Italy’s national gendarmerie, the Carabinieri, just placed an order for 1,000 Beretta PMX Submachine guns worth €816,000, or US$1 Million last 19 January 2018 according to Jane’s 360. The Beretta PMX, which was shown at the Milipol Paris last November 2017, is the successor to the Modello 12 or the Beretta Model 12.

Established in 1814, the Carabinieri are the fourth branch of Italy’s armed forces (the others being the Army, Navy, and the Air Force) and they are in charge of policing both the military and civilian populations. As of present, it has over 100,000 members.

The Beretta PMX Submachine Gun is a closed-bolt system and according to the company, the barrel and bolt are machined from a special high-strength steel to withstand harsh environments and abusive conditions. It is chambered in 9mm has a lightweight folding stock and a 6.9-inch barrel. It also comes equipped with Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions as well as a full length rail at the 12 o’clock position to mount aiming devices.

The safety lock can be operated on both sides as well as the locking lever making it an ambidextrous weapon for use by left and right handed shooters. When optics are mounted, both the front and rear sights can be flipped down.

The order seems to be just the first batch given that the Model 12 production has already been stopped. The Model 12 had been in production since it was first introduced in the 1960s for use in the Carabinieri.

Full Specifications:

• Caliber: 9 x 19 mm
• Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
• Barrel Length: 6.9 in. (175 mm)
• Overall Length: Extended stock – 25.2 in. (640 mm), Folded stock – 16.5 in. (418 mm)
• Overall Height (With Magazine): Without sights – 9.8 in. (250 mm), With folded sights – 10.6 in. (270 mm)
• Overall Width: With extended stock – 2.9 in. (74 mm), With folded stock cocking handle right – 3.4 in. (86 mm), With folded stock cocking handle left – 3.9 in. (100 mm)
• Line of sight: 9.8 in. (250 mm)
• Weight (Unloaded): 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
• Locking System: Blowback
• Operating System: Semi-auto and full-auto
• Safety: Manual safety on selector which locks the trigger and automatic firing pin safety with bolt open lever
• Sights: Rear sight adjusts in windage. Front sight adjusts in elevation. Both are removable.