For some months the departments of the Arma dei Carabinieri, in particular the paratroopers Regiment Tuscania and the 7 ° and 13 ° light infantry Regiments - but also the Emergency Response (API) and Support Operative Squad (SOS) - are receiving the new ARX 160A3 Assault Rifle in the 5,56 x 45 caliber.
The Beretta ARX 160A3 assault rifle represents the synthesis of the experience gained with the previous A1 and A2 models (the latter specifically designed for COFS operators), the result is, thanks to the changes made, a more performing platform.
First of all the stock that, like all the external components, is made of high-strength technopolymers. The novelty regards the modification of the system of extension of the butt: on the new version there is a button that adjusts this function replacing the previous system with a rocker lever and hooking tooth. Now there are two cylindrical blocks which are fixed in similar circular seats which make the locking more stable.
The upper castle has been shortened by 34 mm, while the windows higher ventilation areas are reduced to six, however they are larger and have a squared section, while the lower ventilation windows have remained unchanged.
The sled Picatinny superior, as in the A2 model, has been lengthened by passing from the initial 80 mm to about 90 mm; regarding the sights, always made of steel, they are now tiltable (flip up).
The rear sight, consisting of a base equipped with an 2 wheelset on which a tilting pointing device is installed, adopts an opening and locking shield at the front while a rotary diopter with 4 holes is present at the rear: starting from the smallest opening and continuing towards the larger one, you have the distances of 100, 200, 400 and 600 meters. The wheel located on the right side allows adjustment in drift of the target. Less complex is the front sight, folding and blade, protected by lateral fins, more easily adjustable, compared to that of previous models, in elevation or depression by means of a large wheel placed at the base.
Probably the most important novelty of the A3 model is the upper castle and concerns the presence of a new heat-dissipating muff. A system with the same purpose had previously been introduced on the A2 model: in that case it was an insulating sleeve made of ceramic material, in the A3 it was decided to use aluminum.
The new insulating sleeve more effectively fills and shields most of the (extensible) piston area behind the gas intake; this is the area where the heat is located and accumulates the most, while the circular centering shield of the barrel has been drilled in order to further improve ventilation in this area.
The barrel also presents a significant innovation: a two-position regulating valve has been introduced on the gas intake. By means of an eye screw it is possible to operate it both manually and with the help of a cartridge (in case you want to move it to the position for the use of the sound suppressor, after the weapon has already fired a lot and is overheated) . Only two positions, respectively marked N (Normal), for normal operation with eyelet positioned vertically, and S (Suppressor) with 90 ° rotation, for operation with sound suppressor: for example the Rotex by B & t. For the assembly of this accessory the flash hider has been modified with two new flat side grooves. However Beretta continues to present the semi-permanent silenced barrel version of the ARX 160 version with system Trivalent.
The A3 model is offered with 4 options about the length of the barrel: 16 inches (406,4 mm), 14 inches (335,6 mm), 11 inches (279,4 mm) and 9,5 inches (241,3 mm) which in practice is the PDW version of the new series.
Particular attention deserves the lower half-shell containing the shutter package, the handle and the supply nozzle. It should be noted that the grip profile is more similar to that of the M-4 rifle, with a thin finger pad. With respect to the previous models it was considered appropriate - in such a way as to achieve an ergonomic improvement - the dimensions of the shutter release control. In addition, with the A3 version, you return to 2 slider levers (one on each side), placed outside the trigger guard and at the base of the power supply union: however ambidextrous and operable without leaving the grip of the handle, but doubled.
The selector lever is ambidextrous and in three positions: safe, semi-automatic and full auto.
The model with 16 barrel inches measures with 898 mm extended kick (683 with overturned kick) and has an empty weight of 3,5 kg; the model with 14 barrel inches measures with 848 mm extended kick (633 with overturned kick) and has a weight of 3,35 kg; the model with 11 barrel inches measures with 772 mm extended kick (557 with overturned kick) and has a weight of 3,25 kg; finally, the 9,5 inch barrel model has a length of 735 mm with extended stock (520 with overturned stock) and weighs only 3,1 kg.
In addition to the current 5,56 x 45 NATO caliber, a conversion kit is available in the former Soviet 7,62 x 39 caliber. In addition, the weapon is ready to accept, if requested by the customer, both the 6,8 Spc and the .300 AAC Blackout.
It is conceivable that the new rifles will be distributed later also to the Battalioni Mobili dell'Arma, replacing the old SC 70 / 90.
