Tariq

   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.