To buy or not to buy: Beretta M12 vs BM59 vs CX4

[Idahou]

EDITED: At start it was just ordinary struggle if i should buy obsolete Beretta M12 for 770 USD (with 3 mags and sling), now there are more deals and as Beretta fan guy i can choose between M12, BM59 (.308 battle rifle based on M1 Garand, 720 USD) or used CX4 from civilian (9mm 16inch carbine, bunch of mags, 720 USD).

Can afford just one now, or spend that budget for accesories for current guns, ammo saving for other guns and for nonsences like food and so...

That M12 is in shop for quite a long time and looks like it will not go away anytime soon. BM59 is currently in store where i can have some save, yet there are few of them in others stores and it have most limited use, since i can use it only in 25m tunel shooting range or in kinda rare trips to bigger ranges. CX4 is nice gun, a lot below price of new gun and with bunch of mags, but its also is quite along (lately i prefer guns what i can just throw in backpack) and since its from civilian it can be faulty

As Beretta fan guy, im looking at Beretta M12 in my local shop



Price tag is about 770 USD (Czech republic, price is about +30% than normal) with 3 30 rounds mags, sling and in 1A condition. There is no rush, it sits there for quite a long time.

I have no doubts that its good gun, but i also heard about issue when empty casing falls in trigger group, causing malfunction (looks like it was fixed in version 12S), its also quite heavy (3,2 Kg empty), not lefty friendly (and i shoot from left shoulder) + mounting optic will be pain (only found some photos, so i suspect its do-it-yourself situation)

I could just simply walk into store and look at it (next week) but i have some worries i will buy it just to have it

The thing is - my gun budget is limited and for same price i could get red dot for my APX, compensator + stock + red dot for my vz 58 (my SHTF combo) + ammo + save money for something else.

Really dont want to be just collector and dont want to my guns sits in safe

Also im biased because im having blast with my newish Beretta M71

So what is your opinion? As i said, its no rush, only thing is that im doing a lot of overtimes (gun budget growing!) so kinda want to reward myself

 

[Ohen Cepel]

As an American, confined by a lot of gun laws when it comes to things like this, I would GLADLY pay $1k for a legal version of that here!

I am also a big Beretta fan which would make the decision a bit easier for me I think.

Now, in your situation, I'm not really sure but think I would still do it unless there are other things you want more/first.

If you do buy it, please let us know how it goes. They aren't at all common here (not sure I have even seen one in person).

 

[Rule3]

I would buy it in a second! Cool gun!

Is it semi auto only??

 

[Idahou]

Is it semi auto only??

Yeah, its almost impossible to get licence for full auto gun here

...

Dont worry, i will make review if i got it. Every time when i need help or additionl opinin this forum got my back, so im trying always to repay favor by sharing info and photos

 

[Idahou]

Ok, to mess things up - local dealer have Beretta BM59 for even lower price - 720 USD. And thats the gun what i planned to buy for my birthday

 

[Rule3]

Ok, to mess things up - local dealer have Beretta BM59 for even lower price - 720 USD. And thats the gun what i planned to buy for my birthday

Nice, but not as cool as the M12 IMHO

Therefore the solution is buy BOTH. You have layaway in CZ??

I am a CZ fan boy, great firearms!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

At $770 that would be a steal in the US, if they EVER imported a semi-auto version here.......

I grew up in gunshows and have never seen one in the flesh.

So I say buy! And we need lots of pictures and a range report......

 

[Idahou]

What a bright idea to ask on this forum if i should buy unique gun and then show all details to you Believe me i would gladly buy and show you every exclusive and unique gun what i would find - just find me sponsor

Anyway there might be buyer for my Hammerli Tac 1 in 22Lr which would boost my budget, so mayabe... Still, M12 is obsolote, but in this cathegory and price tag, there isnt much more options, mayabe chiappa PAK 9

Ou and of course - some civilian now selling used Beretta CX4 for 960 USD with bunch of magazines and 6k rounds counts, but thats kinda suspicious (new gun costs 1600 USD and one mag about 50 USD) and im in kinda "i need it to fit under my jacket/into my regular backpack" mood + if i would get that, i would want combo it with Beretta 92 (which i would have to buy)

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ive shot the CX4 and was not impressed. While it functioned fine, it felt very cheap with rough, rather flimsy plastic construction. Given the choice, I would take that M12 any day.

 

[P5 Guy]

BM59, I admit to being a Garand fan.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

How bad is it to shoot the M-12 left handed? If it doesn't hit you in the face with empty brass that's the one I'd get. (I am not minimizing the issue. I'm left handed myself.) Also, I want to live vicariously through you in getting one of the coolest SMGs ever, even if it's only semiautomatic.

 

[chicharrones]

I have a CX4. If you push out the takedown pin and slide the upper apart from the lower, it should be short enough to be a backpack gun. Of course the CX4 can be fully converted to lefty operation, not counting the bolt release lever, but that’s what the charging handle is for.

That being said, I’d pick one of the other Berettas that you have your eye on before getting a CX4. 20th century metal vs 21st century plastic.

The CX4 is made out of some impressive plastic, and it may be more practical to own in your case (parts availability, reliability, short range shooting, home defense, optic and light mounting) but it’s still plastic.


View attachment 1024780

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Man, that is a deal on the BM59! Recently I saw a used Ruger Mini-14 being flogged for twice that much locally (California), and M1 Garands have been hovering around the $2K mark. I might consider taking out a loan for that kind of BM59 deal, but you know your market and budget better than I do.

My tastes can be a bit old-fashioned at times. I personally would be more tempted by a semiauto Beretta M38 than an M12 or CX4. The M38 ejects to the left, BTW.



Of course, the original selective fire version would be even more fun!

 

[Idahou]

Well, CX4 is out of the question, got some photos from seller and the gun looks like it was cleaned by spash of WD40, internals are covered by mixture of oil and dirt - i know its durable gun, but who knows... Plus it just doesnt tick any cathegory of use for my (M12 as short gun, BM59 for long range and power)

How bad is it to shoot the M-12 left handed? .

Not sure, main drawback is that stock unfold on left side and isnt in line with barrels, it will be probably akward to aim via iron sights. Second is chargind handle with is on same level as cover front sight, on other hand, its quite big. Ejection looks ok with quite strong forward pattern. Its just observation from videos, but together with fact that it is obsolete and heavy gun... will see

Man, that is a deal on the BM59! ... but you know your market and budget better than I do.

Its cheaper than normal by about 8%, those "not-so-popularized" guns are about same price over here, but you will pay it on accesories. I mean some optic mount for BM59? I guess something from US with price about 200 USD...

My tastes can be a bit old-fashioned at times. I personally would be more tempted by a semiauto Beretta M38 than an M12 or CX4.

Should i tell you that they are here in stores and even cheaper than M12? I would want one too, if i could just a collection of guns. The thing is - my things must have some purpose and even i have no doubts M38 would be fun, its not enough...

Also just "sold" (about week or two before i get money) my Hammerli Tac1, so my gun budget growing about price of UZI - yeah, at this point i just teasing you, UZI are like 500 USD here

 

[Jim Watson]

I can't help much, I would save my money for something clearly interesting and useful.

I have no interest in play like submachine guns (and not much in real ones, I got full auto out of my system years ago.)

I know just one CX4 shooter in a crowd of AR based PCCs. I think it is interesting because it operates like a pistol instead of the different control placement of the AR but it did not catch on.

The BM 59 is a fine old style battle rifle, probably the best quality on your list.

 

[Mars5l]

Id gladly pay a $1k for a BM59

 

[A C]

Ah, bit by the Italian bug, I see.

 

[FL-NC]

M12.

 

[Idahou]

Well, im leaning to BM59 and plan to decide it tomorow

There is only few BMs here, but M12 are in stocks and price is dropping slowly, plus i kinda expect, that we will see newer variants as Italians modernizing to PMX. As long-range gun, it will have limited use for me, which also mean that i would never invest much more money in that so this is probably best for the money. And it would be nice even as just decorative gun

Just hope, that this will fit https://www.brownells.cz/INSTA-MOUN...e-Bases-Black-Springfield-M1-Garand-794001100

 

[HankC]

Is BM59 still in production? $720 is an amazing price. Cost 1K+ in US and not factory guns.

 

[Dibbs]

I also like the CX4. You can match the mags to either the 92FS or the Storm pistol, which, IMO, is a big plus. Easy breakdown,
shoots to POA. One of my favorite pistol caliber carbines.

 

[Idahou]

Thank you all for your input, it was quite painfull to decide between those guns, but the verdict is here...

Its not M12, its not CX and its not BM59

M12 and BM59 are obsolete. Nice and good guns, but currently i cant be just collector. BM59 would do its job and its almost sure i will never not invest in diffrent longa range gun just because costs... and fact i really cant use it. It would be diffrent if i could just take it into "desert" to shoot, but over here it isnt option
M12 was replaced in services by modern version which are now replaced by even more modern versions and more armies giving up theirs SMG, so there is chance to just wait for more up-to-date guns like that
CX4 is gun what i wanted for very long time, but as times go, i cant see point in 16 inch PCC and since 9mm is currently almost as expensive as 7,62x39 (in CZ) its only point is that i cant take it to combat style shooting range. Thats not enough, considering that seller isnt dealer and judging by photos, he didnt care about the gun much

So for now i will invest to my SHTF combo - vz. 58 which still waits for some muzzle device and decent optic, mayabe red dot for my APX and of course ammo
But that just means, that im saving gun budget for something else, dont worry

Thanks

 

[Gordon]

I know I would take the the M12 , as they are worth close to $10,000 in the US. ! AND one hell of a defense gun with a stack of mags and cans of ammo. You can shoot them on 25 Meter range ! You can use hot Czech 9mm Ammo !

 

[bannockburn]

My choices would have been:

1) M12-Mainly because it's so unobtainable here that it would be one of those "once in a lifetime" buys.
2) BM59-Another somewhat rare bird and could still be found in the U.S. but not at those prices.
3) CX4-Would make for a fun range gun or be a decent choice for home defense.

 

[chicharrones]

Definitely a case of two different worlds. The CX4, while not ubiquitous, is easy to find in the USA. In comparison, the other two are rare birds here.

If I'd have ever seen a good condition M12 locally for less than $800 in 2021, I'd probably snap it up. It looks super cool and likely loads of fun to shoot. Of course, it would probably have a welded shut stock on it, being the USA.