I think I saw one at the show, how good are the conversions?  BAR mags are still relatively Cheap.

i dont know about that, but beretta made a m1 grandish carbine with a short barrel, 20 rd mag, and folding stock. im not sure what its called, BM-?? i think.

BM59??

OSA

beretta BM59, this one is labled transferable, i dont know it is FA or SBR, but its about 4000. some are about 1500. the add this came from also made mention of "retooled" garands like this.

Yeah, Beretta made the BM59, there were also some gunsmiths who would take an M1 and convert it to 7.62 NATO and M14 magazines, most often with a "tanker" type configuration. The good ones were apparently nice rifles, with a horrendous muzzle blast, both powerful and almost as handy as a .30 carbine. The less than good ones, well the  less said the better, I guess. I handled several of these over the years but never got to fire one, I almost bought one but the owner was convinced that he had something very rare and priced it the same way.

Don in Ohio

BM59 is correct and there is an ad in Shotgun News that offers them for sale but I can't recall the name of the company right now.

STAN SMITH WEST-TEXAS ORDNANCE was advertising on http://www.gunsamerica.com./fast.cgi?guncat=2451

I am now taking orders for this very unique, never before produced firearm. This is an M14 receiver, so therefore it is technically an M14, but it has been mated to an M1 Garand barrel, stock, and gas system. Caliber is still 7.62x51 NATO(.308 win.), and it still takes standard M14 Magazines with no modifications! this rifle is built on an Armscorp National Match USGI grade M14 receiver, and is built with all USGI parts, or Beretta M1 parts, which as good or better as USGI.Delivery time is about three weeks. Can be built with your choice ofsynthetic or brand new Walnut stocks(walnut is standard) at no extracost. Be sure and look at the picture of this fine new weapon!
Sounded pretty interesting. The post also contains a picture.

Exept for the beretta garands wich i beleve were both 308 & 3006 all the BM-59 magazine fed models were exclusively 308 caliber.

There are Five basic  variations of BM-59's

1. the (ital) or standard italian {pictured above}
2. alpini or (alpine) model.
3.the paracadutista (paratroooper)
4 the mark 1
5 the mark IV.

then ther are a bunch of sporter variations like the 62,63 and the 69.

the name of the place in sgn is reese surplus
www.reesesurplus.com

They have been selling bm-59 and varients for years.
I also have a bm-59 the standard itialian model. but in semi-auto only, that was imported from springfield armory back in the 80's.

magazines for thes guys are about 70- 100 dollars if you can find them.
I also gotta tell ya M-14 mags are totaly uncompatable with BM-59's

I remember seeing a Shotgun News add about 2-3 years ago of a company that would convert an M1 to take BAR mags. I remembe because I was pissed that I did not have the $$ to get one.

Daves Guns here in the Metro Denver area (whom I AM NOT endorsing) has 'em (BM59)... $1899.95

http://www.daves-guns.com/specials.htm

I SAY AGAIN!!!!,

BM-59'S AND  BERETTA SPORTER VARIENTS DO NOT use M-14 OR BAR MAGS.

They use there own specific magazine.
You can spot them a mile a way.  True BM-59 mags have a step built into them on both sides going from top to bottom.  As opposed to M-14 mags and similar mags that are totaly flat on the sides.

the one above is said to have modified m14 mags avaliable.

the one above is said to have modified m14 mags avaliable.

id like to know where they came from.
I might be interested in a few

po89mn, go to gunbroker.com and search BM59. i think the only one is the one pictured, its costs like 3 and a half (thousand) click on it, and it says something about the mags, their 55 each.

Quoted: I remember seeing a Shotgun News add about 2-3 years ago of a company that would convert an M1 to take BAR mags. I remembe because I was pissed that I did not have the $$ to get one.

Walt Kuleck will tell you to stay away from these conversions as the receiver will be ruined/crystallized by the cutting torch.
Do a search on the Garand at
www.fultonarmory.com