BM-59 7.62 NATO, Mag Fed Semi-Auto Rifle W/ New Barrel, CNC Billet Cut All Steel Gen II Receivers, Bi-Pod & Service Grade Stock, by J.R.A.

The BM59 is the final version of the M1 Garand. With US assistance the Italian government began manufacturing the Garand rifle in the late 1950’s. In order to modernize the Garand and transition to the 7.62 NATO caliber Beretta developed a top quality magazine fed rifle based on the Garand which was designated the BM59. This rifle was considered the foreign equivalent of the US M14 and by utilizing many Garand components it was very economical to place into production. The BM59 was the primary issue rifle by the Italian Army into the 1990’s and is still in use by the Italian Navy.

About this rifle - James River Armory built a number of these rifles several years ago but at that time they were utilizing a cast receiver and although the rifles functioned well, JRA was never quite happy with the end product. As such, they shelved the project for several years while they worked on a new and improved CNC cut billet steel receiver. Getting this receiver perfected was somewhat tedious but the end result was well worth it. This new Gen II BM-59 with the billet steel receiver is one of the highest quality most well-built rifles that I have ever seen. We carry them in both the Service Grade Edition with the original surplus stock ( as seen here) and the Grade A Model (with new or refinished to like new stock) as listed elsewhere.  We sell this particular rifle under this SKU as our Service Grade edition. The Service Grade Model is exactly the same as our Grade A BM-59 with the exception of the furniture. The stock sets on the Service Grade are not new or refinished to new but are the original stock sets that came with the parts sets. As such, the furniture on the rifles sold under this SKU is in " Turn In " condition and will show varying degrees of use... i.e scratches, dents, dings, discoloration etc... However, all of the stocks are complete and functional, and still pretty darn nice.... but they will not look new. Some collectors, including myself, like that battle-carried look on the stock but if you don't go with the Grade A model.  All steel parts are still refinished to like new by J.R.A.and with the exception of the wood the remainder of either model rifle is exactly the same. Again, personally, I like this look as to me it adds character to the rifle. Also, if you have the skills and the desire, you can certainly refinish the stock to your liking if you so choose ... however, do realize when ordering this model, that the stocks will not be new and the finish may vary. 
Note - The Service Grade model does not feature the winter trigger.

Here's the story:

 After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 Springfield (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 BM 59, which was essentially a re-chambered M1 Garand modified to be mag-fed and to accept a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod, and a combined flash suppressor/rifle grenade launcher.

The original military variation was also capable of selective fire. The BM 59 was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Moroccan armies. The earliest BM 59s in Italy were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels. These BM59 rifles are manufactured on Brand New CNC Billet Cut All Steel BM-59 Receivers that are properly heat treated for hardness to Mil Spec, and feature a combination of new condition U.S. Military and Beretta parts. They also feature a new U.S.-made barrel and are manufactured to legal Semi Auto BM59 specs. Each rifle comes with 1-20 round magazines.

I have been in the gun business for well over 25 years and an enthusiast for much longer than that. In that time I thought I had seen it all but I had never seen anything like this. Basically this the Beretta's variation of an M-14 rifle but it is lighter and faster handling. It also produces less recoil due to the built-in suppressor/grenade launcher, and although it carries all of the power and performance of the 7.62 Nato round. It is one of the softest shooting rifles I have ever held. It also has the historical significance of originally being built around an  M1 Garand  I love these rifles and you will too.

Note- Rifle is chambered for and functions best with Nato spec 147 grain 7.62x51 ammunition. We do not recommend commercial .308 Winchester ammunition for this rifle.