Beretta U22 Neos: Обзор и характеристики пистолета

The Beretta U22 Neos is a .22 Long Rifle semi automatic, single action pistol using a slide blow back system, that has been manufactured in the United States since 2002 by Beretta USA. The pistol will accept interchangeable barrels in blued or stainless steel finishes. Each barrel incorporates a built in Weaver style rail to accommodate optics or accessories. In addition to the United States and Canada, the U22 Neos is listed for sale by Beretta distributors in Australia, France and some other European countries.

The U22 Neos was launched in 2002 with a cover story in American Rifleman magazine. A deluxe model, the U22 Neos DLX with both cosmetic and performance improvements was added in 2003. Beretta released the U22 Neos Carbine Kit (to convert the pistol into a long gun) in 2004. The last year of production for the DLX model was 2007. Beretta USA announced in July, 2014 that firearms production in Accokeek, Maryland (where the Neos is manufactured) would be moved to Gallatin, Tennessee.

The U22 Neos is a semi automatic firearm using simple blowback operation. The pistol does not have a full length slide (i. e., the barrel is uncovered) and it functions by cycling the rear portion of the action. The breech does not lock upon closing, but is held closed by a recoil spring. When the last cartridge case is ejected the slide is held open by a slide stop. The U22 Neos is designed for field stripping without tools into basic modules (barrel with sight rail, receiver, slide and firing pin) for cleaning. The Weaver style rail incorporates a fully adjustable rear sight and a removable front sight. The grip and trigger guard assembly, made from fiberglass reinforced "technopolymer", is attached to the receiver with a single bolt and can easily be removed and replaced with an accessory grip. Anticipated buyers for the U22 pistol were a new generation of Beretta enthusiasts, hence the moniker Neos (Greek for new).

The U22 Neos has an ambidextrous manual safety lever mounted on the frame. There is no discrete loaded chamber indicator, but the slide can be opened slightly to check if there is a round in the chamber. The end of the firing pin is clearly visible at the rear of the receiver when cocked, indicating that the pistol is ready to fire (if the manual safety is off). There is no magazine disconnect to prevent the pistol from firing if there is a round in the chamber when the magazine is removed, and for that reason the Neos accommodates single shot operation with direct chamber loading.

In 2003 new features were added to the U22 Neos product line, in the form of DLX models which can be identified by a special U22 NEOS logo is engraved on the slide. As with the standard models, the U22 Neos DLX was made with blue or stainless steel finish. DLX barrel length was or (no DLX model). DLX triggers are adjustable for pre and overtravel. Front and rear sights have user replaceable blades in different colors. DLX models have rubber inlays in the pistol grip; these inlays are textured to improve the shooter's grip and are colored for a distinctive appearance.

Expanding on the modularity of the U22 Neos pistol, in 2004 Beretta introduced a U22 Neos Carbine Kit that transforms the pistol into a light rifle. The kit includes a skeletonized butt stock that takes the place of the grip on the pistol and a separate fore end assembly that replaces the pistol barrel. A fiber optic front sight is mounted on the barrel and the integral Weaver style rail includes an aperture rear sight. This Neos carbine configuration appears quite similar to the Buck Mark Sporter Rifle, but Browning Buck Mark pistols and rifles are purpose built and major components cannot be interchanged. This recall only applies to some earlier Neos models, and Beretta has posted instructions on determining if a pistol needs service on their Neos support page. Beretta's Accokeek factory performs this service at no cost to the customer. The firing pin and other components are replaced and tested.