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The Beretta AR-70/223 and its successor, the AR-70/90, form a powerful duo in firearms history, blending Italian design expertise with practicality and adaptability.
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The AR-70/223, created in the late 1960s and unveiled in 1970, swiftly became a favored weapon for Italian Special Forces.
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This gas-operated, self-loading rifle, using 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, offered both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing capabilities. Particularly, an uncommon variant with a folding stock, the Beretta SC-70/.223, was embraced by airborne Special Forces.
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While the AR-70/223 laid the groundwork, it was the AR-70/90, introduced in 1985 and becoming standard issue by 1990, that cemented Beretta’s legacy in the Italian military.
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The rifle AR-70/223 came in three versions: the standard assault rifle AR-70/223, the carbine SC-70/223 with the same barrel and folding butt, and the special carbine SCS-70/223 with a shortened barrel and folding butt.
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A Squad Automatic variation of the basic 70/223 design, equipped with a heavy, quickly detachable barrel, was also developed but never mass-produced.The AR-70/90’s design improvements addressed the minor flaws of its predecessor and met the compatibility requirements with other NATO weapons.
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One of the AR-70/90’s distinctive models, the SCP (Special Carabine Paratroopers) version,It featured a squad automatic version with a heavy, non-detachable barrel, and a detachable bipod known as AS-70/90.
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The Beretta AR-70/90 serves as a standard shoulder arm in the Italian Army and is also marketed for export. Semi-automatic versions of both the 70/223 and 70/90 rifles are offered for police or civilian use.
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Feeding AR-70/90 series weapons is done using STANAG (M16-type) compliant magazines. The ambidextrous magazine release button is positioned on both sides of the magazine housing in the lower receiver.
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For AR-70/223 rifles, feeding is from proprietary 30-round magazines, with the release lever placed between the magazine and trigger guard. These features, coupled with a gas-operated action and a rotating bolt reminiscent of the venerable AK-47, ensure a well-rounded platform suitable for a variety of military needs.
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Apart from their military origins, the AR-70/223 and the AR-70/90 have gained recognition in popular culture. These firearms have appeared in movies, anime, and video games, bridging the gap between actual military use and fictional stories.
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Films like “Free Fire,” “Babylon A.D.,” and “John Wick: Chapter 2” feature these rifles prominently. Similarly, in animated series like “Gunslinger Girl” and “Blue Archive the Animation,” these Italian guns have been highlighted.
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In video games, the AR-70/223 and AR-70/90 have appeared in titles such as “Cross Fire” and “Call to Arms,” enabling players to explore a digital rendition of the rifles’ features.
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Whether serving as a focal point in game development or enhancing cinematic action scenes, the Beretta AR series has evolved beyond its utilitarian roots to attain cultural significance. The Beretta AR-70/223 and AR-70/90 have been used by Italian Special Forces and soldiers in Rome, as well as gaining popularity among audiences and gamers globally.
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These rifles have made a lasting impact on military, entertainment, and popular culture, transitioning seamlessly from real-world scenarios to digital and cinematic realms.