Finito! Beretta AR70/90 build!

Mama mia!

The Italian military adopted the 5.56 gas piston operated Beretta AR70/90 as their standard issue service rifle in 1990 to replace the AR70 and incorporate improvements such as accepting the standard NATO 5.56 STANAG magazine. It’s still in service today, but currently being phased out for the Beretta ARX-160.

I didn’t know a thing about the AR70/90 until I saw the demilled parts kits for sale back in December of last year. I was spurred to purchase a kit by the current political winds endangering home builds. I also thought it was similar to the 5.56 FN FNC, a rifle I lust for but is too pricey to buy, and parts kits aren’t available. Additionally, once you build so many ARs, you just start looking for more challenging projects!

The kit came with no barrel. The rear sight, front trunnion, ejector tab, and dust cover were removed from the old upper receiver which was also not included. My kit was in good shape showing normal wear and use. Not much rust. My bolt and bolt carrier were new in a wrapper. Many kits had new bolt assemblies like mine, and condition of kits vary as far as rust and how clean the demil of upper receiver parts was done. I was lucky to get such a clean kit.

It’s estimated that about 1000 parts kits were imported, which means this is a very rare rifle to own. Probably not as desirable as other similar rifles. I imagine as the Italian military continues to phase out the AR70/90 there will be more of these kits imported but who knows. Importing kits in general has slowed down as costs and paperwork challenges increase.

Parts kit mock up for fun:

https://i.imgur.com/Ivot4Qt.jpg

So with the help of the weapons guild forum (WG) builder community I got to it.

First off were the semi auto mods and denials per a write up by a pioneering member of the WG forum. Things were deleted, things were added, things were welded, yada yada. Now it is semi auto and can not be converted back. I also machined a couple replacement parts to achieve 922r compliance.

At first it looked like I would be bending a flat to make the upper receiver shell. I wasn’t looking forward to that given the geometry of the receiver shell. Then a guy on the WG forum started producing bent 80% receiver shells that came with loose rails and a rear trunnion.

The front trunnion was salvaged from the demil and new locating tabs for it were included in the 80% kit. For locating these important tabs on the front trunnion I borrowed a welding jig from WG that someone donated to the forum. I just had to pay shipping to the next builder and wait about a week for my turn at it.

https://i.imgur.com/R7vefjn.jpg

Then the rails and front and rear trunnion were all welded together. It took 3 or 4 attempts to get everything tacked together right with the TIG torch to where the bolt moved effortlessly. Then I welded those parts together for good. The ejector tab was riveted and tack welded in place, as was done by Beretta originally.

All the welding done on this project required patience and copper backing bars to minimize heat distortion.

I did some milling on the receiver shell to get it ready then this project sat for two months or so waiting for new barrels to hit the market.

https://i.imgur.com/SqD8HvQ.jpg

Finally I got a barrel last week. It was dimensionally perfect, and passed a go/no-go gauge check when installed in the front trunnion.

Since the upper receiver shell is basically just an action cover, I did a test fire wearing all the PPE in the world to confirm function. Everything went well.

https://i.imgur.com/zcnaXKC.jpg

Next the upper receiver shell overall length was milled a little to fit the lower, and it was welded in place. Lots of welding and waiting for things to cool. Some minor distortion required some filing of the charging handle slot and a few other edges.

I bore sighted the rifle at a point in the distance and tack welded the rear sight in place, aiming it at the same point. Then the rear sight base was welded on for good and so was the dust cover piece.

https://i.imgur.com/BVE4FHG.jpg

Originally the upper receiver shell welds were nice evenly piled up MIG welds and some small rivets were used, but to keep it simple and use my existing skillset I went with flush TIG welds. It’s not perfect or original but I’m quite satisfied with it. I can always go back and re-do it some day. I am a hobby welder and machinist, so I’m happy when just about any weld or pass of an end mill turns out nice.

I gave it a quick coat of “good enough” black spray paint and enjoyed some test firing today. The paint actually looks a lot better than I expected. My rear sight alignment was very close with just one click of windage needed to zero the rifle.

https://i.imgur.com/UwdOKt2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/om0cRkO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/artXPnh.jpg

It’s a nice shooter. Zero malfunctions. Minimal recoil, simple controls. The safety is a surprisingly hard reach for even my large hands and the trigger has a lot of room for improvement but it’s all manageable.

What a heavy rifle! I can’t imagine this thing loaded up with a heavy optic, an IR laser, under barrel grenade launcher, and a spare mag in a pouch on the stock as current photos show them outfitted.

One interesting feature is the “pistol style” sights built into the top of the removable carry handle. I imagine these are for quick shots in CQB, but being so high above the bore your hits are 4-6” below point of aim at close distance.

https://i.imgur.com/Jrp6s4F.jpg

If I can find an original surplus sling I will call it finished. A few have popped up on ebay but I missed them.

What did it cost?

Demilled parts kit $378
80% receiver kit $383
New barrel $323
Total $1084

Not included- a bunch of time, welding consumables, some home made parts from metal laying around, etc.

Right now there is a nice home built AR70/90 on gunbroker at $2275 and 5 days to go. If saving money was the goal then I did well. But it wasn’t. The goal was to take on a challenging build and have a rifle that is “exotic”. I’m really pleased with the outcome.

This build wouldn’t have been possible without the WG forum. Their motto is “builders helping builders” and they are a smart and helpful bunch!

If you want to build one there are some parts kits on Gunbroker right now for $400. Also on there are the barrels, which you can obtain a little cheaper through the WG forum. I think receiver flats are available but the 80% run is done and I’m not sure if more will be made. The best chance for that to happen is to let the guy know you want one via the WG forum.

I have more interesting builds in the works as most of the guns I want are rare or too expensive to buy finished so back to the builder’s bench I go.

That's freakin' awesome!

It looked familiar, but I had to Google it for more info.
Pretty interesting stuff.

Nice work.

I had seen those parts kits but hadn't heard of barrels or receivers so pretty cool you were able to figure it all out and get it put together and working.

In the end you have what will probably always be a rare rifle unless they import parts kits en masse and a company like Marcolmar puts them together like the Cetmes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoshIronshaft

Mama mia!

The Italian military adopted the 5.56 gas piston operated Beretta AR70/90 as their standard issue service rifle in 1990 to replace...

(SNIPPED FOR BREVITY)

What a heavy rifle! I can*t imagine this thing loaded up with a heavy optic, an IR laser, under barrel grenade launcher, and a spare mag in a pouch on the stock as current photos show them outfitted.


SNIP
SNIP
SNIP

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You pansy!!!
:cool:


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Turin_2006.jpg

No bipod! She*s cheating.

Also note the side folding stock. I hope some of those make it over here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wanneroo

Nice work.

I had seen those parts kits but hadn't heard of barrels or receivers so pretty cool you were able to figure it all out and get it put together and working.

In the end you have what will probably always be a rare rifle unless they import parts kits en masse and a company like Marcolmar puts them together like the Cetmes.

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Grazie!

I had to watch the WG forum like a hawk to stay on top of where and when to get the 80% kit and barrel.

Excellent work. Very nice welds and machining. Impressive build.

Nice work...nothing like having another project under the belt.

Whats next?

Uzi SBR from an 80%. Just waiting on the Form 1 to come back approved from purgatory so I can weld it up.

The home built AR70/90 that was on GB sold for $3500. That’s good to know.

Here is a slow motion video of a function test I did when the barrel arrived, before welding on the upper receiver shell.

https://i.imgur.com/mpCU3jB.mp4

Very, VERY cool my friend! I love it! The project as it is, I mean. No interest in having one. But I don*t collect. The work you put into it though, WOW! I*m super impressed with your welding & machining. Glad to meet a fellow Hobbyist machinist.:D I*d love to build one, but I can*t TIG anymore. (Kinda difficult with ONE arm, LOL). And honestly, I only build the things I want anymore....when I*m physically able.

The AR70/90 always struck me as the illegitimate bastard child of an unholy coupling between the AK47 & AR15!;) Oh yeah they are heavy! A variant of these was the AS70/90, Squad Automatic Weapon. Used as Light Machine Gun with only a few changes. Receiver, gas system, barrel all the same, and obviously where the bulk of the weight is. Very cool....a rare build indeed. Good stuff Josh.

Thank you very much!

I think a MIG welder is what you need. A MIG welder can complete builds like this.

Oh yeah..I know. I can still make make do with Mig & Arc welding. But I would only trust intricate work to TIG. Just my take. I only ever had a basic welding prowess at that. I could do what needed done. Lost interest since being disabled & paralyzed. Machining is more my go to.

I was going to point out as to your initial post of wanting more of a challenge. Have you built a 1911 yet? Most time consuming, need for attention base projects for me. Nearly every part needs hand fit. It*s a great exercise in patience. Just slowing down your work.

Sorry, I*m off on a tangent. Just thought I*d bring it up to you if you have or haven*t.

I’ve done a lot of builds and mods, but I have not built a 1911. I’ve tweaked an extractor but that’s it. I have to admit, the 1911 doesn’t really spark my flame. Pistols in general don’t. I shoot pistols more than anything, but I just don’t want to build them. I’m just into rifle, subgun, and belt fed clones. For now at least.

Oh I get it man! Like I said, I only build the firearms I WANT anymore. Besides that I*ve found machining small replacement parts is fun. Limited of course, using a small manual mill. (I want a CNC badly!), but fun enough.

Got a sling from an ebay seller in Slovenia. Most expensive sling I have ever purchased, but I like having the right slings on rifles.

https://i.imgur.com/Yv43L2u.jpg

The Beretta has been very fun to shoot.

https://i.imgur.com/WAzPZzU.jpg

The inert/non-firing dummy tubes are for fun photos.