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OK,,,,If and when a run was to be done on BM59 replacement barrels, have some questions on configuration. (now being on top of "when" not "if") Am trying to set it up so that if you have some BM59 parts laying around you would be able to do a build with this barrel at an affordable price. And being able to use surplus BM gas cylinders and gas parts and BM op-rods. Of course this is for the short BM59/62/69 configuration. NOT for the 1/2 inch short "E" model. Here's the way it is shaping up: NO milling cuts on both side of barrel below the handguard grooves,,,,will be standard Garand configuration in this area. NO bullet guide cuts at chamber entry (kind of like the M4 cuts on AR's) Length will be BM59 interchangeable...17 1/2 inches. Gas port will be BM59 spec. Gas cylinder lock thread will be same as standard Garand...(BM59 appear to be a bit longer thread) Now here's the big question....Lower band configuration. Cost wise will probably go with standard lower band retention...pinned on. Cost on doing BM lower bands with the grooves and spring clip would be a killer. But need to know about lower band position. Have been told by some that band could be positioned 1/2 to rear of standard location. Would like any input on this. Any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Greg

Rec'd this back from Tim Shufflin a couple of weeks ago. Used a .308 Winchester barrel which Tim cut to a bit over 16 1/4 inches. The overall length comes to 26 3/4 inches. Weight is a touch over 9 1/2 pounds (figured the folder would be lighter). Mag conversion uses M14 mags. Turn time with Tim is fast. This was back in my hands in less than two weeks. The machine work is positively excellent! Have not had any time to get to the range with it, but will report back when I get some rounds thru it. Know this is not a real Beretta BM59, but with prices on the Beretta's getting really high, figured this might be an alternative for people sitting on some Garand parts. Here's Tim's contact info: http://shuffsparkeri...mag-fed-garand/ Greg

Mike, nice rifle. Seems a whole bunch of BM59 clones are being done,,,,,most probably thanks to Tim Shufflin for doing the receiver/mag conversion. Here's one that was just posted on the battle tested site.... http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/driant/mini14-15.jpg

Mike, That is one neat poster. Would be interested in seeing close up scan of the soldier to see equipment and such. Thanks, Greg

....Hope this post is OK with the moderator. We have sold quite a few of the BM59 gas cylinders. Yes, they are tight. The reason being is that when we did the run we used a variety of barrels, mostly U.S. GI produced Garand barrels for the fit check. As you can imagine, we had no access to, or know of no source for original Beretta drawings. So we relied on using a few BM59 gas cylinders and two Beretta BM barrels to get dimensions from. It was a bit of a surprise to find that the BM barrels we had gave a slightly looser fit than did standard Garand barrels. So in the end, considering that this would probably be a one time run, we opted to run a bit tight on the dimensions reasoning that a tight fit would be better than having the gas cylinder moving around on the barrel. So, why the post? This is the reason,,,if you have a gas cylinder from us, and you are not happy with it, please let us know. We'll gladly let you return it for refund or exchange. We are in the BM59 parts deal for what we think will be a long run. We want anyone in the BM59 community to be satisfied with the parts they receive from us. Thanks for the time and thanks to the board for allowing this post. Greg StandardParts LLC

The discussion on the Tri-Comp was very interesting. Have heard some talk about the fact that the BM59 was smoother than the M14. Since I've never done a side by side comparison will have to let others weigh in on that. But, the more I get into the BM59, what at first seems like a M1 Garand clone, you really start noticing that Beretta made many subtile changes. There are a couple that really stand out. First the threads on the barrel that the gas lock or muzzle break thread onto are approx half again as long as a standard Garand. Would assume that this is to support the extra weight and length of the various muzzle breaks? Also the hollow gas screw which is also shorter than a standard Garand gas screw. Have heard some theories that this smoothed out the recoil pulse? (much like the chamber in the compensator?) Others have said when used on a standard Garand that won't cycle. or short cycle, the BM gas screw will make the rifle work fine. Also, why the milled out cuts on each side of the rear of the barrel, as well as the "c-clip" that holds on the lower band. More machine work. What was the purpose? And have heard it said that the Italians issued only one mag going on the fact that the magazine would be reloaded with chargers from the top of the rifle. Any truth to this? There are many out there who know a whole lot more about the BM59....any observations will be appreciated. Thanks in advance to any info on the above. Greg

Is there, or would there be any interest in having some run. Have looked at running BM59 length with standard profile at lower band. If there is interest, please weigh in as to what you would want. Greg

Anyone have info, or educated guess as to why Beretta did not make the BM59 barrel a bit shorter, about a 1/2 inch so that the gas cylinder would butt up to the lower band and not have the gap exposing the or rod? I'm thinking two possiblities....one is that they wanted to avoid venting any gas cylinder leakage into the stock channel. Or two, does for some reason the barrel length assure that the gas hole lands in the rifling groove rather than straddle the land? Again both the above are just a guess. Greg

UK Armourer....If you have any dimensioned drawings or production blueprints for the BM series would like to hear from you. Really believe the BM59 series needs a solid base for spares, other than Sarco. Greg