Beretta ARX100
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta · Rifle · Discontinued · 2014
Also known as: Beretta ARX 100, ARX-100
Overview
The Beretta ARX100 is a semi-automatic rifle, the civilian-market version of the military Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle. Introduced at the 2014 SHOT Show and sold through Beretta USA, the ARX100 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and retains the modular architecture of its select-fire parent while being restricted to semi-automatic fire. It uses a short-stroke gas piston operating system with a rotating bolt and makes extensive use of polymer in its chassis to keep weight low. Like the ARX-160, the rifle is fully ambidextrous: the case ejection direction can be switched between left and right without tools, and the controls are mirrored on both sides. It accepts standard STANAG 4179 (AR-15/M16) magazines and is fitted with a 16-inch barrel and a side-folding, six-position telescoping stock. Multiple Picatinny rails allow mounting of optics, lights, and accessories.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3000 g (105.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3570 g (125.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 900 mm (35.43") |
| Folded Length | 680 mm (26.77") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 30 N (6.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 950 m/s (3117 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1730 J (1276 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Ambidextrous Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Ambidextrous Controls, Convertible Ejection Port, Foldable Stock, Telescoping Stock, Rotating Bolt, Picatinny Rails, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Tool Less Disassembly
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Civilian Market · adopted 2014 · as ARX100
Production
Production years: 2014-2018
Civilian semi-automatic variant of the ARX-160; limited commercial production for the U.S. market
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Discontinued: 2018
Notes
The ARX100 was Beretta's bid to bring its modern modular rifle platform to the U.S. commercial market, competing with AR-15 pattern rifles and other piston carbines such as the FN SCAR 16S and HK MR556. The tool-less switchable ejection and quick-takedown features were major selling points. Despite a positive critical reception, the rifle saw limited commercial sales and was quietly discontinued around 2018.
Background
The ARX100 was the consumer-facing face of Beretta's ARX program, letting U.S. shooters own a semi-automatic version of the rifle Beretta had developed for the Italian Army's Soldato Futuro future-soldier project. Its tool-less reversible ejection made it one of the few truly ambidextrous rifles on the civilian market, though it never displaced the entrenched AR-15 platform.