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I recently obtained a very nice condition BM59 short rifle that was originally assembled via Golden State Arms with the Model BM59 Trooper. It functions flawlessly and shows no visible signs of being rewelded. Looking for info on the Gun and which is the proper Bayonet. The Italian BM59 bayonet does not fit and before i waste another 100.00 on a bayonet i would like to get the correctly fitting one Thanks
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._2025523-1.jpg
Is this your rifle?
vs.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...guyrifle-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tsKitJPG-1.jpg
Wondering if you need the bm59 front end
Yes, pics would help. Is it this one? They have an extremely large muzzle ring but look like an M1 bayonet...
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...ian-1814013932
The bayonet in the picture of the Spanish Soldier and his rifle is like the one I purchased and it would not come close to fitting my Rifle. the muzzle ring was the right diameter but the geometry was off from the Bore axis to the actual bayonet lug slot. furthermore the slot was way to narrow as my rifle still has the Garand width Lug. I have found one that is a modified Garand Bayonet that I believe might work I just hate to Gamble 175.00
PS any information on the rifle would be useful it does not seem to be a Modified US reciever
Yes, that's the one you need, it's the link I sent. They made their own receivers for these...and did it well. Ovidio here among us used to carry these. A PM to him might shed info for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rifleman188@yahoo
So I assume I did not do to badly getting it for a Universal Carbine and a Nicer Nickle RIA 1911 enhanced. ie $600 pistol. ?
Nope, you did ok...
Hi Rifleman,
the barrel and gas piston shroud are not as they should be.
You have a flash hider which is very different from ours, and the gas piston should be straight, actually exactly like on a Garand.
It would also be shorter, ending where the flash hider is held under the barrel.
The furniture looks ok, but I don’t have a BM59 available to go and check properly right now.
Back to the compensator/flash hider, that was held in place by the screw plugging the front end of the gas tube (normal and Alpini rifles. Para had a quick detach system), and was removable. You could turn it like loosening a screw.
Bipod and grenade launcher gas plug/front sight would also be standard on all BMs, as well as winter trigger.
Your rifle reminds the BM, but is not one.
Still, for any practical purpose, it is probably very similar in normal use.
The only thing not well made is the “business end” of the rifle, and I doubt it can be corrected.
Golden State and Federal Ornance made copies of the BM59 back in the 1960s and 70s, using a mic of US surplus Garand parts, original Beretta parts and new made parts.
On the one I had (a Fed Ord) it was built on a welded receiver, original Beretta bolt, barrel, trigger group and magazine.
US Garand stock and handguard, stock modified for magazine. Buttplate was USGI. Gas cyklinder was US GI, as was op rod, but op rod was shortened and bent. Neither original Gaarands nor BM59s used this op rod.\\The magazine retention, front mag catch, recoil spring and guide rod were purely new made and designed.
Many had this flash hider:
Attachment 104531
But none of the Federal Ordnance or Golden State rifles were up to the quality of an original Beretta.
This all was long ago. I had purchased my clone at a gunshow in Louisville, Kentucky back in 1978 or 79, and it was a used rifle even back then.
Back to the original question, as modified, there was no bayonet for these BM59 copies.
Edited to add more info.
You can read more on this site:
http://ww w.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5033
From that website:
"US Built Variations:
In 1964, Golden State Arms, Pasadena, CA, began offering the "Santa Fe" BM59, or "M59". While most, if not all of these were built around re-welded receivers using the 03 barrels, they did obtain licensing from Beretta to manufacture them. You will see these rifles either with the Beretta Licensing agreement, or without it. Although marked with the Beretta licensing information on the left hand side of the receiver, the buyer should still remain aware that these were built in Pasadena, CA., and NOT at the Beretta factory in Italy. At this point, I am unclear as to why some of the Santa Fe Arms rifles are marked with the Beretta License Agreement, and some are not. I think that it is quite possible some of the earliest are not marked, and that the later ones are not so marked, possibly because Beretta was not happy with the quality, as indicated by a few writers. One additional note about the Golden State/Santa Fe, I have heard one reputable gunsmith say that some of these were actually imported. I have seen photos of an M1 Garand that was marked with Santa Fe/Golden State markings that I believe most probably was an import, but never have I seen a Golden State BM59 that I believe was an import. Most probably, any Golden State/Santa Fe you see will be a re-weld. Re-welds were also built by National Ordinance and Federal Ordinance.
One important side note to the Golden State, and similar versions, is they use a simplified front magazine catch that is not standard Beretta design. Replacement parts for this catch are unavailable, and I have seen a few people looking for them. I don't know of anyone who can provide these. Perhaps in the future, I will have some machined up for those who need them.
I had a similar rifle a while back that was converted and built by a Walter Craig It was a welded receiver that was annealed and reheat treated and whoever did it did it well. I even had an inspector in one of the welding shop I worked in go over it with an ultrasound and it was solid.
Thanks for the info.
I found the proper bayonet for it. its a WW2 era garand bayonet with a different xguard w muzzle ring Italian stamped on the xguard and the base of the blade in addition to the original US markings.
Nice shooting rifle for sure. .308 in the long action for 30-06 makes for a really sweet rifle!
I loved her and I was disappointed when I got the new SC70/90 (which, by the way is a fine rifle!). Knowing how to shoot, I liked .308 for its punch. Automatic fire was mostly out of question. So also the longer reach was a good thing.
Pics? Maybe one mounted and one beside the muzzle...?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rifleman188@yahoo
Sure will do tonight when i get home