Blast from the past!
- Thread starter machman
- Start date
Not exactly an M14, but many would argue that this is what the M14 should have been. More of a modified M1 Garand, with detachable 20-round magazines, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. This is of course, the Pietro Beretta BM-59 Main Battle Rifle, employed in several different variants by Italian forces, including Mountain and AIrborne troops. My example is a BM-59 Mk 4, which is the heavy-barrelled automatic rifle capable of providing sustained, suppressive automatic fire when necessary. It is fitted with a special in-line, full-wooden Stock with plastic Pistol Grip and "Shoulder Thing That Goes Up", whereas the standard rifle makes use of a more conventional wooden Stock with integral "Pistol Grip" much like the standard M14. The Para and Mountain versions of the BM-59 are equipped with a side-folding tubular rear buttstock assesmbly for compact storage and carry. Here is mine, just purchased from the most recent Switzer's auction:
I always liked those. I have a spare garand receiver laying around I'd like to build a BM59 Alpine clone on. - dan
