| 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.
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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.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.
The BM59 has several military and civilian variants that include the following:[5]
The rare BM62 and BM69 are civilian sporting rifles with the grenade launcher and sights removed.[6] with the following:
Algeria[8]
Argentina: Used in the Falklands War.[6]
Bahrain[8]
Eritrea[8]
Ethiopia[8]
Morocco:[8] Built under license[9]
Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation in Kaduna.[10] Adopted by Nigerian Army in 1963.[1]
Indonesia: Built Under license at the Bandung Weapons Factory as the SP-1 (BM59 Mk I), SP-2 (BM59 Mk I with rifle grenade system) and SP-3 (BM59 Mk IV).[6] [11]
Italy[8]
Libya[8]
Somalia[12]