Caliber: 5.56mm NATO

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt

Weigth: 3.8kg empty

Length: 960mm

Barrel: 452mm

Magazine: 30 rds

In late 1960's Italian army decided to follow the thrend for small-bore assult rifles, and after the trials adopted (for some selected troops) the Beretta AR-70 family of firearms.

This family included the AR70 assault rifle itself, SC70 carbine (with folding stock) and LM70 - light machinegun (support weapon).

The design of the Ar70 borrows from some famous earlier designs: bolt/bolt carrier design was borrowed from AK-47, but with some modifications: while AK-47 and its descendants has long stroke gas drives with gas piston permanently attached to the bolt carrier, AR70 has short stroke gas drive with separated gas piston. Charging handle is permanently attached to the bolt carrier (like the AK-47) but moved up slightly. gas drive has gas regulator with 2 positions for normal or "weapon dirty" modes of operation. It also has gas block that closes the gas vent completely when gun had to be used as a rifle grenade launcher (grenadel launched from the barrel with blank rounds).

Folding design of the upper/lower receiver is probably borrowed from FN FAL or M16.

Safety switch/fire mode selector and magazine release are ambidextrous. Standart sights are dual aperture peep-hole, with settings for 200 and 450 meters range.

Later in the 1980's Italian military authorities finally come to desision of complete adoption of the 5.56mm firearms in Italian army.

In the following trials between Beretta, Bernardelli and Franchi designs, Beretta won with improwed AR70/90 rifle.

Improvements include strenghtening of the receiver and bolt carrier rails, as well as some other parts of the gun.

AR70 /90 also has variants of the carbine (with folding stock, SC70/90) and the light support weapon LM70/90.

All 70/90 family weapons can accept STANAG-type magazines, including 100 rounds Beta-C dual drum mags (useful for LM70/90). All 70/90 weapons could be equipped with removable carrying handle with "see through" base (original sights used). Upper reciver is taped to accept mount with STANAG rails for scopes or night sights.