pdb

While I'm quite sure that nobody in the R&D section of Beretta reads me, I'm going to go ahead and take credit for this little poodle shooter anyway.

It's a development of the Benelli R1 'Argo' hunting rifle, which is based on the proven Benelli M1 gas operated shotgun action.  This appears to be a non-PC rifle aimed right that the sweet spot of the LEO / Sport shooter market.  Dig it:

What pdb likes:

• Gas piston operation means no poops where it eats nonsense like in the Stoner rifles
• Heavy use of polymer for light weight and durability
• Overall design appears very slick and devoid of hangups
• Rails are available, but optional (!!)
• Quick adjusting LOP buttstock to fit many shooters
• Sling swivels on the side of the gun, as opposed to the usual 'parade ground' locations.
• Use of M16 magazines means it will have a bolt hold open on last shot feature
• Under-barrel gas port means a very short distance between bore axis and line of sight
• Fore-end appears to be modular, meaning different color stocks and grenade … err, flare launchers are a screwdriver away
• Buttstock is compatible with all the great furniture available for the M1

Also note the small button on the outside lip of the trigger guard.  If that's the bolt release, it's in an excellent location.

What pdb doesn't like:

• Only 5.56 NATO right now, but the Argo's multicaliber flexibility and easily moulded mag wells will hopefully make 6.8 Remington SPC and 7.62 NATO variants possible
• The magazine release, if it's that button on the top rear of the magazine well, appears to be in an awkward location.
• Magazine well is very deep, meaning magazine changes may be further slowed
• Bolt handle is on the starboard side, instead of on the left where John Moses Browning, Dieudonne Saive and the Lord Jesus  intended it to be
• Recoil spring in the buttstock means no true folding or collapsing stock, so it's not as portable as a Kalashnikov derived rifle
• The gas port is apparently very close to the chamber, compared to usual gas operated rifles.  While this means a higher initial pressure available for working the action, it seems to me the the 56k PSI of 5.56 NATO would erode the gas port a lot faster than that out of a shotgun shell

While I don't think it has the pedigree or patronage for a future in military service, I think it appears to be a superb practical rifle for LEOs and civilian shooters who want a 5.56 but don't want to deal with the absurdity of the Stoner direct gas system.

[Please forgive screwed up formatting.  blog-city.com done gone fucked up the editor again]