M14 Forum

Jgun · February 10th, 2012, 06:09 PM

I have become interested in the Garands. I have ordered Khunhausens book, but was wondering if you experienced members could suggest any other resources that would be useful in gaining knowledge of these fine rifles. I am also trying to learn about the Beretta BM 59's. Am I correct in the understanding that these share certain design characteristics of both the M14 (.308/box mag) and the Garand (operating system)? Are any of the Garands parts interchangable with with those of the Beretta? Can you suggest any books might offer similar information on the BM 59?

PhillipM · February 10th, 2012, 07:55 PM

I have the owner's guide and the assembly guide from Scott Duff, both are good to have. All the Duff books are highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...tt+duff+garand

FM 23-5 is a good one for a beginner that's free on the web.

Springfield Armory Inc. had BM-59's in their catalogs in the 1980's.

mikebaker1129 · February 11th, 2012, 08:16 AM

Yes all 3 rifles are similar. The BM59 is more directly related to the garand than the M14 ,
A handfull of parts interchange with all 3 rifles.
There is not alot of information on the BM59 in written form other than what is available on the 'net.
I would urge you to check out the "BM59 section" on the forum in Shuff's parkerizing's website.
There is some information posted there by myself and some others.
Hope this helps...
Mike

Jgun · February 11th, 2012, 04:40 PM

Thanks for your help. I will do that. I'm looking forward to getting the Khunhausen book, I've been told that it's one of the best on the M14 and Garand. I see that there is a BM59 on GB that the seller is describing as a Beretta import, according to what I've read on the forum about them, this would be an exceptionally rare gun, but $4K !!! I really like those Nigerian Garand/BM 59 stocks, do you know if anyone is offering a new production replica, or if the originals are available?

mikebaker1129 · February 11th, 2012, 06:22 PM

I do know that there were some replica Nigerian stocks made.I comissioned 5 of them to be made for me ,but I just sold the last 2 about 2 weeks ago.I have to warn you those stocks are getting pretty expensive.The originals and reproductions are out there.

jbrooks · February 11th, 2012, 06:38 PM

Post this question over on falfiles.com. Members 2barearms and AliYahu know a lot about the BM59, and there are others.

Check this thread:

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...highlight=BM62

JWB

risky buisness · February 11th, 2012, 07:58 PM

If your really interested, I see Sarco has some BM59 kits 499$ Or the tech drawings too.

andyh1956 · February 11th, 2012, 08:49 PM

check this out- http://www.law483.com/id63.html
andy

Grunt0321 · February 12th, 2012, 07:29 AM

Hang on guys, a friend of mine passed away and I am going to sell all his Garand parts for his widow. I have tons of parts except the barreled receiver and op rod. Several trigger groups, stocks(excellent), bolts and miscelleanous parts. Will be listing on here as soon as I get everything inventoried and priced. Prices will be fair, guaranteed!!

grunt0321

mercman · February 12th, 2012, 08:23 AM

I had a BM59 in the 80's and it was very finicky and I had functioning problems. I probably should have kept it but I was a gun wh**e back then and guns went in and out of my collection. I had and FFL and went through a lot of guns back then.

dswancutt · February 12th, 2012, 09:00 AM

mercman, your BM59 experience was exactly the same as mine. When if actually worked, it was a joy to shoot. When I was bitten by the Garand bug last year, it was sold and I have never looked back.

mercman · February 12th, 2012, 09:24 AM

dswancutt, yeah it was a shame because the rifle felt really good in my hands. I got into HK91's back then and they worked flawlessly for me. If I had that BM59 now and knowing what I know maybe I could have made it work................

Orlando · February 12th, 2012, 11:54 AM

I have a pile of parts ,just waiting for the funds to finish her

Hopefully someday soon it will look like this

mercman · February 12th, 2012, 12:04 PM

Hey! That really bring back memories.

sac troop · February 12th, 2012, 12:50 PM

I've owned two BM-59's over the years. The first was a Santa Fe Arms that was a frankengun made off a modified Garand receiver using some Beretta parts that were imported back when it was cheap to do so. Several companies made guns like those. The quality varied a lot. Some guns were made off of de-milled Garand receivers (re-weld).
Unless your skilled at evaluating guns like that I'd stay clear of them!
Mine was OK. It was extremely handy and quick to point. The worse part of it was the gas system was still Garand and didn't have the modified gas cylinder and op rod. Those parts increased the reliability of the system in the shorter barrel. I had to keep my rifle clean and lubed. But a rifle that looked just like it might have bad headspace or worse.
When Springfield started making the guns in the 80's I got one of them back then and they were very good rifles. Like others here have said I wish I had kept it.
There are very few complete Beretta made BM-59's in this country. There's a saying we have in collecting. "Don't buy the story! Buy the gun!" Don't assume the seller is 100% knowledgeable. Confirm, confirm, confirm before you spend your money!
IMHO no BM-59 I've seen is better than a rack grade Garand or M1A. I would never spend $4K on one. But then again it's your money.

Orlando. Looks like your well on your way to putting together a really nice rifle. Are you going to do the work? Or are you sending it to someone like Shuff ?