Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1150145
TEXT & PHOTO: BARTOSZ SZOŁUCHA, MICHAŁ SITARSKI Beretta as a fire- arms brand does not require further introduction – it is one of the oldest manufacturers of fire- arms in the world, with its roots reaching back to 1526. It is mostly known for its handguns, including "iconic" 92 series that stared in many block- busters and for over 30 years was primary duty pistol of the United States Armed Forces. Not many people will be able to link "Beretta" with shotguns and even less will be able to tell anything about their military rifles. So far, the company has whole lot of them. One of the first rifles made after the Second World War was 7.62 NATO BM59 rifle similar to M14. Another design was 5.56 AR70 adopted by Italian Armed Forces in 1972. 1990 upgraded variant known as AR70/90. Along with constantly changing geopolitical conditions and active participation of Italian forces in global deployments, Italians decided to develop new assault rifle as a part of Soldato Futuro research program. Primary assumptions made by designed of the new rifle stated that it has to be modular and easy to adjust to users requirements and needs and it has to be light- weight as possible thanks to polymer parts. Quickly changeable barrel was another requirement, same as capability to quick conversion for left handed shooters. As a result of works started in 2005, designers team lead by Ulrich Zedrossera developed new rifle which became Beretta ARX 160. New gun was revealed in 2008 and first 1600 rifles were introduced to Italian armed forces in 2009, together with 40 mm GLX 160 under barrel grenade launches. First rifles were delivered with quick-changeable 16 inch barrels. Italian Special Forces quickly requested a 12 inch barrel version which was introduced as ARX 160 A2 but in some sources, this version is also named as ARX 160 SF (Special Forces). This variant featured shorter stock and slightly modified handguard with extended bottom Picatinny rail (plus 10 mm). There were another two versions trialed as DMR rifle with thicker profile 16" and 20" barrels. In 2012, the Russian FIREARMS