Beretta Model 12 | |
---|---|
Type | Submachine gun |
Place of origin | Italy |
Service history | |
In service | 1961–present[1] |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Designer | Beretta |
Designed | 1950–1959[1] |
Manufacturer | Beretta, Taurus, Defence Industries Corporation, MAS, PT Pindad |
Produced | 1959–present[1] |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass | Metal stock:
Wood stock:
|
Length | Fixed stock: 660 mm (26.0 in)[1] Folding stock:
|
Barrel length | 200 mm (7.9 in)[1] |
Height | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum[1] |
Action | Blowback[1] |
Rate of fire | 550 rounds/min[1] |
Muzzle velocity | 380 m/s (1,247 ft/s)[1] |
Effective firing range | 100 to 200 m sight adjustments |
Feed system | 20-, 32-, or 40-round detachable box magazine[1] |
Sights | Two-position flip rear aperture, shrouded front post 285 mm (11.2 in) sight radius |
The Beretta M12 (Model 12) is a 9×19mm Parabellum caliber submachine gun designed by Beretta. Production started in 1959, the first users were the Italian Carabinieri, Italian State Police and the Guardia di Finanza, though in limited numbers; it was only widely issued beginning in 1978, replacing the old Beretta MAB. In 1962 the Italian Army bought a limited number of Franchi LF-57 submachine guns, judged better than the M12 but never issued to the troops, and only in 1992 the M12S2 variant was introduced, in very limited numbers. The Italian Air Force bought instead many M12S and M12S2 for the airport security units. However, the weapon had a higher initial success in the Arab countries and South America.
The weapon was first seen during the Tet Offensive in 1968 when the U.S. Marines guarding the U.S. embassy in Saigon repelled the assault by the Viet Cong using the Beretta M12. It is also used by various South American, African and Asian countries,[5] and made under licence in Brazil by Taurus, in Belgium by FN Herstal and in Indonesia by PT Pindad.