Beretta M12
Beretta Model 12 is a nine millimeter-caliber submachine gun. It is the official submachine gun of the Italian Army. It was introduced in 1959.
The Beretta Model 12 was officially adopted by the Italian government in 1961. It is also the official submachine gun of some South American and African countries. It is made under licence in Brazil and Indonesia.
The Model 3 weighs 3.48 kilograms empty (about 3.820 kg loaded) and is 660 millimeters) in length with stock extended (418 mm when retracted). It fires from an open bolt. Its cyclic rate of fire is 550 shots per minute and it has a muzzle velocity of 380 meters per second. It is accurate to 200 meters.
The barrel and rifling are chromium-plated to prevent fouling.
The weapon has a selective-fire option allowing a choice of single shot or fully automatic fire.
The weapon has 3 safeties: a manual safety which blocks the trigger; an automatic safety on the rear grip which immobilizes the trigger and blocks the bolt in a closed position; and a safety on the cocking handle locking the bolt in case it does not retract sufficiently.
The weapon is provided with a front sight (adjustable for elevation and windage) and a rear sight with a 2-position flip aperture (up to 100 m and up to 200 m).
20, 30, and 40-round box magazines were available for the original Model 12, which was chambered for the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge.
The Model 12 was redesigned as the Beretta Model 12s in 1978.
The Model 12s uses a 32-round box magazine, and is chambered for the 9 mm x 19 NATO cartridge.
In fiction
- The Model 12 is available in the game Global Operations as the "Beretta 12S". It can be upgraded with Tac Light, 3x scope and an extended 40 Round Magazine.
- The Model 12 is used by Dr.Evil's Henchmen in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"