BM-59 vs M1A
OK boeboe, seems you must be a fan of the BM-59. What are the key differences between the two other than the pistol grip stock??
SEMPER FI
SEMPER FI
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Gosh easygo, glad you ask! Now Mark C and DWS won't get mad at me for expounding on the strengths of the BM59 without being asked! First, not all BM59's have a pistol grip. Most look like this: 
Next, I thought I'd hook you up with the Reese Surplus web site. It is:
http://reesesurplus.com/
For the differences between the M1A and BM59, they are both unique derivatives of the M1 Garand, the BM59 being closer to the garand than the M1A/M14. I will say the BM59 has one (and only one, that I can see) shortcoming over the M1A. That is it's lack of a self-regulating gas system. The M1A has the ability to self-adjust the gas pressure operating the system, which the Garand/BM59 does not. However, this is not a problem for the Garand/BM59 unless you want to push bullets with weights up around 200 grains. The M1A/M14 can handle bullets that heavy, but pushing them through a Garand/BM59 will most probably leave you with a bent op rod, not good. Outside of that one fault, most everything else about the BM59 is a plus. But you should be cautioned that there were a few companies/people making BM59 varieties (and probably still are). That means the quality can vary some.
The better BM59 versions, such as the true Beretta and Springfield Armory have forged receivers, not cast like the M1A. That means they are stronger. They are also machined/ground to much closer tolerances than the M1A. Looking at one, and comparing it to the M1A, you can see the difference in quality. There are other BM59s that have been made on re-welded Garand receivers. Most people don't care much for the re-welded BM59s, but there are people using them who have never had any problems whatsoever. The welds are outside the stress area and don't affect the strength, from what I hear. There is another site you should look at if you are interested in BM59s. There is some good info on the different versions, and the re-welds there. It is the discussion board on
http://machinegunbooks.com/boards.html
the only site I've found that has a board exclusively for the BM59.
So, what about the price of magazines? Back when Springfield Armory was selling them, the price of BM59 mags was about $35.00. And just one look at a BM59 magazine will give you an idea of the quality behind the rifle. Now days, Reese sells new magazines for $69.95, and I occasionally find them brand new for $50 to $60, or used, down around $40. Of course, there are dealers trying to sell them for close to $100, but there are dealers selling new M14 mags for $100 also. So the magazines are comparably priced with M14 mags. I'm not talking about the cheapo M14 mags, but the true USGI mags.
True Beretta BM59 type (that is, including the BM62 and BM69) rifles were imported years ago by Berben and Benet. These are the true, 100% Beretta manufactured BM59s. They are a bit scare, but I still see them around for sale in the range of $1,100 to $2,000. That is, unless you want a true Beretta folding stock on one. I think if you do a search for BM59 on gunbroker, you will see a true Beretta Berben BM62 for about $1,500.
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=6746637
That might be a pretty good deal, but the one thing to consider on these original Benet or Berben rifles is the rubber used in the stock has probably deteriorated some with age.
The founders of Springfield Armory, Inc, (the makers of the M1A) was the Reese Family. That is the connection between Reese Surplus and Springfiield Armory. In the early 1980's, Reese/Springfield Armory bought some 4 tons of surplus BM59 parts from Beretta. From those parts, as well as a few Springfield Armory parts, they built and sold BM59s. If you look in most price guides under Springfield Armory, you will see the BM59 they sold is the same price as the FAL they marketed. They are much more expensive than the M1A. Of course, when you look at the quality, you can see why they are more expensive than the M1A.
For those who may not know, the Springfield Armory that builds the M1A has nothing to do with the expired Springfield that built firearms for the US government. They are completely different and have nothing to do with each other, except the name. The Reese family secured the rights to the SA name after the true SA factory closed. And at one time, they went bankrupt, then bought their old tooling and moved down the road, and opened as SA again. Reese aparently ended up with the inventory of Beretta BM59 parts.
Look at the rifles Reese Surplus is selling. Look at what you get, compared to a new SA M1A, even a M1A National Match. You get a true pre-ban rifle, with no Chinese parts (it's my understanding that new M1As have Chinese parts). That pre-ban rifle comes with all kinds of goodies, including the grenade launcher/flash hider/muzzle brake combo, bayonet lug, winter trigger, bipod, grenade launcher sight (with surplus dummy grenades it makes a nice adult version of lawn darts). I like rifles with lots of gizmos on them, things that go whir, snap, and pop. Take the standard BM59 and put a folding stock on it, you have a rifle with every single evil, naughty assault weapon feature on it (flash hider, grenade launcher, bayonet lug, pistol grip, folding stock). Can you think of another assault rifle you can do that with? Plus all the other need stuff (bipod, winter trigger, grenade sight, I must be missing something...). And you get much higher quality than you do with a new M1A. I have not talked to one person who owns both an M1A and a BM59 who doesn't say the BM59 is a better rifle. They are the best.
But of course, that's my opinion. Just one more "shot" of another BM59, the "Nigerian".0
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