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Beretta ARX100 and ARX160: Fraternal Twins

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By Guy J. Sagi

Beretta’s ARX 100 and ARX 160 have the sculpted lines racing enthusiasts have come to expect from exotic Italian cars—without the price tag. The latter rimfire’s similarity to the 5.56 NATO version also allows inexpensive practice that accurately reflects centerfire drills, although the siblings have some subtle differences other than chambering.

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The Beretta ARX 160 incorporates all the ambidextrous features of its bigger brother—the ARX 100 chambered in 5.56 NATO—but digests .22 Long Rifle, making it ideal for low-cost drills. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Not long ago, the odds of seeing a unicorn in the HOV lane during your morning commute were better than finding .22 Long Rifle ammunition on store shelves. The shortage is finally easing, and those range-side rimfire smiles are reappearing.

It’s a big relief, and the assortment of rifles no longer collecting dust include everything from family-heirloom bolt actions, to racy looking semi-automatics, like the relatively new Beretta ARX 160. It’s often in the hands of more-serious shooters intent on polishing his or her skills without centerfire expense, but the end-of-session grin’s the same.

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The ARX 160 has a collapsible and folding stock that gives it a maximum overall length of 36.2 inches. About the only drawback to the .22 Long Rifle semi-automatic is the factory-suppled, five-round magazine. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Cosmetically, the sleek-looking ARX 160 is very similar to its big brother, the ARX 100, precisely why some use it for drill practice—the latter, chambered in 5.56 NATO, is currently employed by at least one elite Italian military unit. There are some easily overlooked differences, however, that may or may not be significant for your application.

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The triggers have a smooth face, which could cause some slipping in wet conditions. In testing, however, no problems were encounters and resets were palpable for quick follow-up shots. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

In testing, both versions performed remarkably well. The ARX 100 produced 1.25- to 1.5-inch five-shot groups consistently at 100 yards from the prone position using a bipod. It preferred Federal Premium Match .223 Rem., and if three-shot groups were employed they’d hover in at a shade more than an inch. That’s very respectable, out of the box, for a firearm whose main mission isn’t necessarily precision.

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Magazine releases are found on both sides of the receivers, and require a push for release. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

The .22 Long Rifle ARX 160 was tested similarly at 50 yards—it’s a rimfire, after all—and consistently produced 1.5-inch groups. It wouldn’t cycle properly with subsonic ammunition, though. Other than that, both carbines performed flawlessly with no failures to feed, stoppages or malfunctions.

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Ambidextrous safeties, located on both sides of the lower receiver, make the guns easier to operate for left-handed shooters. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

The “fun factor” was indeed identical. Recoil is either negligible or non-existent for the semi-automatics and they’re a pleasure to shoot. If you’re expecting an AR-15 feel, though, it will probably take three or four magazines before you warm to the ergonomics. The bloodline is Italian, and that puts more emphasis on sensual curves than sharp edges.

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There are enough spots to attach slings to both rifles, that it would hard to find a configuration they cannot meet. This one’s found at the back of the lower receiver. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Both come with A2-style, birdcage flash hiders, pistol grip, enough sling-mounting points to satisfy every shooter, and an adjustable-length stock, which can also be folded and secured to the right side for easy transportation or storage. The hinges that allow this to be done are robust on both versions, and should survive years of abuse. There’s no rattling and the receiver lug that holds the folded stock is so solid that it takes downward pressure to execute its release.

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Charging handles on both the ARX 100 and ARX 160 can be swapped to the other side, making the firearm southpaw friendly—an advantage rarely seen on rimfires. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

For lefties, the charging handles can be changed to either side and the lower receiver has ambidextrous magazine releases and safeties. A flip-up, adjustable diopter sight rides at the rear of the top rails, while a flip-up elevation-adjustable post up front completes the sight picture. On the ARX 100, the sights remove by depressing a button and sliding them off. The rimfire version’s, however, are secured by roll pins, making replacement more of an effort. Aftermarket optics can usually be secured quickly on leftover rail space. Depending on eye relief, the rimfire’s rear sight could get in the way.

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The hinges that allow the stocks to be folded are oversized, and obviously design to take years of abuse. In use, there was no creaking or rattling, regardless of the stock’s orientation. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Four-inch Picatinny rails are found on the sides up front on the ARX-100, but the pair measure 4.5 inches long on the ARX-160. Both have a full-length version under the receiver for mounting a bipod or accessories, although the rear portion of the centerfire’s comes covered with an easily removed dustcover.

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Both versions of the Beretta come with a folding stock and the system is beefy enough to take a real beating. The ARX 160, seen here, shortens to 27.5 inches in this configuration, while the ARX 100 comes in shorter at 26.5 inches. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Unlike Beretta’s CX4 carbine line, the ARX 100 uses AR-15 magazines, a distinct advantage considering the aftermarket flavors currently available. A variety were tested in the gun—from Magpul to six different OEM versions—and all functioned flawlessly, seating with a confidence-inducing “click.”

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The diameter of the diopter on the right sights can be adjusted to enhance sight picture and ultimately, accuracy. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

The ARX 160’s stock magazine has a five-round capacity, although the company offers 30-round versions. Reloading a rimfire after a half-dozen rounds can become a chore and the reduced volume may compromise drills—so invest in the larger magazine.

The ARX 160 is plainly marked “Made in Germany by Umarex,” a company known for producing high-quality rimfires, although the number of times the name Beretta appears makes it obvious the companies worked in concert on the design. The centerfire ARX 100 says “Beretta USA Corp.” on the receiver. The rimfire is blowback operated, while the centerfire uses a short-stroke gas piston. Takedown is a snap on each, and Beretta emphasizes the fact the centerfire’s barrel is easily changed in the field.

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Both the front and rear sights fold flat for storage, and flip up at the touch of a button. Those on the ARX 100 remove easily and quickly, but on the ARX 160, a roll pin will have to be driven out prior to installing aftermarket versions. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Dimensions are also different, although not significant enough to notice until held side by side. The ARX 160 has a barrel length of 18.11 inches and overall length of 36.2 (34 inches with the stock collapsed). The ARX 100, on the other hand, has a tube of 16 inches and stretches out at 35.75 (33 collapsed). Fold the stocks, and the rimfire is 27.5 inches long while the centerfire comes in at 26.5. The .22 version is also taller and fatter, although it does manage to weigh slightly less.

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The front sight is also a flip-up version with an elevation-adjustable post. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Both guns are fun, accurate and live up to the enviable Beretta reputation has built for reliability in the toughest conditions. The M9’s longevity and performance says it all. You can’t go wrong adding one or the other of these longarms to your collection.

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Both rifles come with an A2-style “birdcage” flash hider. This one on the ARX 100 is slightly different than on the rimfire version, although the cosmetic differences are slight. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

If your purchase is more serious, and you’ve decided to go “full race” in your home-defense gun with an ARX 100, however, its smaller brother does a very good job in providing an inexpensive platform from which to practice. Add a 30-round magazine, and those rimfire drills are more productive than ever before.

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The ARX 100 is chambered in 5.56 NATO and is currently in use by at least one elite Italian military unit. Photo by Guy J. Sagi

Guy Sagi

Guy J. Sagi has been reporting on the outdoors for more than 30 years. He was editor in chief of Shooting Illustrated, the NRA’s newsstand monthly, NRA InSights, Shooting Sports USA and Free Hunters during his 10 years with NRA publications. His byline has been seen in most major outdoor publications and he was editor in chief of Safari Times, Safari Club International’s monthly, for decade. The author of Fishing Arizona and Hunting Small Game in Arizona also has of 15 years of search and rescue experience with a Mountain Rescue Association-affiliated organization in Arizona.

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