View source for Beretta M12

{{Infobox weapon
| name       = Beretta Model 12
| image      = 
| image_size = 
| caption    = 
| origin     = Italy
| type       = [[Submachine gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1961–present<ref name="miller2001">Miller, David (2001). ''The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns''. Salamander Books Ltd. {{ISBN|1-84065-245-4}}.</ref>
|used_by=See ''[[Beretta M12#Users|Users]]''
|wars={{Plain list|
* [[Vietnam War]]
* [[The Troubles]]
* [[Araguaia Guerrilla War|Operation Marajoara]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://artigos.netsaber.com.br/resumo_artigo_2332/artigo_sobre_chico-dolar-narra-a-guerrilha-do-araguaia|title=Chico Dólar Narra A Guerrilha Do Araguaia}}</ref>
* [[War in Afghanistan (1978–present)|Afghanistan wars]]
* [[Lebanese Civil War]]<ref name ="Lebanon">{{cite book|title=Armies in Lebanon 1982–84|series=Men-at-Arms 165 |first1=Sam |last1= Katz |first2=Lee E |last2=Russell |date=1985 |isbn=9780850456028 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |page=46}}</ref>
* [[Iran-Iraq War]]
* [[Libyan Civil War]]<ref name ='SAS 26'>{{cite book |title=Web Trafficking: Analysing the Online Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Libya |first1=N. R. |last1=Jenzen-Jones |first2=Ian |last2=McCollum |date=April 2017 |series=Working Paper No. 26 |editor=Small Arms Survey|editor-link=Small Arms Survey |page=91 |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-SANA-WP26-Libya-web-trafficking.pdf |access-date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009093426/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-SANA-WP26-Libya-web-trafficking.pdf|archive-date=2018-10-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[Beretta]]
|design_date=1950–1959<ref name="miller2001"/>
|manufacturer=[[Beretta]], [[Taurus (manufacturer)|Taurus]], Defence Industries Corporation, [[Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne|MAS]], [[Pindad|PT Pindad]]
|production_date=1959–present<ref name="miller2001"/>
|number=
|variants=See ''[[Beretta M12#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight=Metal stock:<br>
* {{convert|3.0|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (M12)<ref name="miller2001"/>
* {{convert|3.2|kg|abbr=on}} (M12S)
* {{convert|3.480|kg|abbr=on}} (M12S2)
Wood stock:
* {{convert|3.4|kg|abbr=on}} (M12)
* {{convert|3.6|kg|abbr=on}} (M12S)
|length=Fixed stock: {{convert|660|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="miller2001"/><br/> Folding stock:<br/>
* {{convert|645|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock extended
* {{convert|418|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock folded
|part_length={{convert|200|mm|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="miller2001"/>
|height={{convert|180|mm|abbr=on|1}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[9×19mm Parabellum]]<ref name="miller2001"/>
|action=Blowback<ref name="miller2001"/>
|rate=550 rounds/min<ref name="miller2001"/>
|velocity={{convert|380|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="miller2001"/>
|range=100 to 200 m sight adjustments
|max_range=
|feed=20-, 32-, or 40-round detachable [[box magazine]]<ref name="miller2001"/>
|sights=Two-position flip rear aperture, shrouded front post<br/> {{convert|285|mm|abbr=on|1}} sight radius
}}

The '''Beretta M12''' (Model 12) is a [[9×19mm Parabellum]] caliber [[submachine gun]] designed by [[Beretta]]. Production started in 1959, the first users were the Italian [[Carabinieri]], [[Polizia di Stato|Italian State Police]] and the [[Guardia di Finanza]], though in limited numbers; it was only widely issued beginning in 1978, replacing the old [[Beretta Model 38|Beretta MAB]]. In 1962 the [[Italian Army]] bought a limited number of [[Franchi (firearms)|Franchi]] [[Franchi LF-57|LF-57]] submachine guns, judged better than the M12 but never issued to the troops, and only in 1992 the M12S2 variant was introduced, in very limited numbers. The [[Italian Air Force]]  bought instead many M12S and M12S2 for the airport security units. However, the weapon had a higher initial success in the Arab countries and South America.

The weapon was first seen during the [[Tet Offensive]] in 1968 when the [[U.S. Marines]] guarding the [[U.S. embassy in Saigon]] repelled the assault by the [[Viet Cong]] using the Beretta M12. It is also used by various South American, African and Asian countries,<ref name = "Gander">{{cite book|last = Gander| first = Jerry| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003 | publisher = Jane's Information Group| year = 2002| isbn =0-7106-2434-4 | pages =214, 899–906}}</ref> and made under licence in Brazil by [[Taurus (manufacturer)|Taurus]], in Belgium by [[FN Herstal]] and in [[Indonesia]] by [[Pindad|PT Pindad]].

==Development==
In 1959, Beretta weapons designer Domenico Salza revisited an old project, the Armaguerra Cremona OG44 submachine gun, in order to make a new submachine gun to replace the old [[Beretta Model 38|MAB model 1938]]. The Model 12 was the final production model, and was followed ten years later by the M12S with differences in the safety and other mechanics.

==Design details==
The Model 12 weighs 3.48 [[kilogram]]s empty (about 3.820&nbsp;kg loaded) and is 660 millimeters in length with stock extended (418&nbsp;mm when retracted). Its short length is achieved by use of a barrel recessed into the bolt head, known as a [[telescoping bolt]]. This reduces length without reducing barrel length or bolt weight.<ref>{{cite book |title= Military Small Arms of the 20th Century|last=Hogg |first= Ian|author-link=Ian V. Hogg |author2=Weeks, John|year=2000 |publisher=[[Krause Publications]] |location= Iola, Wisconsin|isbn= 0-87341-824-7 |page=139 }}</ref> It fires from an open bolt and has a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute.

The barrel and rifling are [[chromium]]-plated to prevent fouling.  The bolt housing has grooves to allow bolt movement, even in extremely adverse conditions such as exposure to mud, dust, or sand.<ref>{{cite book |title= Assault Pistols, Rifles, and Submachine Guns |last=Long |first=Duncan |year= 1986|publisher= [[Paladin Press]]|location= Boulder, Colorado |isbn=0-87364-353-4 |page= 17 }}</ref> The exterior surfaces of the firearm are finished with epoxy resin coating for protection against corrosion and damage.

The weapon has a selective-fire option allowing a choice of single shot or fully automatic fire.

The weapon has three 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 two-position flip aperture (up to 100 m and up to 200 m).

The gun is equipped with a side folding stock, but is also seen rarely with a fixed stock.

20-, 32-, and 40-round box magazines were available for the original Model 12, which was chambered for the 9mm [[9×19mm Parabellum|Parabellum]] cartridge.

==Variants==
The first variant was introduced, in limited number, at the end of the '60s for the Italian Navy special forces and is easily recognizable from the longer barrel, about one inch, and the presence of a birdcage-type flash suppressor. It has been replaced by the [[Heckler & Koch MP5]].

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 9×19mm [[NATO]] cartridge.

A novel feature is the [[grip safety]], which locks the trigger and the bolt in the closed position, thus safeguarding against accidental firing if the grip is not held firmly or if the gun is dropped. The safety and fire-selector switch, which in the original Model 12 were two separate push-pin button (with the fire-selector being a button that activated single-fire or burst fire whether it was pushed on the right side or the left side) have been re-engineered in a modern lever-type selector with three positions (S for "Sicura" or Safety, 1 for Single-fire, R for "Raffica" or Burst fire). The fixed firing pin on the face of the bolt can strike the primer only when the cartridge is chambered fully, and this also avoids accidental firing, according to its designers.

The PM12S was also designed with easy field-stripping and reassembly in mind, which has been simplified and can be accomplished without tools. It can be equipped with a [[suppressor]], but this requires a slight modification of the barrel by a competent [[gunsmith]].

Minus the suppressor and other optional features, the Beretta PM12S is made up of 84 discrete components.

The current version of the Beretta Model 12, is called the '''PM12-S2'''. In the mid-1980s the Italian Carabinieri, after a misfire accident,{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} asked for a modification, in the form of a further safety device, which allowed both to keep the bolt of the weapon in half-cocked position and acted as an interceptor preventing accidental fire should the bolt or the firing pin suddenly disengage. This modification was implemented as a standard factory feature, and the denomination of the submachine gun changed to '''PM12-S2'''; this is the only Model 12 variant currently manufactured by Beretta.

==Users==
[[File:2june 2007 441.jpg|thumb|[[Carabinieri]] officers of the ''Squadrone Eliportato Carabinieri'' (Carabinieri Helicopter Squadron) armed with M12s.]]
[[File:Beretta M12.jpg|thumb|Beretta M12]]
[[File:Vicenza_officials_practice_for_emergencies.jpg|thumb|[[Carabinieri]] armed with a M12, during an exercise.]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
* {{flag|Algeria}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Bahrain}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Belgium}} Made under license by F.N. Herstal<ref name = "Gander"/> (out of service)
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Made under license by Taurus as the MT12.<ref name="Army">{{cite web|url=http://www.exercito.gov.br/01inst/armtmuni/metralha.htm |title=.: Exército Brasileiro - Braço Forte, Mão Amiga |access-date=2008-09-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033857/http://www.exercito.gov.br/01inst/armtmuni/metralha.htm |archive-date=2007-10-11 }}</ref><ref name="diez2000">Diez, Octavio (2000). ''Armament and Technology: Handguns''. Lema Publications, S.L. {{ISBN|84-8463-013-7}}.</ref> Standard submachine gun of the [[Brazilian Army]] where it is designated '''M972'''.<ref name = "Gander"/><ref name="Army"/>
* {{flag|Chile}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Egypt}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|France}}: Used by police officers.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1654495-20150720-policiers-bientot-mieux-armes-face-menace-terroriste-grand-banditisme|title= Les policiers bientôt mieux armés face à la menace terroriste et au grand banditisme|first= William|last= Molinié|work= [[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]]|date= 20 July 2015|language= fr|access-date= 31 August 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180712000120/https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1654495-20150720-policiers-bientot-mieux-armes-face-menace-terroriste-grand-banditisme|archive-date= 12 July 2018|url-status= live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Gabon}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Guyana}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: Manufactured under license.<ref name = "Gander"/><ref name="diez2000"/> Known models made by [[Pindad]] consist of the PM1 and the PM1A1.<ref name="ARMAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.revistaarmas.com/1580/un-repaso-a-las-armas-ligeras-de-pindad.html |title=Un repaso a las armas ligeras de Pindad |access-date=2010-07-05 |language=es |publisher=ARMAS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402233705/http://www.revistaarmas.com/1580/un-repaso-a-las-armas-ligeras-de-pindad.html |archive-date=2013-04-02 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Iran}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Italy}}: It is used by all armed forces and police forces: the [[Gruppo di Intervento Speciale|GIS]] and [[Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza|NOCS]] special groups,<ref name="meyr1999">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/security/law_enforcement/news/ipi/ipi0312.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080301103639/http://www.janes.com/security/law_enforcement/news/ipi/ipi0312.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 1, 2008 |title=Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units |author=Meyr, Eitan |date=January 6, 1999 |publisher=Jane's&nbsp;— Law Enforcement |access-date=2009-09-26 }}</ref> the [[Carabinieri]],<ref>[http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+ordinario/M12/ The Carabinieri - Armament - Beretta M12]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414011633/http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento%2Bordinario/M12/ |date=April 14, 2010  }}</ref> [[Italian Navy]], [[Italian Air Force]], [[Polizia di Stato]], [[Guardia di Finanza]], [[Polizia Penitenziaria]] and [[Corpo Forestale dello Stato]].<ref>[http://www.camera.it/resoconti/resoconto_allegato.asp?idSeduta=46&resoconto=bt13&param=n4-00877 Italian Parliament, Session 46, report of the Minister of the Interior]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* {{flag|Libya}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Malta}}: [[Armed Forces of Malta]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ryder|first=Chris |title=A special kind of courage: 321 EOD Squadron -- battling the bombers|year=2005|publisher=Methuen|isbn=978-0-413-77223-7|page=228}}</ref>
* {{flag|Nigeria}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Portugal}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Sudan}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Tunisia}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
*{{flag|United States}}
**[[Central Intelligence Agency]] and some SWAT teams<ref name="Gander" />
**[[Baltimore City Police Department]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/482-bpd-weapons| title = Baltimore Police Weapons| last = Driscoll| first = Kenny| date = 29 December 2022
| website = Baltimore Police Museum| access-date = 27 January 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Vatican City}}<ref name = "Gander"/>
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref name = "Gander"/>

=== Non state users ===
*[[File:Provisional Irish Republican Army Badge.svg|20px]] [[Provisional IRA]]<ref>{{Citation |last=Sinn Féin |title=Iris, No. 7 |date=1983 |url=https://www.leftarchive.ie/document/382/ |publisher=Sinn Féin |access-date=2022-11-11}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|}} [[PAIGC]]<ref>{{cite book |last= Djaló|first= Amadú Bailó|date= 2010|title= Guineense, Comando, Português|trans-title= Guinean, Commando, Portuguese |url= https://www.scribd.com/document/621786818/Guineense-Comando-Portugues|language= Portuguese|location= Lisboa|publisher= Associação de Comandos|page= 139|isbn=978-989-95601-1-6}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Arsenal Shipka]]
* [[Agram 2000]]
* [[Walther MP]]
* [[Interdynamic MP-9]]
* [[Spectre M4]]
* [[Star Model Z62]]
* [[List of Italian submachine guns]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category|Beretta M12}}
* [http://world.guns.ru/smg/it/beretta-m12-e.html Modern Firearms]
* {{YouTube|bhgY-d4Hl9k|Video of operation}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Beretta firearms}}
{{Pindad}}

[[Category:9mm Parabellum submachine guns]]
[[Category:Beretta submachine guns|Model 12]]
[[Category:Infantry weapons of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Submachine guns of Italy]]
[[Category:Telescoping bolt submachine guns]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1959]]