The Berreta Garand and the BM59

[DMK]

I came across some info on the web about the Beretta and Breda modifications to their Garands. I always thought that the Italians fielded a completely new design in the BM59, but apparently, they also modified standard Garands to 7.62x51 and 20 round mags, calling it the Type E. They even converted some to full auto.

Has anybody here owned or shot a BM59? How would you compare it to the M1a/M14?

Found these downloadable magazine articles in PDF form:

The Beretta Type E Garand from www.smallarmsreview.com

Beretta's BM59 at www.reesesurplus.com

 

[NMshooter]

I had two chances to own a BM-59.

First was one in the shop on consignment, ridden hard and put up wet.

Second was new old stock that Springfield found in a corner of a warehouse somewhere.

The magazines are different from the M-14, and since this was during the ban I decided I would rather have something I could get magazines for.

A stock BM-59 is arguably superior to a stock M-14/M-1A, but I do not believe you can do much to it, while with difficulty (and money) you can improve the M-14 type rifle.

Easier to get genuine GI M-14 parts than BM-59 parts too.

All that said, it is a nice rifle.

 

[Gewehr98]

I have one.

Mine's a Nigerian variant, built on a Winchester receiver, but otherwise all Pietro Beretta. The TriCompensator is exceptionally effective at reducing recoil and muzzle flip. The last time I bought a new 20-round magazine for the little guy, I spent almost $85.00!

The BM-59 came about because the Italians wanted to use the M1 Garand tooling Uncle Sam so thoughtfully gave them after WWII. Winchester's tooling was sent to Italy, and production of M1 Garands commenced shortly. With the adoption by NATO of the new 7.62x51 round, NATO member countries worked to field rifles capable of chambering the round. (Hence, the H&K G3, FN-FAL, M14, BM-59, etc.) Beretta decided with a few modifications, their existing M1 Garand tooling could create a new rifle chambered for the 7.62mm NATO round, thus the birth of the Beretta BM-59. That's why the BM-59 uses a relatively untouched M1 Garand receiver, even though that receiver is better configured for .30-06 length cartridges. The funny thing is, the Italians fielded their product-improved M1 Garand as the BM-59 considerably quicker and cheaper than Uncle Sam did with their own product-improved M1 Garand, the M14.

This BM-59 Nigerian's from Reese Surplus' website, but is essentially the same as mine:

 

[Bergeron]

A question:

Will BM59 stocks fit on an M1A, and if not, can they be reasonably modified to do so?

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

A nice BM59 from Reese has always been on my short list of 'gotta-gets'. Gewehr, I should have figured you'd have one.

They're rare enough I haven't seen a decent example since the mid 80's.
Guess it's time for me to go back to Reese's website.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Onmilo]

You can't modify a BM59 stock to fit a M14/M1A but you can adapt one to fit an M1 Garand because the BM59/62 Models are based on the Garand receiver.

These are pictures of a Nigerian contract stock fit up on my CMP International Harvester M1.
I took the lower picture to show how a piece of wood is nilet into the magazine inlet at the bottom of the stock to allow an M1 Garand trigger group to lock in place.
Oh yeah, use a stamped trigger guard, if you try this little adaption.
If you use a forged guard you won't be able to get the trigger guard to unlatch because there isn't enough clearance in the stock for the forged guards rear ring tab.

Very little inletting is needed for the barrelled receiver, most will probably drop into the stock with little or no fitting.