Beretta Model 12

Beretta Model 12 or Beretta M12 is a submachine, 9 mm Luger Parabellum caliber gun. The Weapon is the official submachine gun of the esteemed Italian Army. The M12 was first introduced in 1959.

By: sxylady Posted: June 14, 2007

Background

The Beretta M12 was officially adopted and used by the Italian government in 1961. The gun is also the official submachine gun of several African and South American countries. The M12 is made under license in Indonesia and Brazil.

The Beretta Model 12 replaced the Beretta Model 3. The Model 3 of the weapon weighs 3.48 kilograms empty (about 3.820 kg loaded) and is approximately 660 millimeters in length with stock fully extended (418 mm when retracted). The weapon's short length is achieved by utilizing a recessed barrel into the bolt head, this is known as a telescoping bolt. This function reduces length without reducing barrel length or bolt weight. The submachine gun fires from an open bolt and has a rapid cyclic rate of fire is 550 shots per minute. The submachine gun's muzzle velocity is approximately 380 meters per second. The weapon is accurate to 200 meters.

Characteristics

The rifling and barrel of the weapon are chromium-plated to prevent fouling.

The M12 has a selective fire option allowing a choice of fully automatic fire or single shot.

The weapon is equipped with 3 safeties: an automatic safety on the rear grip which successfully immobilizes the trigger and blocks the bolt in a permanently closed position; a manual safety which blocks the trigger; and a safety on the convenient jcocking handle locking the bolt just in case it does not retract sufficiently.

The Model 12 is provided with a front sight (fully adjustable for windage and elavation) and a rear sight with a custom 2-position flip aperture (up to 100 m and up to 200 m).

The Model 12 also is compatible with 20, 30, and 40-round box magazines which were available for the original Model 12. This weapon was chambered for the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge.

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