M12
Summary
| Country | 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Category | Submachine gun |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
Technical specifications
| M12 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 550 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 20 - 32 - 40 rounds |
| Length | 660 mm (26.0 in) |
| Weight | 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) |
| Range | 200 m (656 ft) |
Description
The Beretta M12 (Model 12) is a 9×19mm Parabellum caliber submachine gun that entered production in 1959. The design originated when Beretta weapons designer Domenico Salza revisited the Armaguerra Cremona OG44 submachine gun project in 1959, aiming to create a new submachine gun to replace the old MAB model 1938. Ten years later, it was followed by the M12S. Initial users included the Italian Carabinieri, Italian State Police, and the Guardia di Finanza, with wider distribution starting in 1978, succeeding the older Beretta MAB. A limited number of Franchi LF-57 submachine guns were acquired by the Italian Army in 1962, but never issued to troops. The M12S2 variant was introduced in limited numbers in 1992. The Italian Air Force purchased significant numbers of M12S and M12S2 variants for airport security units. The weapon initially achieved greater success in Arab countries and South America.
The Model 12 weighs 3.48 kilograms empty and approximately 3.820 kg loaded. With the stock extended, its length is 660 millimeters, reducing to 418 mm when retracted. This compact length is achieved via a telescoping bolt design where the barrel is recessed into the bolt head. The firearm operates from an open bolt and has a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. The weapon offers selective fire capability, with both single shot and fully automatic modes. It also features three safety mechanisms:
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a manual trigger block
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an automatic safety on the rear grip that immobilizes the trigger and locks the bolt in the closed position
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a safety on the cocking handle to lock the bolt if it does not retract fully
Sighting is provided by an adjustable front sight (elevation and windage) and a rear sight with a two-position flip aperture for ranges up to 100 m and up to 200 m. The standard configuration includes a side-folding stock, although a fixed stock is also observed.
Several variants of the Model 12 have been produced. The first variant, introduced in limited numbers at the end of the 1960s for Italian Navy special forces, featured a slightly longer barrel and a birdcage-type flash suppressor. This variant has since been replaced by the Heckler & Koch MP5. In 1978, the Model 12 was redesigned, resulting in the Beretta Model 12S. The Model 12S uses a 32-round box magazine and is chambered for the 9×19mm NATO cartridge. It features a grip safety that locks both the trigger and the bolt in the closed position. The safety and fire-selector controls were combined into a single lever-type selector with three positions: "S" (Safety), "1" (Single-fire), and "R" (Burst fire). The PM12S was designed for simplified field-stripping and reassembly without tools, and can accommodate a suppressor with a minor barrel modification. The PM12-S2 was introduced in the mid-1980s and incorporates an additional safety device. This device maintains the bolt in a half-cocked position and acts as an interceptor. This modification became standard, leading to the PM12-S2 designation, which is the only Model 12 variant currently manufactured by Beretta.
The Beretta M12 was first observed operationally during the Tet Offensive in 1968, utilized by U.S. Marines guarding the U.S. embassy in Saigon. The weapon is currently in service with various countries across South America, Africa, and Asia.
Users include Algeria, Bahrain, Belgium (manufactured under license by FN Herstal, now out of service), Brazil (manufactured under license by Taurus as the MT12, standard submachine gun of the Brazilian Army designated M972), Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, France (police use), Gabon, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia (manufactured under license, models PM1 and PM1A1 made by Pindad), Iran, Italy (used by all armed forces and police, including GIS, NOCS, Carabinieri, Italian Navy, Italian Air Force, Polizia di Stato, Guardia di Finanza, Polizia Penitenziaria, and Corpo Forestale dello Stato), Libya, Malta (Armed Forces of Malta), Nigeria, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, the United States (Central Intelligence Agency and some SWAT teams, Baltimore City Police Department), Vatican City, and Venezuela. Non-state users listed are the National Resistance Army, the Provisional IRA, and PAIGC.