Beretta BM59
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1959
Also known as: BM 59, Fucile Automatico BM59, Italian M14, Italian FAL
Overview
The Beretta BM59 is an Italian select-fire battle rifle developed in 1959 by Beretta as a modernization of the M1 Garand action for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. Designed by Domenico Salza and the Beretta engineering team, it replaced the Garand's eight-round en-bloc clip with a 20-round detachable box magazine and added selective-fire capability, while retaining the iconic long-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt. A distinctive tri-compensator muzzle device integrates a muzzle brake, flash suppressor, and rifle grenade launcher into a single unit. Adopted by the Italian Army in 1962, it served as Italy's standard infantry rifle until 1990 and was widely exported across North Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4950 g (174.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1095 mm (43.11") |
| Folded Length | 860 mm (33.86") |
| Barrel Length | 491 mm (19.33") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 823 m/s (2700 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3225 J (2379 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3200 m (3500 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62 NATO, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: 20 Round Detachable Box, 5 Round Stripper Clip Via Top
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Guard Safety, Manual Selector Lever
- Features: Tri Compensator Muzzle Device, Integral Grenade Launcher, Bayonet Lug, Folding Winter Trigger, Adjustable Rear Sight, Bipod Mount, Stripper Clip Loading, Selective Fire
Variants
- BM59 Mark I — Standard
- BM59 Mark II — Pistol Grip Stock
- BM59 Ital TA (Alpini / Mark III) — Folding Stock Mountain Troops
- BM59 Mark IV — Heavy Barrel Squad Automatic
- BM59 Ital Para — Paratrooper Short Barrel
- BM62 — Nigerian Contract Semi Auto
- BM69 — Civilian Semi Automatic
Service history
Conflicts
- Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War) (1967-1970)
- Western Sahara War (1975-1991)
- Italian Peacekeeping Operations (Lebanon, Somalia) (1982-1994)
- Libyan Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 200,000 · Production years: 1959-1990
Italian production totaled over 200,000 rifles, with many built by converting surplus Italian M1 Garand receivers; additional units were produced under license and for export contracts.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Domenico Salza and Beretta engineering team
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
Much of Italy's BM59 production was accomplished by rebuilding existing Italian-license M1 Garand receivers and actions rather than manufacturing from scratch, providing a cost-effective path to a modern select-fire rifle.
Background
After World War II, Italy found itself holding more than 100,000 surplus M1 Garands and balked at replacing them wholesale with FAL or G3 rifles. Instead, Beretta simply rebuilt the Garand into a select-fire, magazine-fed battle rifle - keeping the iconic long-stroke piston and action while bolting on a tri-compensator that works as a muzzle brake, flash hider, and grenade launcher in one piece. The BM59 went on to soldier through three decades of Italian Cold War service and still turns up in Libyan arsenals today.