Beretta BM 59 explained

Beretta BM59
Origin:Italy
Type:Battle rifle
Is Ranged:Yes
Service:1959–present
Used By:See Users
Wars:Nigerian Civil War[1]
Anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia
Indonesian invasion of East Timor
Lebanese Civil War
Falklands War
Multinational Force in Lebanon[2]
Somali Civil War
Libyan Civil War
Designer:Domenico Salza
Design Date:1950s
Manufacturer:Beretta, Bandung Weapons Factory, Defence Industries Corporation
Unit Cost:$42 (1962)[3]
Production Date:1959
Variants:Mark I, Mark II, III/Ital TA, BM59-Para, Mark IV, BM59E
Weight:4.42NaN2
Length:1095mm
Part Length:491mm
Cartridge:7.62×51mm NATO
Action:Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate:750 rounds per minute
Feed:20-round detachable box magazine
Sights:Rear aperture, front post

The BM59 is an automatic battle rifle developed in Italy in 1959. It is based on the M1 Garand rifle, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, modified to use a detachable magazine, and capable of selective fire.[4] 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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.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 BM59, 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 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 United States and sold to private collectors. The earliest BM59s were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels.

Beginning in 1990, the BM59 was replaced in Italian service by the Beretta AR70/90 assault rifles, although some may be in service in the Italian Navy.

Variants

The BM59 has several military and civilian variants that include the following:[5]

Military

Civilian

The rare BM62 and BM69 are civilian sporting rifles with the grenade launcher and sights removed.[6] with the following:

Users

Former

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jowett, Philip . Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70 . 2016 . Osprey Publishing Press . Oxford . 978-1472816092 . 20.
  2. Book: McNab, Chris . 20th Century Military Uniforms . 2002 . 2nd . Grange Books . Kent . 1-84013-476-3 . 158.
  3. Web site: BM59: The Italian M14 . 2022-05-15 . . Ian . McCollum . youtube.com.
  4. Web site: BM59 . 2008-10-05 . a-human-right.com . Volkstudio, TN.
  5. Web site: Beretta BM59 (Italy) . 2008-10-05 . modernfirearms.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20090605022322/http://www.modernfirearms.net:80/assault/as54-e.htm . 2009-06-05.
  6. Web site: Beretta's BM59 – The Ultimate Garand . 2008-10-05 . gunsmagazine.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20090325105017/http://www.gunsmagazine.com/bm59/GCA0283.pdf . 2009-03-25 . . PDF.
  7. Web site: Beretta BM62 . 2008-10-05 . securityarms.com . https://archive.today/20120630063615/http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1700/1798.htm . 2012-06-30.
  8. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
  9. Encyclopedia: Fusil Beretta BM 59 . fr . Encyclopédie des armes : Les forces armées du monde . Atlas . 1986 . 2763 . XII . 139. Armes d'infanterie d'après-guerre.
  10. Web site: German Small Arms: The Nigeria-Connection . 2008-03-10 . bits.de.
  11. Web site: Perjalanan Terwujudnya Senapan Serbu Nasional Buatan Pindad . airspace-review.com . 28 June 2018 . 9 June 2021 . id.
  12. Web site: Armi - FAL BM 59 . smalp155.org . it.