The Wizard

There is a second rifle grenade sight that goes with the BM59 rifle. It is the detachable indirect fire rifle grenade sight. It mounts to the left side of the gas cylinder. Unfortunately, the BM59's on the market today do not come with this sight and finding one can be frustrating. Well, I found one for my JRA BM 59 Ital-Paracadutisti. There is a limit supply left. Here is where you go: https://www.ebay.it/itm/194714028327...3Avlp_homepage He is in Italy but I got mine rather quickly. He also has new BM59 slings.

This pass Saturday (8/3/2024) I finally got a chance to go the range and shoot the JRA BM 59 Ital-Paracadutisti. Fired 60 rounds of M80 ball from it. 9 rounds at 25 meters to get a rough battle sight zero and another 30 rounds at 250 meter to confirm the battle sight zero and to see if I could keep all the shots within a 9 inch circle. If I disregard the 3 flyers I kept the shots in a 7 inch circle. I think I did alright for an old guy with bad eyes and iron sights. For last 20 rounds I went over to the silhouette range and tried my luck at hitting plates at 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 meters. Did alright until the 300 meter plate. Only hit it 1 out of 4 shots. As for how it was shooting with the folding stock, ever since shoulder surgery I use a Caldwell recoil shield so it was bearable. If I had to shoot 100 or 200 round without a recoil shield it might become uncomfortable. Overall the rifle functioned as it should. Except for one issue. Back in the early 1980's when Springfield Armory, Inc. imported semiautomatic BM59’s they also imported some select firm Beretta BM59’s. I got/have one. I also got 15 new magazines . All 15 magazine work in the Beretta BM59 (easy to insert and lock in place). With the JRA BM 59 three of those magazine will not lock in place and all 15 are quite a tight fit in the magazine well. These are just my observations.

The barrel IS NOT CORRECT! Measuring from the bolt face to the muzzle I got 19.375 inches. JRA screwed the pooch again. I am thinking it might be possible to correct the barrel length BUT did JRA modify the tri-compensator in some way to accommodate the longer barrel? And if they did is there a way to restore it to its original configuration?

As of 25 July this thread has had 97 and not a single reply. Except this one by the OP. I am wondering if I did something wrong but if I did do something wrong someone would have said something by now. So, I must have done everything right!

First impressions of the James River Armory (JRA) BM 59 Ital-Paracadutisti. When I open the case (not the best but serviceable) I was impressed by the look of the rifle and that did actual have the detachable tri-compensator and the correctly marked (PC) folding stock. JRA did a very good job of refinishing their parts. The parts are a mix of Beretta made and convert USGI M1 parts (bolt, operating rod, trigger housing and hammer). Speaking of parts the trigger is the correct (marked TA-PC) for the folding stock configuration. I was also surprised to find the operating spring guide rod was installed. There were two things that I was not happy about. One, JRA did not build their receivers with the stripper clip guide. I must admit the stripper clip guide is not a feature that most likely no one use but its presents would make the rifle look more like the real thing. The second thing is the direct fire rifle grenade sight is not correct for the Ital-Paracadutisti and will not operate correctly. I understand the correct sight is impossible to get. I believe the one on the rifle now can be modified to work. Why do I need it to work you ask. I plan to launch practice rifle grenade from it!

M14 You can get a X-Products drum for a M14 you can't for a BM59.

You have to install a M14A1 rear sling swivel on a M14A1 stock.

Why would they need that when there is a indirect grenade sight that comes with the rifle?

The original BM59 slings has three (3) pairs of rivets spaced along their length. Does anyone have any ideas what they are there for?

Has anyone found a readily available (Lowe's, Ace, Home Depot) commercial off the shelf replacement for the BM59 upper butt plate screw. Specific information would be greatly appreciated. Never mind. Found them at Standard Parts.

Since I showed the full auto capabilities of the M14 I thought I would give time to the BM59. Beside this is the BM59 forum. The BM59 on full auto: And here: How about the Alpine: And in the hands of troops:

This is not me but I have short my TRW M14A1 in a simular way: Again not me but shows what can be done with a M14 and X Product 50 round drum:

Short answer is NO! The BM59 is not that popular of a platform for companies to bring out extended or drum magazines for it.

PM me with your email address and I can send you some BM59 manuals (in Italian) that shows the parts.

I have no first hand experience in this area but given the design of the M1 gas cylinder locking screw and that of the BM59 my humble opinion is it ain't go to work.