Beretta BM 59

Beretta BM 59
The BM 59 battle rifle
Type Battle rifle
Place of origin Italy
Service history
In service 1959–Present
Used by See Users
Wars Nigerian Civil War[1]
Anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia
Indonesian invasion of East Timor
Falklands War
Lebanese Civil War
Somali Civil War
Libyan Civil War
Production history
Designer Domenico Salza
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)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm 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 BM 59 is an Italian-made rifle based on the M1 Garand rifle, but chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, and modified to use a detachable magazine.[2] Later revisions incorporated other features common to more modern rifles.

Development

After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm) 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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.

To meet these requirements, Beretta designed the BM 59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod and a combined muzzle brake/flash suppressor/rifle grenade launcher. The BM 59 is capable of selective fire.

The BM 59 was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Moroccan armies. In the early 1980s, semi-automatic versions were imported to the United States and sold to private collectors. The earliest BM 59s were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels.

In 1990, the BM 59 was replaced in Italian service by the Beretta AR70/90 assault rifles, although some may be in service in the Italian Navy.

Variants

The BM 59 has several military and civilian variants that include the following:[3]

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 BM 59 Para was similar to BM 59 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 BM62 and 69 are civilian sporting rifles with the grenade launcher and sights removed.[4] with the following:

  • BM62: Semi-auto chambered in .308 Winchester (not 7.62×51mm NATO), came with 20-round magazines, civilian flash hider (no bayonet lug, no grenade launcher, no tri-compensator (extremely rare to have gas cylinder with bipod capability) [5] Does not normally have bipod capability on gas cylinder, or gas-compensator[4]
  • BM69: Semi-auto with a bipod and tri-compensator.[4]

Users

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jowett, Philip (2016). Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-1472816092.
  2. ↑ Beretta BM 59 rifle. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  3. ↑ Modern Firearms' Beretta BM 59 page. Archived 2010-09-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Beretta's BM 59. Archived March 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  5. ↑ Beretta BM62. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  7. ↑ Jowett 2016, p. 59.
  8. ↑ German small arms: The Nigerian connection. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  9. ↑ Photo of the Guardia di Rocca
  10. ↑ http://www.smalp155.org/curiosita/dotazioni/armamenti/fal-bm-59.php
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