Comments on: The Italian Garand: Beretta BM59 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/ Firearms not Politics Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:33:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff W http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-27897 Jeff W Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:00:45 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-27897 I have one. Bought it from a guy at a Gun show nearly 20 years ago. It is a low number Beretta Receiver in Standard config. It also came with the sales literture and a wall poster for prospective buyers to show how few parts needed to be added to convert a Garand to a BM-59. It seems obvious in retrospect that would have been by far the cheapest way to quickly outfit NATO. The Magazines are a work of art. The follower is a machined aluminum billet. I did not know Cooper had one, but that is enough of a endorsement for me. I have one.
Bought it from a guy at a Gun show nearly 20 years ago.
It is a low number Beretta Receiver in Standard config.
It also came with the sales literture and a wall poster for prospective buyers to show how few parts needed to be added to convert a Garand to a BM-59.
It seems obvious in retrospect that would have been by far the cheapest way to quickly outfit NATO.
The Magazines are a work of art. The follower is a machined aluminum billet.
I did not know Cooper had one, but that is enough of a endorsement for me.

]]> By: Lorenzo http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-26024 Lorenzo Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:04:28 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-26024 Very good article here http://gunsmagazine.com/bm59.html Very good article here

http://gunsmagazine.com/bm59.html

]]> By: Lorenzo http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-26023 Lorenzo Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:01:58 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-26023 The BM59 has very little in common with the M14, only the base where it comes form, the Garand. The BM59 is in facts a modified Garand, this because its creation was in Beretta's intent (and in the final practical choice) the simpliest and cheapest way to substitute old Italian Army Garands with a more modern weapon. The BM59 has very little in common with the M14, only the base where it comes form, the Garand.
The BM59 is in facts a modified Garand, this because its creation was in Beretta’s intent (and in the final practical choice) the simpliest and cheapest way to substitute old Italian Army Garands with a more modern weapon.

]]> By: John Myers http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-24973 John Myers Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:50:26 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-24973 P.S. Also wrote about it on my blog and cited source here, of course. http://godgunsandgrits.blogspot.com/2010/01/no-it-aint-m1a-socom-its-italian-garand.html P.S. Also wrote about it on my blog and cited source here, of course.
http://godgunsandgrits.blogspot.com/2010/01/no-it-aint-m1a-socom-its-italian-garand.html

]]> By: John Myers http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-24966 John Myers Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:09:35 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-24966 The gun shop where I work finally let me list on gunbroker the Italian Garand we have, a Beretta BM-62, the civilian version which is semi-auto only, not selective fire like the BM-59. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154421802 The gun shop where I work finally let me list on gunbroker the Italian Garand we have, a Beretta BM-62, the civilian version which is semi-auto only, not selective fire like the BM-59.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154421802

]]> By: 54Bravo http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-20687 54Bravo Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:57:10 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-20687 TEXAS_DAVE: Yeah, every now and then some arms manufacturer gets the 'great idea' to use odd proprietary mags for some reason. I'm not sure what they think they are accomplishing by doing that? SEE: Galil, Steyr AUG, early FAMAS, Mini-14, etc. TEXAS_DAVE: Yeah, every now and then some arms manufacturer gets the ‘great idea’ to use odd proprietary mags for some reason. I’m not sure what they think they are accomplishing by doing that?

SEE: Galil, Steyr AUG, early FAMAS, Mini-14, etc.

]]> By: Texas_Dave http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-20619 Texas_Dave Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:16:55 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-20619 The BM-59 is about 90% M-14 except for the parts that would make them interchangable. Why the Italians didn't design the BM-59 to accept M-14 mags is beyond me. The BM-59 is about 90% M-14 except for the parts that would make them interchangable.

Why the Italians didn’t design the BM-59 to accept M-14 mags is beyond me.

]]> By: 54Bravo http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-20572 54Bravo Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:37:17 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-20572 Yeah, that funky ladder sight is very similar to the old M203 sight (the forward mounted sight, there was also a different type on the side of the receiver). On this rifle, it's obviously for the rifle grenade launcher-why the flash suppressor/muzzle brake is so long and has the grooves in it. It also looks like it has the flip up shoulder brace on the butt-plate, BAR style. So coupled with the bipod, this set-up seems geared for the automatic rifle role. I can't tell if it has a heavier barrel than the regular version, though. I always liked these, though I haven't shot one, as I am a big M14 fan. I always wondered though, why in WW2 the U.S. didn't do a Garand using BAR mags? Seems like it would have been a pretty big improvement on the weird 8 round spring clips. Yeah, that funky ladder sight is very similar to the old M203 sight (the forward mounted sight, there was also a different type on the side of the receiver).

On this rifle, it’s obviously for the rifle grenade launcher-why the flash suppressor/muzzle brake is so long and has the grooves in it. It also looks like it has the flip up shoulder brace on the butt-plate, BAR style. So coupled with the bipod, this set-up seems geared for the automatic rifle role. I can’t tell if it has a heavier barrel than the regular version, though.

I always liked these, though I haven’t shot one, as I am a big M14 fan. I always wondered though, why in WW2 the U.S. didn’t do a Garand using BAR mags? Seems like it would have been a pretty big improvement on the weird 8 round spring clips.

]]> By: Larry Cannon http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-15653 Larry Cannon Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:15:42 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-15653 Having fired both M-14 (before going to Nam in 67) and the BM 59 (After I retired from USMC in 77) I believe I like the BM 59 more. In fact, I carried the M 1 for 5 years in the Corps. Have you ever seen the results of firing the M 14 after the Compensator has been bent ? Not pretty. Just an old jarhead's opinion. Having fired both M-14 (before going to Nam in 67) and the BM 59 (After I retired from USMC in 77) I believe I like the BM 59 more. In fact, I carried the M 1 for 5 years in the Corps. Have you ever seen the results of firing the M 14 after the Compensator has been bent ? Not pretty. Just an old jarhead’s opinion.

]]> By: dennis rambo http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-13834 dennis rambo Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:18:44 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-13834 i belive i've seen a italian version M1 with a BAR 20rd. mag. adapted to it...anyone know any more on this? have also looked at a 223 converted grand with i belive a ar mag. done by a local shop thanks. i belive i’ve seen a italian version M1 with a BAR 20rd. mag. adapted to it…anyone know any more on this? have also looked at a 223 converted grand with i belive a ar mag. done by a local shop thanks.

]]> By: Lance http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-12256 Lance Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:12:06 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-12256 Both the BM-59 and the M-14 are used today and for sometime in the future. By both the US military (M-14) and the Italian military (BM-59) Both are the best rifle ever made in my opion multishot good round it fires 7.62 NATO and are utterly relighable. Both the BM-59 and the M-14 are used today and for sometime in the future. By both the US military (M-14) and the Italian military (BM-59) Both are the best rifle ever made in my opion multishot good round it fires 7.62 NATO and are utterly relighable.

]]> By: theotherryan http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-11241 theotherryan Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:35:54 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-11241 Seems like a M14 to me. Got a Garand and love it but the M14 is probably the most perfect refinement. I will own one some day. Seems like a M14 to me. Got a Garand and love it but the M14 is probably the most perfect refinement. I will own one some day.

]]> By: Steve Marks http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-9208 Steve Marks Tue, 05 May 2009 10:54:38 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-9208 I bought this really cool item for the Garand. I will also fit the M1A. It fits in the receiver and holds the bolt open, but let's me use my chamber brushes while it's stuck in the receiver. Pretty Cool item. I thought I would share. Steve www.m1buddy.com I bought this really cool item for the Garand. I will also fit the M1A. It fits in the receiver and holds the bolt open, but let’s me use my chamber brushes while it’s stuck in the receiver. Pretty Cool item. I thought I would share.

Steve

http://www.m1buddy.com

]]> By: John Myers http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8693 John Myers Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:42:05 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8693 We have one of these in the gun shop where I work but not full auto, just semi-auto. I post guns for the shop on gunbroker but they haven't let me post the Beretta M1/M14 so far. Owner says they ain't tired of looking at it yet. Priced at $2,500 and so far lots of lookers and feelers, but no buyers. Village Pawn and Gun Shop, Wadesboro, NC 704-694-6266. We have one of these in the gun shop where I work but not full auto, just semi-auto. I post guns for the shop on gunbroker but they haven’t let me post the Beretta M1/M14 so far. Owner says they ain’t tired of looking at it yet. Priced at $2,500 and so far lots of lookers and feelers, but no buyers.

Village Pawn and Gun Shop, Wadesboro, NC 704-694-6266.

]]> By: Jay Hafemeister http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8678 Jay Hafemeister Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:22:23 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8678 I was less thinking "Italian Garand" and more thinking "Italian M-14" I was less thinking “Italian Garand” and more thinking “Italian M-14″

]]> By: Tom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8632 Tom Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:12:09 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8632 An interesting anecdote I forgot to add to my comment earlier... You can occasionally come across Beretta receivers on parts guns. Beretta did in fact manufacture a number of M1 Garand rifles between the end of the war and the development of the BM-59. I recently came across one at a public auction in Gettysburg, PA, and watched the rifle soar to well over $1500. I was hoping to get my hands on it just because it's an oddity, but not for that price I wasn't! I walked away from the auction with two other Garands for about that much combined. An interesting anecdote I forgot to add to my comment earlier…

You can occasionally come across Beretta receivers on parts guns. Beretta did in fact manufacture a number of M1 Garand rifles between the end of the war and the development of the BM-59. I recently came across one at a public auction in Gettysburg, PA, and watched the rifle soar to well over $1500.

I was hoping to get my hands on it just because it’s an oddity, but not for that price I wasn’t! I walked away from the auction with two other Garands for about that much combined.

]]> By: Overload in CO http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8624 Overload in CO Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:00:31 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8624 padalec, if you mean the funny front sight, it's for the grenade launcher. padalec,
if you mean the funny front sight, it’s for the grenade launcher.

]]> By: jdun1911 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8623 jdun1911 Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:20:27 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8623 The rifle is sexy. The rifle is sexy.

]]> By: padalec http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8621 padalec Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:37:53 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8621 What's purpose of such strange iron sights? What’s purpose of such strange iron sights?

]]> By: Wynboniface http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8620 Wynboniface Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:36:28 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8620 My friend has thought about building up a M1 Garand similar to that, but still chambered for the .30-06 round. I really like the idea, but I am attached to the .30-06 round as one of my calibers. My friend has thought about building up a M1 Garand similar to that, but still chambered for the .30-06 round. I really like the idea, but I am attached to the .30-06 round as one of my calibers.

]]> By: Tom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8618 Tom Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:21:51 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8618 It's pretty interesting to consider the BM-59 had detachable box magazines when John Garand himself scrapped development of the T20. Then ten years or so down the road Beretta does more or less the same thing, only with their own proprietary magazines. I've seen some professionally converted Garands that use magazines (typically in .308) and they're pretty interesting. Sometime in the future I'll have to do a bit of research into how to do it and give it a shot. It’s pretty interesting to consider the BM-59 had detachable box magazines when John Garand himself scrapped development of the T20. Then ten years or so down the road Beretta does more or less the same thing, only with their own proprietary magazines.

I’ve seen some professionally converted Garands that use magazines (typically in .308) and they’re pretty interesting. Sometime in the future I’ll have to do a bit of research into how to do it and give it a shot.

]]> By: Kerub http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8611 Kerub Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:38:48 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8611 you do not believe the rifle was still in use by the end of past decade. I remember, when I was a complement first-lieutenant in Italy, preferring the stock-less BM59 (para version) for armed services and range exercises. very difficult to manage in full auto. you do not believe the rifle was still in use by the end of past decade.
I remember, when I was a complement first-lieutenant in Italy, preferring the stock-less BM59 (para version) for armed services and range exercises. very difficult to manage in full auto.

]]> By: Matt Groom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/04/11/the-italian-garand-beretta-bm59/#comment-8610 Matt Groom Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:35:23 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=5942#comment-8610 Col. Cooper had one of these. I thought it was some kinda M-14 prototype like a T-22 or something at the time. Only one I've ever seen in person. Col. Cooper had one of these. I thought it was some kinda M-14 prototype like a T-22 or something at the time. Only one I’ve ever seen in person.

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