The Tariq Iraqi pistol was first manufactured from 1949 until 1980 by Beretta as the M1951. After Beretta ceased production, the pistol found new life in 1981 as the Tariq, a licensed Iraqi-produced standard-issue handgun for the Iraqi armed forces and the Republican Guard. Production stopped in 2003 but resumed in 2009. The pistol is well-known for its ability to withstand heavy use in the extreme desert conditions of the Middle East. Internally the pistol is identical to the Beretta M1951, but notable external differences include a grip adorned with a medieval warrior emblem of Tariq ibn Ziyad, who invaded Spain in 711 A.D., and Arabic stamping on the side. It also retains some features that are considered outdated by today’s standards in 9 mm pistols. Learn what they are in this “I Have This Old Gun” segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV. For more videos like this, please visit AmericanRifleman.org/artv.
Video—I Have This Old Gun: Iraqi Tariq Pistol
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