The name Beretta is synonymous in the firearms industry as being known as an icon. Beretta is the oldest family owned firearm business in the world. They started in 1526 AD, from Napoleon to Mussolini and right up to the present, Beretta has equipped the armed forces of Italy for more than 500 years. Not only were the small arms adopted in Italy, but military and law enforcement all over the world. Primarily known for pistols and sporting shotguns, Beretta has also developed rifles, sub machineguns and machineguns. Post WW2, the Italian Army adopted the BM59 rifle which was very similar to that of the M14 and it was also chambered in the newly NATO adopted 7.62x51mm cartridge. In the late 1960’s, Beretta began development on an assault rifle of their own that was chambered in the new small caliber, high velocity, 5.56x45mm cartridge. That cartridge was also being used in the American M16 in the war in Vietnam. The AR70 rifle was introduced to the Italian Special Forces, and after sufficient testing, the AR70 was adopted in 1972. It would later become adopted as the standard rifle for the Italian Army from 1972 to 1990. In 1990, there would be an upgrade from the AR70 to the AR70/90.
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