The Tactical-Practical Handgun (Lebanon Edition)

Many of us love shooting the latest incarnation of our favorite blaster, with the super-tuned trigger, fiber optics or competition-ready iron sights, Miniaturized Red Dot Sights (MRDS), and compensator. Yet, few are those who actually conceal carry that same gun and default back to a smaller and/or slimmer and/or more comfortable carry pistol.

Renowned firearms instructor Clint Smith famously said “Handguns should be comforting, not comfortable” and while that statement has merit, those who carry for a living or protection would definitely prefer a handgun that is both comforting as well as comfortable.

Let us first define the terms Tactical and Practical, before delving deeper into what makes a handgun both tactical as well as practical:

Tac·ti·cal: (adjective) relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to achieve a specific end

Prac·ti·cal: (adjective) concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.

Hence, our new adjective Tactical-Practical©™® requires something or some set of behaviors that are both carefully planned to achieve a specific objective while being rooted in reality.

Let us now consider what handgun falls under that specific definition. The following requirements must be met:

1) Reliable and tested in realistic environments

2) Adequate in terms of caliber, meaning no less than 9x18 Makarov for semi-autos and/or 38 Special for revolvers

3) Has enough ammo capacity for situations a prepared citizen is most likely to encounter (From criminal assaults to active shooters and terrorist attacks)

4) Concealable with ease in Appendix or Side Carry

5) Affordable both in initial cost, magazines. spare parts, as well as ammunition expenditure both for carry and practice.

One of the best posts on the matter was written by Master Sergeant Paul Howe (Delta Force, retired), a man that I consider a mentor and an influence on my way of thinking with regards to firearms use in the real-world.

I strongly advise you to find and read his article, “Handgun Selection” published circa 2015, on his website www.thecsatway.com before proceeding. In summary, according to Mr. Howe, a handgun has to be medium to small sized, reliable, not less than .38 Special in caliber, affordable, and with available magazines, parts, and ammo.

Sadly, this beauty cannot be EDCed by anyone… Except maybe by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar :P

Min Ayna Laka Haza? (Where did you get that?)

Let us now examine a few important points about firearms in Lebanon:

- All firearms, except smooth-bore shotguns, are illegal for civilians to purchase. The only individuals able to legally buy “weapons of war” (Namely pistols, sub machine guns, rifles, etc) are officers in one of the many state security apparatus, and/or individuals working in specific fields (Armed security, judges, etc.)

- Certain guns are called “Amiri” meaning linked to the Amir or Emir, fancy Ottoman talk for government-issued or linked to the State directly. Historically, most common “Amiri” handguns are the Browning High Power (Alongside other Browning handguns in .32ACP and .380ACP), Beretta pistols in .22LR, .32ACP, and .380ACP, Star BM in 9mm, Smith and Wesson Models 39 and 59 in 9mm, and finally Tokarev pistols in 7.62x25 (Taken from the Palestinians after the Tal Al Zaatar battle in 1976). Looking at revolvers, the only ones used are some K and J frame by S&W and 4” Colt in 38 Special. Originally, “Amiri” handguns (As well as rifles) had a small cedar engraving positioned near the serial number, but this changed when electronic databases became the norm, with serial numbers registry making the whole process easier. Ownership of any platforms registered to the government in one way or another results in serious criminal charges and incarceration

- One cannot purchase guns and ammo except through the black market, where scammers abound unless one is armed with knowledge and wits

- Every single weapon dealer is linked to a political party or politician who provides them with the necessary political cover. The party that was able to conduct the weapon trade with zero interference from the government was Hezbollah, and the overwhelming majority of dealers purchased from them (Note: This is currently in flux, as the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in the overwhelming majority of their stockpiles being destroyed with their inability to replenish said stockpiles by sea, air, and/or land). Additionally, the Palestinian camps are still rife with weapons, if one is adventurous enough to enter them. Moreover, tribal families from the Bekaa and other areas are also involved in the weapons trade. Finally, in recent years, mainly officers from State apparatus (Customs, State Security, Gendarmerie, etc.) have been selling privately purchased guns through official channels to civilians, with the tacit permission of the State, as it has been unable to increase their salaries.

This Colt M16A1 rifle is emblazoned with the cedar, as well as the FSI initials, indicates that it belongs to the Forces de Securite Interieure (Lebanese Gendarmerie) and is therefore “Amiri”. This weapon, stolen from an FSI armory, appears to be in the hands of Syrian Jihadists (Picture courtesy of Streaking Delilah on Instagram)

As a direct result of the above-mentioned factors, firearms choices in Lebanon are limited, not only because of scarcity but also due to pricing and other variables.

Handguns are generally more expensive than rifles and/or sub machine guns, and the cost of ammunition as well as its availability are some of the hurdles one has to deal with.

Since prices fluctuate depending on the supply, demand, and the level of civil unrest, it would be folly (Not to mention tedious) to constantly update the estimated price point of a particular platform.

Therefore, we shall consider the following price brackets for handguns, as of December 2024:

- Cheap: Less than $1,000

- Affordable: Between $1,000 and $1,900

- Relatively Inexpensive: Between $2,000 and $2,900

- Expensive: Between $3,000 and $3,900

- Sinfully Expensive: Anything $4,000 and above

Pricing for magazines varies according to the below range:

- Inexpensive: Under $60 per magazine

- Affordable: Between $61 and 100$ per magazine

- Expensive: Between $101 and 125$ per magazine

- Sinfully Expensive: Above $126 per magazine

Pricing for Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammo is similarly priced as below:

- Inexpensive: Under $0.9 a round

- Affordable: Between $1 and 1.9$ a round

- Expensive: Between $2 and 2.9$ a round

- Sinfully Expensive: Above $3 a round

This picture showcases Expensive to Sinfully Expensive ammo types found in Lebanon

Let us examine a few contenders, using reliability as the most important factor:

Tokarev TT30/33: An iconic Soviet firearm, the Single Action Tokarev handgun is the epitome of insane firepower in the palm of your hand. It is a fairly large but affordable pistol. The best Toks are the Russian and the Hungarian ones but the Chinese variant have chrome-lined barrels. Magazines are inexpensive and relatively available. Ammo is sinfully expensive. Spare parts are seldom available

Baikal Viking 446/446C: An unreliable yet popular 9mm Double Action / Single Action handgun that is fairly large, lightweight, and affordable. Magazines are affordable and relatively available. No spare parts are available, which is sad, as this gun will randomly break internal parts and leave you out to dry (Or die if it happens during a gunfight…)

Browning High Power: A Single Action workhorse that is relatively reliable, ranges from affordable to sinfully expensive (Depending on the model, country of production, and overall condition), has adequate capacity but is large and heavy. Magazines are plentiful and affordable. Spare parts are plentiful and affordable as well, which is a good thing as most used BHPs have worn-out extractor springs

Glock handguns: Love em or hate em, they are the industry standard. It is striker-fired, compact enough for concealed carry but even a Generation 3 used gun is expensive. Generations 4 and 5 models vary from expensive to very expensive, especially for slim-frame or sub-compact models. MRDS compatible models range from very expensive to sinfully expensive. Magazines are relatively affordable and plentiful. Spare parts are available at somewhat affordable prices. Warning: Almost all US-made Glocks (With the exception of Glock 26s and 43s) were bought by of the Lebanese Government and distributed to officers in various official services such as Customs, FSI, etc. While many are buying and selling those on the black market with no sanction, the author believes that the hammer will fall eventually on the owners of those seemingly unregistered firearms. Think you can trust a Gen 3 Glock 19 instead? Well, don’t be so sure: As of July 2024, the original end user of most Generation 3 Glock 19s found in Lebanon was determined to be the Iraqi Government, that imported those handguns back in the early 2000s, as part of the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraqi soldiers and police officers who were issued those guns sold them on the black market, and the guns found their way into Syria and then Lebanon. It appears that the Iraqi Government provided Interpol with the missing serial numbers and wants its guns back. This means that, should the owner of a G19 Gen 3 get searched at a police or army barrage in Lebanon, and the Glock discovered, EVEN IF IN POSSESSION OF A VALID CCW LICENSE, that there is a slim chance are that an overzealous Agent of the State will attempt to confiscate the handgun (Often to resell it for his profit and happiness. Interpol? Never heard of her…)

Glock 19 clones: There is a variety of Glock 19 clones available in the market, from the Kurdistan-made DDG19 to the Turkish Derya DY9 and Salsirmaz SR9. Their price tag is relatively inexpensive for a 9mm handgun, magazines are often the same as Glock 17/19 (For the DDG19 and DY9), but they are too new (With the exception of the DDG19) to determine their reliability and robustness in comparison for Glocks. Their finish is ex aequo with that of pistols hailing from a humongous country in Eastern Europe that loves Vodka and depressing novelists

Kalashnikov Concern PLK: Pistolet Lebedev Kompact, by Kalashnikov Concern, is a superb striker-fired handgun, with an insanely smooth trigger, a magazine capacity of 14+1 of 9mm ammunition, and is extremely robust (The author personally saw footage of a PLK that survived having a building collapse on it and being left in the rain for a few days. It was rusty but fully functional). It’s rare to find nowadays but can be acquired New In Box or used at a moderate price, and has the uncanny ability of shooting sinfully expensive Russian 7N21, 7N29, and 7N30 increased pressure and penetration 9mm rounds. It is fully ambidextrous and very robust. Magazines are affordable but very hard to find, spare parts are unobtainium

Makarov PM: The Double Action / Single Action Glock-like reliable relic of the Cold War, chambered in 9×18 Makarov, offering decent 8+1 capacity, good enough stopping power, a compact size, and an affordable price. Magazines are affordable and relatively available. Ammunition is getting harder to find and is expensive. Spare parts are seldom available and are expensive. With regards to the Makarov PMM (Ultra rare outside Russia) and the Baikal-made double-stack Makarovs, please note that their metallurgy is of lesser quality than the original Soviet Union era Makarovs. Its grip is thicker, slightly reducing its concealment potential. The author prefers a PM made in the Soviet Union, East Germany, and Bulgaria, in that order

CZ 9mm: The Czech Republic is known for three main thing: Gorgeous women, great beer, and beautiful yet utterly unreliable firearms. While we strongly recommend the first two, any gun made in the Czech Republic has been known to break parts if you looked at it intently. Avoid like the plague even if they are affordable. However, if you HAVE to select one, the CZP10C seems robust enough and well designed (Because it’s a Glock 19 clone :D)

Sig Sauer 9mm: The classic Sig Sauer pistols, such as the P210, P220, P225, P226, P228, and P229, are uber reliable, hard as nails, and highly prized. Their price ranges from relatively inexpensive to sinfully expensive (The unicorn P210 comes to mind here…), magazines and spare parts are rare and expensive. The new Sig pistols are sinfully expensive AND sinfully unreliable, with a propensity to explode in your face like a 2024 Mossad pager. As a rule of thumb, stay away from anything made by Sig after 9/11

Star 9mm handguns: Iconic clones of the 1911 pistol, the Star Models B and BM are affordable, mostly reliable, and have affordable magazines and ammunition. Not a bad choice if you can find guns in good to great condition. It is important to remember that Star handguns were often in use by the Lebanese Gendarmerie and other agents of the State, so ascertaining the origin of the pistol before buying would be judicious...

Smith and Wesson semi automatics: Classic autoloaders from S&W, such as models 39 and 59, while relatively reliable, are often bulky and/or used by members of the Lebanese Security Forces, making it a big No-No. The M&P and 2.0 lines are great but alas, also hail from the officer corps and are therefore infused with potential drama

Smith and Wesson Model K and J-Frames: A classic medium and small-sized Double Action / Single Action revolver giving you 5/6 rounds of .38 Special, for an affordable price. Speedloaders and speed strips are affordable but hard to find. Spare parts are out there at affordable prices. Be wary of Chromed Model 36s, as the majority of them are part of the Gendarmerie’s inventories and often issued to undercover cops

We purposefully ignored obscure or less common pistols/revolvers, and stayed away from calibers starting with the number 4, because reasons :D Kidding, those are much more expensive and a lot less available, not to mention totally unpractical for our environment.

Since one usually purchases a weapon system, not just a handgun, we recommend having the below:

- Three (Five is better) fully loaded magazines and/or speedloaders/strips

- A minimum of five reloads for all magazines/speedloaders (We strongly recommend 500 rounds of backup ammunition)

- At least 300 rounds of practice ammo per year, to become proficient with your pistol and maintain your skills with it.

- Spare parts (Dependent on what’s available and based on your platform) as any man-made mechanical device will have some wear and tear over time.

BUT! BUT! DO I NEED THIS MUCH AMMO/MAGS/TRAINING AMMO/SPARE PARTS? I JUST WANT A GUN NOT AN ARMORY! Your argument is invalid, you need all of the above AND you also need to dry fire your handgun RELIGIOUSLY, at least a few times a week.

While one doesn’t need to store thousands of rounds of ammunition, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re a shooter. Buying in bulk ensure you get cheaper prices AND don’t have to worry about running out of non-standard ammo.

In conclusion, the author’s recommendation for Lebanon is to get a Makarov (PM, PMM, or Baikal) as a first gun, followed by a PLK/Glock 19 Generation 3 (Or any of its clones), a Glock 26 Generation 4, or even (God forbid) a CZ P10C.

This way, you will have a more concealable pistol (The Mak) for when you need something smaller yet affordable, as well as a compact 9mm handgun for when you need to go slightly bigger and shoot on the cheap(er). This would also allow you to Every Day Carry (EDC) the 9mm when conceal carry licenses are active in Lebanon, shifting back to the Makarov when those are suspended and personal protection trumps abiding by a law that disarms good citizens. In case you are arrested at a police or army barrage and the weapon is found, having a Sovietskaia Poormanpistov confiscated wouldn’t hurt as much as losing a Neinhalt Sieger P3000 made by the crafty dwarfsmiths of Nifelheim that cost you an arm and a leg (Plus half a kidney).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR AN ENDORSEMENT TO BREAK UNJUST, IMMORAL, RETARDED LAWS THAT LEAVE YOU AT THE MERCY OF A BENEVOLENT NANNY STATE AND MERCIFUL CRIMINALS (But we would understand if you did).

Some people only want to own or can only afford one handgun though, in this case the author strongly makes the case for the Makarov PM (Link to our article here: https://salvosmodum.com/blog/the-case-for-the-makarov-pm) but perfectly understand the selection of one of the above listed 9mm pistols due to ammunition logistics albeit requiring a larger initial investment.

The Mak is still, in our humble opinion, a great do-anything-well-enough gun for Lebanon (Even for competitive shooting if you don’t mind the looks from the snobbish CZ crowd :P and slower reloads)

In the end, you will need to make an enlightened, educated, pragmatic, and unemotional decision as any weapon system depends on your Mission, Environment, and Context.

REMEMBER: GUNS ARE TOOLS, NOT TOYS.

Stay a predator to Evil.

We offer a FREE phone consultation if you have any questions regarding firearms in Lebanon. Our Handgun Fundamentals as well as Advanced Applications with the Handgun courses and seminars will teach you the mindset as well as the necessary skills needed to use pistols in real-world situations.