Beretta BM59

The Beretta BM59 is an Italian-made rifle based on the M1 Garand rifle, but chambered in 7.62×51 mm NATO, and modified to use a detachable magazine. 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 (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 This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.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 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.

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:

Military

 * BM-59 Mark I: had a wooden stock with a semi-pistol grip stock.
 * BM-59 Mark II: had a wooden stock with pistol grip to achieve a better control during full-auto fire;
 * BM-59 Mark III: or Ital TA (also known as the Truppe Alpine), was a variant with a pistol grip and a metallic folding buttstock, that was intended for mountain troops. The BM59 Para was similar to BM59 Ital TA, but was intended for paratroopers. It was equipped with a shorter barrel and flash-hider.
 * BM-59 Mark IV: had a heavier barrel with a plastic stock, and was used as a light squad automatic weapon.

Civilian
The rare BM-62 and 69 are civilian sporting rifles with the grenade launcher and sights removed. with the following:
 * BM-62: Semi-auto that came with 20-round magazines that were permanently modified to only accept 10 rounds. Does not have bipod and compensator
 * BM-69: Semi-auto with a bipod and tri-compensator.

Users

 * 🇩🇿 Algeria
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina: Used in the Falklands War.
 * 🇧🇭 Bahrain
 * 🇪🇷 Eritrea
 * 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia: Under license at the Bandung Weapons Factory as the SP-1.
 * 🇱🇾 Libya
 * 🇲🇦 Morocco
 * 🇳🇬 Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation.
 * 🇸🇲 San Marino