Beretta M12

Beretta Model 12
Beretta M12S displaying extended folding stock.
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1961–present[1]
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War The Troubles Operation Marajoara[2] Afghanistan wars Lebanese Civil War[3] Iran-Iraq War Libyan Civil War[4]
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: 3.0 kg (6.61 lb) (M12)[1] 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (M12S) 3.480 kg (7.67 lb) (M12S2) Wood stock: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (M12) 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (M12S)
Length	Fixed stock: 660 mm (26.0 in)[1] Folding stock: 645 mm (25.4 in) stock extended 418 mm (16.5 in) stock folded
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.