Former Italian VFA here (1-year volunteer service) IX blocco 2003, 25° RAV "Verona" (Volunteer Training Regiment). Infantry. I confirm that this was the one we used, steel magazines. We knew there were ones with collapsible wire stocks (SC 70/90) and ones with collaps. stocks and a shorter barrel (SCP 70/90) but we were never handed one. The handle was always on and we learned to shoot with it, it was a normal thing and nobody thought anything about it (almost all of us had never shot a rifle before so we had nothing to compare). They would let you use either the proper sight or the "fast target acquisition" one on the handle, as you wanted as long as you could hit something. I always used the real sights. The rifle was accurate and reliable, never had a malfunction nor seen one with other shooters. We found field-stripping a nightmare but, again, we were inexperienced, later it became easier to us. We practiced also with the M92 (again, almost nobody of us had used a handgun before and shooting was comedy, many bullets ended on the ceiling of the tunnel range) and with the FN Minimi light machine gun 5.56 (loooots of fun). Thank you Ian for your amazing videos! Greetings from Italy 😎
A short story from a work colleague, who used the AR 70/90 during his mandatory military service in the late '90s. He was in the Alpini, the famous specialised winter and mountain infantry. During a winter ski drill, a guy in his team realised he had lost the carry handle, which is detachable (as mentioned by Ian in the video) and immediately reported it to the commander. The whole team would then spend the next 3 or 4 hours in the cold, in the deep snow just to retrieve that small (and not even expensive) piece of equipment. In the end they did found the carry handle, and it turned out that the army gunsmith hadn't properly fastened it.
What a tool. On a more serious note, I'm glad mandatory military service is no longer in effect in Italy - it sounds like legalised slavery (and discrimination) to me.
Maybe I am weird, but ever since I was a kid and got a variety weapons pack for my GI JOE toys that came with one of these, this has always been one of my favorite-looking military rifles ever made. The Italians generally know what they're doing.
Literally, exactly the same here. I got to looking at it and thought, "Hmm... This is not a M16..." Started looking around at the library (in books made of paper!) and discovered Beretta made rifles and other stuff besides the M9 in every movie of that era. Yup, even as a kid I was a gun nerd. 😁
I've been futzing around with the AR70/90 that I had built, and I think the spring clip on the front pin actually goes between the upper receiver shell extension and the right hand trunnion ear. If you move it over there it acts as a captive spring for the pin. There is a little channel stamped into the shell extension, and I think that is for the spring.
@@grizzlyblackpowder1960Which of their o/u shotgun models is extremely overpriced? In my experience they are all priced very competitively to other manufacturers offerings.
@@AntonGudenus they have a shotgun on their website right now with a two star average rating, reviews talking about delicate parts, and its worth 125k dollars us. That's overpriced, sorry if that hurts your feelings.
Glad to see Brimstone finally completing these builds. My kit (2nd AR-70/90, this time with a folding stock) has been there over a year and a half. Hope mine isn't too far behind.
Only design from all the stuff i've seen and don't like, is the ARX-200, looks like a SCAR H that was driven over by a tractor then smashed by a hammer or something, speaking strictly aesthetics to be clear
Handled one of these at a museum which had a table of small arms from the introduction of 5.56 NATO, this was one of the heaviest there but the museum attendant told me it had a reputation as one of the most rugged and durable.
We shared a base in Afghanistan with Italians and during our deployment they switched from the 70/90 to the ARX160 and it was almost a change in complete attitude and doctrine. The unit with 70/90s everyone carried their weapons slung at low ready with always one hand on the weapon (probably due to weight) and looked ready for anything. When they got the new 6lb plastic gun almost every soldier had the gun slung low behind the back with the stock folded.
Wow cool thanks for the information if you don't mind may I ask a question? What effects if any did this have in there combat effectiveness? An what effects if any on the opfor attitude towards them?
@@long-hair-dont-care88. The closest thing the Italians got to combat was the tail gunner of a convoy passing out drunk and his face setting off the butterfly trigger of a 50. It was at that wierd kinda peaceful time after the Taliban was whooped and before ISIS.
@@saltybones8492 Bulls**t, try to ask someone who were at Fob Snow or Fob Ice: over there the talibs attacked on a daily basis. Just the final part of the almost 20 years mission was quite relaxing.
Kinda looks like a rifle grenade's tail would hit that gas cutoff lever if it was in the open position. If I were a gambler (and I'm seeing right and not just being silly) I would bet that was deliberate. Pretty slick system, that.
This was when Beretta was still pretty conservative looks-wise. They really starting upping the style factor with the Cx4 and Px4 Storm models, and you can also see it in the ARX-160.
Ciao IAN. nel 1993 ero negli ALPINI e usavamo ancora il BM-59. Il mio reparto( battaglione SÜSA, oggi 3•regg.Alpini,)però ,aveva da anni ,diversi esemplari di SC-70/90 perché li stava testando . In alcune sezioni di addestramento, li abbiamo potuti usare. Avevamo anche alcuni esemplari di FRANCHI LF 57 ( usati per breve periodo al posto dell 'M-12 ,come arma secondaria, dai tiratori scelti). So che in armeria avevamo anche alcuni " GALIL" della FRANCHI,ma non li ho mai visti....un saluto dall Italia ❤
My rifle for three years. As part of an Alpine mountain regiment we had the lighter version with foldable stock :D this is a gun. Not that shitty ARX they are cranking out now :(
I've built a couple of these, really nice to shoot. The trunnions and associated rails are welded into the receiver shell rather than riveted. The ejector is riveted in, but also welded - go figure. I did pin my gas block in place to avoid some of the poor accuracy from the front sight not being 100% rigid.
I waited so much for this video, glad you talked about the main weapon that my father used in the Air Force(they were the first ones to recieve it, besides the special forces). He loved this video, thank you.
The carry handle sights thing are an interesting idea, but you could also just have a ghost ring rear sight, or skip all that and just look over your rear sight and focus on the front. It's not the best technique once you step back a little bit, but up close and nasty yeah it works
used the Beretta SC 70/90 Alpini type in 1999 it was an AK 47 bolt inside an AR 15 receiver , more edgy , heavy but very very accurate shooting , and 3 burst with bipod....... deadly too
From my understanding and from a joke that was circulating between one of my father’s friends at the time this was being issued, the carry handle is there because a general thought it was cool on the m16 and requested to have one on the rifle.
@@cristianlotti5328 he wasn't wrong, the m16 carry handle is cool. this one, however, looks like it got added in a filming set to be used as a prop gun
I don't think the AR-70/90 could ever be adequately sporterized for US importation in a cost effective way, but I so wish it was possible to get them here.
The operating system, receiver design, ejector design, and bolt shape makes it seem like the designer looked at an AK-47 and decided it wasn't modular enough so they made this instead.
Ian, How did you pull off the barrel shroud/flash hider in order to remove the gas block? Really cool that you got this rare rifle to show for us the way yo did!
Sorry, I goofed the editing and that part was left out. The muzzle device just unscrews off the barrel once you press in a locking plunger (like on an AK).
@@ForgottenWeapons It seems like the designers got a lot of cues from the AK for a lot of the design choices in this thing. I didn't see your previous video on the AR-70 so I don't know the history, but just looking at the operating system makes me think the designers saw an AK and thought they could make one too but better and more modular.
The carry handle is actually a great look, just not usable for exactly the reason Ian mentioned (I thought it was just me). The AR-70/90 w/ carry handle and bipod looks like it's going a hundred flippin' miles an hour when it's just STANDING STILL.
I was a vam airforce guard Using the Sc70 variant with folding metal butt Also we shoot beretta Mab , M12, And beretta 34 /380 acp The M12 and 34 very easy to handle The Sc70 was much harder and only in use When you guard military airport The M12 in use when you guard inside towns …..: was a nice year though…..
0:08 Dont worry Ian I have to use subtitles anyways as I forget earpro consistently Whoever does subtitles on the channel deserves a raise or use Ian for a voice trainer... Or Ian is literally just that clear and concise!
I did my service with a BM59, and now, as a civilian shooting enthusiast, I have an AR 70/90, which is heavy too, but I find it much more manageable... Then, I'm Italian, can we talk about aesthetics? 😂
You can see both ar-70/90s and arx-160s in our streets, we have an army operation called “safe streets” that essentially recycle army personnel like policemen with assault rifles. Gotta say, an ar-70/90 looks way more menacing than a 12” arx-160 with an aimpoint m68
Any particular reason you have government employees with assault rifles on your streets? Asking because I was under the impression that guns are heavily regulated in the EU. And Italy specifically. I may have been misled.
@@10mikemike89 The operation is carried on by active duty military personnel, with the standard equipment. It started after the terror attacks in France in 2015. They surveil places where's most likely to have tourists' concentrations.
@@10mikemike89 "Operazione Strade Sicure" ("Safe Streets Operation") was a government program started a few years ago (during the 2015-2016 era of ISIS threats) wich saw teams of 2-3 Italian Army servicemen, not in combat gear but still equipped with the standard infantry rifile, and stationed near "sensible or probable targets" in major cities (Airports, major railway stations and monuments) as a supplement to the local police force and Carabinieri (armed with the Beretta PM12S submachinegun). Since the allocation depended by the nearest base, the armament was the same matter. In some cities (for example, in Rome) you might see servicemen with the ARX-160, in other places (such as outside Milano's central railway station) it's the AR70/90. Last year for example 2-3 "Folgore" paratroopers (since their main base is located nearby) with AR70/90s with carry handles removed and ACOG optics fitted on picatinny rails were stationed outside the leaning tower of Pisa. The terrorist threat has relatively died down for some years, but the national government decided to retain the "Strade Sicure" operation as a deterrent against crime and still in support of the local police force and Carabinieri. I'd say in this context, the AR70/90 does a far better job than the ARX-160, if only just for it's sheer "meaner" look. Regarding firearm regulations, it might come as a surprise, but among the EU countries, Italy is one of the most lenient. Firearms regulation within the European Union is still (luckily) a matter decided by the individual nations, therefore each one has it's own approach, that ranges from very free (the Czechs) to moderately free (us Italians) to questionable (the Germans) to batshit stringent (the Brits). To put it in perspective, here in Italy we have firearms regulations that is less stringent, and considerably simpler to navigate, than a number of US states: there's very limited caliber restriction (except calibers issued to the armed forces, such as 9x19 parabellum, for historical reason), moderate lenght restrictions on lenght for long guns (measuring the weapon as a whole), moderate restrictions on magazine capacity (can't recall exactly, but should depend on the caliber and the firearm, but ranges from 5 to 10 as a maximium magazine capacity). Full-auto is not permitted, but there are no restrictions on semi-auto. Pistol and Shotgun-related "techical" regulations are practically nill. Italy is also one of the very few (if not the only) countries in the european union that allows the sale and purchase of military surplus firearms (provided they have been modified in accordance with existing regulations - most times this only accounts to the gun being modified for semi-auto only). How you acquire and use a firearm is another matter - you need a license ("Porto d'Armi") wich is done via background check. Various types of licenses exist, each for one purpose and a set of permitted and non-permitted firearms. For example, "Sporting/Hunting purposes" allows you shotguns and certain pistols, a "Collector's license" allows you access to generally all firearms, but there are restrictions on usage (e.g. cannot be shot outside a designated shooting range or private property). "Self-Defence" allows you Pistols and the license to conceal carry. Firearms licenses are relatively straightforward and simple to get provided you do not have any criminal history or other issues (such as a history of alcohool abuse) and pay the related document taxes. Still, there are licenses that are easier than others (for example, the hunting license is the simplest to get). Basically, you need to prove to the police (wich issues these licenses) that you can be trusted and entrusted with a firearm (e.g. a firearms license can be revoked immediately if one is found drunk driving - if you cannot be trusted with a car, you shouldn't be trusted with a firearm). A Self-Defence license instead is the hardest to get as you need to prove you life is in actual danger and you absolutely need a means to protect yourself (typically in the past it was granted to Jewelry dealers or other people that had to carry a lot of valuables around on themselves for work-related reasons). Ifi i recall correctly, most types of firearms can be purchased immediately from a licensed gun store after they have verified the background check. Finally, weapons must be stored unloaded in a secure cabinet or a safe, and their ammunition must be stored in a separated cabinet or safe, preferably in a different room. More or less the same applies for transporting firearms - unloaded and with the ammunition stored in a separated box. In any case, any firearm regulation applies to civilian ownership, not to army servicemen or servicemen of other armed forces (local police, national police, the Carabinieri or the Guardia di Finanza), as in any other country.
Could be the OCD acting up again but that ejection port looks like it can't handle a full length cartridge. I'm guessing Beretta made sure that wasn't a problem but it just looks that way. Looks so much better without the carry handle, just like the L85/SA80 doesn't look right without the SUSAT on it.
Beretta and SIG started designing an AR toghether, then parted ways in 1963 because SIG wanted to use a roller delayed blowback action and Beretta a AK-like long stroke gas action. SIG ended with the unsuccessful SG530, gas actuated, roller locked. Beretta made the AR70. SIG adoped a nearly identical action to the Beretta one in the SG540.
The similarity here to the Sig 550 series is uncanny. Look at the grip, it's a straight copy! The way the bolt carrier links to the gas piston is exactly the same! The receiver design is very similar, especially the cut out for the bolt and the way the handguards attached, even a rotating drum sight to match!
It’s not a copy, SIG and Beretta cooperated on the development of the SG 550 and AR 70. If I’m not mistaken the initial objective was to develop one single rifle and later the program split in two
@@tommasobianchi5496Correct. They initially started jointly developing the Sig 530 rifle in 1963. Beretta ended up leaving the program in 1968, but based on the research they developed the AR70 while Sig used it to develop the Sig 540 rifle.
Consider that the collaboration ended because Beretta wanted to use a AK-like gas action (this one) and SIG a rolled-delayed blowback action (and ended up with the unsuccessful SG530, gas operated roller locked). Only later SIG ended with an action practically identical to the Beretta one in the SG540.
Brimstone? As in the Brimstone Gunsmith in Washington State? I had a super bad experience with them and I hope that's not who we're talking about here.
How is the gas block fixed in place while also being removable? This system would work great for the build I’m doing with an FAL gas block on Galil/AK parts. I got a video on it if anyone is interested posted to my channel.
Sorry, I goofed the editing and that part was left out. The muzzle device just unscrews off the barrel once you press in a locking plunger (like on an AK). Then the gas block can slide off.
Former Italian VFA here (1-year volunteer service) IX blocco 2003, 25° RAV "Verona" (Volunteer Training Regiment). Infantry. I confirm that this was the one we used, steel magazines. We knew there were ones with collapsible wire stocks (SC 70/90) and ones with collaps. stocks and a shorter barrel (SCP 70/90) but we were never handed one. The handle was always on and we learned to shoot with it, it was a normal thing and nobody thought anything about it (almost all of us had never shot a rifle before so we had nothing to compare). They would let you use either the proper sight or the "fast target acquisition" one on the handle, as you wanted as long as you could hit something. I always used the real sights. The rifle was accurate and reliable, never had a malfunction nor seen one with other shooters. We found field-stripping a nightmare but, again, we were inexperienced, later it became easier to us. We practiced also with the M92 (again, almost nobody of us had used a handgun before and shooting was comedy, many bullets ended on the ceiling of the tunnel range) and with the FN Minimi light machine gun 5.56 (loooots of fun). Thank you Ian for your amazing videos! Greetings from Italy 😎
🫡 thank you legionary
A short story from a work colleague, who used the AR 70/90 during his mandatory military service in the late '90s.
He was in the Alpini, the famous specialised winter and mountain infantry.
During a winter ski drill, a guy in his team realised he had lost the carry handle, which is detachable (as mentioned by Ian in the video) and immediately reported it to the commander. The whole team would then spend the next 3 or 4 hours in the cold, in the deep snow just to retrieve that small (and not even expensive) piece of equipment.
In the end they did found the carry handle, and it turned out that the army gunsmith hadn't properly fastened it.
What a tool. On a more serious note, I'm glad mandatory military service is no longer in effect in Italy - it sounds like legalised slavery (and discrimination) to me.
@@OnafetsEnovapthey pay you lol.
Maybe I am weird, but ever since I was a kid and got a variety weapons pack for my GI JOE toys that came with one of these, this has always been one of my favorite-looking military rifles ever made. The Italians generally know what they're doing.
Literally, exactly the same here. I got to looking at it and thought, "Hmm... This is not a M16..."
Started looking around at the library (in books made of paper!) and discovered Beretta made rifles and other stuff besides the M9 in every movie of that era. Yup, even as a kid I was a gun nerd. 😁
There's a lot to like in this rifle's design. With a couple of upgrades this could again be a great battle rifle.
I wish they made it in 7.62
6:07 I like how the gas cut-off would block a rifle grenade, good bit of design.
I've been futzing around with the AR70/90 that I had built, and I think the spring clip on the front pin actually goes between the upper receiver shell extension and the right hand trunnion ear. If you move it over there it acts as a captive spring for the pin. There is a little channel stamped into the shell extension, and I think that is for the spring.
You are correct, that is where it belongs.
I did my military service with this weapon. it was very heavy to carry, but almost indestructible!
The turret monster would like to know your location.
it is weight for a 5.56 but the weight makes it stable in the end if you shoot from a standstill it is an advantage
I suspected it would be pretty heavy. It's a really cool rifle though.
How does the grenade adapter come off? Ian left that bit out.
@@markfergerson2145 Looks like the grenade launcher holds the gas block in place. Probably omitted for TH-cam reasons
This looks like a mix between the WW2 Stinger, the FAL, and the Galile.
Seriously though... I love the design of this thing.
You can really see the DNA of the swiss SIG AG sg540 in this from their and Beretta's short-lived collaboration
Same type of optics mounting system on the 550 (Stgw90), I wonder if the dimensions are actually the same to allow use of the same optics.
I was watching and thought more than once "that's just like on the SIG 550!". That explains it
Ah, Berretta. The folks who made a better M14 than the M14.
For half the money.
In half the time.
The people who have been making firearms for 500 years...
Also the people who made the 92fs, and extremely overpriced over/under shotguns. Kinda the jack of all trade gun manufacturers.
@@grizzlyblackpowder1960Which of their o/u shotgun models is extremely overpriced?
In my experience they are all priced very competitively to other manufacturers offerings.
@@grizzlyblackpowder1960 They are cheap products compared to the level of quality they have, these weapons should cost twice as much
@@AntonGudenus they have a shotgun on their website right now with a two star average rating, reviews talking about delicate parts, and its worth 125k dollars us. That's overpriced, sorry if that hurts your feelings.
Glad to see Brimstone finally completing these builds. My kit (2nd AR-70/90, this time with a folding stock) has been there over a year and a half. Hope mine isn't too far behind.
One of my all time favorite rifles. I heard from Italian soldiers that this thing never jams.
With the carry-handle removed it gives me FN FNC vibes. Anyone else?
Definitely, and both have great lines.
The "not an AR-18" AR-18s tend towards the same lines. Only so many ways to stamp steel around similar guts.
I own one of the few rare examples in the us. It was expensive but I absolutely love it
I honestly love the italian rifle designs.
And pistols 😍
Only design from all the stuff i've seen and don't like, is the ARX-200, looks like a SCAR H that was driven over by a tractor then smashed by a hammer or something, speaking strictly aesthetics to be clear
@@polorrioabaixo7293 and pistols
@@Juozapas001nah, I absolutely love the arx-200
@@Juozapas001 I agree that it's ugly but I still like it regardless.
The carry handle is very useful for the Bersaglieri light infantry who march at 180 paces per minute.
Handled one of these at a museum which had a table of small arms from the introduction of 5.56 NATO, this was one of the heaviest there but the museum attendant told me it had a reputation as one of the most rugged and durable.
I've always liked the Beretta rifles, but those sharp corners above the pistol grip look super comfortable.
We shared a base in Afghanistan with Italians and during our deployment they switched from the 70/90 to the ARX160 and it was almost a change in complete attitude and doctrine. The unit with 70/90s everyone carried their weapons slung at low ready with always one hand on the weapon (probably due to weight) and looked ready for anything. When they got the new 6lb plastic gun almost every soldier had the gun slung low behind the back with the stock folded.
Herat?
@@SnoopReddogg yes at Shindand
Wow cool thanks for the information if you don't mind may I ask a question?
What effects if any did this have in there combat effectiveness? An what effects if any on the opfor attitude towards them?
@@long-hair-dont-care88. The closest thing the Italians got to combat was the tail gunner of a convoy passing out drunk and his face setting off the butterfly trigger of a 50. It was at that wierd kinda peaceful time after the Taliban was whooped and before ISIS.
@@saltybones8492 Bulls**t, try to ask someone who were at Fob Snow or Fob Ice: over there the talibs attacked on a daily basis. Just the final part of the almost 20 years mission was quite relaxing.
You need helmet with black rooster feathers on its side, when shooting beretta 70/90. It's a law.
Ictu impetuque primus!
Not with this One.
Very underrated rifle...
Kinda looks like a rifle grenade's tail would hit that gas cutoff lever if it was in the open position. If I were a gambler (and I'm seeing right and not just being silly) I would bet that was deliberate. Pretty slick system, that.
Soldiers being soldiers, it's just stupid-proof design.
This was when Beretta was still pretty conservative looks-wise. They really starting upping the style factor with the Cx4 and Px4 Storm models, and you can also see it in the ARX-160.
Ciao IAN. nel 1993 ero negli ALPINI e usavamo ancora il BM-59. Il mio reparto( battaglione SÜSA, oggi 3•regg.Alpini,)però ,aveva da anni ,diversi esemplari di SC-70/90 perché li stava testando . In alcune sezioni di addestramento, li abbiamo potuti usare. Avevamo anche alcuni esemplari di FRANCHI LF 57 ( usati per breve periodo al posto dell 'M-12 ,come arma secondaria, dai tiratori scelti). So che in armeria avevamo anche alcuni " GALIL" della FRANCHI,ma non li ho mai visti....un saluto dall Italia ❤
The carry handle irons is the original c-note and I’m here for it
My rifle for three years.
As part of an Alpine mountain regiment we had the lighter version with foldable stock
:D this is a gun. Not that shitty ARX they are cranking out now :(
I've built a couple of these, really nice to shoot. The trunnions and associated rails are welded into the receiver shell rather than riveted. The ejector is riveted in, but also welded - go figure.
I did pin my gas block in place to avoid some of the poor accuracy from the front sight not being 100% rigid.
I waited so much for this video, glad you talked about the main weapon that my father used in the Air Force(they were the first ones to recieve it, besides the special forces). He loved this video, thank you.
wow thats a gorgeous weapon
The carry handle sights thing are an interesting idea, but you could also just have a ghost ring rear sight, or skip all that and just look over your rear sight and focus on the front. It's not the best technique once you step back a little bit, but up close and nasty yeah it works
It's cool to hear of the mentioned gunshop so close to where I live and having been through new Bethlehem multiple times
Fuck me, it's the AM-MRS4 from MGSV.
The dent on the back of the hand guard is the tool that should soldiers use for field stripping the rifle
Saw this one in MGSV
Exactly what I thought Lol
Some interesting cues with this rifle (resonant CETME handguard, Piston looks like an FAL Piston but with a captive spring on it, etc.), very cool.
I'd argue the handguard is more FNC inspired, as is the bolt carrier.
@@MikeNepo Those too, absolutely.
It's long stroke operation like an AK. The charging handle binds the piston to the carrier.
@@KalashniKEV762 I said the Piston looks like an FAL Piston, not that it works like one.
used the Beretta SC 70/90 Alpini type in 1999
it was an AK 47 bolt inside an AR 15 receiver , more edgy , heavy but very very accurate shooting , and 3 burst with bipod....... deadly too
I'm in the middle of building one of these and have been looking forward to seeing your video on it! The accessories are impossible to find.
I can’t help but see the similarities in this rifle and the top “F” in your ForgottenWeapons logo. 😊
during mountain marches the carrying handle and bipod remained in the armoury
I got to have a look at one of these in East Timor in 99.
...... with folding stock and short barrel
SCp 70/90 used by
Carabinieri Airborne Tuscania.......
You had me at, "pistol sights on the carry handle." Leave it to Beretta to over engineer it to the point of being awesome.
From my understanding and from a joke that was circulating between one of my father’s friends at the time this was being issued, the carry handle is there because a general thought it was cool on the m16 and requested to have one on the rifle.
@@cristianlotti5328 he wasn't wrong, the m16 carry handle is cool.
this one, however, looks like it got added in a filming set to be used as a prop gun
I don't think the AR-70/90 could ever be adequately sporterized for US importation in a cost effective way, but I so wish it was possible to get them here.
Ah yes, the UN-ARC as made famous by Big Boss during his exploits in Kabul and Zaire during the mid 1980s.
The operating system, receiver design, ejector design, and bolt shape makes it seem like the designer looked at an AK-47 and decided it wasn't modular enough so they made this instead.
Just need some coverage of the Italian Breda MK 2, beautiful and incredibly well made! They are pretty much completely unknown in the states though :(
This is one of the coolest looking rifles before I met the Magpul Masada and Polish MSBS Grot.
Cipher sent us to hell... but we're going even deeper."
Honestly looks like something out of starship troopers
Love Italian content!
they do have some sexy guns
I like Italy. Pizza is my favorite food.
Ian, How did you pull off the barrel shroud/flash hider in order to remove the gas block? Really cool that you got this rare rifle to show for us the way yo did!
Sorry, I goofed the editing and that part was left out. The muzzle device just unscrews off the barrel once you press in a locking plunger (like on an AK).
@@ForgottenWeapons It seems like the designers got a lot of cues from the AK for a lot of the design choices in this thing. I didn't see your previous video on the AR-70 so I don't know the history, but just looking at the operating system makes me think the designers saw an AK and thought they could make one too but better and more modular.
That gas block and grenade launcher definitely gets its queues from the BM59
God it looks so much better without the carry handle.
The carry handle is actually a great look, just not usable for exactly the reason Ian mentioned (I thought it was just me). The AR-70/90 w/ carry handle and bipod looks like it's going a hundred flippin' miles an hour when it's just STANDING STILL.
I was a vam airforce guard
Using the Sc70 variant with folding metal butt
Also we shoot beretta Mab , M12,
And beretta 34 /380 acp
The M12 and 34 very easy to handle
The Sc70 was much harder and only in use
When you guard military airport
The M12 in use when you guard inside towns
…..: was a nice year though…..
0:08 Dont worry Ian I have to use subtitles anyways as I forget earpro consistently
Whoever does subtitles on the channel deserves a raise or use Ian for a voice trainer...
Or Ian is literally just that clear and concise!
Italy's pride and glory!
Thanks for the show, Pretty slick rifle. Reminds me of a FN FNC.
I did my service with a BM59, and now, as a civilian shooting enthusiast, I have an AR 70/90, which is heavy too, but I find it much more manageable... Then, I'm Italian, can we talk about aesthetics? 😂
my dad's service weapon!
You can see both ar-70/90s and arx-160s in our streets, we have an army operation called “safe streets” that essentially recycle army personnel like policemen with assault rifles. Gotta say, an ar-70/90 looks way more menacing than a 12” arx-160 with an aimpoint m68
Any particular reason you have government employees with assault rifles on your streets? Asking because I was under the impression that guns are heavily regulated in the EU. And Italy specifically. I may have been misled.
@@10mikemike89based on their comment it seems very similar to United States law enforcement agencies buying old military equipment.
@@Pwnulolumad The operation is carried on by active duty military personnel, with the standard equipment.
@@10mikemike89 The operation is carried on by active duty military personnel, with the standard equipment. It started after the terror attacks in France in 2015. They surveil places where's most likely to have tourists' concentrations.
@@10mikemike89 "Operazione Strade Sicure" ("Safe Streets Operation") was a government program started a few years ago (during the 2015-2016 era of ISIS threats) wich saw teams of 2-3 Italian Army servicemen, not in combat gear but still equipped with the standard infantry rifile, and stationed near "sensible or probable targets" in major cities (Airports, major railway stations and monuments) as a supplement to the local police force and Carabinieri (armed with the Beretta PM12S submachinegun).
Since the allocation depended by the nearest base, the armament was the same matter. In some cities (for example, in Rome) you might see servicemen with the ARX-160, in other places (such as outside Milano's central railway station) it's the AR70/90. Last year for example 2-3 "Folgore" paratroopers (since their main base is located nearby) with AR70/90s with carry handles removed and ACOG optics fitted on picatinny rails were stationed outside the leaning tower of Pisa.
The terrorist threat has relatively died down for some years, but the national government decided to retain the "Strade Sicure" operation as a deterrent against crime and still in support of the local police force and Carabinieri. I'd say in this context, the AR70/90 does a far better job than the ARX-160, if only just for it's sheer "meaner" look.
Regarding firearm regulations, it might come as a surprise, but among the EU countries, Italy is one of the most lenient. Firearms regulation within the European Union is still (luckily) a matter decided by the individual nations, therefore each one has it's own approach, that ranges from very free (the Czechs) to moderately free (us Italians) to questionable (the Germans) to batshit stringent (the Brits). To put it in perspective, here in Italy we have firearms regulations that is less stringent, and considerably simpler to navigate, than a number of US states: there's very limited caliber restriction (except calibers issued to the armed forces, such as 9x19 parabellum, for historical reason), moderate lenght restrictions on lenght for long guns (measuring the weapon as a whole), moderate restrictions on magazine capacity (can't recall exactly, but should depend on the caliber and the firearm, but ranges from 5 to 10 as a maximium magazine capacity). Full-auto is not permitted, but there are no restrictions on semi-auto. Pistol and Shotgun-related "techical" regulations are practically nill. Italy is also one of the very few (if not the only) countries in the european union that allows the sale and purchase of military surplus firearms (provided they have been modified in accordance with existing regulations - most times this only accounts to the gun being modified for semi-auto only).
How you acquire and use a firearm is another matter - you need a license ("Porto d'Armi") wich is done via background check. Various types of licenses exist, each for one purpose and a set of permitted and non-permitted firearms. For example, "Sporting/Hunting purposes" allows you shotguns and certain pistols, a "Collector's license" allows you access to generally all firearms, but there are restrictions on usage (e.g. cannot be shot outside a designated shooting range or private property). "Self-Defence" allows you Pistols and the license to conceal carry. Firearms licenses are relatively straightforward and simple to get provided you do not have any criminal history or other issues (such as a history of alcohool abuse) and pay the related document taxes.
Still, there are licenses that are easier than others (for example, the hunting license is the simplest to get). Basically, you need to prove to the police (wich issues these licenses) that you can be trusted and entrusted with a firearm (e.g. a firearms license can be revoked immediately if one is found drunk driving - if you cannot be trusted with a car, you shouldn't be trusted with a firearm).
A Self-Defence license instead is the hardest to get as you need to prove you life is in actual danger and you absolutely need a means to protect yourself (typically in the past it was granted to Jewelry dealers or other people that had to carry a lot of valuables around on themselves for work-related reasons).
Ifi i recall correctly, most types of firearms can be purchased immediately from a licensed gun store after they have verified the background check.
Finally, weapons must be stored unloaded in a secure cabinet or a safe, and their ammunition must be stored in a separated cabinet or safe, preferably in a different room. More or less the same applies for transporting firearms - unloaded and with the ammunition stored in a separated box.
In any case, any firearm regulation applies to civilian ownership, not to army servicemen or servicemen of other armed forces (local police, national police, the Carabinieri or the Guardia di Finanza), as in any other country.
That is a very beautiful gun
And here I was thinking LaRue invented the C-Note
LaRue C-note before it was cool 4:43
Damn. Beat me to it. Was gonna say this had to have been LaRue's inspiration for the c-note
Viva l'italia, Viva l'esercito!
(great rifle).
We love you Ian
Awesome video. I've actually got a parts kit at Brimstone myself right now :D.
That is a SWEET rifle! And gorgeous
Shades of the Sig 551/2/6, makes sense since they were initially developed together
Well there is a significant difference of circular moment of inertia between a 55 and 60 grain bullets, well dip me in ATF.
did i miss the muzzle device being removed during disassembly?
this looks straight out of a comic book, awesome
Make folding bipods great again
Looks like Beretta beat Mark LaRue's C-Note by 45 years.
what actually retains the gas block during normal use?
A great Gun! Love It!!!
You can totally see the design similarities to the SIG 550 series. Almost like the two rifle series shared some development....
Considering when this rifle was developed, perhaps those carry-handle "pistol sight" were intended to be night sights?
Could be the OCD acting up again but that ejection port looks like it can't handle a full length cartridge. I'm guessing Beretta made sure that wasn't a problem but it just looks that way. Looks so much better without the carry handle, just like the L85/SA80 doesn't look right without the SUSAT on it.
Now I see where the dev team for MGSV got their inspiration for the NATO guns from
Living your best life
It honestly has a lot of sig 550 series of appearance!! Not sure which came first but still cool either way!! Lol
Beretta and SIG started designing an AR toghether, then parted ways in 1963 because SIG wanted to use a roller delayed blowback action and Beretta a AK-like long stroke gas action. SIG ended with the unsuccessful SG530, gas actuated, roller locked. Beretta made the AR70. SIG adoped a nearly identical action to the Beretta one in the SG540.
@@neutronalchemist3241Slight correction, the partnership started in 1963 and they parted ways in 1968.
"See how the Italians do in the desert." [Insert North African Campaign joke here.]
Kasserine Pass?
The name "Frankenstein" comes to mind as I look at this rifle.
"Yo dog, we heard you like Iron sights, so we put a BUIS on top of your regular sights"
I can't wait to watch you with your Italian beauties in the 2 Gun Match.
Dream gun. Wish I could find one
Very nice I am having one built as well thanks for the video
I loved seeing the recoil spring being dirty means some one shoots the rifle. I hate safe Queen rifles
I regret not getting a arx160 when I had the chance
omg the carry handle is like that stupid c-note thing from LaRue
The similarity here to the Sig 550 series is uncanny. Look at the grip, it's a straight copy! The way the bolt carrier links to the gas piston is exactly the same! The receiver design is very similar, especially the cut out for the bolt and the way the handguards attached, even a rotating drum sight to match!
It’s not a copy, SIG and Beretta cooperated on the development of the SG 550 and AR 70. If I’m not mistaken the initial objective was to develop one single rifle and later the program split in two
SIG and Beretta actually collaborated for a while, which led up to both those rifles. That's why the grips are so similar, they're a shared design
Also the scope mounting blocks are realy similar
@@tommasobianchi5496Correct. They initially started jointly developing the Sig 530 rifle in 1963. Beretta ended up leaving the program in 1968, but based on the research they developed the AR70 while Sig used it to develop the Sig 540 rifle.
Consider that the collaboration ended because Beretta wanted to use a AK-like gas action (this one) and SIG a rolled-delayed blowback action (and ended up with the unsuccessful SG530, gas operated roller locked). Only later SIG ended with an action practically identical to the Beretta one in the SG540.
Good stuff
The FNC and STG 90 natural child... :)
I have a photo of me holding one in 2003 when the consiguari came to Kuwait
Brimstone? As in the Brimstone Gunsmith in Washington State? I had a super bad experience with them and I hope that's not who we're talking about here.
Looks like a low-poly M16 from a PS1 game
In metal gear solid v tpp i believe this firearm goes by the name of mrs series of rifles.
StGw90 vibes!
And everyone made fun of Mark Larue and his C-Note
How is the gas block fixed in place while also being removable? This system would work great for the build I’m doing with an FAL gas block on Galil/AK parts. I got a video on it if anyone is interested posted to my channel.
Sorry, I goofed the editing and that part was left out. The muzzle device just unscrews off the barrel once you press in a locking plunger (like on an AK). Then the gas block can slide off.
@@ForgottenWeapons thanks Ian! I don’t think I’ll be tapping and threading my gas block, but good to know it’s possible. Cheers!
Looks like a gun from 90s Cyberpunk RPG manual