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In the early 70s, Beretta set out to develop a less-expensive, modern rifle that fit the NATO standard of a 5.56 chambering. So after keeping a close eye on the Colt AR-15 and then Armalite's development of the AR-18, Beretta combined attributes of both guns and created the AR 70. Beretta sold quite a few of these rifles in Indonesia and some other countries, but the gun never garnered much exposure. Despite this, it was a state-of-the-art design for its time and if found can have a hefty price tag due to the fact that they are no longer imported into the United States. For more on the Beretta AR 70 rifle, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
Auto-Ordnance has introduced a special-edition, semi-automatic Thompson M1 carbine customized by Altered Arsenal to commemorate the 250th anniversaries of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
Famous for its semi-automatic shotguns, Italian maker Benelli steps up its game in pump-actions—and forecasts more availability of U.S.-market-ready versions in the future.
Within the pantheon of U.S. Marine Corps small arms, two rifles are indelibly linked with the Corps’ combat experience in the 20th century, and both were designed by Marines: the Model 1941 Johnson Rifle and the M16.
Although the effects of a bullet's terminal performance had been thoroughly studied by 1955, ammunition pioneer Roy Weatherby sought to prove velocity trumps mass and, as a result, built a reputable business that continues to advance today.