| Beretta BM59 | |
|---|---|
 BM59 battle rifle | |
| Type | Battle rifle |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Nigerian Civil War[1] Papua conflict Indonesian invasion of East Timor Lebanese Civil War Falklands War Multinational Force in Lebanon[2] Somali Civil War Libyan Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Domenico Salza |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | Beretta, Bandung Weapons Factory, Defence Industries Corporation |
| Unit cost | $42 (1962)[3] |
| Produced | 1959 |
| Variants | Mark I, Mark II, III/Ital TA, BM59-Para, Mark IV, BM59E |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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 detachablebox magazine |
| Sights | Rear aperture, front post |
TheBM59 is anautomaticbattle rifle developed in Italy in 1959. It is based on theM1 Garand rifle, chambered in7.62×51mm NATO, modified to use a detachable magazine, and capable ofselective fire.[4] Later revisions incorporated other features common to more modern rifles.
AfterWorld 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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.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 combinedmuzzle brake/flash suppressor/rifle grenade launcher. The BM59 is capable ofselective 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 theBeretta AR70/90 assault rifles, although some may be in service in theItalian 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 theFalklands War.[6]
Bahrain[8]
Eritrea[8]
Ethiopia[8]
Morocco:[8] Built under license[9]
Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation inKaduna.[10] Adopted byNigerian Army in 1963.[1]
Biafra: Some ex-Nigerian Army rifles[11]
Indonesia: Built Under license at theBandung Weapons Factory as the SP-1 (BM59 Mk I), SP-2 (BM59 Mk I withrifle grenade system) and SP-3 (BM59 Mk IV).[6][12]
Italy[8]
Libya[8]
Somalia[13]
