Country of origin |
Iraq |
Entered service |
1981 |
Caliber |
9x19 mm Parabellum |
Weight |
870 g |
Length |
203 mm |
Barrel length |
114
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
360
m/s |
Magazine capacity |
8 rounds |
Sighting range |
50 m |
Range of effective fire |
50 m |
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The Tariq
semi-automatic pistol is a licensed copy of the Italian Beretta
M1951. It is named in honor of the medieval Arab warrior Tariq ibn
Ziyad, who invaded Spain in 711. Beretta produced this pistol
between 1949 and 1980. When production ceased all tooling and
machinery was sold to Iraq. Production in Iraq commenced in 1981. It
was a standard issue handgun in service with Iraqi armed forces and
the Republican Guard. Production was stopped in 2003 due to the war
in Iraq and resumed in 2009. Currently this pistol is in service
with Iraqi police and Kurdish armed forces. It is a rugged,
accurate, reliable and combat proven weapon.
Internal
design of the Tariq is identical to that of the Beretta M1951.
However there are some external differenced. The Tariq has a
medieval warrior emblem on the grip and Arabic stamping on the
slide. Gold-plated pistols were produced for presentation. Some
pistols have special inscriptions.
The Tariq is
chambered for 9x19 mm ammunition. It is a short-recoil operated
weapon. The original M1951 was the first Beretta's locked breech
design. The locking mechanism design was influenced by the Walther
P38 pistol. The Tariq pistol proved to be reliable in desert
conditions.
This Iraqi
pistol has a single-action trigger. A manual cross-bolt safety is
mounted on the frame beneath the hammer.
This pistol
is fed from an 8-round magazine. In terms of magazine capacity it
looses badly to modern semi-automatic pistols. Most modern pistols
have magazines that hold 15 to 20 rounds.
The Tariq
has iron sights fixed for a range of 50 m. Range of effective fire
is also about 50 meters.
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