The Beretta ARX160 departs from the previously issued AR70/90 on several points.
It is composed of an upper and lower receiver, both manufactured mostly from polymer, and operates through a short-stroke piston system.
It is chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm cartridge.
Feeding is through STANAG magazines for the 5.56×45mm NATO configuration and AK-47 or AKM magazines for the 7.62×39mm configuration.
Other calibres, including 5.45×39mm and 6.8mm Remington SPC were planned.

It features an ambidextrous safeties, magazine release (right side, left side, and "AK" style), bolt release and charging handle, as well as the ability to change which side spent casings are ejected, a quick-change barrel which can be removed and replaced in seconds without any tools, Picatinny rails, and a foldable telescopic stock.

The lightweight barrel is chrome lined and manufactured by the hammer forging process at the Beretta factory in Gardone Val Trompia, Lombardy.
Barrel lengths for this rifle are 16 in (40.6 cm) for its standard barrel, and a 12 in (30.48 cm) barrel for special operators.
The flash hider has 5 radial cuts and 4 smaller cuts to control muzzle climb in automatic firing.
Barrels have a 1:7 twist to fire NATO standard ball and tracer rounds.
The non-free-floated barrel is easily removed simply by pulling on slide levers and pulling it out.
A bayonet lug, designed for the Extrema Ratio Fulcrum bayonet is positioned above the barrel rather than underneath it.

The ARX160 operating system is unique in that the piston moves almost 2 in (50.8 mm), while other systems move fractions of an inch.
The piston follows the bolt carrier almost all the way rearward, resulting in low gas pressure levels and a less sudden and more constant push on the carrier group.

It has the ability to eject the empty shells out of either in the right side or left side for ambidextrous operation.
The bolt has seven lugs and an extractor on the left and right, with no ejector.
The extractors are spring-loaded and which way cases are ejected is selected by pressing a case through a small hole located past the port.
It is small and optimised for the tip of a bullet to fit.
The ejection port is open on both sides and directs shells at a 45 degree angle from the barrel.
The cocking lever is on the bolt carrier and can be positioned on either side by pulling it out, swinging it through the ejection port, and pushing it in to secure it in place.

It features a standard back-up iron sights that are made of the same polymer as the weapon's receiver.
The front sight post is adjustable for windage and elevation and the rear peep sight has six positions to fire in increments from 100–600 meters.
The primary optical sight is the Aimpoint ACIES, a domestic version of the Aimpoint CompM2.
Telescopic sights, night vision systems, vertical forward grips, and other accessories will be available through the Soldato Futuro program.
The Beretta ARX160 departs from the previously issued AR70/90 on several points. It is composed of an upper and lower receiver, both manufactured mostly from polymer, and operates through a short-stroke piston system. It is chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm cartridge. Feeding is through STANAG magazines for the 5.56×45mm NATO configuration and AK-47 or AKM magazines for the 7.62×39mm configuration. Other calibres, including 5.45×39mm and 6.8mm Remington SPC were planned.
It features an ambidextrous safeties, magazine release (right side, left side, and "AK" style), bolt release and charging handle, as well as the ability to change which side spent casings are ejected, a quick-change barrel which can be removed and replaced in seconds without any tools, Picatinny rails, and a foldable telescopic stock.
The lightweight barrel is chrome lined and manufactured by the hammer forging process at the Beretta factory in Gardone Val Trompia, Lombardy. Barrel lengths for this rifle are 16 in (40.6 cm) for its standard barrel, and a 12 in (30.48 cm) barrel for special operators. The flash hider has 5 radial cuts and 4 smaller cuts to control muzzle climb in automatic firing. Barrels have a 1:7 twist to fire NATO standard ball and tracer rounds. The non-free-floated barrel is easily removed simply by pulling on slide levers and pulling it out. A bayonet lug, designed for the Extrema Ratio Fulcrum bayonet is positioned above the barrel rather than underneath it.
The ARX160 operating system is unique in that the piston moves almost 2 in (50.8 mm), while other systems move fractions of an inch. The piston follows the bolt carrier almost all the way rearward, resulting in low gas pressure levels and a less sudden and more constant push on the carrier group.
It has the ability to eject the empty shells out of either in the right side or left side for ambidextrous operation. The bolt has seven lugs and an extractor on the left and right, with no ejector. The extractors are spring-loaded and which way cases are ejected is selected by pressing a case through a small hole located past the port. It is small and optimised for the tip of a bullet to fit. The ejection port is open on both sides and directs shells at a 45 degree angle from the barrel. The cocking lever is on the bolt carrier and can be positioned on either side by pulling it out, swinging it through the ejection port, and pushing it in to secure it in place.
It features a standard back-up iron sights that are made of the same polymer as the weapon's receiver. The front sight post is adjustable for windage and elevation and the rear peep sight has six positions to fire in increments from 100–600 meters. The primary optical sight is the Aimpoint ACIES, a domestic version of the Aimpoint CompM2. Telescopic sights, night vision systems, vertical forward grips, and other accessories will be available through the Soldato Futuro program.
Beretta ARX160