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Beretta AR 70/90



Overview

Beretta AR 70/90

Left side view of Beretta AR 70/90 assault rifle with bipod. Folding stock of the SC 70/90 shown alongside.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Italy
Type
Assault rifle
Entered service
Early 1990's
Status
In service
Development
1985
Developer
Italy - Beretta
Production
1990 - ? (production ceased)
Producer
Italy - Beretta
Number produced
Over 130.000 AR and SC 70/90
Small number of AS 70/90
Notable users
Italy

Description

Introduction

The AR 70/90 is an assault rifle of Italian origin. It is a much improved version of the earlier AR 70/223 and was developed to suit the needs of the Italian army.

Design

The AR 70/90 is based on the AR 70/223 and has a conventional layout. Among its improvements are a strengthened receiver, the use of the 5.56x45mm NATO round, an optional three round burst ability, a bipod and a detachable carrying handle with light source for low light firing. The AR 70/90 retains the same design principle with the stock, forearm and pistol grip are made of plastics and the receiver out of sheet metal. Only some pieces of the internal mechanism need to be made out of quality steel.

Firepower

The AR 70/90 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from 30 round STANAG magazines. The cyclic rate of fire of 670 rounds per minute is modest. The effective range is claimed to be 400 meters.

Users

The AR 70/90 was adopted in quantity by the Italian armed forces and it was exported to several nations. In Italian service it is to be replaced by the Beretta ARX160.

Variants

SCP 70/90

Right side view of SCP 70/90 carbine with stock folded. Muzzle attachment for launching muzzle grenades shown alongside.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

AR 70/90
The AR 70/90 is a full size rifle of the AR 70/90 family and is fitted with a fixed plastic stock.
SC 70/90
The SC 70/90 is similar to the AR 70/90 but features a folding stock.
SCS 70/90
The SCS 70/90 is the carbine version of the AR 70/90 family. It has a shorter barrel and is fitted with a folding stock. Due to its shorter barrel it is unable to launch rifle grenades.
SCP 70/90
The SCP 70/90 is similar to the SCS 70/90, but is able to mount a screw on barrel extension allowing it to fire rifle grenades.
AS 70/90
The AS 70/90 is a light support weapon derived from the AR 70/90. It features a fixed heavy barrel, large metal forearm, a bipod and heavy stock with shoulder plate. It uses standard 30 round STANAG magazines and is unique in its ability to fire rifle grenades. The AS 70/90 fires from the open bolt position for increased cooling.

Details

Facts AR 70/90 SC 70/90 SCS 70/90 SCP 70/90 AS 70/90
General
Origin
Italy
Type
Assault rifle
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO
Feed system
30 round detachable box
Barrel length
450 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
920 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - 3 - F
Rate of fire
670 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
998 mm
Width
66 mm
Height
225 mm without magazine
Weight
4.35 kg
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, adjustable post front and flip aperture rear
Adjustment
250 m and 400 m
Optics
Optional, requires special mount
Accessories
Rifle grenades
Yes
Bipod
Optional

Media

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Beretta AR 70

The AR 70/90 is a modernized and improved version of the AR 70/223.

Read more about Beretta AR 70

Beretta ARX160

The ARX160 is a newer modular assault rifle by Beretta.

Read more about Beretta ARX160