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Beretta AR 70


AR 70/223


Overview

Beretta AR 70

Right side view of Beretta AR 70 assault rifle with bipod.
Source: www.deactivated-guns.co.uk - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Italy
Type
Assault rifle
Entered service
Early 1970's
Status
Limited service
Development
1968 - 1972
Developer
Italy - Beretta
Production
1972 - Early 1990's
Producer
Italy - Beretta
Number produced
Over 100.000 (estimate)
Designations
AR 70/223
Notable users
Italy

Description

Introduction

The AR 70/223 is a Cold War era assault rifle of Italian origin. It is the result of the SG-530 prototype that was jointly developed by Beretta and SIG. At the time of production it was one of the first rifles to use the 5.56x45mm round after it was employed in the US M16. The AR 70/223 was produced in limited numbers, but paved the way for the more successful AR 70/90.

Design

The AR 70/223 looks very similar to the SG-530 prototype. The AR 70/223 has a conventional assault rifle layout. The stock, forearm and pistol grip are made out of plastics and the rest of the weapon out of metal. The AR 70/223 uses a forward locking bolt system requiring only few parts to be made out of high quality steel.

Firepower

The AR 70/223 is a select-fire weapon that fires the older 5.56x45mm M193 round from 30 round STANAG magazines. The cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute is modest. The effective range is claimed to be 400 meters.

Users

The AR 70/223 saw only limited service with the Italian armed forces. It was exported to several nations, but had a limited service life due to limited ruggedness.

Variants

Beretta AR 70

Left side view of Beretta AR 70 assault rifle
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

List of variants

AR 70
The AR 70 is a full size rifle of the AR 70/223 family. It is fitted with a fixed plastic stock.
SC 70
The SC 70 is similar to the AR 70 but differs in having a foldable plastic stock.
SCS 70
The SCS 70 is the carbine version of the SC 70. It has a shorter barrel and is unable to fire rifle grenades.
AR 70/84
The AR 70/84 is a light support weapon derived from the AR 70. It is based on the earlier AR 70/78 prototype which also featured a quick change barrel. The AR 70/84 features a heavier barrel, large metal forearm, a bipod and recontoured stock with shoulder plate. It uses standard 30 round STANAG magazines. A unique feature is that the ability to fire rifle grenades is retained.

Details

Facts AR 70 SC 70 SCS 70 AR 70/84
General
Origin
Italy
Type
Assault rifle
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm M193
Feed system
30 round detachable box
Barrel length
450 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, 304 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
950 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
650 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
955 mm
Weight
3.8 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights
Sight radius
507 mm
Optics
No
Accessories
Rifle grenades
Yes
Bipod
Optional

Media

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