Beretta BM 59
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| Caliber | 7.62x51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester) |
|---|---|
| Action: | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
| Overall length: | 1095 mm |
| Barrel length | 491 mm |
| Weight | 4.4 kg empty |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds per minute |
| Magazine capacity | 20 rounds |
After World War 2, 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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during WW2, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete. Also Italian military wanted a new rifle, chambered for the new NATO-standard cartridge, 7.62x51mm. The most cost-efficient way to build a new rifle was to redesign the old good M1, and this was done by Pietro Beretta SPa. Newly designated as Beretta BM59, it was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentine, Indonesian and Morocco armies. It should be noted that earliest BM59s were manufactured from available US manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels. In 1990, the BM59 was replaced in Italian service by the Beretta AR70/90 assault rifles.
Basically, the BM59 can be described as a re-chambered M1 Garand, with addition of the removable 20-round magazine and select fire trigger. Another addition was a flash-hider of NATO-standard diameter, which also served as a rifle grenade launcher. To launch grenades, one must turn on gas cut-off valve by raising grenade front sight, mounted on the gas block. If it will not be done, the excessive gas pressure will damage the rifle. BM59 is a gas operated rifle, with gas chamber and gas piston located under the barrel. Chamber locks by the rotating bolt with two massive lugs. Fire mode selector/safety switch is located at the front of the triggerguard, charging handle is attached to the gas rod and reciprocates during the fire cycle.
The BM59 was available in 4 basic models:
- BM59 Mark I had a wooden stock with a semi-pistol grip stock.
- BM59 Mark II had a wooden stock with pistol grip to achieve a better control during the full-auto fire;
- BM59 Mark III, or Ital TA (also known as the Truppa Alpine), was a gun with a pistol grip and a metallic folding buttstock, and was intended for Mountain troops. The BM59 Para was similar to BM59 Ital TA but had shorter barrel and shorter flash-hider, and was intended for paratroopers.
- BM59 Mark IV, had a heavier barrel w/a plastic stock, and was used as a light squad automatic weapon.
