A pretty rare one - Pre Ban Beretta

[Smithhound]

Here is one that isn't often seen, according to my research between 750 and about 2000 made it in country before the AWB of '89 hit.
This is a Berretta M70, 5.56 Nato. About mint condition. I picked this up along with a bunch of spare mags, I have an original bipod which is going to be polished and painted to match, what you see holding it up is simply a cleaning cradle support.
A very accurate rifle with 52g Sierra Match bullets, due to the early 1:12 rifling twist 55g's are about it's limit, but boy is it smooth like a Beretta should be. This was a collaborative effort between Sig and Beretta in the late '60's/early '70's, you can see the heavy Sig influence in it.
I got tired of seeing so many AR's on the range and wanted something exotic. Toss up between this and a Galil, but the Galil is coming sooner or later.
Recoil impulse is completely different than the AR due to the piston system, also field stripping is unique. The flash suppressor doubles as a grenade launcher an the whole thing screws off.
A very interesting rifle overall and draws a lot of looks and questions at the range.
RD

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Ah yes, the old 'executive order' AWB under Bush 41. Looks like we are about to have another executive order banning Russian imported rifles.

Very nice rifle by the way, it does get old with all of the AR's out there. Pre-86 was the golden age for 'assault rifles'. AR-18's, Holloway HAC-7's, Galil/Golanis, Stoner 63's, HK91's, FNC's, Daewoo K2's, AUG's. Yep, those were the days.

 

[LVSteve]

Lovely rifle. One just sold online for ~$2k. The little Kel-Tec SU-16 took its inspiration from the AR-70 long stroke gas system.

 

[alwslate]

I had one back before the bans started. Back then any of the "assault
rifles" could be readily bought. I read a test report on the Beretta AR70
in the American Rifleman and the groups they fired were fair at best. I
wanted one and thought the poor groups they reported were a fluke or
incorrect so I bought one. Imagine my surprise when my best groups
with 55 gr Military ammo of several sources were about 7" at 100 yds
from bench rest. I was getting groups of 3 1/2" from my Chinese SKS
and AK with Chinese FMJ during the same shooting session so I knew
it was the gun, not me. Disgusted, I traded it for a Colt AR at a gun
show. Now in retrospect, not my smartest trade financially.

 

[mc5aw]

How is the market for parts? Sufficient supply or tough to find?

 

[Smithhound]

I found also that the 55g bullets were not doing so well, that's why I tried the 52g Match. I prepared a lot of 'match' grade so to speak, with good cases, primers etc and weighed each charge instead of just measuring and found this load to be a great performer in the rifle. It is a battle rifle tho' and that is probably a bit overkill to expect match accuracy out of it. I didn't get it but it did shrink the 100 yard groups to about 2" to 3", all you can really ask. With the 1:12 twist 55g's are barely stabilizing, that is what they were originally designed to do so they would tumble upon impact and cause more damage, so going down a few grains is a good solution.
As far as parts go, Numrich is about it. I had high hopes of finding a folding stock and original scope mount for it but those are unobtanium.
I did find that my EOTech with a GG&G QD mount fit on the odd 3 riser rail's and actually looks really good on the rifle. Never cared for the look of EOTech on an AR, ashetically going from a round reciever to a square blocky optic looks odd, but this reciever is squarish to begin with so the whole thing looks like they were meant for each other.
Planning on gettiing another GG&G QD for a scope and see if I can improve upon a load. Without that my 54 year old eyes are not going to make it happen.
Magazines are available (or were a month or so ago) from Numrich for about $45 so stocked up. One thing about this firearm, if you find something for it you'd best jump on it or it will be gone, like soon.
RD