Beretta 93R Pistol: Italian Submachine Gun

The Beretta 93R is a unique Italian submachine gun, introduced in 1977 by Beretta, which combines the compactness of a pistol with the ability to fire in bursts. Chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, the 93R (Raffica, Italian for "burst") was created as a weapon for special forces, offering high firepower in close combat. This pistol stands out from competitors such as the Glock 18 and Steyr TMP due to its folding foregrip, folding stock and the ability to fire in bursts of three rounds, making it a hybrid between a pistol and a light machine gun. The history of the Beretta 93R, its design features, technical parameters and areas of application reveal why it has become a symbol of Italian gunmaking ingenuity, remaining a rare and valuable artifact in 2025.

History of the Beretta 93R pistol

The history of the Beretta 93R begins in the 1970s, when Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta SpA, an Italian company founded in 1526, received a request from the Italian secret service to develop a compact weapon with an automatic mode to combat terrorism and organized crime. At the time, Europe was experiencing a wave of terrorist attacks, including the actions of the Red Brigades in Italy, which prompted law enforcement agencies to look for more powerful means of close combat. Beretta took its successful Beretta 92 pistol, adopted in 1976, and began developing a modification with the ability to fire bursts.

The Beretta 93R was introduced in 1977 and went into production at the Gardone Val Trompia, Italy, factory. The first version featured a folding foregrip, a folding metal stock, and a selector switch (single/three-round burst at 1100 rounds per minute). The pistol was adopted by Italian special forces such as the NOCS (Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza) and the GIS (Gruppo di Intervento Speciale), but its production was limited due to its high cost and difficulty in operation. By the 1990s, production had ceased, with only about 2000 units having been made, making the 93R a rarity. As of 2025, it is prized by collectors, with a secondary market price of between $5000 and $10 depending on condition.

Beretta 93R pistol design

The Beretta 93R is based on the short recoil system with Browning locking system inherited from the Beretta 92. The 125 mm long barrel (including the extension with compensator) is made of forged steel with traditional rifling, providing accuracy and stability when firing in bursts. The aluminum alloy frame is combined with a steel slide, blued or nickel-plated, which reduces the weight to 1170 grams without a magazine. The slotted barrel extension acts as a muzzle brake, reducing the muzzle flip during automatic fire.

The 93R trigger mechanism is single action with a mode selector: single shot or three-shot burst controlled by a limiter mechanism. The trigger pull of about 2,5 kg provides precision, and the automatic mode is activated by a lever on the left side. Safety is achieved by a manual safety on the slide and an automatic striker blocker. The double-row magazine holds 20 rounds (or 15 in some versions), which exceeds standard pistols. The front folding grip and folding buttstock improve control when firing bursts, and the accessory rail allows you to install a silencer or flashlight. The textured plastic handle provides a secure grip, although it takes some getting used to due to the additional handle.

Beretta 93R pistol specifications

The Beretta 93R is 240 mm long (with the stock unfolded — 365 mm), 170 mm high and 37 mm wide, making it larger than conventional pistols, but more compact than machine guns. The weight with a full 20-round magazine is about 1350 grams, which ensures stability when firing in bursts. The muzzle velocity of the bullet for the 9×19 mm Parabellum (115 grains) is about 380 m/s with a muzzle energy of about 400 J, which is typical for this caliber. The sighting range is 50 meters, the effective range is 15–25 meters with fixed sights (front sight and rear sight with white marks).

Below are the main characteristics of the Beretta 93R in table form:

These parameters highlight the firepower of the 93R, although its complexity and weight limit its widespread use.

Applications of the Beretta 93R pistol

The Beretta 93R was adopted by Italian special forces in the late 1970s, including the NOCS and GIS, where it was used for counter-terrorism and assault missions. Its three-round burst capability provided a high density of fire in close combat, while its compatibility with a suppressor made it suitable for covert operations. The pistol has seen some real-world use: in 1981, the NOCS used the 93R in a hostage rescue operation against the Red Brigades, demonstrating its effectiveness at ranges of 10–15 meters. Outside Italy, it was purchased in small quantities by the French and Israeli special services, but was not widely adopted due to its complexity and cost.

The Beretta 93R was never sold on the civilian market due to strict restrictions on automatic weapons, making it strictly a military artifact. Production ended in the 1990s, and it has since become a rarity, available only through auctions or private collections. Its durability—up to 20 rounds with proper care—and unique design attract collectors, although spare parts and 000-round magazines are rare and expensive in 20. In popular culture, the 2025R has appeared in films like Die Hard (in the hands of John McClane) and games like Counter-Strike, where its automatic mode emphasized its aggressive style.

Users praise the Beretta 93R for its firepower, single-shot accuracy, and Italian style, but criticize it for its difficulty managing bursts, high ammo consumption, and bulkiness. In 2025, it remains a symbol of the counterterrorism era, with a secondary market price of $5000 to $10. The Beretta 000R is an Italian submachine gun designed for special operations. Its history is linked to the fight against terrorism, and its use in elite units confirms its reputation as a unique weapon. In 93, the 2025R remains a rare example of weapons innovation that combines a pistol and an assault rifle in one body.