) |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia, Falklands War, Somalia Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Pietro Beretta |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | Beretta, Bandung Weapons Factory, Defence Industries Corporation |
| Produced | 1959 |
| Variants | Mark I, Mark II, III/Ital TA, BM59 Para, Mark IV |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.4 kg (9.70 lb) |
| Length | 1,095 mm (43.1 in) |
| Barrel length | 491 mm (19.3 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51 mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds per minute |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Rear aperture, front post |
The Beretta BM59 is an Italian-made rifle based on the M1 Garand rifle, but chambered in 7.62x51 mm NATO, and modified to use a detachable magazine.[1] Later revisions incorporated other features common to more modern rifles.
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Contents
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Development
After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 (7.62x63mm) and also manufactured it under license. This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round.
To meet these requirements, Beretta designed the BM59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod and flash suppressor/grenade launcher. The BM59 is capable of selective fire.
The BM59 was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Moroccan armies. In the early 1980s, semi-automatic versions were imported to the USA and sold to private collectors. The earliest BM59s were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels.
In 1990, the BM59 was replaced in Italian service by the Beretta AR70/90 assault rifles.
Variants
The BM59 has several military and civilian variants that include the following[2]:
Military
- BM-59 Mark I: had a wooden stock with a semi-pistol grip stock.
- BM-59 Mark II: had a wooden stock with pistol grip to achieve a better control during full-auto fire;
- BM-59 Mark III: or Ital TA (also known as the Truppe Alpine), was a variant with a pistol grip and a metallic folding buttstock, that was intended for mountain troops. The BM59 Para was similar to BM59 Ital TA, but was intended for paratroopers. It was equipped with a shorter barrel and flash-hider.
- BM-59 Mark IV: had a heavier barrel with a plastic stock, and was used as a light squad automatic weapon.
Civilian
The rare BM-62 and 69 are civilian sporting rifles with the grenade launcher and sights removed.[3] with the following:
- BM-62: Semi-auto that came with 20-round magazines that were permanently modified to only accept 10 rounds.[4] Does not have bipod and compensator[3]
- BM-69: Semi-auto with a bipod and tri-compensator.[3]
Users
Algeria[5]
Argentina: Used in the Falklands War.[3]
Bahrain[5]
Eritrea[5]
Ethiopia[5]- Italy[5]
Indonesia: Under license at the Bandung Weapons Factory.[3]
Libya[5]
Morocco[5]
Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation.[6]
See also
- M14 rifle - American battle rifle also developed from the M1 Garand
- Franchi LF-59
- MAS 49 - A French semiautomatic rifle
- Itajuba Model 954 Mosquetao
- List of battle rifles
References
- ^ Beretta BM 59 rifle. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ^ Modern Firearms' Beretta BM 59 page. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Beretta's BM 59. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ^ Beretta BM62. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ German small arms: The Nigerian connection. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
External links
- Beretta BM59 at Modern Firearms
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