Italian M1 Garand Question??????

[garandman57]

I have almost enough parts for a rebuild for a BMB Garand. I think!!!! I now need a recvr. I have PB parts and BMB parts will they go correctly together???? And...... How hard is it to find a Berretta recvr????
Thanks for your help TerryR

Information

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[0311Shooter]

The BMB/BMR parts are separate from the PB parts. Long story about the difference.

I found one at a gun show 4-5 years ago and found the other several years ago on the CSP Shopper.

Can't say how you would find one, just have to be watching for them.

They usually turn up when you least expect it.

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BTW, if you don't have a barrel have seen a couple recently on the Shopper.

[John R.]

You need ALL PB(Beretta) or BMR/BMB(Breda) parts for EACH rifle with NO admixtures allowed.

A Beretta M1 will have ALL PB marked parts and a Breda will have ALL BMR/BMB marked parts.Everything except screws and springs and sling swivels(stacking swivels too) and Breda rear sight ELEVATION knobs were marked(PB knobs WERE marked)
Firing pins and extractors ARE also marked as are rear sight apertures.
Assembling the parts to do a build IS lots of fun and not too expensive IF you are patient.You see receivers and non matching rifles quite regularly so buying a barrelled receiver might be the way to start.

The fit and finish on the Italian built rifles is easily the equal of H&R's and late 5 and 6 million SA's too so you WILL wind up with a lovely rifle IF you perservere.

Cheers,

John R.

[CapnJohn]

try Reese Surplus

[M1-1970]

You need ALL PB(Beretta) or BMR/BMB(Breda) parts for EACH rifle with NO admixtures allowed.
A Beretta M1 will have ALL PB marked parts and a Breda will have ALL BMR/BMB marked parts.Everything except screws and springs and sling swivels(stacking swivels too) and Breda rear sight ELEVATION knobs were marked(PB knobs WERE marked)
Firing pins and extractors ARE also marked as are rear sight apertures.
Assembling the parts to do a build IS lots of fun and not too expensive IF you are patient.You see receivers and non matching rifles quite regularly so buying a barrelled receiver might be the way to start.
The fit and finish on the Italian built rifles is easily the equal of H&R's and late 5 and 6 million SA's too so you WILL wind up with a lovely rifle IF you perservere.

Cheers,

John R.

Beretta and Breda (BMR Breda Meccanica Romana and BMB Breda Meccanica Brescia, subcontractor of PB) produced 30-06 M1 Garands exclusively for Denmark Gov'nt in 50's, using Winchester tools.
Italian Army M1 Garands (both 30-06 cal. and 7,62 NATO) were assembled with SA, WRA, H&R WWII receivers, replacing the 30-06 barrels (Type 2) or shortening the cartridge chamber with steel "adapter" from original 30-06 to 7,62 NATO (Type 1, very rare).
Others receivers produced by Beretta were used for the BM59, called FAL (Fucile Automatico Leggero, Lightweight Automatic Rifle) and for the non-mil version of BM59, the BM62.
PB and Breda marked each components separately, is correct that no admixtures is allowed.

[Tom in N.J.]

Even though Breda and Beretta rifles did not use each others components when factory built, Breda was a supplier of some receivers to Beretta. My Danish G/M50 rifle by Beretta has "BMR" next to the receiver drawing number, indicating manufacture by Breda. Similar to the SA / IHC deals in the USA.

[Calif-Steve]

The wood is also marked, just have to look around. I haven't seen a receiver in 4-5 years.

[Wubbman]

Even though Breda and Beretta rifles did not use each others components when factory built, Breda was a supplier of some receivers to Beretta. My Danish G/M50 rifle by Beretta has "BMR" next to the receiver drawing number, indicating manufacture by Breda. Similar to the SA / IHC deals in the USA.

Tom, just looked at my PB Garand after reading your post. It is one of the BMR/PB receivers. How neat!

To the OP, I found mine at the Lousiville, KY National Gun Day Show about a year ago now. There is a Breda M1 for sale on gunbroker.com right now, but thats usually the extent of their availability. As someone else said, they show up when you don't expect it. When I got mine, I had never seen a Beretta M1 before and was surprised upon encountering on in person. Its another neat addition to the collection. Good luck.

[Tom in N.J.]

To the OP. Someone got an import permit for Danish M1 receivers from Canada. I understand it was a small lot befor the powers that be realized their error. Springfield Armory Inc. obtained most of them and used them to assemble SA Inc. M1 rifles. So, when you see a commercial Springfield Armory M1 for sale in a store, look at it .. it could have a Beretta or Breda receiver.

[Calif-Steve]

The true story is a little odd. The Lithgow guys did legally get an import permit to bring in a small lot of Italian receivers for standards use in their Lithgow Garand project. They could not sell Lithgow Garands as CMP was selling the real gun at less money. With the project's demise the standards parts were sold. off. I got my receiver from that sale. This was 4 (?) years ago. Receivers are hard to come by.