@BeeMaa
The reason behind this design to my understanding is for one reason position of magazine in front of trigger group, in a classic manner, and when gap appeared they needed to close with something over their open top design.
The other design would be closed bridge over the bolt.
Instead of inventing their own proprietary mounting system (like blaser, for example), they took standard piccatiny rail.
I suppose this is beacuse Piccatiny rail will always be economic option, and with their MRSP, it is obvious they are targeting blue collar market. So piccatiny rail it is.
I will attach photos below (from internet) of blaser r8 with open bolt, and Merkel helix, with closed bridge over the action, for quick reference of systems and comparison.
Blaser elegantly solved the issue of open top by shortening the length of action by positioning the magazine on top of trigger, and adding their own mount system, whilst in the same time keeping open top, with open bolt, and price adjusted for high end market.
Merkel Helix, has closed bridge over the action, and integrated piccatiny on top of action, making an elegant solution for mount system.
Beretta in this case made a compromise. (there is really nothing new under the sun)
(a friend of mine, hunter, who is technological freak - for which I thought blaser r8 is perfect choice of modern rifle, when deciding for his straight pull rifle when budget was not an issue for him, between merkel helix, and blaser r8, has chosen merkel helix only for the reason of integrated piccatiny mount)
My own view is that Beretta would make a better design, if choosing a closed bridge over the action, similar to merkel helix with feeding based only by removable magazine.
