Firearms / Sub machine guns / Beretta M12
Beretta M12
General Facts
- TYPE
Sub machine gun - ORIGIN
Italy - NICKNAMES
M972 (Brazilian service designation)
MT-12 (Brazilian production M12S)
PM1 (Indonesian production M12)
PM1A1 (Indonesian production M12S) - DESIGNED
1950 - 1958 - DESIGNER
Beretta - PRODUCTION
1958 - present - PRODUCERS Italy - Beretta
Licenced production:
Brazil - Taurus
Indonesia - Pindad - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Limited cost
Rugged and reliable
Easy to use
Controllable automatic fire
Limited volume of fire
Limited accuracy
Introduction
The M12 is a sub machine gun of Italian origin. It was developed in the 1950's by Beretta. The M12 is a limited cost weapon that has proven to be a reliable design that performs well in wet and dusty environments.
Design
The M12 has a distinctive look with its tubular receiver and forward vertical grip. It is a blowback operated weapon that fires from the open bolt position. The weapon is entirely made out of metal, with the exception of the pistol grip and forward grip. A foldable tubular stock with swivelling butt plate is fitted and a wooden stock is optional.
Firepower
The M12 fires the 9x19mm round from 20, 32 or 40 round magazines. It is a select fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rpm. The maximum effective range is 150 to 200 meters.
Users
The first and foremost user of the M12 is Italy, where it is used by both military and law enforcement. The M12 has also been widely exported and is used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. Even though more capable designs exist the M12 remains popular for its reliablity, ease of use and low production cost.
M12
The M12 is a sub machine gun that can be easily recognized by its tubular receiver and vertial forward grip. The M12 was produced in three variants. All three models are similar at a glance and have an identical performance.
M12: Original model was introduced in 1958.
M12S: Improved model that was introduced in 1978 and features a redesigned fire selector and different sights. Also known as PM12S.
PM12S2: The latest production model which has an additional safety on the cocking handle.
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 20, 32, 40 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel length | 200 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 381 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 645 mm / 418 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.0 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and flip aperture rear, 150 and 250 m gradations |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 20, 32, 40 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel length | 200 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 381 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 660 mm / 418 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.2 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and flip aperture rear, 100 and 200 m gradations, 285 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 20, 32, 40 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel length | 200 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 381 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 660 mm / 418 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.48 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and flip aperture rear, 100 and 200 m gradations, 285 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
