New Pistol Designs out of Libya

19 February 2014, , , , , , , , ,

Jonathan Ferguson

The demand for firearms in Libya has brought to light three handguns so far undocumented, at least in the English-speaking world. At least one of these (pictured below) is available in lethal-purpose form, though based upon a blank firing handgun and possibly also produced in that form. It is a sub-compact design, and appears to be a direct copy of a Turkish Atak Zoraki converted or redesigned to chamber lethal ammunition (it is seen firing here). It shares a brand/model name with a second design (see below), claimed to be Serbian and recently spotted by Armament Research Services (ARES) on ‘The Libyan Firearms Market’ (سوق الأسلحة النارية الليبي), a Libyan Facebook page involved in the sale of both blank-firing and lethal-purpose firearms. A source in Tripoli who has previously purchased items from the proprietor, told ARES the transaction process was simple, with exchanges made in person and paid in cash after having seen the merchandise. 

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Unknown handgun 1

 The shared name of these weapons, inscribed on the slide, is ‘TACTICAL-HULK PT11-PRO’, accompanied by the inscription ‘ПОХКЕТ АТТЕNYATE’. This appears to use a combination of Cyrillic and Latin alphabet letters, and may be a poor attempt to approximate foreign markings. Markings indicate the weapon is chambered for 7.65 x 17 mmSR (.32 ACP), a rather weak handgun calibre, especially when fired from the short barrels seen. The fit and finish of the weapons does not seem much better than many of the blank firing weapons produced in Turkey, particularly on the larger model below. The slide markings on the handguns in photos #1 and #2 may indicate production in 2012. The presence of a serial number printed on a metal plate and exposed through a cutout in the frame belies relatively sophisticated and expensive manufacturing process, and likely indicates that the weapons are intended to be sold in a jurisdiction requiring externally visible serial numbering. 

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Unknown handgun 2

The relationship between the two designs is unclear, but given the existence of the Zoraki, would seem to represent an evolution of that basic design, or an attempt by another to capitalise on the name and reputation of the Zoraki. The name ‘PT-11 PRO’ recalls Taurus or Kel-Tec, but neither version owes anything to either of those designs. This appropriation of legitimate firearm branding on dissimilar types is reminiscent of the products of illicit Croatian factories, though we have no evidence to confirm the nationality of these designs beyond Libyan source claims of Balkan origins. The weapons may equally be of Turkish origin.

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Unknown handgun 3

The third pistol, above, shares design cues with, and is apparently a full-size companion to, the second. It shares a similarly chunky polymer frame styling, a distinctive grip texture, and the same characteristic circular designs on the dust-cover. The full-size version also has matching circular cut-outs on the slide itself, and an unusual control mounted on the left side dust-cover, likely a take-down lever. It seems to be a wholly original design, with no analogues in either lethal or blank chamberings. It was being offered for sale on The Libyan Firearms Market for 4,800 Libyan Dinars (LYD), or approximately 3,900 USD.

smlpistol1

Another version of the handgun pictured previously, this model was being offered for sale on The Libyan Firearms Market for 2,800 LYD, or approximately 2,275 USD.

Thanks to Alexander Diehl, N.R. Jenzen-Jones, Hassan Morajea, and Paul William for their input. 

Update 28/02/2014: Thanks to reader ‘vbk’, who pointed out the smaller handgun appears visually similar to a blank firing model produced by Aral Weapons Ind. Co. of Turkey. It may be that the ‘TACTICAL-HULK’ range are based on different converted blank firing weapons.