Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta (; "Pietro Beretta Weapons Factory") is a privately held Italian firearms manufacturing company operating in several countries. Its firearms are used worldwide for civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. Sporting arms account for three-quarters of sales. Beretta also sells shooting clothes and accessories. Founded no later than 1526, Beretta is the oldest active firearm manufacturer and one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the world. Its inaugural product was the arquebus barrel; by all accounts Beretta-made barrels equipped the Venetian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

Overview

thumb|A [[Beretta M9]]

Since 2015, the President and CEO of Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta (Beretta S.p.A.) has been Franco Gussalli Beretta.

The traditional father-to-son Beretta dynasty was interrupted when Ugo Gussalli Beretta assumed control. Uncles Carlo and Giuseppe Beretta were childless. Ugo married into the Beretta family and adopted the last name Beretta. His sons are now direct descendants through their mother's side of the family.

Beretta is known for its broad range of firearms: side-by-side shotguns, over-and-under shotguns, semi-automatic shotguns, hunting rifles, express rifles, assault rifles, submachine guns, lever- and bolt-action rifles, single- and double-action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols.

The model Beretta 92FS was the primary side arm of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, designated the M9 pistol.

Assault rifles

thumb|A Beretta ARX 160 with thermal sight and grenade launcher

  • Beretta AR70/90
  • Beretta AS70/90
  • Beretta AR-70/223
  • Beretta ARX 160
  • Beretta ARX 200
  • Beretta NARP

Sniper rifles

  • Beretta 501
  • Beretta Victrix Corvus

Submachine guns

  • Beretta Model 1918
  • Beretta Model 38
  • Beretta Model 38A
  • Beretta Model 38/42
  • Beretta Model 38/44
  • Beretta Model 3 – a postwar modification of the 38/42
  • Beretta M12 series
  • Beretta PMX
  • Beretta Mx4 Storm

Machine pistols

  • Beretta M951R
  • Beretta 93R
  • Model 951A

Grenade launchers

  • Beretta GLX-160 (underbarrel grenade launcher for the Beretta ARX160)

See also

  • Beretta Holding
  • List of modern armament manufacturers
  • List of oldest companies

References

Further reading