In general, submachine guns are dirty, noisy, inaccurate and ugly contraptions. Especially those made around the middle of the century. I mean, just look at the M3 “grease gun.” But every once in a while, a truly inspired design comes along and just takes your breath away. Beretta’s Model 12S SMG is one of those designs, something so perfectly functional and asthetically beautiful that to many people, it’s the gold standard to which all other SMGs should be compared. And I can definitely see why . . .
At the end of World War II, the Italians were still cranking out their old Beretta Model 38 submachine guns to supply the troops. The gun looked remarkably similar to the Finnish KP/31 Suomi (which had been introduced about four years prior). But the Model 38 had better fit and finish, and while it worked fine it was labor intensive to make.
The Italians wanted something to keep up with the bigger kids in the sandbox, specifically the German MP-40 and the American M3, which could be stamped out of sheet metal and mass produced without any woodwork required. In 1959, Beretta finally released the 9mm Model 12 (and later the updated Model 12S) and to this day it remains the standard-issue SMG of many developed nations, Italy included.
The Model 12S is indeed stamped out of sheet metal like its competitors, but only in the same way that a Ford Focus and a Lamborghini Super-Gallardo are both welded together. Having handled other SMGs from the era, the gun feels exceptionally smooth and polished. Where you could tell that an M3 is slapped together and parkerized in large batches, the Model 12S feels like there was an individual craftsman whose sole job was to build and finish each gun. The bolt moves like it was sitting in a vat of olive oil (extra virgin, of course) and even the texture of the finish is satin smooth.
Life with the Beretta isn’t all butterflies and unicorn farts, though. There is a rough patch to this gun, namely its stock. It might be too much to ask that a stock made out of a single piece of bent wire be comfortable and usable, but on this gun it’s about a “meh” on the comfort scale. It works great at controlling what recoil remains after the silencer has done its job, but it feels a little strange and uncomfortable.
The controls for the 12S are perfectly thought out — for right-handed people. All of the controls are designed for righties only with no reciprocal controls on the other side. Those controls, though, are pretty darn good. The magazine release is the same style as the AK-style mag release, which means it makes sense for the time period but is a little slow compared to the button release of today. As for the mode selector, while the paddle on the switch may seem comically large it actually makes it very easy to use. Moving from safe to semi-automatic is a snap and the detent for the semi-auto mode is nice and crisp. Moving to full auto or “raffica” (R) is similarly simple.
One of the more interesting things about the gun is that it has a “proper” safety as well as an additional grip safety. On something like an SMG, a grip safety isn’t a bad idea — especially one with a smooth and light trigger like the Model 12S.
Wapping up the effusive praise of the design, the integrated foregrip fits perfectly in my hand, the sling swivel on the tail cap is a great idea for hiding this thing under trench coats, the charging handle falls easily to hand and the chrome bolt is positively pimp.
Speaking of the bolt, this was one of the most enjoyable firearms I’ve ever shot. While the gun is an open bolt design (meaning that the bolt needs to move forward before it goes off for every shot, which takes time and can lead to inaccuracy) the action is so incredibly smooth that you can hold the gun steady and keep your rounds on target. Recoil is negligible and the trigger moves freely and smoothly. In fact, there’s no break at all — you just keep squeezing the trigger and eventually the gun goes off.
Despite that break-free trigger, accuracy isn’t an issue. We were nailing a standard BC-zone target from 50 yards with ease, and thanks to the light recoil the gun usually stayed within “minute of bad guy” even under full auto. Although that could probably be somewhat attributed to the MASSIVE silencer attached to the front of the gun. And thanks to that silencer, the gun is whisper quiet — especially with subsonic ammo. The only thing you hear is the bolt slamming against the breech face…that’s it.
Despite the size of the can, the gun was still very light. Light enough for kids, even. With some assistance, that is.
Kevin Brittingham believes that the 12S is the standard by which all other pistol caliber SMGs should be judged, and I agree completely. This gun is a masterpiece of engineering and manufacturing, showcasing the best of what Beretta can produce. And the instant I see one of these for sale at a price I can afford, even if I need to sell all my other guns, I’m buying it.
Beretta Model 12S
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 200mm
Size: 660mm
Weight: 3.2 kg empty
Capacity: 20, 30, 40 round magazine
MSRP: $25,000
Ratings (Out of Five Stars):
All ratings are relative compared to the other weapons in the gun’s category.
Accuracy: * * * *
Open bolt guns inherently have some inaccuracy due to their nature, but this one is simply awesome.
Ergonomics: * * * *
The lack of ambidextrous controls and the wire stock keep the 12S out of five star range, but otherwise it’s damned good.
Ergonomics Firing: * * * * *
Perfect.
Customization: N/A
Uh…no. Absolutely not.
Overall Rating: * * * * *
Kevin was right when he calls this the gold standard of SMGs.
1959 and right handed controls. In those days if you were a lefty it got beat out of you in school and the military. My older brother was a lefty. Got knuckle rapped with a ruler more than once in class for going southpaw.
I like the m3 grease gun myself. .45 is the wrong round for a subgun but the rate of fire on the m3 is so low that it’s very controllable.
From the article: “Groups including Mayor Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns have said the Sandy Hook anniversary should be an occasion for Congress to revisit legislation expanding background checks for gun purchases.”
Ms Lafferty joined MAIG in the push for universal background checks. They all ignore the fact that Lanza’s guns were bought through the background check, and extending that check to private sales would not have prevented this shooting.
+1 for the 1911 as well. I too am bound to 7 thanks to the SAFE Act, so apples to apples I’ll take that sweet SA trigger pull any day.
Plus if you run out of ammo, the 1911 makes a better blunt object.
1911. I’m not anti-Glock, but I have more time on the 1911 and I am more comfortable with it.
If I owned a pistol as beautiful as that 1911, I’d open carry everywhere, every day. Browsing the gun blogs has brought me to the realization that I’m seriouslty lacking in the shiny gun category. I do have a nickel-matte Ithaca Model 87 DSPS…but it is hard to fit in a holster 🙂
So of the two, definitely the 1911. Fewer rounds, but if I run out, at least I do so in style.
Just a thought but since the Police often “hold” a weapon used in a shooting, the Glock is easier to replace than a customized 1911, You can probably buy several Glocks for the cost of one high end 1911.
If the time to acquire was equal, I would go with the one on the left unless the one on the right was a G20. That said, are we to assume the one on the left is a .45 acp rather than a 9mm, .38 Super or 10mm (or other)? Magazine changes are possible with the 1911 and carrying spare mags is actually easier than with the G20.
Stuck in CA – choosing the Glock.. I have some full size mags from pre-ban days. 🙂
There are two components to hearing: air and bone. Plugs block air conduction but do nothing for bone. The temporal bone through which the ear canal comes out has a projection just behind and below the ear canal. It’s called the mastoid process an can be felt through the skin. It’s full of air chambers that act as resonance chambers and it shares a wall with the middle ear. All this aids in conduction of sound. Ear muff type of conduction covers the mastoid and thereby further reduces perceived noise.
I hate mutts. They get in the way of the cheek weld.
I’d like to see an integrated hearing protection system that goes in the canal and around the ear to cover the mastoid but does not get in the way of buttstocks AND can be worn with glasses.
I’d take the Glock. (But only because it would suck to lose that beautiful 1911 as “Evidence” for so long.)
O C Armory is a full service FFL They will do any gun that need single shot conversion I do all my guns that way I just go the S&W M&P CORE I’m getting single shot conversion dun on it there located in Laguna Hills, California. O.C. Armory
23012 Del Lago Drive
Suite B Laguna Hills, CA 92653 ask for mike
http://www.ocarmory.com/
I’ve found that good plugs work best for me. And there are huge differences between different foam plugs. The ones just shaped like a simple cylinder (usually yellow foam) are worthless to me, and pretty uncomfortable.
It was interesting, was at an outdoor range last weekend and with just good foam plugs I was fine…except for when someone would shoot .40S&W. People were shooting 9mm, .45, 5.56, .308, .357mag, .50AE…none of it bothered me, but the .40 was painful. I’m guessing it has to relate to the mastoid process mentioned in a previous comment, but the .40 was the ONLY round being shot that bothered me.
I had people challenge me on facebook on a post I made in the Spring about the reasons for firearms ownership and I was told that their right to feel safe trumped my right to own the firearm of my choice with a magazine size over 10 rounds. So today I put this on my facebook. No comments yet but I know those same people will be watching this video and it will not make them happy because it is the truth.
Feeling safe is subjective. It is not a quantifiable state and can’t be legislated. Someone may feel safe with their front door of their house wide open 24/7 (my friends house was like that and they never were burglarized in the 20 years I have known them). Other people may not feel safe with five deadbolts and bars on their windows in the safest part of town with a security system and cameras and a security team.
Okay people,
Here is a brief summary of why it is reasonable to conclude that some elements of our government have plans to operate detention centers (not death camps!) in the continental U.S. for huge numbers of political prisoners.
Historical Precedent:
Police and military personnel rounded up tens/hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry and forced them into internment camps during World War II. Yes, our government deprived an entire class of citizens of liberty and property without due process. Yes, hundreds/thousands of police and military personnel violated their oaths to support the U.S. Constitution. And they violated their oaths without hesitation because they thought this entire class of people were “dangerous” and it was necessary for “public safety”.
Documentation Evidence:
The American Civil Liberties Union obtained a copy of the U.S. Army’s Internment and Resettlement Operations document (FM 3-19.40). The document describes how to handle “enemy prisoners of war” as well as “civilian internees”. While the document focuses primarily on operations in foreign countries, it also discusses operations within the continental United States. Sources are reporting a leaked copy of the latest revision (FM 3-39-40). This document is an expanded version obviously based on the previous version.
FM 3-19.40 is available here: https://www.aclu.org/files/projects/foiasearch/pdf/DODDOA000729.pdf.
FM 3-39.40 is available here: http://info.publicintelligence.net/USArmy-InternmentResettlement.pdf
DHS Procurement:
We all know about the DHS acquiring “surplus” military equipment such as MRAP armored personnel carriers, fully automatic rifles, etc. and keeping them for its own use as well as redistributing them to various police departments. We also know about DHS issuing purchase orders for something like 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition to be delivered over the next five years. While DHS purchases ammunition for all federal law enforcement agencies, their total number is something like 70,000 personnel. That equates to something like 4,500 rounds of ammunition per year per officer. I have a hard time believing that all 70,000 personnel are going to shoot that much ammunition during training every year. Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? Not from what I know. And what about all the equipment? Mine resistant vehicles in the United States? Really?
Agency Attitudes:
The Department of Homeland Security considers several people as potential domestic terrorists. Some of these people include:
– veterans returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan
– people who support the U.S. Constitution
– Christians who believe in the Bible
– people who support the 2nd Amendment
(Here is the actual report:
http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf)
We also see the changing attitude of DHS and other law enforcement agencies in a series of “No More Hesitation” paper targets that depict armed pregnant women, armed teenagers, armed 7 year olds, armed elderly women, etc. While they are no longer available, someone thought they were a good idea in the first place. This link explains the targets and has pictures:
http://www.infowars.com/dhs-contractor-apologizes-for-selling-shooting-targets-of-children/
This link shows the company’s apology on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawEnforcementTargets/posts/615687631780992)
And we all know that the Internal Revenue Service was caught targeting conservative groups.
Need I even mention the Justice Department’s attitude about the rule of law? Do I have to remind everyone about Operation Fast and Furious and how attorney General Eric Holder has been guilty of Contempt of Congress for two years now for not supplying documents … and yet nothing has or will ever happen?
Progressive Attitudes:
We have all heard Progressives express the notion that armed citizens are seething cauldrons of rage ready to explode at the slightest provocation … that armed citizens are a dangerous cancer that threatens our very way of life in the U.S. And we have all heard the Progressive elitists tell us that they know what is best for us … that they have an intense desire to force us to do what they know is best for us through force of law. We also know that Progressives have been increasing their reach, influence, and legislation throughout our nation.
Do all of these facts prove that people in government are planning to imprison huge numbers of political prisoners in the United States? No. Based on these facts, is it reasonable to conclude that people in government are planning to imprison huge numbers of political prisoners in the United States? Yes. Remember when Adam Kokesh’s organized an armed march/demonstration into Washington D.C. this year? He supposedly had over 10,000 participants who confirmed that they were going to go with him. What option would the feds have had if he had not cancelled it at the last moment?
I am lucky enough to fire an M12 every now and then because I am a reserve military in an unundisclosed European country.
Despite being lefthanded I have no rpoblem whatsoever in handling the M12, just handle the selesctor/safety with my LH index and the opnly awkward thing is that I have to wrap my RH over the weapon to operate che charging handle while squeezing the grip safety with the LH. Infact you cannot cock the bolt with the grip safety left alone.
Even unsuppressed shoots (semiauto) like a dream, however I must admit I neve mastered it full auto.
Is it me or is firing this thing full auto with a speed metal riff playing in the background an AWESOME idea?
swiss’s firm B&T made a aimpoint mount for beretta M12 ..
http://www.bt-ag.ch/en/manufacturing/search/index.php?pid=680